American LaFrance Dump Truck

[Chuck Most]

Yes, you read that right. Stumbled across this last night and thought it was an interesting conversion, to say the least.

Edited September 9, 2014 by Chuck Most

[Guest]

Interesting yes, practical might be another thing. I guess it makes a nice conversation piece

BTW,

Lionel Richie?

Edited September 9, 2014 by Modeltruckbuilder

[Jim B]

Well, you don't see that every day. I did see something like this while driving around Grafton, MA, one day a couple of years ago.

[1930fordpickup]

Cheap to pick up old firetrucks after they have been retired normally , so why not.

[Danno]

It's not uncommon for towns without deep coffers of cash to convert 'retired' fire apparatus into public works trucks. ISO criteria call for a twenty year service life for first-in fire engines and trucks; after that they can be used as reserves, but generally speaking, reserve apparatus gets replaced by retiring first-line rigs before they are used up.

Consider that most fire apparatus is "over built" for reliability and dependability but doesn't accumulate much mileage while in service. That's why most apparatus gets surplussed out to smaller and smaller communities rather than being crushed.

There's even a long tradition of many fire agencies "refurbishing" older apparatus into more modern rigs . . . still retaining the original low-mileage chassis but upgrading pumps and equipment to new standards. "Refurbishing" usually includes a newer cab to meet newer ISO standards, etc., but it's still the same old chassis.

But many enterprising communities recognize the value of that low-mileage chassis and cab, and have been known to convert the "old" firetruck into a street department workhorse or water department rig, etc., extending the life of their investment and maximizing their return-on-investment.

So, yes, you'll see a lot of 'retired' fire apparatus converted to dump trucks and flatbeds and welders and all nature of haulers.

The one Chuck found looks to be a nicely restored rig in private hands.

[Guest]

Having the open cab in back must have been a loud and noisy ride.

[Danno]

Having the open cab in back must have been a loud and noisy ride.

There's a partition wall with sliding windows behind the front seat, Anthony, separating the cab from the jump seats and engine doghouse. It's not as noisy as you'd think.

[Chuck Most]

Interesting yes, practical might be another thing. I guess it makes a nice conversation piece

BTW,

Lionel Richie?

Yeah... already used Eddie Murphy's Party All The Time single cover as my avatar... had to mix it up a bit. Either song could be my theme music.

[olsbooks]

"Dear, I am going to buy an old fire truck and fix it up"

plus

"But Honey, not until you do all that dirt work in the back yard you say we cant afford"

equals

The above.

I love it!

I have got to find some glue bombs and try to pull this off.

Edited January 4, 2015 by olsbooks

[kilrathy10]

Lol.... Get the flip out of here..... That is cool.....

[gray07]

Beautifull truck.

[vettecote]

That was on e-bay several months ago...Joe

[Chariots of Fire]

I don't often like to see fire apparatus used this way but this one is good!  (Not saying I'd build a model of it though)

[1st 700 Quad]

I'll go one further, Charlie, and say I HATE to see fire apparatus abused in this manner. How'd ya like to be trapped in those jump seats when the dump bed is down. I'd be way too claustrophobic.

[GLMFAA1]

Not to difficult smash, The AMT American LaFrance pumper and AMT Ford dump truck. Just a mock up and maybe a model in the future. I would leave the jump seats out. make the gumball lights green and yellow, keep the bell just for some bling

greg

[olsbooks]

A dumper pumper?....nah...that name has to be saved that for the septic tank version.

Hmmmm.... Such a combo could justify keeping the lights and siren. Just saying.....

We have big old IH S series ambulance that visits town serving coffee and donuts with lights going.

"Let us help you with your caffeine and sugar emergency" or some thing of that sort plastered all over it.

Anyway, hope you will finish it out. Have fun with it!

Peace.

[Atmobil]

Cool conversion. Here in scandinavia (where firetrucks are often just normal trucks with a fire apparatus addon at the rear) it is not uncommon for restorers of classic trucks to buy old firetrucks to convert into whatever they are building. The reasons is usually (as Danno had already pointed out) that the firetrucks never get that much miles on them and are most of the time parked inside with someone taking good care of them all along.
Not at all uncommon to find a 30-40 year old firetruck with something like maybe 40 000km on the clock and usually rustfree and with good mechanicals.