New guy w/ Diamond T - Live near Olympia, WA - from Rapid City, SD

Been a member for a short bit... Figured I'd introduce myself. I live just South of Olympia, WA. Moved here from Rapid City, SD in 2005.

I bought a '48 Diamond T (Model 509) Fire Truck about 3 months ago (1/7/14). It's still down near Salem, OR; but I'm picking it up this weekend (4/12/14). It's originally from somewhere near Seattle. I'm anxious to get started on it, but I have a few projects in front of it ('67 Camaro, Custom Softail that I'm about to drop a new S&S motor in, and my 2000 K3500 Crew Cab srw that I'm dropping a new 454 in). Plus, I'm still installing lights & electrical in my 2,400 sq. ft. shop that I built myself (the last project that hasn't ended). Like most people, my dreams are bigger than my wallet, so I'll just have to see what comes up for the right price at the right time.

My biggest problem is that I have no free time, so I tend to bury myself with projects that I think I will eventually get to. I'll turn 45 this summer, but I still dream of getting another race car; raced Late Models on dirt at Black Hills Speedway for one year back in 1994 - then went broke doing it.

I go back to SD for the Sturgis Rally almost every year... Going this year for sure (that's why the bike and the pickup are priorities right now).

I look forward to sharing my Diamond T adventures, as I'm sure I have a lot of scavenging to do, as it has some pretty severe rust on the doors & cab. Looks like I may need a LF fender, too, as I'm not much of a body man. I plan to use a ***mins 5.9L and may just buy a donor truck. Not sure, but I'm thinking of going with a 4500 or 5500 series Dodge dually RWD, but may end up settling for a 1-ton (or maybe even a Blue Bird bus).

My Diamond T seems to be pretty much complete. Even has the original Hercules engine (not running, as far as I know). I was considering restoring as a fire truck, but I'm starting to think that I may turn it into a hauler (something more useful for me). I've been inspired by Tom Hansen's '48 Diamond T Hot Rod (the orange & cream colored one from Laramie, WY). However, if I can track down the history on the truck, then who knows what I will do.

I will be watching all of the other Diamond T builds that are posted here and may jump in with questions... I look forward to learning a lot & getting to know several of you.

 

welcome to the show ....

 

Welcome!
You can't beat the earlier 12 valve ***mins for mileage and dependability, (I love mine- the Dodge part, not so much.) Should be a good fit under the long hood of your Diamond T. Keep in mind, however, the front axle width of a later Dodge big-truck ch***is is going to be too wide for the stock T fenders, so you may have to get creative in that area.
(Also plan on keeping a low profile, as the Traditional Police will likely frown on the OT ch***is concept...) Good luck.

 

Thanks! I appreciate the heads up. I'll need to get some track width measurements, before I commit. I've also considered keeping the existing frame and adding Chevy or Ford front & rear - we'll see how my research pans out. I may even consider keeping the existing rear... I'd like to have this truck end up being a 2 to 2 1/2 ton, but I'll settle for 1 ton, if I must.

I'm not concerned about the "Traditional Police". I plan on putting air bags under it too... If they don't like what I choose to do with my money, they can buy it from me and build it themselves. Lol!

 

I finally brought her home, last weekend. Wow! This Model 509 cab is going to need some work. I'm not a metal fabricator, but it looks like I'm going to have to learn. Both A-pillars are rusted pretty bad (the right one, all the way through). I think I may start keeping my eyes open for a good cab, so if anyone knows of any.... CHEAP! (Lol)

So... I guess I'm really looking forward to learning from all of the metal fabrication pros on here. Guess I better start looking for some metal fab tools, too...

 

welcome from wi----- and more pics please!

 

I've got additional pictures in my Album under my profile. I'm attempting to post one here to see if it works: