MD/HD Wreckers
 

Being a Chevy pickup nut all my driving years,I have a warm heart for the heavy tow trucks. I think they are the trucks that first turned my eyes towards larger GM trucks. I would see 1t wreckers everywhere,at almost every gas station and most garages when I was growing up,but now and then I'd see the super-sized big brother of these trucks. I've always wanted one. To me,they are the saviors of our beloved pickups. I would want a medium duty truck to tow my light duty trucks with. I see the one ton wreckers as "car" tow trucks. Needless to say,a medium duty wrecker is on my short list and will be till I get one.
I have a few in pictures. If anyone else has pictures or is lucky enough to own one,lets her from you.

First one,I would say,is not exactly the best way to show one. Well,maybe it runs great but the guy didn't have anyone else to drive the other truck.Yeah...that's it!

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

This one was bought by a feller who joined the site. He showed it,but that's the last I've seen of him. I believe it was on Ebay. I just remember seeing it for sale before he got it and wishing...

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

Tim, I too have a fancy for these "big" trucks. I have wanted one for a LONG time, it just hasn't worked out, maybe someday?? there used to be a salvage yard not far from me that had a wrecker like the white one in the pic. it was red and black, they had it all dolled up, she was puurrddy and I would drool over it every time I went there. Coop

P.S. don't hold out on the pictures!! ( I know you have LOTS more)

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

These trucks make perfect wreckers. Stout sumbuggers!

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

heres one at the lot where i worked for a while. a friend of mine.if it would stay on the ground it aint no telling what it would pull.iirk it had duel 30,000lb winches.

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

For the money I would like to have it for myself,just to drive and fix up. It is use able just need batteries and tires.Tommy had to have one in this weight range plus one bigger to get on state and city police rotation.That old girl runs like a sewing machine.If you want to hear a story about the first time out with it let me know.

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

Waitin' for the story here :cool:. This thread ain't just pictures buddy. I wish I had stories.

This one looks right healthy:

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

Here are some photos of the 1966 C-60 with home made tow truck unit I use to own back in the early mid 80s.

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3dc279cb.jpg

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4b54fc55.jpg

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/...psb5b0d819.jpg

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

That sure was a handy one!

'Scuze me while I take a step farther back in time...

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

I like it back here:

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

Big and proud:

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

Some nice ones:

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/...ps21979eb1.jpg

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/...ps425d059f.jpg

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/...psa94ff897.jpg

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/...ps278e3368.jpg

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3c39cfd0.jpg

http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/...pse8e97a79.jpg

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

Can't beat being old and useful (hope I am some day)

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

First of all thanks Special k for the thread.

Around April 2009 we had been on State wrecker rotation an there had done been 2 big truck wreckes within 3 weeks of each other within a 4 mile radius. About 5:45pm I had just set down for supper and the scanner goes off for another big truck wreck.I couldn't believe it.3rd wreck all in a short period of time. Tommy (owner) calls and tells me to stay close.

Well a little while later the other driver calls and tell me to go and get the other big wrecker we"re going to need it. The old girl hadn't been worked in about 4 years the guy we got it from tells us when we picked it up.

Between the day calls and body shop I hadn't had time to familierize myself with it. I go and start down the road and the top speed, before I thought it would blow, was 47-48 mph.

Well get there and stop.We had 4 9000lb. rolls of aluminum coils that had come off the truck and rolled about 130ft. down an enbankment.Past where the big truck(the one in the wreck) finally stopped.I get hooked to 1 coil and start pulling it up the bank and the ole girl didn't grown what so ever. we got the other 3 up the hill and waited for the manufacturer decide how they were going to get them on their trailer WITHOUT damageing them any farther.

I thought what the h..., There rushing us to hurry up and get the road opened and the jerks running around scratching their butt wondering how not to damage the coils.

We get the other bigger wrecker in place and hooked up and started the pulling when one of the cables snapped. Guys were talking a big truck down a ravine with a 53' aluminum flat bed trailerwith about 5-6 big trees that we have to come BACK over. No other way around it.I looked at Tommy and Robby(the other driver) and said boys we got one chance,hook green truck up also.With 3 cables hooked something was going to give.We pulled a big sapling OUT of the oil pan with a wrecker.It had gone THRU it.

Longer story short we got the road opened about 6:00am the next morning.I got to the lot and unloaded alot of truck pieces with green truck that morning and she never grunted the least bit.

I never thought we would use it like that, that nite. But she earned her keep that nite.

It does have a diesel in it but I don't for sure which. I"m thinking Detroit.

No one seriously hurt or died.Miner scrapes and bruises. The car that caused the wreck(driver) was texting wife to let her know he had Big Macs for supper. Run under front rear wheel of big truck. Pics on other computer. I find them I the next nite or 2.

Sorry for such a long story.

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

Stories are good and that was a good'n. Times like that bring a feller closer to his rig. I have a friend with a towing/hauling/recovery business. He tends to create stuff,rather than spend mega-bucks on fancy new stuff. You may like this one. It has a Detroit 8.2. That may be what Green Truck has. They don't get much respect,but like the 6.2,they get the job done when they're right. I'll have to find a picture

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

I'm thinking thats what they said. I'm not for sure though. I do know that was a sweet running truck that night.I don't think everybody thought it would do as well as it did.

I was suprised.

NOT trying to sell for myself but He is wanting to sell and get a newer when he could spend some on that one and make it just as nice as a newer.

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

Not heavy duty but it's still doing it's thing.
Was on Black Hawk Farms Raceway in Rockton, IL from late 60s till 2010 when I bought it

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

I love this tired old wrecker

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...owtruck002.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b2...owtruck001.jpg

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

bbb

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

The GMC CrackerBox above is one heck of a truck. Twin Steering Axels and Triple Rear Axels. Twin Booms with what looks like an enormous Winch. That truck could haul anything on the road today. Just about a gaurantee that it is Detroit Powered.

Bill

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

Take a ride in an old but cool Wrecker.

Notice that it is a MH 9500 (Extended Hood)


Bill

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

Check out tow911 and tow411 sometime.

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

I learned to drive in a'79 c30 with a hydraulic century. Neat photos.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

5 more

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

This one belongs to the landscaping company I work for, although its technically not a wrecker. I think it has about 300' of winch cable on it. Every time there's a threat of a hurricane, we dust it off and get it ready, but it never gets used. I guess it would be used to open up roads that had downed trees across them? Ive been working there over 3 years and we've had 2 decent hurricanes, and it still hasn't gotten used. Oh well, i hope they forget about it one day and i can scoop it up for a bargain basement price ;)

Its a 1970 GMC C65 with a 305v6 and i believe a 2 speed rear. Very cool truck.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...s/P9030113.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...s/P9030114.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...s/P9030115.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...s/P9030111.jpg

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

Thats a nice winch truck. The generator is huge on that V-6!!! ,you can probably weld with it. Was that an ex fire truck/ heavy light truck?

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

No it was purchased new or relatively new by the gentleman that started the company (now deceased). It is used for straightening large trees that have leaned over in a storm. I havent looked at it in a while, its tucked in a barn that no one uses. I remember the SPID not being very legible, i'll have to look again one day

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1358335065

This ole girl was just south of me.
Seen it working didn't realized mcpheatridges sold it.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8094/8...c96e820a_o.jpg

Learned to drive in this little C-30.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

Jim Carter's:

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

Ok guys,
need an opinion here.
How cool are these things ? I have a chance at a really rough old girl, 67 c50 with a GMC 305 V6 in it and a smaller than normal Holmes 460 bed and booms on it. unfortunately it has the center split (firestones?) 20" rims ... fortunately there are only 5 so i need to find others anyway.

is it worth devoting the time and effort it will take to make this thing presentable again?

Really want it bad, but having a hard hard time justifying it.

Thanks
Dan

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

All I can say is there are plenty of guys out there who restore weathered old trucks just because. It can be a lot of effort but you'll always be able to find others to agree it's worth the effort.

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

Get the nicest piece you can get. My 73 1/2 ton was a lien sale survivor and a train wreck under the paint.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

I love this new section dedicated to the medium and heavy duty trucks! Wish I had a reason to own one. :waah:

A few heavies from my picture stash…..

I always like the looks of the Century wrecker bodies on the 92-’03 medium duties
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8091/8...b8d3c2ae_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8369/8...b6afedaa_c.jpg

Look at this beauty! I think I got these pictures from ebay or an old thread here somewhere?
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8505/8...ffca6df4_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8526/8...c2f1bc32_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8236/8...82270438_c.jpg

I think I got this picture off Ebay too. Really cool 3500-HD wrecker with a 4x4 conversion
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8237/8...57abd627_o.jpg

An old picture from 2003 after bolting a 454HO into my K10. My buddy towed my truck to the exhaust shop with one of his 1995 Brickyard 400 rollbacks. He has two Brickyard roll backs, both have Cat engines with 5 speeds
http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1116/1...59358bf1_o.jpg

Same buddy with another one of his rollbacks (not a Brickyard rig though) towing my project Sportside to the exhaust shop after a 454 swap. Ironically, the engine just swapped in this Sportside is the same engine I had swapped into my K10 9 years prior.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7071/7...a20e98b8_c.jpg

When my dad bought an Exxon station back in the early 70’s a 1948 Ford wrecker came as part of the deal. I barely remember this truck but I do remember the winch was a hand crank, not PTO! Also the only Ford my family ever owned! :lol: The burnt out ’48 Chevy was dad's too but some scumbag stole it off the gas station parking lot one night, stripped it then burnt it. Sad
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3295/3...b66b7750_o.jpg

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

Interesting pictures, but I would take that real clean '62!! Fine example of a good 'ol wrecker.

Bill

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

I'm glad it took off like it did. Thanks K

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

Did he ever stop shifting gears. Those ole Detroits are some screaming motors.

Re: MD/HD Wreckers
 

Well you all have once again proven to be a BAAAAAD influence on me. Going over tomarrow to try and make a deal on this realy rough C-50 wrecker. i should not do it, its more work than I need, has a GMC v6 partial swapped in ( front mount is not adapted so it has a piece of chain wrapped around the block ) booms are cracked and some of the winch gear is broken, but Dang they just look so tough and beastly I am afraid it will go to scrap if i dont save it. Pictures when the deal goes through and I drag it to its new home. ( Did i mention the flat black paint aplied with a broom?) on the plus side it Does have the Big back window which my heavy Duty C- 60 does not ;-)