HRSaR

[McMurphy]

HRSaR
"Hot Rod Search and Rescue"


This is almost a time capsule tale...


Known History at this time (as related to me 3rd hand):
This was purchased as a stock C-30 dually and modified by the Original Owner (OO) to be to a Tow Truck.
He did all the mod work himself, and evidentally was an accomplished mechanic/welder as the truck is reported to be stock in engine and unaltered parts, and the work he did has withstood the test of years.

He installed the OD Transmission (I am told it either is a Browning, or "like a Browning" to quote my fave Junk Yardman) which gives it 12 forward gears and 3 reverse. All I can tell you at this time is that the Low 1st gear is so low that you can start the truck with it in this gear.... how weird is that?
He also built the push bumper, flat bed, headache bar, and boom, as well as reinforced the frame. This thing is built better than some Army Tanks !!

He then used it for the next 38 years to make his living with as an independant road side hauler. Up here in central Alaska with the set up he put in it made him the first choice to call for long out-of-town hauls, particularly in the harsh winter months up here. He could get in, hook up, and get the target vehicle out and safely down the road in conditions that would make others shudder (or so the story goes...)

Its amazingly good condition is due to a few combined factors.
Firstly they dont salt the roads up here in Alaska.
Secondly he garaged it like a prized classic (understandable since it was the main tool of his lively hood).

Sadly he died approximately 10 years ago, but his widow kept it garaged until a local gas station and amature car dealer inquired about it to the widow as she stopped in one day. A deal between them was struck, he invested in the Herculiner that is currently on the surface of the bed, and put it up for sale at a mild profit.

I happend across it one day about mid summer this year of 2013.
I stopped, looked at it, shot some photos and then chewed on it for a few days. Then in an eerie sweep of providence I texted my wife and asked her to stop by and "look at the 60s era truck at the Tesoro" she chimed back with "The red tow truck? Yeah I have seen it" which said to me that if this beauty can catch her eye like that, then it was an instant imperative to make an inquiry on it.

The next day I got the truck for $50 more than the station owner paid for it as he graciously took a $50 hit for the Herculiner....I cannot relate what a joy it is to deal with people that are more interested in saving rigs like this than they are about profit margins... !!

Things I need to confirm:
o I am not sure if this is rocking a 283 or 327 yet (getting to the casting numbers is kinda a PITA)
o The type and origin of the additional transmission.
o rearend gear ratio
o winch size (right now I am told it is between a 7-10k with 1" steel cable) none the less I am going to un-and re-wind the cable to clean and oil it, as well as wind it neatly as it likely will not be used much if ever again.


Immediate Plans (within the next year):
o Brake Job all the way around
o upgrade to power assist for the brakes
o Power Steering
o tune up
o Oil and Lube
o convert from home made tow ball platform (the locking latch on trailer hitches conflicts with the towing C-clamp pintle above it) to a modern receiver.
o replace broken lights and reflectors (already in progress)
o replace the seeping gaskets (valve and timing chain covers so far)
o cut down the push bumper to something less... less weighty, less air flow constricting to the radiator, less masking of the trucks pristene front grille.
o add retro-look modern stereo with hidden speakers and amp.
o fix the in-op fuel guage.
o remove the old CB radio set up (already in progress)
o make minor improvements on the OO additions (already in progress ie: the safety lights bracket has been redone)
o replace the rubber bumper guard on the tow lift (replacement rubber has been purchased, just needs intalled)
o "skirt" the flat bed with fleetside panels.

o use it to haul the Stepside from Alaska home to Spokane next summer when I exit the Army; then as a prime hauler for one of our other classics to car shows until the 55 flat bed is done. Then I will probably put it up for sale.


Future Plans:
o clean up the welds
o fix the nominal rust, look for more and fix that too.
o clean and dress the engine and compartment.
o install factory deleted items like passenger side sun visor, arm rests, dome light (done)


Generally overall I intend to keep this truck looking as period correct as I can, meaning things like that monster emergency services strobe light will get a replacement bulb for the burnt one, and will stay up there as is. Luckily there is a Trucks Specialty Parts Store here in Fairbanks that actually carries modern as well as retro parts for this rig (talk about an unforseen score !!)
The CB radio whip antenna will be replaced by a period correct radio antenna and will be used for the stereo I intend to install.


I never thought I would have more than one active build thread at a time, and surrepiticously feel I have entered into an alumni of esteemed builders like Dino, Alan, Wutnext, and Clemdaddy !!
I must caution you build thread junkies, this is going to be a slow moving thread. Since I have no place to keep this bad boy, it is going to be parked and tarped for the winter here soon.

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These photos are from the initial photo shoot I did at the gas station the day I stopped to look at it. The cab was locked and it was way too early in the morning for the station to be open.











For those of you wondering as to the title of this build:
When I was in Air Defense Artillery, my weapon system was towed behind a truck, and was air mobile (you can look up the M167A1 Vulcan if you like) and as a 16R we were known as DAGBs (Dagbies) = Dumb Ass Gun Bunnies.
Our system mechanics had a truck they drove around in to go from gun to gun to effect repairs with and on window was stenciled "DSAR" which I came to learn meant "DAGB Search and Rescue"
I became good friends with those guys during my tenure as a DAGB, and this is sort of a homage to them as well as a cool idea for possible door art which I will share in some future post.

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Well, my wife made me promise only one project at a time.
Meaning I cannot do anything to the TowTruck until I am done with the Stepside.

Dang; I am sure going to miss her....