MissouriDreaming

A little update on the truck. I have found a place to store it indoors. Not exactly what I want but it will keep it dry and out of the weather until something better comes along. I really need it at a shop or big garage so I can work on it. Kind of a pain to have to get it out of storage and then take it somewhere else to work on it and so on. I have had it out on the road a couple of times so I am getting more comfortable driving it. Still only take it out on late evenings when there is not many people on the road. Other than getting used to the shifting of the auto at low speeds and the effect it has on the truck all seems to be going well. I think its first event will be the local Kansas City SPAAMFAA Chapter Firefest 2015 in Independence, Mo. Is there anything I should be keeping in mind when driving a heavy truck like this with an automatic? Seems like once it gets into 4th gear it get nice and smooth, fast and can be scary to stop if going down a short hill. If I try to keep the speeds low and not hit 4th gear(35-40MPH) it seems like the RPMs are way high (2100 or so) and I fear bad things will happen. I know experience behind the wheel is really what I need the most, and I am getting it, I just do not want to damage the truck by doing something that I am simply not aware of. Thanks Gregg

I came across a 1973 R model on Brindlee Mountain's site that someone has for sale. I am not bright enough to figure out how to direct link on this forum otherwise I would. www.firetruckmall.com and look under pumpers. I am not affiliated in any way with Brindlee but I figured someone might be interested. Gregg

I think I already have the answer from another thread but just to confirm. Raising the cab only requires the pumping of the jack with the valve switch in the "raise" position. To lower the cab one will just move the valve switch to lower and then pump the jack to lower the cab back down. It appears there is no interlock or latch that keeps the cab down. While the cab is in the raised position there should be a safety bar or latch to help support the cab while raised up so it does not come down unexpectedly. Does this sound correct? I just noticed wires hanging down to the ground from under the dash area of the cab. No doubt when the mechanic raised the cab for the inspection he went too far and ripped out some wires!!!! I need to get back under it to trace and repair. Gregg

Well, that settles that. Indoors it goes. Sounds like I just need to build it a garage but until then I will put it in indoor storage and forget the cover/truckport idea. This truck has been on my mind and in my dreams since I was a child. I will not allow it to further rust, deteriorate or otherwise turn to crap and to do so I have a lot to learn. Today it got an inspection, brakes adjusted, coolant system checked ect, ect. Only issues found was a rusted exhaust clamp needed replaced and the new brakes were way out of adjustment. Hopefully it stops better now. Thanks for the info! Gregg

I have a question on storage of an old truck. I know I must keep it out of the rain but how important is climate control? Right now I plan on storing this behind my shop under an RV cover, at least from April-Oct, and then indoors if I can find a place suitable. If climate control is not a huge issue then I might just build a truckport behind the shop and park it under that. Anyone have any experience? Gregg

This one came out of Pennslyvannia.

Well, it's "home". Even though it only has 37,000 miles on the OD it still has 31 years of continuous service and the wear and tear is showing. There are a couple areas of rust to deal with and I am going to need some of the inside/outside cab and a few body and compartment mounted light fixtures replaced and replace most of the wiring. A lot of the hardware on the body is loose but with some new screws, bolts and whathaveyas these will be easily fixed. Was bummed to find multiple broken gages and a couple of the handles broken/bent on the pump panel. Will be on the phone with Waterous today looking for parts. With the exception of the tires, which are almost brand new, the rubber and weather stripping is starting to fail and deteriorate. Now I guess I need to make a parts list and hope that they are out there somewhere. Runs and drives great. I was told the truck would get up and go right from the start. And it did!!! It is going to take a lot of practice to get comfortable maneuvering this truck. Other than the loud and scary noises it makes the only thing I am concerned with mechanically is the brakes and a slight smell of coolant around the exterior of the truck. While the truck could run calls for a few more years it is pretty clear that it was in the final phase of it's firefighting life. Because of the amount of work needed to remove much of the wear and tear, which will no doubt turn to further rust and brokenness, the cost would be better spent on a new piece of apparatus for an active department. This is why the truck is a perfect match for me as I will be more than happy to sink the "councils" budget into like a boatanchor just to see it shine again. Whether or not it see's a fire again......I guess that's an open question. Super stoked to be able to share! Gregg

Well, I bought a truck. Its not the 88 I was looking at....its an 84 with a body refurb in 89. Now I am just arranging transport to its new home and beginning to plan its new future. Seems to be in pretty good condition with the exception of a little rust behind the front wheels. Its coming right out of the firehouse, still running calls as a reserve this weekend. I like that fact its only 25 feet long, with a booster reel, deck gun and I absolutley love the trash line off the front bumper! Its comming with a ton of equipment that will save us on re-equipping. I will probably be removing the stobes and replacing with a period correct full size areodynic and some old school rotrary lights on the rear as well as some old "Dial 911" decals that were used in the 80's if I can find them. I will post some decent pics when it gets here and I can really dig into it. Looking forward to getting it home and getting to work on fixing the use and wear so everyone can see it continue to shine!

Yeah....I was bidding on the MC out of North Carolina today but unfortunately I was not victorious. Friggin loved the truck though. Perfect example of what I want. At least now I have seen one sell and will be better prepared if another comes along. Thanks for the heads up though...I can use all the help I can get If anyone knows of any nice MC/MRs for sale please dont hesitate to send them my way!! Thanks again for everyone's input. Hoperfully one day I will have something to share. Gregg

Thank you for the replies. I have a lot better understanding of what I could be in for on a long haul even if the truck ran great..Now I even can tell the difference between different models....Turns out I am going to take the advice and look for a truck closer to home that I could go and inspect a little easier and perhaps save on the transport costs little. My last truck that came outta Cali cost me around $3700.00 total to transport it to Missouri and I dont wanna pay anything like that again. Although, it seems all the rust free trucks are far away from me in the West, SW or SE. so I might not have a choice if I want a rust free truck. I absolutely love the look of the cab on these late 80's MR/MC Macks and the inside design as well but considering anything that has the look Im after.... Most important thing to me now is to find a truck that is 100% rust free and in operable condition. I figure part of the fun will be customizing it and fixing the major and minor details that make it shine. Any idea on the price differece bwtween the CFs and the MC/MRs?? Thanks Again! Gregg

I come seeking advice. A little background.. I am a dreamer. Ever since I was a kid I wanted a fire truck. Seriously, even as an adult the obsession grew. Now, I am not a truck guy. Not a mechanic. Never been trained in heavy equipment or stuff like that. But last year I came across a truck I could not pass up. It was a 1989 GMC Mini Attack pumper and it was awesome! I bought it and had it USHIPed from the Fire Dept in California to Missouri. Truck got here and it was perfect. Could have not gotten a better deal and a more solid truck. Like I said I am not even a truck guy and even I could tell this thing was well taken care of. By watching you tube I taught myself how to operate the pumping equipment and stuff. Had lots of fun with it but I sold that truck a few months later to a rural department that needed to upgrade and now I am regreting it!!! So the dream is itching and here I am searching for another truck and it seems I have found one. Its a 1988 Mack and again its far away. Sadly that is all I can really say I know about it. I got really lucky last time, but for the small amount I paid for it- it really didnt matter. This truck is a bit of an upgrade and costs a little more. Its well within my project budget, even more so since I made a nice profit on the last one but I dont want to roll the dice again. As I lean more about this truck is there anything I need to stay away from with regards to Mack Motors and Transmissions. I have been told it has a "Mack Motor" and a Automautic Transmission. I am going to assume the tranny is an Allison as almost every single fire truck I have looked at that are auto's are. When I have this truck inspected what should I be looking for specific to a Mack. My other issue is Transport. Its 600 miles away and if I did go to inspect it I would like to be able to drive it away. Dont laugh....I already said I am dumb when it comes to things like this but is there any specific reason a fire truck could not do a 600 mile highway trip assuming the truck is in good working order? This one could probably be ushipped....i know from experience it wont be cheap.