M543A2 wrecker joins the family

[bigmike]

Got more done on the wrecker these past
few weekends. I stenciled the truck, installed the interior, installed the Vic-1, and installed the NOS canvas cab cover. Gun ring is about all that's left.

 

[wcuhillbilly]

great job mike, Although,,,, why did you ditch the hard top for a ragtop? your truck, your choice....

 

[bigmike]

great job mike, Although,,,, why did you ditch the hard top for a ragtop? your truck, your choice....

The hard top was in pretty bad shape especially at the mounting flange (lots of rust). Also, with the gun ring, I thought it better to go with the rag top.

 

[catskillpond]

Where did you get the data plates for the crane looked through this thread might need new glasses. Thanks Scott

 

[bigmike]

Where did you get the data plates for the crane looked through this thread might need new glasses. Thanks Scott

see response #40 on previous page.

 

[zebedee]

see response #40 on previous page.

Went to dataplates.net and they only advertise an M35 set - did you have a custom set made from your old ones or are they just slow to update web site and do a whole lot more?

 

[bigmike]

Went to dataplates.net and they only advertise an M35 set - did you have a custom set made from your old ones or are they just slow to update web site and do a whole lot more?

. I sent them my old ones and he replicated them one at a time. For all I know, he saved the info for future orders.

 

[70deuce]

Boy if he saved the info for the wrecker data plates he might get a bunch of business. How much did all of them run?

 

[bigmike]

Boy if he saved the info for the wrecker data plates he might get a bunch of business. How much did all of them run?

sorry, it's been about a year since I ordered them so I don't remember what I paid. It was really reasonable.

 

[70deuce]

Bigmike, I just emailed them and they can't seem to find your order. Greg said to email him at orders@dataplates.net so he can locate your order. It would be great if they could find your order so we don't have start all over again. I think there are a bunch of us out there that would go for a set of those plates. Thanks

 

[wcuhillbilly]

Plates would be nice,, mine are completely bleached and I have to go by memory as to what does what. Im ok with it but when the wife is operating and Im rigging, things get a little hinky... (helmet is usually required PPE)

 

[bigmike]

Bigmike, I just emailed them and they can't seem to find your order. Greg said to email him at orders@dataplates.net so he can locate your order. It would be great if they could find your order so we don't have start all over again. I think there are a bunch of us out there that would go for a set of those plates. Thanks

sorry, I'm a little behind on this thread. I'll e-mail him tomorrow.

 

[bigmike]

Added an in-cab rifle mount

I had this NOS rifle mount so i decided to add it to my wrecker build. I'm very happy with the result.

 

[bigmike]

sorry, I'm a little behind on this thread. I'll e-mail him tomorrow.

Gang,

I contacted Greg @ www.dataplates.net and he found the order with all the data plates he made for my wrecker. It's almost 100% complete except for some winch data plates which I didn't need to remove and replace. Feel free to contact Greg if interested in purchasing the data plates.

 

[jhooah]

Weapons mounts are fine, but I think the real reason so many are out there surplus, was in-service, we merely rotated the M16s upside down and used the window elbow wing nut to secure them along the dash/window. if your rotate the nut, they lock in as if it was designed just for that purpose.
Love what you did to the wrecker, ours (in Virginia) is identical, with the exception of the labor going into her, I never had the time to peel the paint and finish putting on the new dataplate set I obtained after I returned from Afghanistan.
Really hard to get up to any speed, takes about a mile to reach 30mph too, engines putting out power, she just doesn't like to giddy up and go.
V/R W. Winget

 

[Csm Davis]

The hard top was in pretty bad shape especially at the mounting flange (lots of rust). Also, with the gun ring, I thought it better to go with the rag top.

Mike you should look at getting the cab reinforcement plate that goes on the back wall and put it in before you hang the gun ring.

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[bigmike]

Mike you should look at getting the cab reinforcement plate that goes on the back wall and put it in before you hang the gun ring.

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I have a cab reinforcement plate. I didn't install it because the crane engage lever would be blocked and unable to operate. The lever is behind the driver's seat in the corner of the cab. I'll post some pics of my install and mods later today.

 

[Csm Davis]

Yeah I think the wreckers and dump trucks had to modify the plates to clear the handle

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[wcuhillbilly]

Im not familiar with the "plate" but knowing that stupid handle,,,, I would question, why not mod the handle......???? heat/bend forward some so that in disengagement position it is off the back wall by say 3 inches... and right in Funny bone range when engaged.....

 

[Csm Davis]

I am with hillbilly you should be able to move it just slightly to miss the plate

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