Wrecker bed modification

[nf6x]

Some of my trucks have "pants rippers", too.

 

[zebedee]

Locker mats

Have a roll of ex gravel bank conveyor belt kicking around so I cut a few mats for the tool boxes/lockers so the heavy BII doesn't smash around, especially as I have just painted some of them...

empty locker

holes punched for body bolts, cut corners so fingers can remove mats.

I didn't fit them too tight so that water would drain down to the bottom and out drain holes.
Turned a cutting tool to use with a hyd press to make the holes for the large bed bolts.

Made one for the rear tool box - pins and shackles etc., but no pics..

 

[Csm Davis]

Great mod Zebedee, call me sorry about the full pm box.

 

[kdaniels]

Here's the pic you ask for.....THANKS for the response !!

 

[Csm Davis]

Thanks Marine, now this is how I want to mod my wrecker!

 

[zebedee]

Yes - those 'from ground' - access lockers are real nice. Are you still thinking of doing mods like pic in post #69 (& #37) etc??? I am looking at the gap between the back of the right tank and the front dual RHS and wondering if a locker will go there on it's own, or dropping the floor of the standard RHS locker and having a tall locker door all the way from the bottom of the tank to the top of the body side......

STILL SUBSCRIBED!

Edit - one more thing for the Neigh-sayers... How about moving the diesel tanks up on top and putting lockers in their place? Would work for pumped fuel - like refueling a plane, just a pig for hand balling Jerry cans....

 

[73m819]

Yes - those 'from ground' - access lockers are real nice. Are you still thinking of doing mods like pic in post #69 (& #37) etc??? I am looking at the gap between the back of the right tank and the front dual RHS and wondering if a locker will go there on it's own, or dropping the floor of the standard RHS locker and having a tall locker door all the way from the bottom of the tank to the top of the body side......

STILL SUBSCRIBED!

Edit - one more thing for the Neigh-sayers... How about moving the diesel tanks up on top and putting lockers in their place? Would work for pumped fuel - like refueling a plane, just a pig for hand balling Jerry cans....

This could lead to a fuel siphon issue, the ip is a DRAW pump with NO check valves, a high tank could allow fuel to flow on it's own (siphon) when the engine is shut down, ask WM about about his former 816 and paint thinner

 

[Welder Sam]

Oh crap, ron. That doesnt sound good at all

 

[Derrickl112]

..

 

[zebedee]

This could lead to a fuel siphon issue, the ip is a DRAW pump with NO check valves, a high tank could allow fuel to flow on it's own (siphon) when the engine is shut down, ask WM about about his former 816 and paint thinner

Thanks Ron - Yes, I concur, that would be a problem!

It was just an idea - had no intention of that mod for my truck.

 

[Derrickl112]

Any good reason to not cut the bed on a wrecker up outside of the frame? Thinking of reworking one of mine to make it easier to work with

Have you gone through with any of the mods that you talked about?

 

[Csm Davis]

No not yet been to busy cutting up trucks but that's helped I got to cut up a wrecker bed the other day and I don't see a reason to not hack on mine now the load is held by the frame and in, the outside gives little or no support to the crane.

 

[Csm Davis]

I put a rack behind the cab to hang the chains on. This frees up a lot of space in the tool boxes. Also a good place to mount extra lights.

Hey Jim can you post some pics of your headache rack, and while I am on the headache rack any reason not to make a place to store the boom going forwards especially on the 819 type trucks, think my headache rack will be heavy duty enough the boom won't bend it if I just bump it so I don't have to worry about the cab.

 

[zebedee]

Moving crane hoist

Time to rev this thread up again. New sub topic for argument.

Recent pic in M62 thread got me thinking about moving the crane hoist to increase drum capacity.


Moving the hoist winch back to the M62 location would increace the crane function beyond the floor ie., over a bridge or dock, also allow for addition of single fall 'fly' jib.

-ve's; Slight percentage reduction in first wrap capacity.
. Encrouch on space behind boom vs spare tyre.
. Increase "nuisance" factor of getting to lockers 3A and 3B - counteracted with other mods.
. Ground spade brackets to be modified to raise spades over cable path.
. Doing away with compact and 'protected' location.

+ve's; Increased drum capacity as stated.
. Free up space for snatch block stowage a la M1A1 Ward on front of boom support.
. Removal of rear sheave block which necesitates corrugated/grooved drum. (Length of uninterupted boom will create a fleet angle small enough not to effect smooth wrapping on drum.)
. Simple modification - 2 hoses and associated brackets.
. Counterbalance weight benefits.
. Walk through space under boom increased.



There is obviously reasoning that the hoist location on the Austin Western crane was dropped for the later style M543 which stayed right up to the M936.... B*ggered if I can think of it though.

Probably not going to do this mod - but it is food for thought.
Feel free to "shoot me down" but this is a theoretical discussion and I have probably overlooked a huge -ve!

 

[Csm Davis]

Okay so I get the jist of your mod but not sure why? The 819 had more cable right where it is.

 

[zebedee]

Okay so I get the jist of your mod but not sure why? The 819 had more cable right where it is.

Reasons for and against listed... However I did not even consider the 819 would have a few feet more... or would it? Perhaps when using the 'manual' third stick, it was only done at single fall - therefore wouldn't need extra cable. Ron, you are our resident 819 guru (I guess dh too)... Does the 819 have extra cable (over the 816)?
Regardless - on the 543/816/936 you only get one layer of cable on the drum - MAX... but move it to the forward location (M62) and there isn't the restriction.

 

[73m819]

Reasons for and against listed... However I did not even consider the 819 would have a few feet more... or would it? Perhaps when using the 'manual' third stick, it was only done at single fall - therefore wouldn't need extra cable. Ron, you are our resident 819 guru (I guess dh too)... Does the 819 have extra cable (over the 816)?
Regardless - on the 543/816/936 you only get one layer of cable on the drum - MAX... but move it to the forward location (M62) and there isn't the restriction.

Yes, I can touch the ground plus about a foot or so when I am fully extended, all the way boomed up, and rigged for 3 part..

The m819 has 1 layer, more then one layer may cause reeving problems if you were not careful, it could be done, just have to watch it, the ONLY size cable you can use is 1/2 inch because of the fluted drum.

 

[zebedee]

Does the 819 have extra cable (over the 816)?......Yes, I can touch the ground plus about a foot or so when I am fully extended, all the way boomed up, and rigged for 3 part..

So - is the drum bigger (dia), or is it mounted with clearance to get a second layer? An 816, all the way up and full stick will just reach the ground in 3 part - you have an exta boom plus it's additional height x3 for the cable fall...

 

[73m819]

I will tape the drum tomorrow, also will tape a m62 drum as well. My drum only has a single layer, I will also check the clearance.

I have 26' of boom, I will tape the fall from boom tip to ground with full boom, full boom up.

 

[insanejecke]

Here's the pic you ask for.....THANKS for the response !!View attachment 396352

I want one now.