SOLD
We’ve come across a number of nice old fire trucks. Quite often, they are low mileage drivers that still have a ton of life left in them, but there’s always the question of what to do with them. As cool as it is to have a fire truck, they aren’t the most practical. Even if you have a garage or barn large enough to park them in, the fire apparatus limits their usability for anything other than fighting fires. Well, reader Steve E found one and decided to convert into a flatbed truck. The result is a great looking truck that can haul everything from lumber to car parts. If you’d love to put this truck to work, you can find Steve’s ad on Coparts via the link below.
Asking Price: $7,400
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Mileage: 5,993
Title Status: Clean
VIN: W54N007739
Seller’s Description: Low miles, well kept and stylish conversion to a flatbed.
Body Condition: Excellent w/ very minor age related marks + new paint. Original interior, one seam separation. No body or interior rust. Here’s a photo of it before the conversion.
Mechanical Condition: Original 261 ci 6 cyl, 4 spd manual transmission. Engine, trans, brakes all in working order.
Converting this truck into a flatbed was a novel idea and should make give it more functionality. There’s still the issue of having a place to store it, but you might be able to squeeze it into the garage. Our thanks to Steve for listing this cool truck with us! Be sure to take a closer look at it.
If you would like to sell your classic vehicle, you can list it with us here on Barn Finds!
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Very nice looking truck. The colours suits it well and it can actually be used like a pickup truck. The only thing I’d have done differant is I’d loose the fire hoses off of the sides.
I agree, a sharp truck, and yeah, lose the hoses. They removed just about everything else fire engine related. Should update the drive train, tho. The 216, 4 speed, was adequate for 1954 fire fighting, but kind of useless today. It appears they updated to tubeless tires, smart move, but will still struggle at speed, unless something was done to the gearing. Brakes and steering too, not the best. Shows what can be done to old fire engines.
Actually, it’s a 261 ci straight six– a 235 bored larger for torque. Holds great oil pressure. Yes, it’s a perfect truck to make into a custom. Or, use it as-is.
We left the brackets intact, with the thought that a business sign would attach to the brackets on either/ both sides very easily. Easy to remove the brackets and apply paint or vinyl signage.
I agree with Howard. Update the mechanicals and repurpose the truck for any business that needs to carry ladders, (hang them on the hose hooks) glass or plumbing. (again those hooks will hold lots of pipe). It would be an attention getter ( read bill board) parked for a day in a neighborhood or going down the road. A 3/4 ton truck plus a service body puts you in the $40-65,000 range these days. For that kind of money or less you also get a billboard guaranteed to get noticed. IMHO
Catering Food Truck selling Hot Wings!!!!
The 7400 bin doesn’t seem bad at all if it is as appears, and if you are willing to gamble the auction might come in even less………still a gamble.
Given limited probable suspension travel I’m surprised they didn’t cut down those inner wheel houses…………at least by half. Would make it even more serviceable. Being less than 6′ wide the bed has limitations. Had the sides been moved out and provisions for ramps made it could have made an interesting car hauler for something comparatively small. Interesting rig………
Getting rid of the ‘widow maker’ wheels was absolutely necessary. The modern tubeless wheels are very little smaller, but have smaller tires, yes.
Neat truck. About the best use you can make from an old fire truck. I like the sleek body sides on this. It’s one of the more styled fire trucks I have ever seen, the way the sides match the door curvature and the roof flows into the back. Good color combination too. I suppose if you are going to repurpose a fire truck, this is the one to do it with.
Good luck with the auction.
– John
Leno did something similar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f99W1ocaRT0
The ONE photo of this truck in its current state looks nice…but are there no others to be seen? Would be hard to commit for $7400 based on the one photo, no matter HOW nice it looks.
Copart uses a standard set of pics. I have lots more, and can share if asked. IF it does not sell, it will go to eBay, where many pics are allowed.