Early C.C.W. ??

[D.R.H.]

Gents, on my G-506 Bed recon today I found this early Jimmy. It has a rather interesting drivetrain conversion. Here are the photos.

This badge is on the passenger side of the hood.





Here is the unique bogie assy. I have never seen this monkey before!



It even has its' own dipstick.


Brown-Lipe Trans.

Data Plate. Looks to be 2 under with 1 to 1 direct drive.


Anyone know about this..................Ben?

[Joe Gopan]

Not early, as these conversions were very common post war thru mid 50's. The GM Dealers who sold these conversions were franchised to sell them.
After WWII two there was actually a shortage of heavy duty civilian trucks. These were a civilian conversion that resulted I a heavier duty GM 4X2 to 6X4 truck, Truckstell did the conversion to the 6X4 and these trucks were put to work as dump trucks, cement mixers, log haulers. There was a similar conversion by another company, WARFORD BAUMIS. One of the dump body conversions by these two manufacturers was a dump body and a bucket mounted on front. The truck would drive into the material to be loaded and this bucket on long arms would pivot up back over the cab and hopefully dump into the dump body. They were geared very low and not made for speed Few is and GI parts were used and the loud howl (not whine) of the extra gearing could be heard a mile away.
I think if one researches Warford Baumis or Truckstell there will be some light shed about gearboxes available to convert trucks.
Thaat's quite a prize you found.
Note the complex Power Divider and the PTO shaft that possibly went to a dump.
Our local Chevrolet Dealer had one of these Truckstell or Baumis conversions that they used to remove snow banks thru the late 60's.

[Jeff L]

That's a very cool piece ! The Truckstell conversions were available pre-war as well. This is a 1942 ad showing a 1939 Chevrolet.

[Steve in NJ]

Dave H.,

I see that you have a Truckstell Conversion truck. I also have one, but it is a Dodge Power Wagon Swivel Frame made by Truckstell.

Do you still have the Jimmy?

Steve in NJ

[D.R.H.]

Hi Steve, the truck is at a wrecking yard in Vancouver Wa. and it's state of existence is unknown at this time. I am sure it was converted to haul timber here in the Pacific North-West. I wouldn't mind having it, but I have too many projects now as it is. Ya just can't save 'em all unless you're Jay Leno. And I think even He has His limit in mind.
I think that the boys here would like to see photos of your truck, military or not.

[Steve in NJ]

Thank you for your response.

I saw on the front end that the truck as a Truckstell Conversion emblem on it. That would look great on the Swivel. Any info on the junk yard would be appreciated.

I'll try to figure out how to post a picture. Here is a link to a YouTube video with with Dennis Gage of y Classic Car.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvYGaTq9z2M&t=163s


Steve

[gyknot]

Thornton drive was another company that made these conversions. I have a postwar dodge heavy that has the conversion on it.
They used standard rear axles, and pointed them towards each other and put their "power divider" in between. Some of the dividers were also 2 speed as well. When used with 2 speed axles it gave them a huge number of possible gear combinations.
Its in my "someday" line of projects I'll probably never get to unfortunately. But it is saved from rotting in the woods that I pulled it from.
Somebody stole all of the badging off of mine before I found it. I'd sure like to find them at a reasonable price now.

[clintm20]

Very interesting thread.

[Joe Gopan]

Warford Baumus made these set ups also, one could hear the whine they made a half mile away.

[Tonywan Kanobby]

Warford Baumus made these set ups also, one could hear the whine they made a half mile away.

You mean “loud howl” (not whine), right ?

Just seeking accuracy.