Wrecker Build

[jerrdanjohn]

I built my first hydraulic wrecker when I was 22 years old. I am double that now and still enjoy building them. I build for financial reasons also. This truck would cost me 50 to 60 thousand to buy used. Not saying this one is worth that, just what the replacement this size with these options would cost. I started this 6 month build with a pile of parts from a Boniface brand underlift and a boom from a burnt Chevron. The truck is a 1989 IH U-Haul truck (last of the U-Haul diesels) It was air ride and I changed it to spring ride. The spring ride systems are not rated as high as I needed for this truck. I will let the photos tell the story, but just wanted to add that I added wireless remote control for the underlift and drag winch. Here is a video of the build

and here is one of the remotes working

I am working on a BIG 4x4 wrecker now same style truck with 46 inch tires I also have videos of the beginning of it also.

 

[coal_man]

Interesting build. The hood swap really updates the U-haul trucks.

Nice looking wrecker.

coal_man

 

[Strouty]

Looks good, I like the 4x4 wrecker too. I am generally a freightliner guy, but I am probably going to use an IH cab for simplicity when I do my 5 ton 6x6 civilian conversion. I really want to make it a crew cab and IH is the easiest to find that way.

 

[plow]

Dig it!

 

[LXCam]

Very cool bud!.

 

[trijeff]

U got SKILLZ!

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk

 

[ilovevocs]

Nice work!

 

[2mJps]

Nice wrecker. Have you ever built a rollback? I have a f600 with a 14flatbed and hoist that i would like to be able to haul a car on. I have a 12000 ramsey winch on it now but the bed needs to be longer but i would like the part that makes the bed longer to be easy to take on and off.

 

[jerrdanjohn]

I built one about 6 years ago. Here is a video of it.

I am getting ready to build another one on video using a 2003 Topkick.

 

[67CarGuy]

Nice work! How do you go about determining the dimensions for frame/body crossovers? Are you just measuring from the actual piece, or are you using a database?
I'm just curious as I've often thought of doing a COE flatbed...

 

[North Run Grader]

Very nice, having spent 8.5 years running wreckers in the mountains, mostly in the medium duties, I love it. It only needs 2 things, a Lund front window shade, otherwise the sun can be a real pita, and seriously consider pivoting outrigger feet like on the Vulcan V30, that flip serrated edge is very nice when you are trying to anchor on an icy shoulder. Or in the mud or loose soil conditions like where you have blocking behind the rear wheels. In the cement truck recovery, personally I would have run both winch lines out with ****** blocks, just to make it easier on the winches. All of our recovery rates were from depart the yard till return to yard. A little more work setting up but easier on the equipment.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

Good work.
I haven't messed with any in a few years, but used to do lots of tow truck repair / fab work for buddies who run em. I still remember that UH OH! moment on my first roll back build when I realized the tilt cylinder mount interfered with the chassis crossmember / drive shaft center carrier. I didn't even have any other truck around to compare, so I just fabbed up some heavy square tube and flat plate to make a drop down crossmember to clear as needed.

Edit: So I watched the video -- The remote controls use air cylinders? I mess around with Omnex wireless systems a fair bit. Electric valves and one of their reciever / tansmitter sets work nice and reliable.

 

[Steve from Socal]

I built one about 6 years ago. Here is a video of it.

I am getting ready to build another one on video using a 2003 Topkick.

Very creative, re purposing is an art in itself. Using a full length sheet is really top notch on you tilt beds.

I have an International 4700 service truck with a T444E and it is OK on flat ground, going up the continental divide I was getting passed by everything. How do you haul class 7-8 trucks in the hills with that truck?

Steve

 

[jerrdanjohn]

Very nice, having spent 8.5 years running wreckers in the mountains, mostly in the medium duties, I love it. It only needs 2 things, a Lund front window shade, otherwise the sun can be a real pita, and seriously consider pivoting outrigger feet like on the Vulcan V30, that flip serrated edge is very nice when you are trying to anchor on an icy shoulder. Or in the mud or loose soil conditions like where you have blocking behind the rear wheels. In the cement truck recovery, personally I would have run both winch lines out with ****** blocks, just to make it easier on the winches. All of our recovery rates were from depart the yard till return to yard. A little more work setting up but easier on the equipment.

I had two wreckers hooked up, the other one was on the other side. We was well within the limits of what we had hooked.

 

[jerrdanjohn]

Good work.
I haven't messed with any in a few years, but used to do lots of tow truck repair / fab work for buddies who run em. I still remember that UH OH! moment on my first roll back build when I realized the tilt cylinder mount interfered with the chassis crossmember / drive shaft center carrier. I didn't even have any other truck around to compare, so I just fabbed up some heavy square tube and flat plate to make a drop down crossmember to clear as needed.

Edit: So I watched the video -- The remote controls use air cylinders? I mess around with Omnex wireless systems a fair bit. Electric valves and one of their reciever / tansmitter sets work nice and reliable.

Some rollbacks mount the cylinders on the outside of the frame, much easier to clear. I used the air cylinders because it's what I had and I wanted to have the option to use the manual valves also.

 

[jerrdanjohn]

Very creative, re purposing is an art in itself. Using a full length sheet is really top notch on you tilt beds.

I have an International 4700 service truck with a T444E and it is OK on flat ground, going up the continental divide I was getting passed by everything. How do you haul class 7-8 trucks in the hills with that truck?

Steve

Steve, I know what you mean about the 444, I run 5 of them. I live in the flat piedmont of NC, so no hills to deal with, but I have a tandem pete wrecker I use on the heavy stuff. This one I just use as medium duty.