• Please be sure to read the rules and adhere to them. Some banned members have complained that they are not spammers. But they spammed us. Some even tried to redirect our members to other forums. Duh. Be smart. Read the rules and adhere to them and we will all get along just fine. Cheers. :beer: Link to the rules: https://www.forumsforums.com/threads/forum-rules-info.2974/

Diamond T snowcat hauler will need ramps.....

bkvail

bkvail

New member
http://www.geocities.com/karinvail/diamondt.html
we now have the Diamond T at our house and getting some work done on it. We got it running, but probably am going to need to do a carb kit on it. Brian has the wheels off in prep to rebuild the brake cylinders (they leak). Once that is accomplished, and it runs/drives well again, we will need to build ramps. Would be cool to be able to do a tilt bed on it, but that's not in the budget! Which is a shoestring! The back of the bed sits very high - like chest height. The tires on the truck are about the same size as the logging truck Brian drives. It doesn't look as big as a semi-truck, but it's pretty darn close! Anybody have any great ramp ideas/designs?

It was a truck in a museum for a while (originally was a lumber truck, it has a set-up for air trailer brakes) - the writing on the side says ''Osborn Achers Mariposa, CA''. Hubby and I argue what they were trying to spell - I think it was supposed to be Osborn Acres and they misspelled it because the guy that sold/donated it to the museum was last name Osborn.
 
Looks like it will be a mega-hauler! It appears to be in really good shape with sheet metal and chrome. The only ramp idea I can think of is to make them long and strong. You probably saw the forum pictures of what happens when a snocat tips over backwards going up a ramp. Maybe your truck has a winch already?
 
hmm - no winch. The long and strong ramps will have storage problems (and not to mention moving them when time to load/unload.........

yes, it's in really good shape as far as it's not very rusty - there is only a couple tiny dings in the front chrome grill, and one dent in the edge of the passenger/front fender. Other than that, it's really complete and straight. It has a newer interior, just needs cleaned up. There are a few issues - like the throttle linkage is screwy, and the motor looks like it leaks pretty good. But, for $1000, I can't complain!

Karin
 
the best way i think to load the thiokol on the back of that truck would be to build a dove tail on to the back of the flat bed and use shorter ramps either hinged on to the dovetail that fold back onto the wasted space or just use a shorter managable ramp and the truck looks good I love them old trucks that is what a truck should look like
 
ahh, ya, now that's a great idea to build onto the back - hmm, might even give us extra room for a snowmobile which would make our oldest son happy :)

Karin
 
well, after a lot of work on the brakes, and some work on the throttle linkage, Brian has this truck driving. He had to replace all the rear brake wheel cylinders (two on each side) and the brake master cylinder too. The front brake wheel cylinders will probably have to be replaced soon too. He actually was able to drive it yesterday! He is going to rebuild the carb though (if we can find a kit!) and more work on the throttle linkage (he might have to make something new because the original stuff is so worn even though the truck only has 30K miles on it. So, now is the time to start thinking about making the bed so it can haul the snowtoaster :)
 
The Diamond T is one of the most beautiful trucks I have ever seen . I think I have located a smaller one . I never been able to find the owners home when I spotted it sitting in the trees behind the house . I hope to purchase it for the ranch .
 
we like the style MUCH better of the earlier models like in the 30's, but we got what we got :) this one looks much more like an international.......
 
whats wrong with corn binders them and the old macks are also a good looking truck i have seen several old b acks around here and one even runs
 
Its a long time since anyone posted here, but what is the status with the Diamond T? I'm also an old truck owner and thinking of using it for transporting my snowcat (once its finished). I checked the website and saw bkvail's snowcat is sold(?).

I absolutely love that Diamond T! Hope you still have it :) Please update this topic if there are any news? Thanks!
 
yes, the snowcat has been sold, and the Diamond T is also pending sold (we made a deal with a fire department in the county it originally came from (Mariposa, CA), they are coming in about 2 weeks to trailer it home).

We are getting a '36 Diamond T as soon as the '56 leaves the yard. Going to restore that body but put it on a modern chassis so parts are easy to come by and also making it more safe and reliable.
 
Wow, '36 Diamond T! We can only dream of such trucks here in Europe. Actually after WWII the Americans left in UK several Diamond T's which were then auctioned off and bought by some famous heavy transport companies. They were a great deal for their buyers and those were real big tough trucks! I have seen only one Diamond T in "live" in my life.

YouTube has several great films about Diamonds - I've watched them all... Since childhood I was drawing Peterbilts on paper (my teacher thought I had psychological problems when I was always drawing some flames on their side - she thought I liked fire - she was right, but only from the exhaust!) and my walls were covered with big US car & truck posters. Currently I have only one truck, which is a Swiss made FBW - its a COE type, but I would definately prefer a truck with real hood! The longer the better ;) I absolutely love the 2-stroke diesels (we have 4-strokes) - I guess the '36 has gas(?) engine. Would be great to once own a dual-stick old Semi, that needs some learning especially with straight cut gears. Diamond is a very rare truck, I've also been looking for Autocars etc. rather rare brands. I always have said I live in the wrong side of Atlantic ;)

Please don't forget to post photos of your new purchase, too bad the '56 must go (usually I hear people buying old firetrucks, but selling trucks to fire station...?!).

Certainly the '36 Diamond is the right model to buy! Good luck!
 
well, we have some pics, but they are from it still in the field - the hood and door are off of it (they were in the shop of the guy we are getting it from).
yes, I do believe it was a gas motor - we're only getting the cab/frame though. Brian wants to put a turbo diesel in it, he will have a couple years to find the 'right' donor for that while we restore the cab though :) And find/make a new grill too.
5843515992_731e965403_b.jpg


I love that this truck already looks ''chopped''

I know it looks really rough, but that steel is REAL steel and solid as a rock. The worst of the rot is in the wood within the truck and the bottom of the doors. It's gonna be a lot of work, but a lot of fun I think!

Karin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top