Willys utility vintage options/ideas needed.

[mdlighting]

Hey guys I might be getting a 1950's Willys utility and would like to make it into a chiefs buggy Rat Rod but I'm at a loss as to what equipment would be on a buggy from the 1950's. but remember guys I want it to e a Rat Rod so it can be a pieced together with different things lol

 

[mdlighting]

Come on guys I need so insight for this

 

[Squad-6]

Dual tone mechanical siren with a light on it & Beacon ray(s).

 

[Clarence H]

A photo of the vehicle will help us decide what stuff will look best.


Clarence

 

[mdlighting]

Not the actual truck but the same








The one I might get doesn't have the windows on the sides


I was thinking a rough looking mechanical siren on the drivers fender, a siren speaker on the passenger fender, dual lollipop lights on the front bumper, and a 4 bulb beacon on the roof





as for the inside a homemade switch panel with rocker switches a Powercall siren that uses a rocker switch and a foot pedal for the mechanical.

 

[mdlighting]

Maybe some stuff like these











And I have a speaker for the siren

 

[dmathieu]

1955 and on, this would be vintage appropriate.

 

[mdlighting]

Are those big enough for the roof

 

[dmathieu]

That is what they were originally made for, starting in 1954-55.

 

[mdlighting]

Oh ok would there usually be 1 or 2

 

[Hoser]

Oh ok would there usually be 1 or 2

That answer either way you want to make it. I would try and keep everything period correct tho. To nice to make a Ratrod out of.

 

[CHIEFOPS]

What is the actual definition of "rat rod"?

 

[mdlighting]

It's a vehicle made into a hot rod with random parts from different things all put together. The paint is never nice more like rust and faded factory paint usually sits as close to the ground as possible

 

[dmathieu]

Oh ok would there usually be 1 or 2

One.

 

[NPS Ranger]

Don't take a rare classic vintage Willys and ruin it by turning it into a grotesque clown car, Ebay is already full of unsalable "rat rod" examples that nobody wants except the people who built them.

 

[JohnMarcson]

I moved this to the correct section and made the title more descriptive to get the thread some more views and hopefully more replies.

 

[mdlighting]

from what I've seen its already in bad shape. so its really not ruining it if it was in good shape I would make it a nice looking chiefs buggy, and thanks to John for fixing the thread.

 

[EngCo4]

It's a vehicle made into a hot rod with random parts from different things all put together. The paint is never nice more like rust and faded factory paint usually sits as close to the ground as possible

Oh....then you know Jerry Engle and his "rat rod"


he made from a VW and FD stuff....

 

[EngCo4]

You should try to get everything period-correct.


Lights, gear, equipment. Not that hard to do. Just


take your time and you will have a NICE vintage


piece of apparatus that you will be proud of.


Here is my Willys Jeep utility.


And mine was as bad as you could get!


When I started, it was a derelict. It was


in the woods with a TREE GROWING THROUGH IT!


All original 1957 Willys Jeep stuff! Period-correct


lighting for a utility/brush based on both my own


experience (1966-present involvement in FDs)


and research of pictures, specs and standards


for such vehicles.


I don't know of any Jeep Wagon buggies in PG


from back in the day, but there WERE several


Jeep CJs in service until recently. Try looking


on several other FD websites such as Loudon


County VA, Fairfax County VA and others.

 

[dmathieu]

THAT is beautiful!!!

 

[EngCo4]

Model 17 Federal Beacon Ray on the roof.


(you can find these here on the buy-sell thread)


Two rear-facing red lights on the roof.


(you can find these here on the buy-sell thread)


That older Federal Siren on the fender.


(clean and repaint with quality silver paint)


Letter it for College Park VFD as a Utility.


(a good sign shop can die-cut nice gold


or gold-leaf imitation lettering for a decent price


and you can apply it yourself like a decal)


Extinguishers mounted in brackets inside on wall/floor.


NO ELECTRONIC SIRENS, LEDS, STROBES, etc.


(NOT period-correct!)


A couple of axes mounted inside on the walls.


(go raid the back storage room)


Make some plywood inner walls for the panel truck.


(you said this didn't have the rear windows, they


were know as 'panel trucks' back then, also called


'sedan delivery trucks')


Some small tools, rope bundles and some older bunker gear.


(go raid the back storage room)


Two front-facing red lights on the bumper.


(you can get these here on the buy-sell thread)


Maybe add "A" post spotlights.


(can be bought here on this board)


A vintage Motorola control head and microphone under the dash.


(get the whole radio if you can, they are even available here


every so often on the buy-sell thread)


Go for a nice white-over-red or all-red paint job!


(oh! oh! Better get MAACO!)


Hope this helps you get started.


BTW...is the vehicle running? Parts are available


all over the interweb! Even many Jeep Parts sites


and new parts sites! Popular vehicles and simple


to work on!


Good luck!


PS....and DON'T go looking for Engle! !!! And get


permission to raid the storage room!

 

[EngCo4]

Additional info....


DON'T go overboard with lighting and sirens!


Not only will it overwhelm the alternator, but


back in the day, emergency warning equipment


was more minimalistic than today's vehicles.


Check photos of EVs in your department from


the 1950s-1960s as compared to today. Also


a good place to start your research on period-


correct lighting and equipment.

 

[EngCo4]

Additional, additional information.....


Do a search of the forums here and look


for the thread(s) about "Calamity Janes".


These were the Blue and White Civil Defense


units that were popular from WW2 through


the late 1960s. And many of them actually


were Jeep Panel Trucks!


That light give you some better ideas and


also give you a truly unique vehicle that is


correct for your area and era. Many good


pictures, information and descriptions.


These units are what many Squads evolved from.

 

[mdlighting]

My plan is to make it a tribute for my dad he was a volunteer for 25 years and career for 18 years before he passes away. I want to letter it as company 53 his county ID number ( St. Mary's county) and have it EST 1958 the year he was born. I have this vision of a Dept buying a old truck and just fixing it enough to put on the road I was already planning the wood inside with tools and gear it's just the lighting and sirens I wasn't sure about being born in 87 I didn't get to see much of that kinda stuff. I was thinking of flat red and white paint to match Brandywine (my dept) but change the lettering to what I said earlier.

 

[EngCo4]

He is a member at Avenue?


I lived in St.Mary's from 1975-1987.


Worked at NASPAX 1975-1987.


Member of Lexington Park VRS for years.


Also was a member of Ridge VFD for a few years.


Life member at Brentwood. 1968-present.


Was at Hyattsville before that. 1967-1968.


Still have family in VFDs in PeeGee.


Also worked at the old Capital Ambulance Service


based in Silver Spring, MD (we used to compete


with Huntemann's Ambulance Service ala "Mother


Juggs and Speed"). 1966-1970


I knew a few members from Avenue.


Leonardtown used to operate a Blue and White "Calamity Jane"


as a Squad until the 1980s when the got their first regular


heavy squad.


How's things at 40 these days?


Go ahead and spend the few extra $$ and get


a decent job at MAACO. Do the rust/body filler


yourself and let them paint it. You will thank


yourself for it later. Especially if it is going to be


a tribute to your Dad!

 

[Liberty703]

Unfortunately, "rat rod" and "period correct" do not belong into the same sentence. If you are a "rat rodder"... than use what ever. "Period correct", than you've found the right forum. Seen too much stuff out there "hacked" together and then someone expecting a premium for it. Nothing wrong with a tribute car, but surely a waste of classic items for a rat. Drives up the market for those who do an "authentic" restoration.

 

[EngCo4]

Unfortunately, "rat rod" and "period correct" do not belong into the same sentence. If you are a "rat rodder"... than use what ever. "Period correct", than you've found the right forum. Seen too much stuff out there "hacked" together and then someone expecting a premium for it. Nothing wrong with a tribute car, but surely a waste of classic items for a rat. Drives up the market for those who do an "authentic" restoration.

YUPPERS~~~!!!


Back in the day when WE built hot rods, WE strove


for PERFECTION and went to the limits for detail,


cleanliness, performance and PROPER EQUIPMENT!


It was all about PERFORMANCE, SPEED and CHICKS!


Trust me! Chicks DON'T want to be seen in a "Hoopty"!


THEY have "reps" too!

 

[Liberty703]

YUPPERS~~~!!!

Back in the day when WE built hot rods, WE strove


for PERFECTION and went to the limits for detail,


cleanliness, performance and PROPER EQUIPMENT!


It was all about PERFORMANCE, SPEED and CHICKS!


Trust me! Chicks DON'T want to be seen in a "Hoopty"!


THEY have "reps" too!

I agree, my '78 Nova 9c1 is going to get some "hot rodding". Still an original engine compartment, but due to a cracked exhaust manifold (and CA smog crap), I will be ditching the air pump, EGR intake and air inject exhaust manifolds. Don't cry purists, as it will be all stored in a cardboard box for someone other than me to make it truly "authentic". I have collected all GM parts to do the conversion. Unfortunately, that stuff didn't work in '78, and I really want this car to be a driver (presently 296K miles). Stock paint, stock interior, correct drivetrain and period correct warning equipment. Rat rods were born from parts and pieces of 3 or 4 cars that were piles, too many hacking restorables into something that shouldn't be. I really shouldn't be judgmental, but just saw a '57 Chevy 4-door the guy wanted $18K for with JB Weld sealing the cracks on his manifolds. :no:

 

[mdlighting]

He was a member at Mechanicsville and paid at NASFD from 88 until he passed away in 2005 he was a LT on the crash truck at station 1. I know how to do body work and paint so that's not a big deal to me and if I build it I will keep it. I want it to look like we pulled it out if a field and started using it like it is.

 

[EngCo4]

AWWwwww...C'mon! Make it NICE!


Raggedy looking apparatus just isn't right


Especially if it is a tribute!


Sorry about your Dad!


You have a nice idea of a tribute, spend


the extra effort. You will thank yourself later.

 

[Wailer]

NO ELECTRONIC SIRENS(NOT period-correct!)

I agree. Do not put a siren speaker on that wagon. The CP25 speaker was introduced in the early 1960s - it's way too new for a 1950s restoration.

 

[mdlighting]

I'm not 100% sure of the year yet it could be a 60 something who knows. It doesn't have to be 100% period correct I like the mechanical on 1 side and speaker on the other look it evens it out

 

[Clarence H]

Try here for some ideas:


Fire Jeeps on The CJ3B Page


Clarence

 

[Wailer]

I'm not 100% sure of the year yet it could be a 60 something who knows. It doesn't have to be 100% period correct I like the mechanical on 1 side and speaker on the other look it evens it out

Put a large red blinker on the other side instead of a siren speaker.

 

[Skip Goulet]

Not the actual truck but the same

View attachment 57303


View attachment 57304


The one I might get doesn't have the windows on the sides


I was thinking a rough looking mechanical siren on the drivers fender, a siren speaker on the passenger fender, dual lollipop lights on the front bumper, and a 4 bulb beacon on the roof


View attachment 57305


as for the inside a homemade switch panel with rocker switches a Powercall siren that uses a rocker switch and a foot pedal for the mechanical.

I like your idea...to a degree. Put a B&M S8B or CS8B on the left fender. On the bumper....6" Unity or Dietz sealed-beam lights (red or blue, whichever you can use). To be traditional, use a Federal 17 on the roof. Lollipops would look fine on top next to the beacon, but the roof-version 6" sealed-beam lights would look better. If you put a mechanical siren on the left fender, then put your siren speaker on the rt. fender. To stay in keeping with a vintage look, and if you can find one, put a CP24 on the rt.fender. The CP24s are rare. They resemble a WG siren with a front grille rather than the short projector of a CP25. Then find an early PA10 Interceptor or a PA5 Director. Those would be in keeping with the vintage look, but a PA20 Interceptor or a PA15 Director would be fine. The early Interceptors and Directors had the Alert (steady tone) function; the later Intercetpors had the hi-lo function while the later Directors eliminated the Alert siren and only had wail,yelp, manual along with the PA and radio functions. Another suggestion would be in finding an original Penetrator siren. With that you would need a rounded speaker such as an SA24.


For your mechanical siren, use the traditional spring-loaded foot switch....not a pedal. Kevin at B&M has the foot switches available, but I'm not sure of the price. Some parts houses also have them. Now for a nice ass-kicker......find an old single-level "knuckle buster" ambulance cot or an old Ferno 54L two-level "lowboy" cot. That'll give you the full Rescue mode. Good luck and have fun!

 

[mdlighting]

Yeah that sounds like a lot of money I want to try and do it with as little money as possible. I'm only working part time right now.

 

[Wailer]

Actually, you can put whatever you want on the Willy's wagon. But if you put the CP25 speaker on it and a 1970s vintage electronic siren to go with it (e.g. PA15A series 1E), don't tell anyone that they are 1950s era equipment (if you do, you would be lying).

 

[mdlighting]

What year did the GE powercall come out I know I'll never be able to afford 1 but I could use a new powercall sirens one with a toggle switch

 

[Henry455]

What year did the GE powercall come out I know I'll never be able to afford 1 but I could use a new powercall sirens one with a toggle switch

The year was 1965 for the Power Call siren.

 

[mdlighting]

So I could play it off even though it won't be a real GE powercall