Diamond T 969.

[Matt]

Hi,

I'm trying to find out how many Diamond T 969 wreckers were produced and of those how many were hard cab? where would the chassis number be stamped on the frame?

Thanks for any info!

Matt.

[Degsy]

Hi Matt

According to Vanderveen all the 969's were steel cabbed, 969A and969B
were supplied as both steel and canvas cabs,he doesn't quote any quantities. Hope this helps a bit.




Cheers
Degsy

[joel gopan]

I have a 1940 dated TM on the DT(the earliest), plus the later ones in my library. Nice truck but a lot more work to keep up than GMC.
Joel

[Matt]

Hi Degsy,

Thanks for the info. Joel is there anything in particular that I need to look out for? any common faults? I realise parts are harder to get,everything is heavier,they only do 3mpg and the Hercules RXC is not as advanced as the GMC 270,but do these trucks suffer from any specific problems?

Thanks!

Matt.

[joel gopan]

No big faults with the trucks, but sheet metal and cosmetic items are just about nil in the USA. Torque rods are very hard to find and the dealers who used to stock up on the DT in the USA are not. Gov't engines are available and the repair parts are heavy. Your chances of finding parts are better in Europe. Remember the 900X20s used on the DT are 12 Ply and heavier. Sarafan was the largest importer of these in the USA in the 70s, Supreme Surplus had many parts, but have been closed 20 years, Memphis has mostly powertrain items. I have some drive line parts and a transfer or two.

[dr deuce]

I had a DT for a while. It had sat for about 12 years before I got it. I CCKW would NEVER have had brakes after that long. This one did and stopped fine!.

If you have a DT, you may want to consider having one or the other.
Reason: You get into them differently. You will find yourself launching your head into the door frame (assuming closed cab) because you have to step up onto the gas tank to get in. Unlike the CCKW, you are within a couple of inches of the bottom of the door at that time.

12 lb conn rods do not like to change directions at high rpms.....

The closed cab had wood in the interior of the cab. Potential for rot. Parts are much harder to come by. They only made something like 26,000 DTs total. That is just a little more then the SWB CCKW

[Matt]

Thanks Joel and Doc. the truck I'm looking at will need sheet metal work,it's a closed cab and has been standing. it runs but I think it has sticking valves,tyres are shot.

On the plus side it's all there,lights,gauges,dataplates etc and has never seen European service,went through a US military rebuild/overhaul in 1954,sold to a service station and used as a wrecker until the late 80's,been parked in a barn since then. it's another truck needing restoration but I'd rather take on a vehicle that's rough but original than one which has been badly restored.

Thanks for the help guys.

Matt.

[joel gopan]

1954 rebuild is too long ag, it was 10 years old and rebuilt and had 30 years of non military use. A lot can go wrong.

[Brent Delaney]

Hi Guy's

I am looking for a nos petrol engine, radiator and front grill (bush bar),
head lights as well.

The truck I am hoping to restore is a open cab wrecker, unfortantly some idiot lost (stole) the radiator and grill!!

This also has no top cover on the front winch (lost).

Maybe cheaper to buy whole truck?

Can any one help me with parts?

Thanks,

Brent Delaney

Wellington,

New Zealand.

[mud-snow]

They are just nice trucks.....
BTW Matt do you own a DUKW??

Chers
Rolf