Truck Restoration

[tugboat-2]

Hi Jesse1, .....I was just cruising through your photos again and was interested in the interior shots. I recall you were considering looking at an identical 4400 for the idea of temporarily swapping some of the dashboard gauges. I wondered what came of that?

What did you ever do about the headliner, did you complete that chore? The dash looks really nice from what I can see and the colour, which looks to me to be a light grayish-green colour? I have wracked my brain for an accurate memory but can't quite find it,...the closest I can come is to say I "think" I recall the ones I drove many years ago to be roughly the same as yours?

Is it possible that during that era,... White kept all the dashboards the same colour? (Just a wild guess). Or did you "decide" on that particular colour for your personal choice? Either way, it is beautiful!! Did you ever notice how when people examine a vehicle, (car, truck, boat, bike, airplane or whatever,....one of the first things they look at,...is the "dash",...and I guess that likely includes you and most certainly me!

So IMHO,...it is important to ensure the dash is,...(at least)...."nice". But clean, shiny, interesting and of some beauty, if possible? From what I can see from the photos, I'd say your dash passes the test for all aspects. What really grabs me,...is that old fashioned, ..huge, white,...steering wheel,..I love it !!!!!

My goodness, but you should be proud to show that gorgeous,..."Big-Red-White" !!!!!!!

CHEERS!
. . tug

 

[JESSE1]

Tug, I never heard any more from the seller of the 4400 I was interested in. I had requested more photos but he hasn't sent them. I am looking at a '68 White 4000 winch truck that is only 5 miles from me. Tandem axle, 250 Cummins with 10 speed Roadranger trans. Cab has some corrosion though.

I haven't had time to install the headliner. Pretty big job but I'll get on it soon. I painted the interior with Rustoleum Smoke Grey. It's a match for the factory grey White used. The dash is grey and the panels the gauges mount on is a slightly darker grey. I've had the tachometer and air gauge restored and hope to send the speedometer off soon. The steering wheel is a new old stock wheel that I bought from a friend in San Diego who specializes in classic White trucks. It's a 22" wheel compared to the original 20" black wheel.

 

[JESSE1]

Christmas parade tomorrow! Do you think they'll be able to see us? Had to give Red a bath to get the dust off. My supervisors made sure I did a good job.

 

[tugboat-2]

Beautiful Jesse, just absolutely beautiful !!! In fact, you should be running just slightly ahead of the reindeer, "pulling" the big Santa float!!! What a great combination that would make!!

But on second thought,....maybe not the best idea. Cuz the folks would all be looking at Santa and perhaps wouldn't quite "appreciate" the Big-Red-White as much as they do when it's coming along all by itself,..big and shiny red!

Try and keep your mouth closed if you can. The word is out that folks are blinded by the double row of pearly-whites on the proud smiling face of the driver that grabs their attention just prior to the flash of bright "red" !!!

But seriously Jesse,.....I'll bet it was a whole lotta fun !!! I'd love to have been standing on the curb, . . or better yet,...ridin' shotgun for you!! (Or is that seat reserved for the Supervisors?) .....anyway all I got to say is: "WOWeeee!!"

All the best to you,....and CHEERS!
. . tug

 

[JESSE1]

Well, survived the parade. Started drizzling rain but still about 3000 spectators. Not a whole lot to see when you're in line, Sandy Claws was about 50 yards behind me. Typical East Texas parade, lots of horses and ATV's. Lots of complements on the truck and lots of pictures taken of Red. There's a real good chance I'll pull Santa next year.

 

[tugboat-2]

Hi Jesse,......was just wondering if you have some sort of "sign" either mounted back behind you, or perhaps hanging on the doors,...telling what make and year etc that "Big-Red" is?

I was thinking something along the lines of a neatly printed sign a couple feet square that might attach magnetically to the doors for such things as parades, fairs and antique shows or cruise nights etc. that would be easily attached or perhaps just hung from the windows for the affair?

You've never mentioned or shown us anything along those lines,...so I wondered what you do,...or do you just explain it to "those" who ask?

I think big trucks tend to look the same to many folks who aren't particularly interested in such things untill they see one in a parade or antique show, then wonder about it. A little different with antique cars that tend to show their age moreso than trucks. ....Wha-da-ya-think?

I think if a person saw the "age" of the truck,(and realized it was "50"years old), and still "looked" brand spankin new! .. regardless of all else, they would take a better look and depending on the situation, ...would be more likely to come over and strike up a conversation about it? ....Doncha-think?

Just something I was kickin around and thought I'd mention. Hope you don't mind because I just hate it when folks don't realize what they are actually looking at. It would bother me to see someone glance over at the truck and look away as if it were just a late model Ford,.. all because they didn't "realize" what exactly it was they saw!!!! SORRY for the rant & rave!

CHEERS!
. . tug

 

[JESSE1]

Here's another potential project. Found this truck about 15 miles from home. The truck is owned by an 80+ year old lady who doesn't live in the area. She has the local postmaster conduct her business for some property she has rented out to a trucking business where this truck is located. The White is the same basic model as my '59. It looks rough but all trim pieces are there. Don't know if it's for sale but I'm going to try to contact her or the postmaster soon.

 

[mjncad]

Wow....that White needs a lot of TLC! If you decide to tackle it, please start a thread with a cross reference to the new thread in this one so those of us subscribed to this thread can find the new one.

 

[IMCA38]

Cool old truck. I like the "mother-in-law" seat by the winch.

 

[tugboat-2]

Hey Jesse, . . . looks interesting,..lots of work but if (as you say) all parts are there,...it'd make a great mate for "Big-Red"! Good luck with the old girl! (the truck AND its owner).

CHEERS!
. . tug