JUNKYARD Rescue! Vintage 4x4 Army Style Fire Truck - How Will it Start & Run?

This old 1978 Bedford M Series 4x4 Offroad Fire Truck was sent to scrap metal to be crushed and I saved it. After some repairs, you can see how will it start, will it run and drive as a rescued truck. These fire trucks are rare in Australia (Down Under) because our Army never had these trucks in our military fleet unlike the British army where these trucks were common.
A video showing the junkyard rescue of the Bedford fire truck can be found here - • Junkyard Save! Vintage...
If you’ve had any experience with any of these old off road trucks, please share in the comments section below!
Thanks for watching!
#bedford #tk #willitrun

[@drcovell]

Old fire trucks never really die-Down Under you need a 1,000 of those to handle the bush fires!

[@PaulFellows3430]

Those front hubs look just like the ones on our British Army Bedfords. My guess is that your chassis was probably destined for the British Army but for whatever reason got diverted on the production line to be fitted out as a fire truck. Thank you for saving it. It's in such good condition that it obviously still has life left in it and it would have been a real tragedy if it had been broken up or crushed.

[@PeteWilliams-sb7nf]

In New Zealand a firm where i live had a fleet of these 4×4 Bedfords,they used them for towing a forage harvester attached to yhe side of the truck and cut a d blew cut lucerne into a big bin on the back of the truck then unhocked the mower and delievered the cut lucerne to the factory tobe dried into pellets for. 0h 0:30 stock food.Oh the good old days.

[@td4dotnet]

I love this little mini series bringing the old Bedford back to life what a lovely old thing (the truck too!). Bruce you're just the sort of bloke I like to hang around with in real life thanks for sharing all these little tips of wisdom it really helps us younger guys out!

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks very much for the compliment, I’m still getting over how many people like to watch my videos, very humbled. Thanks again, Bruce

[@unknowndevice1496]

Howdy, from Texas. You've taught me more about, diesel engines, I'll never see. Keep making videos, you're a wealth of information.

[@alangordon3283]

Lovely old beast . I learnt to drive in a Bedicopter .

[@tygertyger8597]

Bruce, that valve cover looks just like on a GM stove bolt 6 that we used to see everywhere in the USA in the 50's and 60's. Great job saving this piece of history.

[@dazzameers1491]

The amazing thing about Bedford 4 X 4s is that Bedford made all their own running gear for better or worse. The 300 ci petrol will give good service if looked after. For the time the road manners of the Mf & MJ series wasn't too bad and did ride reasonably. If serviced the brakes should work ok on the latter versions. Make sure transfer case controls function and engage the full throw of the levers at the case, this will avoid many of the problems that happen at the trans case. We used them in wet bogie conditions, it took a while for us to find something better due to the good ground clearance. Hope you enjoy.

[@skippmclovan1135]

Used to drive 4x4 Beddies in the NZ Army and they ARE a very smooth riding truck ..you just take the gear changes nice and slowly, double de-clutch up and down each time ..very smooth ride ..very torquey GM 300 cube petrol donk ..good engine!

[@19safe53]

You are my vehicle hero. Thanks for saving these old trucks.

[@PeterLee-zn3jl]

Brush fire response....pondwater sourced...and rural GOLD

[@bitterdrinker]

These are very common in Britain the army had hundreds of them. They are a fantastic truck...in good condition....

[@drcovell]

Send those beasts Down Under!

[@chrisbailey459]

Your right about the points gap 014/016 and the ball just disappearing on the flywheel for the timing. If you have 98 octane fuel available that should put a smile on the old girl,but they were always a bit of a Rolls can hardly! Good road and off road manners and quite comfy to drive. Regards Chris

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Chris, surprisingly nice ride off road. I can’t take it up the road as it’s not registered yet but if do register it, I Might do a video on road. It feels like it would do 100 no problem in high range, Bruce

[@MrYoyojuan]

My Dad owns a 4x4 Beford with the Bedford 500 diesel engine in it. Its a Tipper/Crane truck that was used for tree lopping. Still runs as we started it a couple weeks ago.

[@HDXFH]

Angle geared starter, quite like that idea, easy to service and get to

[@stendecstretcher5678]

Another top video by a top bloke.

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks very much, Bruce

[@flamingskoda]

I'm enjoying your channel. Great to see a Bedford running. Miss seeing them on the roads here in 🇬🇧

[@ptonpc]

Good to see the old girl being saved. Look after her.

[@bruceinaus]

Thank you, I will. Bruce

[@madcat4563]

What a great truck, hard to believe it was originally to the scrapper.

[@derekdee9592]

Sounds like a strong old Bedford 6 cyl sound 👍

[@bruceinaus]

Hi Derek, running a lot better after new fuel filter, plugs cleaned and re gapped and points cleaned. Thanks for watching, Bruce

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

White Vinegar works good to clean old gas tanks. One heck of a truck!! Thanks Bruce!

[@Fast85FoxGT]

That thing is super rad! Love old brush trucks.

[@user-gv2zx5to4n]

Alright Bruce. My money would be on a 1200cc vw motor give the single port manifolds. Loving the posts and the fact you have saved a great example from the scrapper.

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks very much, I’ll try to do a video on the VW as I would like to get it fully functional before summer, Bruce

[@petersmith4455]

hi, the timing should be 5 degrees BDTC if the engine is 4927cc. if working correctly should tick over like a RR, also make sure the Air- cleaner is in good condition.

[@bruceinaus]

Hi Peter, thanks very much for this, Bruce

[@honahwikeepa2115]

Bloody awesome 😎

[@tellyjoossens4186]

What a nice truck!

[@jasonspring9838]

I've got one same cab 4x4 but was ex airforce fire truck. Had been retrofitted with 555 Cummins V8 diesel and auto box. Would be a beast off road but brakes are shot. Almost too hard basket trying to find parts. Goes pretty quick round the paddock but pretty sketchy trying to stop.

[@hairybustard4247]

Pinch one of the wife’s emery boards she uses for her nails. They’re built for scraping the points. You can trim them doesn’t when they wear.

[@HDXFH]

Trucking good save, back when we made things

[@AndyL940]

Your a legend

[@joepearce3033]

Cool truck.

[@mischef18]

Enjoyed the video bro it is a rare beauty for sure. Safe travels. Ken.

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Ken, much appreciated, Bruce

[@kerrygleeson4409]

Thanks for sharing Bruce always very interesting 🦘

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Kerry, much appreciated, Bruce

[@user-xl5np5dp8n]

Pretty country.

[@dannybarker7833]

AC Delco distributor .... the points gap setting is 19 to 21 thou. Sparkplug gaps... 30 thou. Valve clearances in /ex .... 10 thou while running at tickover.... Try checking the gauze filter in the glass sediment bowl on the fuel lift pump... always partially blocked 😊

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Danny, I will check that gauze. I did set the plugs at 30 and those points settings confirm these might be slightly wide. I haven’t checked valve clearances yet. Thanks for the help, much appreciated, Bruce

[@drcovell]

You nailed it mate! I used to carry a Mercury dime (US) in my wallet that was .019, just for setting points. 😉

[@pete-mate3524]

What an amazing find!! And it looks like a hoot driving it around your property!! You've got it running super smooth, too. Awesome video, Bruce!! Well done! :-)

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Pete, running quite nicely now really after a bit of a tune up, I’ll set the timing and make a start on the pump next ready for summer. It’s already very dry here which is a worry. Bruce

[@flowerstone]

It would be a treat to watch this truck spraying a bit of water. Do the pumps work?

[@PurpleLEANKrabs]

Only 80 hours nice save

[@zonie1953]

Nice video Bruce . Good of you to save the old girl ! It's in good nick for a 45 yo . Many interesting designs on the at truck , the tank mounting and those little round steps on the front hubs to help you climb in the cab . It will be interesting to see the VW engine up and running. With that amount of hours it should be in good shape. Thanks again mate . Scott 🌵

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Scott, I’ll tackle the pump engine next I think. It’s funny you say about the hub collars. I’ve always hard that army trucks like accos had them to put slings around so they can be lifted with the helicopter. Another idea was you can hook slings around to try to help them out of a bog with a wrecker ect. I’m not sure which is right. The v w has a cover on it, so I’m hoping it hasn’t taken in water. Bruce

[@zonie1953]

@@bruceinaus I guess any one is correct on those collars Bruce . I live in the desert and forget it actually rains other places 😊. I hope that isn't a problem on the VW. Really clean old truck at any rate, and very unusual . Give Jax a pat and have a great day . Scott 🌵

[@steventhornton4716]

Again a bedford tk

[@johncorlett3699]

be a nice mounting method for a camper conversion, floating bed

[@rolandnewbold5339]

Great video man I love bedfords very jealous 😊. Rat

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks very much, Bruce

[@larryskeeper1197]

Carby clean solution to remove the gum and sediment would be the go..

[@bruceinaus]

Thank you, I’ll have a look at maybe pulling the Carby off later in the week. Bruce

[@shaneellasdaicastrestorati3675]

Well done Bruce it's back to being a useful truck again I really don't understand why people get rid off stuff like that to scrap metal, hopefully you can get the old VW going again the way the weather has been you might need it this year. Hopefully not tho

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Shane, I think in a lot of cases one generation gets on a bit in age and some of these things (not necessarily this 1) just become a problem for the kids who may not be interested. I’ll take the vw in the weeks to come! Bruce

[@matrix54190]

Hi Bruce, would be a good idea to repair this old firetruck👍. You have lots of bushfires there down under, so it could be helpful for you😀. Salut from 👋🇫🇷🥖 Peter

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Peter, yes a particularly dry season predicted for the coming months and lots of us are on high alert, thanks for your support, Bruce

[@ianatkinson8464]

😎👍

[@davidbarnsley8486]

Brucey the carbie is full of crap for sure What a top old truck

[@bruceinaus]

Afternoon David, it did run a lot better after that minor tune up but your probably right, I should rip It off to check, Bruce

[@PeterLee-zn3jl]

Bruce..considering the greadnought grade you choose BETTER BUY AN OIL WELL..LOL

[@donstewart2059]

The bushfire bridge used them i saw them at the dealers yard in Sydney at Sutton motors when new in 79

[@bruceinaus]

Hi Don, the books and a few of the id plates suggest this one was originally purchased by and built for the forestry department but it seems it spent its later life as a rural fire brigade truck going by the signwritting inside and out. Bruce

[@Broozer-fw3vl]

Maybe the diffs have a splitter to help with the gear ratios

[@tuneinkate]

Is that a KM series with a 6V53 Detroit Diesel, Bruce? She's a beauty... One of the ones made down in Dandenong in Victoria?

[@daddybob6096]

Running nice after you did the points Bruce. At first i thought it was a diesel. I drove a TK diesel tank truck for Mobil in 76. It had an Allison Auto Transmission and roared its guts out without much speed. What are you planning for this old fire truck? It would make a good farm truck with all the pump gear etc, removed. Bob NZ.

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Bob, plans are to get everything up and running in anticipation of us having a particularly dry summer season here in Qld this year after a few wet years. I really want to keep the fire gear on this one for now and there’s other stuff I can use to cart things around here. I’ll get the pump going next then try to get the winch and all the lights working so it can be used at night. Bruce

[@kindasus8340]

first comment😃

[@bruceinaus]

Thankyou

[@speedbirdconcordeBOAB]

It made it through the creek no problem 19:00 😂

[@PeterShaw-lb9lt]

Very unusual for a bedford to have good brakes

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Peter, we believe this one has low original kms and has had some replacement air lines, brake actuators ect within about the last 10 years, Bruce

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Peter, we believe this one has low original kms and has had some replacement air lines, brake actuators ect within about the last 10 years, Bruce

[@user-io5of1tk8p]

Hello Bruce, I have more info on this truck if you are interested. Used to belong to Bluewater Estates rural fire brigade, Townsville

[@bruceinaus]

Hi Doug, thanks very much for Ty our time to comment. The paperwork we have suggests it was purpose built for the state forestry dept then went to the little Tinana fire brigade. Do you think it might have gone to the northern brigade in the middle of that period? Id be grateful for any more info. Bruce

[@user-io5of1tk8p]

Hello Bruce, where is little Tinana? Everything I see I the video makes me believe it’s our old truck. It was sold to a person in Maryborough in 2004 or there about. I have never seen another unit the same as it. I believe it was initially CFA and was bought privately and then ended up with forestry in North Queensland. When our brigade purchased it or one so similar as it. The brigade put a lot of money into it particularly the running gear. The VW motor for the pump was temperamental thing at times. Over all a good beast. The 2 camlock fittings up behind the cab are for the monitor which used to be store under the seat in the crew area. I will try to find some of the photos of it. Doug

[@HereIsMyOffer]

5:45 I was thinking the door cards looked to be in far too good a condition for having firery's bashing up against them! Then again it stands to reason that a fire truck would have only 22k on the ODO, they spend most of their life sitting round waiting for a fire! She's a ripper! Lol @ 6:50 you hardly hear people referred to as "Jokers" these days, my uncle and grandad used the term often 😂

[@brucecliffe6213]

Your right, Jokers, Coves etc, never hear those terms these days.

[@alanbedford9989]

Well I have got the right name my dad drive one many moons ago but diesel still got books some were

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Alan, yes you do, that’s right, this is the petrol but some did come with a diesel. Bruce

[@PeterLee-zn3jl]

The detroit diesel 2 dtrokes were THIRSTY.. NOT MUCH TORQUE VS 4 STROKE... BUT TUFF AS NAILS...ARCANE TECH GOES ALL THE WAY BACK TO MAN , AND OTHER PATENT HOLDERS IN GERMANY..

[@darrelltaylor3289]

It's a petrol engine it has spark plugs

[@drcovell]

The first post was on YT that I saw by DeBoss was trying to save an old crane, with a 3-cylinder Detroit in it. The fuel in the tank was 20+ years old, but it started and ran on it and they drove it out of the scrap pile on the same fuel. One comment was “These things will run on taco farts!”😂😂😂 I loved working on *Screamin’ Jimmys* with a common rail and dry sleeves: It made overhauls easy! However, they were HEAVY-just lifting the head off a 671 was damned difficult, even for two strong men. Also, no one could call them fuel efficient! 😉

[@annalouise280110]

If its a forestry truck somewhere will be FD WITH A NUMBER SAY FD 365

[@IchliebeHunde58]

What motor is in her? And like I said before in many videos like this: why was that beautiful truck heading to a blasted scrapyard in the first place?! Thank YOU for saving yet another gem 💎

[@brucecliffe6213]

Pretty sure it is a Bedford (GM) 300 cubic inch Petrol Motor. Hence tthe resemblance to a Chevvy motor. They pull well and are as reliable as all get out. This one sounds very sweet. Engine parts are still available. I rebuilt mine about 15 years ago, rings, pistons, bearings all replaced as the engine was siezed. Gave the head a good recondition and it went like a Swiss Watch after that. Mine was a tipper, just as handy around the farm here. Cabs are their weak point as they rust easily unless sheded.