Will it START & DRIVE? 6x6 Military ACCO Army Truck SITTING for YEARS!

In this video, I see if I can get the International Army ACCO 6x6 Off-road military truck to start again and drive. This truck is fitted with a Perkins Diesel Engine. It was a junkyard rescue truck and it did initially start but then the starter motor suddenly stopped working so I start by trying to fix that issue. The video of the rescue can be found here:-
• ABANDONED 6x6 Ex Army ...
A couple of subscribers wanted to see me get the truck driving after I answered the question will it start so here is my attempt at getting this old army truck to drive under its own power! Thanks very much for watching, Bruce.

[@NapierNimbus]

Great stuff. Not seen starter motor stripped down.

[@colbster1970]

As a young digger I rode as a passenger from Melbourne to Darwin in a Petrol ACCO for exercise Kangaroo 89. Our ACCO ran fine in the cooler weather down south but as soon as we got north of Alice Springs it started acting up. We were the last vehicle in each night of an 80 odd vehicle convoy. Each night the RAEME mechanics would go over it and each afternoon it would get hot and refuse to go over about 50 km/h. It ended up dying completely at Adelaide River. Ended up rolling into darwin on the back of a Mack Wrecker

[@bruceinaus]

Wow, thanks for sharing that (and for your service). I thought adf might have had mogs by then. Id love a Mack wrecker but they are still worth a lot and the ones I see are still in nice condition. All the best, Bruce

[@colbster1970]

Yeah we had mostly changed over by then. I think the unit still had 4 or 5 ACCO's and a similar number of series 3 Landrovers. Im pretty sure they were all retired after K89@@bruceinaus

[@Lex-Hawthorn]

@colbster1970 RAEME usually had a motor in a box, or was that only in the workshop? 🤣

[@thekolbeez3636]

I feel like Bruce would kill it in the service truck class at Dakar!

[@stephenmoutafis5587]

Not fast

[@chrisjack9318]

hooning round the paddock with the full noise now that is fun

[@Waynebridgeof]

Bruce I’d like to thank you for sharing your knowledge on these engines quality that has surely skipped a generation but with these videos that is put to bed

[@fighttheswine]

I bet that starter got real hot. And probably had some moisture in it made those brushes stick solid.

[@HolyCannolis]

There goes Bruce…always having in mind the next person in mind who may have to tinker…even on a piece of Swiss cheese like this. Victory lap deserved!

[@tyhogue8316]

That thing is sooo rusty! I love your videos.👍

[@mattosullivan7356]

Bruce is a legend

[@mototallerapmotos]

muy bueno,👏👏👏 me reí cuando salió a dar una vuelta ,parecía un circuito y se notaba que lo disfrutaba ,un saludo del Uruguay

[@rosewood1]

Awesome old beast. Ready for active service again! Well almost.

[@bruceinaus]

Hi Hugh, thanks very much for the comment, much appreciated Bruce Ps somewhere here someone asked if I was ex army, to clear it up, i am not ex military

[@rosewood1]

@@bruceinaus cheers it's great that someone keeps alive these old vehicles. They actually become historic artefacts. We have a 1949 Ford Prefect which is on its 3rd restoration and a range of other vehicles from the 1940s and 50s. People love to see them and trucks of this era had absolutely no creature comforts and yet people drove them all day. Day after day. And so few restore big trucks because they are heavy expensive and not exactly family friendly. But so worthwhile. cheers

[@wayneandrus240]

My favorite heavy equipment mechanic!!

[@kylebrandenburger9657]

🎉Back in the early 82 I worked for a starter and alternator rebuilder in Knoxville Tennessee. Quality Rebuilders. We did a lot of work for the mining industry. As you were taking apart that starter I remembered the details of rebuilding them. The am on the arm for the solenoid is used to set the depth of the drive. Funny how that all came back to me as I watched. Thank you for your videos!

[@bobburro3642]

Hi Bruce. Im a new subscriber, enjoy your videos. Was a mechanic for much of my life and now retired in BC Canada.

[@mickburns5546]

Mate. That’s the best bush throttle I’ve ever seen. Always fun mucking around with old starters that are impossible to reach. Good onya Bruce.

[@bruceinaus]

Hi Mick, I did what I could with what I had over the weekend, and that was an old door hinge lol , Bruce

[@HDXFH]

Trucking around you mean

[@HDXFH]

Lucas cranker same as ford and massey ferguson used on their tractors

[@brockmitchell3989]

I would love to see this 6x6 totally restored like new and put back into service.

[@randolphrobinson342]

Very satisfying video Bruce!!! Alberta Canada!!

[@QuantumTime-pc9ts]

Nice job, I see you really enjoy driving these old vehicles. Keep making them run and drive.

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks very much, Bruce

[@IchliebeHunde58]

Those Brits really wanted to make sure it wasn’t easy to get that starter apart. Great video, thanks for sharing, Bruce

[@sidvicious7890]

Thanks

[@jonathanparker1845]

Great video and starter repair. Awesome sounding engine. Real old school steering, the old truck drivers used to have arm muscles like melons😅 looking forward to your next adventure. Regards from a Pom. Retired Truck driver.

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Jonathon, much stronger than an old bloke like me I imagine! Bruce

[@daftDAFdriver]

Old school, simpler engines and more and practical, well done mate

[@scottandison1086]

I really enjoy watching this stuff Bruce. I rebuilt starters for a year and that one sounds pretty good. Crazy about all the size bolts. 😊

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Scott, I imagine you’ve probably struck these fine m50 units before as well then😂

[@zonie1953]

Brilliant video Bruce ! Some good engineering on that stop cable and accelerator pedal , always good to watch what you do mate ! Easy to understand ! Say hi to Jax and you and him take care ! Scott 🌵

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks very much Scott, Jax was eager to come for a ride but he might of fallen through the rust holes in the floor so he couldn’t come 😂, Bruce

[@Driver-UK]

Watched this from Manchester England . Great to see this old Truck moving again.

[@robleary3353]

Brilliant old school mechanics and 'bush mechanics!'. Love this channel. My brain has an idea as to how to 'fix' some of these things, yet sadly my hands lack the skills!. 🤣. Great clip, keep doing what you do!. Nuff said. 🙂

[@davidmamo4525]

Good job mate she lives again. 👍👍

[@petercunningham3469]

Belting around the paddock in a old Bliz EXCELLENT 😂

[@huwdavies206]

One of the best diesel engines ever made the 6354 .

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Thanks, Mate! I'm in the U.S. and after 50+ years of 'driving' and operating all matters of stuff, I can relate to this old jem. And the old mechanics had to be a contortionist to get at stuff. Thanks for everything and God willing, I'll be watching! CHEERS 2 U!

[@bruceinaus]

The old body starts to feel it more as we get on, but I’ll persevere for now, thanks for your comment, Bruce

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Might as well. It'll keep us both out of jail.@@bruceinaus

[@roobysoho]

As a locksmith I appreciate your patience. I too am a patient man

[@bruceinaus]

You would have to be patient in your job, thanks for watching, Bruce

[@MrOlgrumpy]

The original army 6 x 6 had a "282" dual carb,header exhaust petrol Inter engine,yours is a Perky conversion to be similar to commercial trucks factory built.. We were never allowed to open the windscreen out flat because the glass regularly shook loose and fell out,-- hell to pay. And the roof hatch pivot pins rusted solid and wallies pushed them open and snapped off the ally brackets,50 pushups. Yes I drove them and fixed them too,RAEME. I see the original switch panel is still above the drivers windscreen,good score there, mate the old 6354 Perkins sounds happy enough,

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks very much for sharing. The kids in the house near the scrapyard made sure there was no glass left in this one to shake out. Yes I agree with you, this one would have been a later conversion. It does run surprisingly nice. Thanks for your service and for taking the time to comment. Best wishes, Bruce

[@robreibel3491]

You have got all the props for the next Mad Max movie. Fantastic

[@nodaklojack]

Wow I Bluetooth linked the video to watch on my 47 inch screen television and glad I did! I really enjoyed seeing that old truck given the opportunity to run once again under its own power.

[@bruceinaus]

Thank you, I hope the quality and the sound was ok on your tv as i am still learning here 😂 Bruce

[@fredfarnackle5455]

Bruce, you may not be aware but 1/4" Whitworth is still a standard thread for a camera to mount on a tripod. Yep, good old 1/4" Whitworth in use world-wide right up until the present day!👍

[@RollerGuideX]

Bruce Almighty!!! Such a rockstar....

[@TheNutriarat]

29:21 Astronaut Bruce!!! Great job.

[@Tuilaione]

Cant believe that dinosaur started up... Bruce you legend

[@gibo1971]

Great video Bruce. Love watching you fix things without having to hook up a computer to diagnose problems (you are the computer).

[@samgibson6656]

Great skills from your generation. Old School people are cool.👍

[@richardphelan8414]

Bruce ,a Punch rather than scratches Probably the contacts inside the solenoid are just corroded,a good cleaning and a turning of the contact ring will do ya just fine ,And she's a runner ,What's Next for you and the old girl ,now that it starts and runs and drives ? You look like your having way to much fun driving it around in the fields .

[@mick00000000002]

Ok . Wow. God bless on eye surgery Bruce. 🙏 mick the gong. Nsw God bless my friend )))

[@Northernstar9370]

Excellent video! I like the way you take the time on the little details like cleaning up the threads on the bolts and taking steps to keep rust and dirt out of the mechanism. I do this too and have found it very worth the time. I also like how you took the starter down and showed us the tips and tricks. Thanks for doing this, keep up the great work! Cheers Mate!

[@caesar1295]

Brilliant job Bruce I bet that was very satisfying driving that rig around your property great job buddy. I’m from the US just outside of Atlanta, GA about 65 miles love your videos Sir. Aussie’s and American’s friends forever!

[@RichardThompson-gc1cf]

Great time to see if motor is free

[@ShayneCawthray]

Beauty Bruce. Amazing how the old Inters are so hard to kill. My Pop had a C1800 butterbox tipper. It was basic but a tough reliable truck. Love your work.

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Shayne, you certainly see a lot of them around western nsw and vic with grain tippers ect. A lot of those newer ones had factory fitted Perkins to where this would have been a petrol originally. All the best, Bruce

[@gabrielmarcos1069]

Hi Bruce, You ask about the stuck brushes 14 min into the video, I am an old school diesel mechanic myself, and I has also seen my share of stock brushes, and I think that they get stock because of the carbon that wear of everytime it is use, and it stick to the brushes bebause of static electricity, and then it bakes on because of the heat from the exaust. Anyway it is really fun to whatch your videos, you take your time and go through all the nessesary steps before atempt to start them up. Thanks Gabriel

[@johnmartin2079]

Bruce you have a yard full of.old woreout trucks thanks for showing us 🇺🇸

[@dsohn]

Great job Bruce. It was so good to see it run and drive again. It seems to have a really good engine with lots of power. I like these well- done productions very much. Thanks, David in the USA.

[@markbehr88]

Just what you need in a military application - metric, imperial and whitworth!

[@GaryPArmstrong]

Well, we have "Marty T" In New Zealand and Diesel Creek in America and now we have our own "Bruce in Australia" and you all do the same thing "get old vehicles parked in the bush going". I think it's a dream of many people on this planet who drive past an old vehicle in the bush and want to get it cranking again. I do at least, however, I am doing other things and like to watch all of you guys go for it Your channel will really grow. Cheers, Bruce, and enjoy the content. I did subscribe a month or so ago.

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Gary, I am humbled you’d put me in the same or similar category to Matt and Marty, and thank you for the subscribe. All the best, Bruce

[@GaryPArmstrong]

You are exactly out of the same mould, willing to give it a shot and so you are as good at it as them in the production of your Videos as well. Don't kid yourself!, and already I see the meter ticking over as you show them. Best of luck, Mate.

[@fillipo1972]

Love this!! The kinda guy i learned from as a kid working on cars in the front garden.

[@bruceinaus]

Thank you

[@donaldhalls2189]

Great old rig, thanks for sharing, all the best to you and your loved ones

[@bruceinaus]

Thank you Donald, back at you, Bruce

[@stendecstretcher5678]

Hi Bruce your videos just get better and better.

[@bruceinaus]

Thank you, I’ll try to do a couple more for everyone before Christmas if I can, Bruce

[@scottandison1086]

I lived in Weribee as a kid in the 80s We would find stuff out in the paddock and make it run and have all sorts of fun. Nothing beats a Hk holden in a wet paddock.

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Scott, I can relate, my kids had the HD Holden Ute from an old farm for the paddock, it ended up getting a ported yella terra head, a wade mechanical camshaft and triple 1 3/4 SU’s, they had fun with it, Bruce

[@derekcomer4858]

Enjoyed watching this, particularly freeing off the brushes. My dad had loads of old British spanners a truly baffling array of types and sizes. Please keep making the videos 🙏

[@stevemartin5581]

After 35 minutes of smiling my face hurts ...... I blame you Bruce !

[@bruceinaus]

Lol, thanks very much, best wishes, Bruce

[@Hexcaliblur83]

Could see you really enjoyed tear-arsing around the paddock in the old girl.. 😂😂 👍

[@naignildoi826]

I once had to make a throttle arrangement on a boat I bought . No pattern to go by. Thought about it. took measurements at turn places. I made all from one eighth threaded bar and 7 x 90 degree swivels, 2"" triangles from flat plate. worked a treat.

[@GMCGUY-]

I ❤️ your Videos your are definitely One energetic person. And you are one smart Australian. You know a lot about mechanics very knowledgeable. Can't wait until you make more videos.

[@johnkenure4188]

Hi Bruce great videos, just recently come across your vids great stuff, the Perkins starter Moters need a short earth lead from the back plate to ground to stop the starter from earthing through the bronze bushes., they will work for a while but slowly erode with Arcing.Great to see the perkins engines.Cheers John Kenure NZ

[@julianmanowski6446]

Good job, I have a quarter whitworth spanner in my tool box. It was with the tools my Dad gave me. I do use it every now and then.

[@bruceinaus]

Thank you, I find the wit worth spanners are not uncommonly used in my collection mucking round with stuff of this era, thanks for sharing, Bruce

[@allensharlow7763]

Well Bruce, that ole girl runs pretty good, oh and your door hinge gas pedal works great, great job Mate👍👍😎😎🍮🍮👌👌

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Allen, much appreciated

[@davidallen2257]

Merry Christmas Bruce just found your channel and love watching you fix those big engines. Keep the videos coming .

[@johndoe43]

Great video sir. Good luck with it. You have done well by the looks of it.

[@michaelsedway9703]

Just stumbled on your channel. Love this type of content. Cheers Bruce from Las Vegas nevada

[@denismartin4680]

Hello there Bruce I totally enjoyed watching you getting out and fixing the old machines and making it run great to see Bruce great work mate love from far north Queensland 👍 😊❤

[@andrewm6192]

Very iconic truck.

[@bruceinaus]

Thank you

[@holdenbrougham1056]

The hinge excelerater pedal, go Bruce very innovative and I can't see why it wasn't used in the 1st place , 😂

[@bruceinaus]

Bush engineering at work

[@andrewsmart2949]

like battery terminals the positive brushes always corrodes more,you see it in multi pin connectors that get water in them to,the ones that carry + always are green or completely corroded away

[@Martin-ub9ci]

Thank you for documenting this knowledge

[@jman2903]

Nice work mate! Keep em runnin

[@bruceinaus]

Thank you and I’ll try

[@robreibel3491]

Great story. I enjoy every episode. Wish I had half your knowledge

[@nzsaltflatsracer8054]

I just watched a tuff old bugger get a tuff old bugger of a truck up & running. I'm a 72yr old road service truck mechanic in Idaho & still work 24 7 rain hail or snow.

[@bruceinaus]

Lol, the truck might be tougher than me. Stay well and safe out there, Bruce

[@nzsaltflatsracer8054]

@@bruceinausThanks Mate, our 80 MPH killing zones are a bit risky!

[@adrianorourke2893]

Hi Bruce I used to have to drive one of those in the early 80s and don't miss it. It had the 6cyl petrol motor and was hot inside in the summer. The older British electronics quite often used a BA thread and only BA spanners usually fit, I think sidcrome called them ignition spanners. I've seen brushes in starters and generators stuck a few times and once you get them moving they work fine.

[@bruceinaus]

It certainly wasn’t the most comfortable truck I’ve been in! Yes I don’t think these ever came with the Perkins, it would have been fitted later. I have a set of those Ignition spanners in Sid chrome but they are quite a bit smaller than 1/4 whitworth, thanks for watching, Bruce

[@RichardThompson-gc1cf]

Love your videos like the way you work keep up the good work

[@MikeMcAuliffe-g2f]

Quite a joyride! Thanks for showing this.

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks very much, Bruce

[@Hughes2000]

Some of the best wrenching vids I’ve seen yet keep it up!

[@KlepsGarage]

The cab is totally stuffed! Well that ms a whole different meaning in the states. We just use the F word. Great video can’t wait to see what you make out of the chassis. USA Bruce. Cheers

[@bruceinaus]

Bruce! Thanks for the comment. I’m probably not allowed to swear on here but your f word description may be appropriate for this cab. To be honest I’m not sure if i will actually use this one at this stage. I half had the motor earmarked for something else but it’s motor turned out a beauty so it sort of makes this machine slightly redundant! But I got it going, I know this video is not that informative but there might be an enthusiast or something out there looking to buy one somewhere and they might be able to get a bit of a feel for one and some understanding from this video. Thanks again for watching my videos, I have given you a subscribe today, stay in touch, Bruce ((in Aus)😂

[@leeboy8689]

The throttle pedal you made is a absolute genius idea

[@bruceinaus]

Thank you

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

Thanks Bruce!!!

[@PeteWilliams-sb7nf]

Great video Bruce,makes one wonder why some one would scrap this truck,but the modern generation of don't repair just throw it away or scrap it,nothing for the older generation to tear it apart and fix at miniual cost.Maybe the Aussie army may want it back lol.Great video Bruce ,keep them coming thankyou.

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Pete, the army would have to be keen to have it rebuilt and I’ve seen a lot better than this one (which is very far gone in cab rust), Bruce

[@1245rs3]

Really appreciate your videos! I enjoy watching other mechanics because you can never know everything or enough and watching actual experienced people work is so valuable. So many other KZbin content providers who are teaching bad habits or improper ways of doing things because there not experienced or claim to be nebee techs which is fine but I just don't agree with that. Keep the context coming, wish you all the best 🙏

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks very much, I’m not an expert by any means but I do try to take my time, think things through, do things to the best of my capability and I always think of the next mechanic who may be entrusted to care for these things in the future. Much of the stuff I’ve dealt with is often at the end of the line with damage done before me, if I can make sure it leaves my hands a bit better than it came it makes it easier for the next person. Best wishes to you too, Bruce

[@mischef18]

Armstrong power steering and mother nature AC with no windows, that's when men were real men. Made for great viewing bro so finally subbed. Safe travels. Ken..

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks very much Ken, Bruce

[@robertingold9547]

So excited to see another video, can't wait for the next🎉🎉🎉

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Robert

[@drummingriffin]

Excellent stuff Bruce, you seem to have the gift of making things work. Like you, I always had the knack of taking things apart......Putting them back together however....🤣😂😉 Looking forward to the next video now mate. Take care and stay well, Norm in the UK.

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Norm, all the best, Bruce

[@andrewkaras8001]

Love your show mate. Keep them coming please. 👍

[@MKMALM2024]

Hello Bruce from 🇨🇦 found you watching Marty T in NZ Nice to see someone still using hand tools, everyone gone battery powered now.

[@bigblockpop]

Very talented bloke, it's good to see

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks for the nice words, Bruce

[@cammos]

That old acco is cool asf but that xtra long water tank is just plain ugly and looks so out of place. Love the vids mate cant wait to see the next vid. god bless🙏

[@jackrichards1863]

Good show Bruce. Those are a pretty amazing rig and as far as that one goes is hanging in there pretty well. Enjoyed the repair and everything. Your drive was a bit of a card eh mate. It's just how those kind of trucks go . Reminded me of the 4X4 Bedfords a bit. I would like to discover a 6X6 like that which is still roadworthy. I'll be keeping an eye on your channel for other adventures mate!

[@lostandwondering2892]

Hey man, thank you for sharing your knowledge. Looking forward to seeing the progress. God speed mate.

[@multibucker]

Brilliant, love your work, subscribed!

[@shaneellasdaicastrestorati3675]

Nice work Bruce she looks like a fun thing to have a play around with, what you said about when you were younger playing with old things ,I was the same still am I spend my spare time fixing mowers and other small Motors

[@bruceinaus]

Thanks Shane, if your my generation I think lots of us in the bush are similar, Bruce

[@australiantrains8988]

As usual I learnt some more from you Bruce, that starter motor was a mongrel of a job, would have tested my patience. Had an uncle in Victoria who had an ACCO AA-160 with the International six cylinder petrol motor it ran very well. Whole cab is rusted out, I like the door hinge accelerator pedal. The tanker looks original, maybe used at a military base (or remote base) to haul AvGas around to aircraft? Another great result, Perkins sounded very chirpy, a stable mate to keep the Leader company!😉

[@bruceinaus]

Gday Dave, yes not the nicest of jobs I must admit but we battle on. I believe the petrols in these were pretty reliable. In my opinion the cab is a basket case, the tanker I think might be added later, it’s got a stainless insert in the tanker and it looked to me like one of those tanks on the small milk semi”s that use to run around many years ago carting milk, it’s subsequently been used as a water truck I believe. Perkins runs exceptionally well, the leader isn’t here anymore it’s gone back to its own stable now 😂Bruce

[@australiantrains8988]

@@bruceinaus I remember the "Tieman" milk tankers back in the 1970's, small single wheeled semi configuration, stainless steel tank, they used to stink to high hell in summer. Missed the pooch in the video too?

[@bruceinaus]

Yeh I think it could be off one of those trailers with the single axle! Jax wasn’t allowed to travel in this one, he might have got stuck in or fallen through the floor!

[@incomingshell3268]

Where to now with this one Bruce ? Pull the tank off would be a great start !!!

[@jimdieseldawg3435]

Now that’s a cracking piece of kit 🙂 Great work, kudos for getting it mobile again and the engine sounds strong. Looking forward to future vids on brakes etc. 😎

[@TheGrumpyChuckChannel]

That's a really nice truck. Aside from all the rust, that frame looks like it could make a mean multipurpose truck.

[@bruceinaus]

Hi grumpy chuck, the chassis is in surprisingly good condition and some of these army 6x6s I believe actually had like a galvanising coating on the chassis to preserve them but I’m not sure if this one has that, it’s shame about the cabs though, many of the ones around my area have suffered rust but I’m an close to the coast. Bruce

[@TheGrumpyChuckChannel]

I would see it turn into a nice machine.

[@JourneymanRandy]

Nice looking old truck. Good save Bruce

[@bruceinaus]

Thank you

[@nicholasaslanides9703]

Beaut channel Bruce. Really enjoy watching your videos, the way you explain things is fantastic. I enjoy mechanics and hopefully one day I can get an old banger to work on