V.B. FIRETRUCK

OWNER: Don Moss is the Assistant Fire Marshal for the Virginia Fire Dept. of Virginia Beach. He built this truck using many generous donations to promote fire safety. The truck was designed and engineered by Matt Wirt of Matt Wirt Racefab Engineering of Chesapeake, Virginia. Technical questions were answered by Dennis Anderson of Grave Digger Fame.

VEHICLE: he bought a 1944 Seagrave Pumper for $1,700.00 which was purchased originally by the US Gov. for the US. Park Service. The body was completely disassembled at the Virginia Beach Career and Technical Education Center by the students. Sand Blasting Experts, Inc. of Virginia Beach meticulously sand-blasted all body parts, including the subframe and body assembly. This took 6 months to dis- and re-assemble. Sherwin Williams Paint donated their 1995 Fire Truck Red base/clear coat paints, and sent their top paint specialist to Virginia to paint the truck. Graphics were done by Tex's Sign Shop of Chesapeake, Virginia.

ENGINE: 427 cu.in. engine donated by GMC Truck. Griffin Racing Radiators of South Carolina donated an aluminum four core racing radiator. Pennzoil supplies the low-ash motor oil that's formulated especially for CNG vehicles. Twin B Auto Parts of Virginia Beach donated various engine parts.

CARBURETION: CNG fuel system (compressed natural gas) Virginia Natural Gas provided financial and technical support and free natural gas. Mark Haushalter installed the components. Fuel is drawn at 3600 psi from 1 of 2 steel tanks donated by Pressed Steel Tank, Inc. into one MECO water-heated high pressure regulator which lowers the pressure to 100 psi. Fuel is then carried to two IMPCO second-stage regulators which lowered the pressure to 25 psi. then carried to two IMPCO Model 425 mixers (carburetors). The mixers sit on a Weiand tunnel ram with a BDS scoop.

HORSEPOWER: 300

TRANSMISSION: TH400 Hurst provide the shifter.

RUNNING GEAR: The city of Virginia Beach donated an International dump truck which provided the frame, 10 ton transfer case and axles. Structural steel donated by Globe Iron Construction had to be added to the frame, and welding skills were donated by D.A. Moss Welding Co. Drive shafts were custom made by Delmarva Spring and Shaft of Chesapeake, Virginia.

TIRES: 66X43X25 inch Goodyear Terras

SUSPENSION: dump truck leafs and Trail Master donated 2 shocks per wheel up front and 1 per wheel in the rear.

FEATURES: the double-tube chrome roll bar was donated by Mercury Tube/Grizzly. Federal Signal Corporation that makes police and emergency lights donated several lighting products. RJS donated the lap belts. Since the pictures were taken Warn Industries donated a custom made front winch bumper and 12,000 lb winch. Nancy Harbinson Tailoring of Virginia Beach made uniforms for the team.

If you would like to contact Don Moss in reference to any questions about the Monster Fire Truck or an autograph picture of the truck etc. Please contact Don at vbfdmft@vbgov.com or dmoss@vbgov.com

 

If you would like to inquire about how to request the Monster Fire Truck for an appearance or if you are interested in our new 2002 Monster Fire Truck t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats. Please contact Cappy Meredith at vbfdmft@vbgov.com

To visit the official site click here.

Picture from Richard Scott.

Donnie Fanelly sent me the next 2 pictures from Virginia Beach, 2002.

Donnie Fanelly sent me the next 2 pictures from Virginia Beach, 2005.

Donnie Fanelly sent me the next picture from Virginia Beach, 2006.

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