C60 cwt Signals CZMk IV

Gordon Yeo · #1 31-03-13, 15:28

Here are some pictures of the truck I bought from Greg Wright. From Bill Gregg's book "Blueprint for Victory" page 121, there is a pictures shown of a truck, Body Design 5J7 - C60 cwt Signals CZMk IV. The van body has the two outward swinging windows on each side, as well as two small outward opening doors on the lower front corners. Which is a description of the van body shown here. Does anyone have any information on this Mk of truck? What it was used for? Interior layouts? etc.
I have another C60 Machinery chassis that has bonding straps between the body panels similar to a wireless truck, and the C60 cwt Signals CZMk IV has none, could this be some tip off as some use other a wireless/radio truck

Gordon

servicepub (RIP) · #2 01-04-13, 00:34

Hi Gordon,

From Drive to Victory -

5J7 - This is a 5J1 body modified to accommodate "Signals' (CZ MK IV)” equipment. A fixed wheelhouse is provided with this body. The inside of the body is sheeted with plywood and insulated with 1-1/2 inches of Thermo Craft paper between inside and outside sheeting of walls and roof. The floor is covered with two coats of Dektred. A Crouse Hinds electrical outlet receptacle for 110v power is installed in the right front panel of the body.

5J1 - This is a Dental House type body of Lindsay construction with two entrance doors at the rear and wheelhouse hinged at one end. When vehicle is being roaded, one end of the wheelhouse is raised and held in place by a rod attached to the ceiling, thus creating necessary wheel clearance. When body is used in its normal role of Dental Office and a flat floor is required, the raised portion of the wheelhouse is lowered till it is flush with the floor. The body is equipped with two Edwards sash type windows on each side, two stationary windows in the front panel and one in each of the rear entrance doors; all provided with necessary blackout curtains. The inside of the body is lined with 3/16" Masonite; the floor is of 10 gauge steel plate with 1/2" Ten-Test cemented or glued to the floor plate and covered with linoleum. Sliding steps are provided for the entrance doors at the rear. Two fan-driven ventilators are installed, one on left side of front panel and the other on right side of rear panel; two static type ventilators are also provided, one on right side of front panel and the other on left side of rear panel. These ventilators are situated in the upper portion of the body, in their respective locations. A supporting frame for camouflage net is installed over the entrance doors. A Crouse Hinds electrical outlet receptacle for 110v power is provided at the bottom of the left rear panel. The following forms part of the equipment in the body:- A 2.5 K.W. Homelite Generator, mounted in the body and anchored to two floor rings when vehicle is in motion; two portable 60 watt electric heaters with built-in fan and switch; two triangular sheet steel water tanks (12 gallon capacity) installed in metal racks, one in each forward corner; a special folding Dental chair and, bolted to each rear panel, two folding seats; an angle iron kit rack across the front end of the body. Two tool boxes are mounted on the body forward of the rear wheels,one on each side. A POW or Jerrican carrier is provided at each front corner, and a one gallon Oil Can carrier is attached to the POW carrier on the right side. A pick and shovel holder is mounted on the front panel, and provision is made for a penthouse assembly. No provision is made for mounting a spare tire.

Clive

Bob Carriere · #3 01-04-13, 03:44

Hi Gord.

When you have a chance have a look under at the wiring loom....... as it goes from the underdash to the frame....driver's side...... check to see if the wiring loom has a metallic woven cover instead of the cloth covered wiring.

We have found the metallic wiring to be either late production ....or possibly as an attempt to shield parasetic charges...... none of the trucks we have seen who had metallic looms had the multitude of ground straps on body parts....

Comments anyone on the metallic looms...... even seen on C15a potential radio trucks..?

Bob

Bob Carriere · #4 01-04-13, 03:59

From other pictures I have seen the inner rear wheel protruding rectangular fenders are solidly mounted which would fit the 5J7....

One heck of a "gin" palace ............... big enough to have dance floor!!!

You could covert the POW cans to G&T........gin and tonic !!!!

Bob

cletrac (RIP) · #5 01-04-13, 04:05

My C8 trucks have a woven metal shield on the wires from the ignition switch to the coil plus all the grounding straps.

Gordon Yeo · #6 01-04-13, 05:13

Clive

Thank you for the confirmation on the van body designation and description. Hopefully you can shed some light on what equipment would be installed in the van body and its designated use as a signals van.

The wheel wells have been permanently fixed in manufacture of the body. It makes one wonder how many of these types of trucks have survived the ravages of 70 years, does any one know of other examples in preservation, or the wilds?

Bob

I'll check the wiring harness for metal braid, this truck is a late 1943 production. The interior floor dimensions of the van body is about 7' X 11' so there is definitely room for gin and tonic bash. I doubt that the truck would ever make it up to one of your famous BBQ get togethers. You'll have to come here when the truck is restored and we can toast it.

Plan A, at this point, is to restore the vehicle to new driving condition. I have stripped out the generators and assessed the ravages of time on the body panels. It will be an interesting project that may take some patience and time. What it should be when complete is a unique vehicle. The odometer reads 6494 miles which, if original, would make one think the springs and axles should be in good condition. The frame and underside of the van body do not show much sign of corrosion, at less that 100 miles per year traveled it may not have been subjected to road salt and winter conditions.

Gordon