Ramblin on to VPW.

Gents,

I found out today that work will have me going near Fairfield, IA next week. I called VPW and they still carry M715 parts, let customers "pick" through their inventory, and I have all day next Friday to do so.

I will have a empty trailer in tow with me, so anything that might strike my fancy is going home with me. I have been looking forward to going there for years now, but just haven't had time and/or money to do so. This time is different and I'm very excited.

I will be sure to take plenty of pictures of the stock still on hand.

Question: Is there anything specific anyone is looking for?
Keep in mind if I find something rare I have first dibs.

I need the lower steering column fiber bushing.

Where are you at in Central IL?

Springfield

sheet metal

I'd pay a few bucks and Flatrate for a grab bar and a glove box door/latch...

I will put these on the list fellas.

Suby - if I come across those I can make that happen no prob.

Hetzer - Last I heard they had some of those.

Thanks! Let me know what happens, and have fun! :jealous smily:

I can use a fiber disk for the column also. And of course the holy grail of the 715 restoration, the defroster cable.

Fiber steering disc, defroster cable and the nylon steering column bushings for me :-)

Have fun while you are out there. Post pictures! :-)

Dave-

Fiber disk and plastic steering column bushing here too, if you find em.

I would be interested in knowing if they ever found the box of fiber steering disks shown in one of fishtail's pictures. Everytime that I called, they said that they didn't have them:confused:
They still had the white nylon plastic steering column bushings last year (top and bottom) for $10.00 each.

I would love to find the 3 driver's side troop seat main uprights. I have all the other parts. That would give me a complete 2nd set. If I remember correctly, they had some and they were $10 each.

Wish I could go with you and help. Thank you!!

Gents,

It's been an amazing, and successful trip for me there.

I have to say, words and pictures cannot describe how awesome this place truly is. Anyone that likes to work on these things and has a inner picker waiting to come out this is your Mecca!

I took some general pictures of some of the containers and a few shots of stuff I found really interesting. There are literally 12 large containers, some full to the brim with parts for M715's alone. This doesn't even touch on the stuff they have for old dodges. Truly Amazing!

Sorry for some of the crappy pics. All I have is my cell phone camera.

That being said: How many seat frames do you need?

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...psxucvkokc.jpg

Random stuff: Inner fenders left and right

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...pswccibcbk.jpg

Bumper parts galore, springs, FULL loaded NOS front axles

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...pskzcoyref.jpg

More Axles in back, troop seat uprights, and the box is full of NOS windshields.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...psx0lsfrgx.jpg

LOTS of heat cables, varying random nuts, bolts, seals, tubing and bearings.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...psulxjawsy.jpg

Ambulance doors, rectifiers, more seals, more bearings.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...psx7mri3a3.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...psmizd5kbn.jpg

NOS dash's and door panels

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps0j6elzxt.jpg

Random misc.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...psrx3sxlxd.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...psybriqdxu.jpg

This container proved to be interesting. There is 1 crate in the back that has a LOT of fresh air controls in box, that's in plastic packaging labeled 976079. This crate is so big you can't get to everything inside the way it's packed in there. I pulled several out and in those I found 1 package that was labeled 976077? I think. That was a heat control. This is a mixed box. It makes me wonder if the hard to find defrost cable is mixed in. The bed on top of this container is in really good shape too. It has a couple of brush guards in it, but no tailgate.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...psnm0jb0sk.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...psd4yopqer.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps91bvdyoa.jpg

This container is FULL of wheels, and NOS bows, maybe even some bed canvas in the back that is impossible to get to. There are also NOS core supports stacked on top in the back.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...psuiilefs0.jpg

Finally, this is what I had to drool over when I was done picking parts. These guys do not disappoint!!!

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...pspmpl7vsa.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...psg41o1yaf.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...pslomatxru.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...pswkgykuyl.jpg

This truck is the diamond in the entire place. It was #1 off the factory line of its production model and is pristine. Amazing truck!

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps2ovwwcmo.jpg

Let's not forget what I pulled.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...psb7cemfx6.jpg

Re-pop rear floor pans, and NOS core support.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...psbplepdo9.jpg

A hood in excellent shape.... finally!

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...psynibmbtf.jpg

THE last NOS Windshield frame and it is in excellent shape.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...psz9zmjrov.jpg

Windshield weather stripping, 2 defroster ducts (there is 1 left that doesn't have the clips on it) upper and lower column bushings for those that asked - PM me and we will get those worked out, and that glove box is for you Suby, they didn't have any latches, or grab bars, but LOTS of glove box doors.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...pskgsbinzb.jpg

Kyken, I didn't have enough cash flow for your uprights also, but I did have them set aside and if you are serious they can get them and ship them out to you. Ask for Josh. Very cool guy, and knows his way around these containers fairly well. Tell him Brad sent you. Here they are.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...psn5vsffmp.jpg


Unfortunately fellas the box of fiber discs is no where to be found, and trust me I looked for it.

WOW! Simply WOW!

PM incoming. Thanks!

That almost makes me sad...is that stuff ever going to be sold, or just sit in boxes for another 40 years and then get scrapped? Are they actually trying to sell it? I guess you did your part!

Excellent, Thank you!

Y'all can laugh, but If I ever win the Lottery,

I'm Not Going to Disneyland...

Just sayin'.


Find a local hotel, Get a roll off container, and load up for a week.

Buy the Guys there lunch every day.


Awesome Place.


Thanks for all the pics.


I saw a Blackout light bracket for the hood in one of those pics, and a bunch of axle U bolts... Front axle flange seals...

Having NOS Windshields is awesome to know also.

No telling what goodies hide in the darkest corners.

Yep, Need a week and lotto money : )


Most of those containers would be "organized" when I was leaving ...lol

Now THAT'S Entertainment.

This trip was all my pleasure fellas, I can assure you.

Suby - The 4 hours I was there looking through stuff I was also talking to Josh. He made it sound like they steadily sell some of this stuff, just not a whole lot. As you can see, you are definitely better off going there than trying to call, but sometimes they can help you out. I think it may be a matter of who answers the phone, because I called about defrost ducts before and was told they were out.

Blitz - You and me both, and seriously, 1 week is not enough. The amount of stuff here is overwhelming. I could see an entire week just on 2 containers.

I think they have every kind of seal imaginable, just zero organization, and no one there would know for sure what you were asking about.

I saw an entire box of axle U bolts and blackout light brackets.

There is seriously everything small parts for our trucks there, and a lot of big parts too, its just a matter of finding it.

Silly question.. ya didn't happen to see any steering wheels floating around in those CONEX boxes did you?

I can only dream so.

Dave-

I wasn't really looking for them, but didn't see any. I probably would have noticed those, I could use a pristine one as well.

Just got off the phone with VPW. I have had a front bumper on back order for several weeks now. I was informed that they had to have more remanfactured off site and hoped to possibly have them by the end of the week.

I informed the nice gentleman at VPW (Gary maybe) that one of our kind folks was there last week and that I was looking at a picture with about a dozen NOS front bumpers and that they are located right inside the doors of one of the CONEXES.

So there it is, first hand experience that VPW truly does not know everything they have in those boxes. Le Sigh......

I understand that they don't have the time or man power to inventory and catalog everything in those boxes but this can be frustrating at times. :mad:

PM sent on those column bushings.

Another PM in your inbox.:)

I want to talk about those cab/door corner seals. I saw 4 of them, were there any more? How much were they?
I would love to buy all of their inventory and sort it all out, catalog it and open my own business, any financial backers???
Great pics and thanks for posting them.

Weren't they only selling one side of them on Ebay?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hetzer

Weren't they only selling one side of them on Ebay?

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That is what I thought as well ....

This would be good to know....

( About the cab corner / door seals )

Also, Dave...

Those bumpers you see are "Winch Bumpers"

and I think All I see is the ONE side as well.

If Ya need a winch bumper... You can probably get the full deal there if Someone digs in the boxes.

I didnt see a complete full sized "non winch bumper" in the pics...
unless they are in cardboard boxes standing on end.

Yeah,
I'm with FNG.
We should arrange to go there..
Buy 1/4 of the stock out
Organize it and re sell it ( at a very small profit margin , to cover gas and time )

I swear , If I was closer...

I would Volunteer My Time, free of charge, to sort that stuff out.

And I dont need or want much...
some seals, gaskets, a brush guard, blackout light hood mount and axle U bolts.

Thats pretty much it...

( Till I see something I just have to have : P )

I found an entire box full of those corner seals, the problem is they are only for one side. I couldn't find any for the other side, and I looked through the entire box. If I'm looking at the receipt right they were $6 each. Listed as door corner weather seal. I know someone used to sell them online, but it was for one side only, I would assume it was VPW.

I bought 4 thinking I could somehow take one, and make a reverse version of it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rambler247

I found an entire box full of those corner seals, the problem is they are only for one side. I couldn't find any for the other side, and I looked through the entire box. If I'm looking at the receipt right they were $6 each. Listed as door corner weather seal. I know someone used to sell them online, but it was for one side only, I would assume it was VPW.

I bought 4 thinking I could somehow take one, and make a reverse version of it.

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Yeh, Italylovers sold them on ebay for VPW.
I bought two of them about two years ago.
Luckily, my right side, old one is still OK,
The right side is probably rarer than a Defrost cable:confused:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jeepdan

Yeh, Italylovers sold them on ebay for VPW.
I bought two of them about two years ago.
Luckily, my right side, old one is still OK,
The right side is probably rarer than a Defrost cable:confused:

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True on all aspects, true (unfortunately).

So many parts that are available are one side only, seals, windows, sweeps, bearings, etc. Makes you wonder why. Some explain it because of the fire in the main warehouse years ago but did they stock left side parts in the left of the warehouse and right side parts in the right side? i doubt it. The mystery continues.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rboltz

So many parts that are available are one side only, seals, windows, sweeps, bearings, etc. Makes you wonder why. Some explain it because of the fire in the main warehouse years ago but did they stock left side parts in the left of the warehouse and right side parts in the right side? i doubt it. The mystery continues.

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Ron, I heard the same thing but who knows? For the windows, you can often take the perishable parts out of the steel frames (if you have them), paint the steel and install the rubber gaskets and glass in the painted frame. Of course, you can just install the one side that is correct!

Brad, how much were these going for:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rambler247

Let's not forget what I pulled.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/m...psb7cemfx6.jpg

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