I just signed up for the forums and I'am in need of some information, I just recently obtained my cdl, While my Teacher and I where out on the road we took a turn down a back road and along side the road next to a old farm I saw a old Brockway 359. Being that I live in Maine there aren't many old trucks around because of the salt they put on the roads so I figured this old Brockway was rotted out. Well I went home and was talking with my father, 'We are both old truck Guerrero's" and we decided to go get a better look.

This 359 was originally used as a pulp wood truck. The Farm where this truck sits acquired it some time in the 80's and used it to haul the slurry tank in the spring and they would change the body and haul the forge that fall, so this truck has never seen salt. They parked the truck back in 09 because the walking beam bushings were worn and they deiced to park the truck and buy a new one. Luck to have it the owner knew the Brockways were Semi rare and kept the scrappers away.

I talked to a farm hand who had just got done talking to the owner about it, and had also seen it run. It has a 6-71 Detroit that was running when parked, and a 5x4 I believe, It is long wheel base and the drivers side fender is leaning a little. The brakes look to have been updated to s-cam brakes some where down the line and it has a few new brake cans on it. The owner said he was told it would bring about 2 thousand at the scrappers. So my question is what do all of you think a 359 Brockway in decent shape is worth, with bad suspension and a engine that has not ran in a couple years. Also is there any one that can explain how to shift the twin stick's.

Thanks, The Rookie

Rookie

Welcome to the wonderful world of Brockways and this forum. There is a lot of information, ideas, and with some humor thrown in here.

As to the price first you have to find out scrap prices and regulations (remove tires, fuel tanks, ETC) is in your area and then how much it weighs? Usually scrap plus a little (being a farm truck it probably does NOT have any good tires on it) is the going price for a sitting vehicle like this. Second you have to have an idea of what you want to do with the truck? As a hobby truck, flatbed, log truck, roll back, etc? Third is how much mechanical and body work experence you and your father have? And room/facilities to do the work? To get all the work done in outsside shops will run up the dollars in a hurry. From your description I am assuming it is a longer wheelbase tandem axle straight truck which would make a neat toy hauler.

As to the 6-71, Be very careful before you try to start it. When they sit for a while the injectors like to set up and then they will run away with you. Some of our Detroit experts will chime in and tell you exactly what to do before attempting to start it. The 5x4 tranny set up is fairly simple. The 5 speed main has a wide RPM drop between gears and the Auxillry then splits each gear into 3 steps ( the low-low is only used for starting/off road) as the 2 stroke Detroit engine operates best in a narrow 300 RPM range.

Please get us some pictures and post on here. We can give you some better advise after some visual information. Please tell us where in Maine you are as we have several members in the New England area to help you.

Brocky

Brocky is right on. I would say that a 359, or any model Brockway for that matter , that isn't rusty has got to be worth $2000.00 . If you have good sheet metal, all the rest is fairly easy to repair/restore, and mechanical parts are much easier to find than body parts. A Detroit with a 5X4 is a real classic combination, if you have an appreciation for that sort of thing, and my guess is you do. Good luck. Steve

Thanks for all the info. I just got back to the truck today and got some pictures. It appears the only bad tire is the outside drivers side rear. All the rear tires are recaps but around here it wouldn't be to bad. The only real rust I see is inside on the roof of the cab but it can be sanded easy enough. If I get this truck I will probably short the frame and moves the axles a couple feet forward and make a Road tractor with it, To haul some of our old Tractor's and some hay now and then. Enough talk for now Here's some pictures.










Rookie

Also what would be a rough estimate of the weight of this truck.

I like the paint on this truck! keep us posted!

Rookie

It looks like you have found a very good truck to restore. If it has a double frame, be sure to look it over for rust jacking (spreading) between the rails. Since you said it was parked with rear suspension problems and want to shorten it, take a minute to consider swapping the whole rears unit for an air ride with possibly a lower (higher speed) gear ratio.As a tractor, With the 5X4 you have the low gears to get it moving so the higher speed speed rears will give you better consistancy with highway speed and possibily better fuel milage.

Stan Augustine has a thread on here a while ago with pictures and step by step instructions on how to do it.

Brocky

if you dont buy it, i know some people that will. very good deal for the truck. even a rust free truck with a blown up motor is worth 2K. dont let it get away. BUY IT!

richie

looks to be a great starting point for a 359 resto. I also like the paint job, hope you get it! Paul

Well I am going to try and talk with owner this week and try to make a deal. I am going to try hard to get this truck. Also for any one in The New England area uncle henerys has a brockway for sale, ad doesn't say what model just says "1972 Brockway road tractor 270 Cummins and new rear walking beams 2,800 Poland Maine." So if any one in New England want's another check it out!

I also have another picture showing the frame rails and rear end. I have never been around double frames, So maybe some one with more experience can tell if there is any rust jacking, if there is how bad of a problem is it to fix. would I need new frame rails or could I do some cutting and patching.



Rookie

I am still working on trying to buy this truck . The owner runs a farm so it is hard to get hold of him, but in the mean time I need some advice. The frame rails from about a foot behind the cab back are suffering from rust jacking. At the tail end it is spread a quarter to half a inch all way round. What I need to know is what is the best way to fix this. I have had three ideas,

1. Cut the inner rail behind the cab unbolt it and remove the inner rail and sand blast possibly get a new inner rail.

2. Remove ever thing and get new frame rails, probably the best way but very expensive and complicated.

3. Go down to the local truck salvage yard and find a truck with same size frame rails, cut them behind the cab, do the same to the Brockway then splice the two together. This way I would have higher geared rear ends and air suspension.

What do you guys think is the best way?

Thanks for all the Help

Rookie

Thumbs up on that paint scheme!! I like it! Neat truck. Buy it!!

Emery