Hello fellow Brockway fans,

I have a 1942 Ward Lafrance M1 Series 2 heavy wrecking truck that belonged to the Army. I'm told WLF got their cabs from Brockway and from the pictures it looks like a BW cab of the period. I'm restoring it and looking for advice. The cab wood is in great shape but the doors sag a little. My guess is the front pillars that the hinges screw into are slightly warped resulting in the doors not latching properly. Anyone have advice on how to fix this without doing a cab off the frame restoration. Also I'd like to replace the metal strip that runs along the bottom of the roof line. It is a metal channel that is nailed down with a trim strip then pushed into the channel to seal it. Does someone make a reproduction of this? Any help appreciated. Here is a photo of the old girl.

Most definately a Brockway cab! I'm also rebuilding one from scratch and need the roof strip. Have yet to hang my rebuilt doors but suspect you may have to replace the front door post of the cab. Check the screws and be sure they are secure in the cab and the truck. White ash holds scxrews really well but as the wood ages and dries out it looses much of its tenacity. The door posts are fairly starightforward to duplicate and the sheet metal is only nailed on. Might consider a "Dutchman" patch if the screw holes are just worn out, or maybe longer screws. I think the hinge screws are only about an inch and the post is thicker than that.

Emery Johnston
EPJDDS@AOL.com
Charlotte, NC

Hello Emery,

Thanks for the reply!

Can you elaborate on the patch you mentioned here?

I also need a radiator cap badly, seems to be unique to a Brockway but I'm not sure, it is should have 2 tabs. Can't find one anywhere.

Clint

Clint, I have a very late 30's model 112 that has basically the same cab as you show, probably smaller but looks similar. I acquired a radiator cap for mine that has the one graceful rib running across the top but it has 3 tabs for holding into the radiator. I have since acquired a second one that was pretty badly pitted. I'm in the process of cleaning out the pits and filling them with layers of epoxy primer and repeated sanding. Once I have it up to paintable standards I am figuring on taking it to Cortland with me in August and donating it for the Museum auction. Fred