Johnny was searching for a dually truck to fit his needs and after an 18 month quest without any results he decided eight years ago to build his own. After looking at haulers that others had built and taking notes on the features he liked, Johnny a retired school teacher did his homework over the next two years and seven months and built his dream hauler.
Johnny said, “It was a retired firetruck that served at Saint Pauls (NC) Fire Department originally and I purchased it from Mr. Sampson over there. I took it apart and put a 1992 Ford F-350 engine, transmission, and rear end underneath it.”
Johnny set the ’49 Ford cab down on a 1992 Ford F-350 chassis retaining the 7.3 liter diesel engine, 5-speed transmission, and rear end. The truck has all the modern improvements that the ’92 had over the 1949, including power steering, power disc brakes, and air conditioning.
Johnny added a sleeper from a 1984 GMC General to the back of the 1949 Ford cab and fabricated the rest of the rig. “I custom built the back end. The bumper is a sheet of stainless steel I cut out and polished and the mud flaps I cut out and polished and I put my last name in the mud flaps,” Johnny said. “The four inch stacks are new from Smith International for a transfer truck.”
Originally built to tow a 29 foot toy hauler camper, Johnny thought of just about everything. “I restored a 1978 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle. The right side rear fender folds down and ramps slide out and the motorcycle sits sideways behind the sleeper,” Johnny explained.
Johnny has included some added insurance for his over the road adventures like when he drives to Fort Meade, Florida for antique tractor shows.
“I have two batteries that I run off of inside. Everything is running on continuous duty relays and breakers. Now if it doesn’t start I can take one battery and tie it in and jump start it,” said Johnny. He also added an auxillery electric fuel pump that can be put in to service if needed.
Johnny addressed cooling issues too. “With this larger engine I had to do something with the cooling. I had a radiator made and put an electric fan on it. So I can run some coolant back here and cool it and run it back to the engine. It’s got a lift pump to move the coolant back to the engine.”
Finishing up the interior is next on Johnny’s list. So far Johnny has installed bucket seats from a Mack truck, a tilt steering column from a 1985 Mercury Marquis, and hardwood floor and stainless steel trim. The sleeper is currently used for storage. In true trucker fashion, the ’49 Ford is equipped with a CB radio that relays audio thumbs-up from commercial drivers when Johnny is heading down the highway. “I have people all the time wanting to buy it. It’s not for sale. They come on the CB and ask me what’s under the hood,” Johnny said with a smile.
Johnny used the 1949 Ford to tow another classic vehicle to the 11th Annual All Ford Car and Truck Show. Johnny displayed his 1925 Ford Model T C-Cab truck along side the 1949. The restored to original Ford has wood spoke wheels and the original Flathead four cylinder engine that can be started by a hand crank on the front.
Johnny said, “This truck originally did not have a floor in it. Henry Ford shipped these in wood crates, and when you took apart the shipping crate, the same wood was used as the floor in the truck to cut down on cost.”
Johnny takes the 1925 to car shows and drives it in parades and plans on preserving it just the way it is.
When he isn’t towing the Model T, Johnny likes driving his 1949 Ford truck to go camping. Some of his favorite destinations are Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Maggie Valley and Cherokee, North Carolina, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. But when it comes down to it, it probably doesn’t matter where he goes, Johnny is going to have fun along the way.
Johnny said, “It’s an instant conversation piece. When you go camping and you wake up in the morning there’s somebody there waiting to talk to you.”
Carsolina is proud to present Johnny with the 4th BST of Show Award. Keep Hauling.
Johnny resides in Lumberton, North Carolina. Pictures were taken October 17, 2009 at the All Ford Car & Truck Show in Wilmington, North Carolina.
I like the look. Nice lines. Beautiful job.
Johnny i hope that yall have a wonderful time in fort meade looks like fun wish i were with you guys love u Audee
Johnny is a very talented and unique person. I am glad that he is a part of my sister’s life and my family. He is good to my Mom and Dad and I love him for that. Thank you Mr. Johnny for bringing a smile to my sister’s beautiful face once again. Always forever in my heart, Audee.
Johnny is my brother-in-law, I saw this in all diffent pieces. He did a great job on this one.