Little Grumman Postal Trucks??
Tomrocks21212
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
Ever since they came out, I’ve been thinking that one of these might be the perfect size for my work. Anybody know anything about them? Drivetrain manufacture? GVW?
Are they even out for sale at auction?
I know they’re small, but I can cram an amazing amount of tools into my old Grand Cherokee, and I do have a trailer for the rest of the stuff.
Replies
I'm not sure what type/size truck you mean, but I'm intrigued because I have an old Grumman Olsonette, 1968, that I need to sell. It is in Ohio and has been waiting for me to fix it up as a work truck, but I haul too much lumber to use it regularly. It's an aluminum body on a GMC pickup frame with a straight six that runs pretty well. Interested?
No, the ones I'm thinking of are similar in size to the old postal jeeps.... Kinda like a shrunken step van.
A picture would help.
Do you mean like this one?
View Image
Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
That's the one!
I looked it up on Wikipedia, they didn't have much info there.
Looking for an alternative to a full-size van. I hate pickups, regardless of the kind of cap you put on it.
Now if I could find a late 60s to about '74 Econoline 200, that might be the ticket, too!
got you covered, 69 econoline 302 auto air owned it since 75!
oh did i mention it's had a 6" top chop....................YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'TMOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THEDUCT TAPE.
That brings up nightmares!!!! I bought one like this at a P.O. auction in about 1970.
I had to have it towed home, I worked on it off & on (mostly off) for about 4 months, then gave it away to someone who was willing to tow it away. It never ran for a minute.
All the parts are unique (they were then, I don't know about now). I couldn't get any parts reference info, I couldn't find out what sparkplug gap, fanbelt, starter, etc., etc., etc. That was before Al Gore invented the internet, it must be easier now.
I had similar problems with a '76 Scout that I bought in the 80s. Parts were evidently made of Unobtanium, with a price tag to match.I finally sold my snow plow and threw the truck in as a bonus.
One time i bought a Divco milk truck and it had a ford 6 engine. I left it at a friends that said he could fix it for me but he just used it as a chicken coop.. So i just forgot about it.. Wooda been cool though
The Grumman Olson Postal Vans are on a GM S10 frame/drivetrain. They were built in Montgomery, PA.
DO YOU STILL HAVE OLSONETTE FOR SALE?
i YOU HAVE THIS OR KNOW OF ONE LET ME KNOW
tHANKS
[email protected]
Theres a guy here with rentals that has one of those,
Im guessing you mean one bigger then a jeep but smaller then a van.
Looks like hes almost standing when driving.
Very cool looking
I see them on eBay from time to time. Often just listed as a step van.
This one is a bit smaller:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GRUMMAN-LLV-POSTAL-JEEP-ICE-CREAM-TRUCK-RHD_W0QQitemZ270363820250QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item270363820250&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A13%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
jt8
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on."
-- Robert Frost
Edited 4/7/2009 3:14 pm by JohnT8
Edited 4/7/2009 3:16 pm by JohnT8
I like the size of this one better
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Step-Van-13-800-1-Owner-Miles-6-0L-V8-Like-New-Must-See_W0QQitemZ110367776123QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item110367776123&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A13%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
View Imagejt8
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on."
-- Robert Frost
Might be another medium size one...bigger than you want
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/UTILIMASTER-GRUMMAN-DIESEL-PARCEL-STEP-VAN-WARRANTY_W0QQitemZ330320226997QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCommercial_Trucks?hash=item330320226997&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1308
View Image
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/88-GMC-BOX-VAN-STEP-VAN-DIESEL-V8-ALUMINUM-BODY_W0QQitemZ180343095495QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCommercial_Trucks?hash=item180343095495&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
View Image
jt8
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on."
-- Robert Frost
Edited 4/7/2009 3:26 pm by JohnT8
One of the issues for me is that the parkway here (CT Rt. 15) has a vehicle limitation of 8' height and 7500# GVW, so I think a standard step van is out of the question. I've also thought about maybe a small box truck built on a van cab/chassis, but the 8' limit might make that tough.
cool ... that orange one is sharp!
too bad I'm all "new van'd up".
pretty close to me too.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Looks like a great tailgate bus for Clemson or Syracuse fans.For those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.
with the paint scheme and chrome rims ...
I bet harley parts were somehow involved. I was thinking either a dealerships parts truck or someone's bike hauler.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I'm in IL, so I'd have to say Illini fan bus
jt8
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on."
-- Robert Frost
As a mail carrier I can tell you that you do not want a USPS vehicle. The bodies are made by Grumman, but the engine and drivetrain are Chevy S10 4-cylinders. They are unpowered so bad that at Xmas we have to make two trips because if you fill them with presents they won't make it up the hills. Also, the postal service tries to get as much out of them as possible. They are called LLVs, long-life-vehicles, because they are simple to keep running and don't look to be retired anytime soon.
> and don't look to be retired anytime soon.Boy will they be surprised when the layoffs hit!
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith
I meant that the vehicles don't look to be retired anytime soon. There will always be mail and a need for trucks to get it to people, just less than the current 6 days a week.Another negative of the postal LLV that I forgot, is that the front wheels are closer together than the backs wheels, which makes them crazy to drive at high speeds. 45 mph is scary if it is windy at all.
Another negative of the postal LLV that I forgot, is that the front wheels are closer together than the backs wheels, which makes them crazy to drive at high speeds. 45 mph is scary if it is windy at all.I talked to a local postman about that once - he said it also made them pretty bad for driving in the snow.
Did not read every post so might have been suggested, but what about a older used Dodge Sprinter?
http://www.dodge.com/en/2009/sprinter/low_cost/fuel_economy/
They are called the "LLV," or 'long life vehicle.' They are made by GM, exclusively for the postal service. With a design life of 25 years, it will likely be awhile before any are surplussed out.
The short version? You're more likely to get a federal license to grow marijuana than to be able to buy one of these gems.
Personally, I agree that they would make fine work trucks - especially in congested areas. The roof is low enough to make removing ladders a breeze. The short footprint makes for easy parking.
Personally, I think this is another opportunity Detroit has missed. Indeed, I'm amazed that even the Post Office was able to get them designed. There is no shortage of other specialty uses - police and taxi are but two - for which I believe there is a readymarket, begging for something unique.
I am verry familiarwith the parkway situation in the tri state area. I have run a business and know many others who make all kinds of accomodations and compromises so they can get by with an old fashion station wagon (Caprice, Colony Park, etc) or a Chevy Astro Van. I used to get Astros from the Cable TV company. I knew a contractor who who would buy every single one I could get. Just avoid the AWD Astros.
I think the only similar ones they have for sale now are 2 ton units, not the little beasties. If you're intested in surplus postal trucks, search on ebay for listings by seller, and use:
usps-al-pmsc
I just picked up a Toyota-based uhaul truck last Nov - I think it will be a perfect work truck.It's a dually rear wheel, V6 engine. Has a 7x10 aluminum roll-door box on it and the height from ground to floor is less than 18" I think.These were made by Toyota as Uhauls or motorhomes from about 87-93 I think, and most of the Uhauls I've seen have a good 220-240K miles on them.I found one from Uhaul direct that only had 158K on it and I bought it from them for $1450.Runs great. I found another guy near me that had a complete unit he intended to strip the box from and I stripped every concievable part from it: exhaust, alternator, doors, fenders hood, etc, for $300.I currently use a Wells Cargo 6x10 trailer behind my Dodge truck and maybe get 7-9 mpg with my 360 5.9 engine.With this uhaul - maybe I'll be able to get 13-15mpg and save a few $1000 a year on gas (especially if it gets closer to $4 again...)Haven't started working on it yet, but I'll post full info when I do and during the process...The gray one is one I saw online - mine still has uhaul colors. I was planning on doing a full logo/pic vinyl wrap - but I'm able to get 4x10 sheets of diamond plate aluminum for $100 each and may just side the whole darn truck with it. It'll be durable and look pretty tough...JT
Even with 240K on one isn't a toyota engine just braking in at that point.Dodges do suck gas don't they? Never owned a newer one, but have rented a few. The only truck I have ever driven where you can sit and drive it and actually see the fuel gage needle move down to empty.WallyO
It's true - but seeing as how it only costs me $44 to fill up every week instead of $111 as it was for a while, I figure I'm saving $240 a month!Knock on wood, but I bought my 1998 dodge ram 1500 6-8 years ago with 55K on it and now have about 145K and haven't had any major issues...Finally had some rust starting on the doors - but did a cosmetic fix to that and now it looks good again...Loving not having a $500 payment each month...JT
The "repair does not look bad before seeing it was going to say might need some mud flaps.
Hope you sanded a bit and primed under the diamond plate?You see I have an 04 GMC long bed extend cab I get 18 mpg, but I opted for two wheel drive.Wallyo
I didn't bother any sanding or repair - the doors are shot basically. There's no helping them now - too far gone.I was only aiming for a cosmetic fix to get me another year or nice looking truck.Most I did was to seal the top of the aluminum with a bit of black atv caulk to avoid any buildup of moisture underneath.I figure in a year or so, I may be ready to look for other options for reasons other than bodywork, or maybe I'll just buy a couple of doors and have em painted.The aluminum on the body itself is simple adhered with body-side molding tape, on the doors, it's riveted.JT
After I posted I was wonder if it was deep rust that answers that. Still it looks good. You need some doors from a dry state as in humidity. Nevada or Idaho though the shipping would kill.Wallyo
great deal.. my toyota 1 ton stakebed truck, now owned by a friend, currently has 256k miles with mostly origional parts/engine. 14 mpg loaded.
gonna do a search for one, like yours
Call uhaul's in your area - or, they have a web site where they list what locations they are at.If you find them, they will be listed for sale at between $3k-3500, depending on condition, but the uhaul employee that I dealt with let me know that corp will accept offers of about $1500 for them.Mine came with the full Uhaul service book showing everything Uhaul did to it service wise.These won't be available much longer as uhaul just started decommissioning them from their AZ markets - once these are gone, that'll be it.Mine had some shot doors, but the frame and underside and box is very clean.JT
yeah, watch that frame just behind the cab. On those duallys there were lots of problems with them folding up around that point.
Nice truck.
"When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking." — Sherlock Holmes, 1896
My dually was an 88 Toy with the 10' bed on a continous frame.. Neat thing is, that it has ben through 4, if not 5 rear enders. including being t-boned in a parking highrise by a run away sissor lift. Hit it hard enough to send it sideways into the next car and take out the side of that car.
Try explaing that to the insurance company...Never a fraction of a problem with the frame and/or alignment
Nissans did, because they were a weld-extended frame.
I can't say it won't happen. I will say this, out of all the toys/tools for the business that I have spent money on, this was the most profitable and best return on my investment.
Bought it for $10k, put 186k miles on it and sold it to a friend. Now, don't even remember how much. He has 75k added to that, I think. dang, I just realized that truck is 21 years old. My friend would probably say the same thing.
I had an 88 or 89 Toyota pu. First vehicle I ever bought new.
I think it was $8100.00 out the door.
Drove home and loaded some stuff in the back and headed to Daytona.
One night many years later, driving home early in the am after too much fun it overheated. I pulled over and got impatient and dumped cold water in the radiator and heard an ugly sound. Drove it another month or so with mayonaise in the radiator and then sold it for $500 with over 225k on the ticker.
Great trucks.
"When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking." — Sherlock Holmes, 1896
I had a 82 Toyota 2x2 with the 22R engine - used it for a good while and then it circulated among 2-3 friends... then a 85 4-Runner with the 22RE engine (last year with solid front axle..) drove that around topless for most of the time (the truck, not me)
Then I had a 95 Tacoma with the 3.4 V6.All nice trucks, though after getting my Dodge, I don't anticipate going back to a small truck.IMO, the nicest looking new 4x4 full size trucks are the new Tundras.JT
The vehicles are officially known as the "LLV," or 'long life vehicle.' They have a design life of 25 years, and are not for sale to the general public- at least, as new vehicles. They are built on a GM platform, and have a 3/4 ton rating, as best I can tell.
Post Office auctions are conducted at the local level, and it's up to you to catch one. I'm not sure that even one has entered private ownership; I thought I saw two being re-fit by a private party, but never saw them again.