Twin-Engine Screaming Jimmy 8X8: 1960 FWD P-2 Air Force Crash Truck























Tired of building up the same succession of diesel-powered trucks over and over again? Looking for an interesting alternative from the same-old fire trucks out there for sale? Need more than one engine and more traction than four-wheel drive? Look no further than this 1960 FWD P-2 Air Force Crash Truck! Dealer antics aside, this FWD P-2 is definitely a vehicle you do not see every day, and featuring not one but two two-stroke Detroit Diesel 8V-71s and eight-wheel drive! Find it here on Craigslist in Mountainair, New Mexico, with an asking price $15,000.





















With production believed to have fully kicked-off production in 1962, this P-2 was formally used by the US Air Force for its ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting) department. In 1980, this P-2 was purchased by the Quality Truck company, where it was overhauled and subsequently renamed the P-2A. Referred to by the Air Force as the "Rolling Tetanus Shot" (due to its tendency to rust), the majority of the outside sheetmetal appears to be fairly solid, though the wheelwells do raise a few red flags. Taking a look at the equipment aspect of this FWD P-2, most of the equipment appears to be still there, including the the roof-mounted cannon. The rusted recess in the front nose houses an electronically-controlled nozzle, and there's also a 1,400 GPM (gallons per minute) pump, though its reportedly seized after sitting unused and dried-out for a winter. Believed to have been originally finished in red, the truck does look good in desert tan. I would address the rust, rebuild the one water pump, make sure the holding tanks (2,300 gallons of water and 200 gallons of foam) are still solid, and decide whether to repaint the truck in red or tan.
























Before you go ranting and raving that this truck has not one but two diesel engines, let me help you get back to reality and explain to that one of the Detroit Diesel 8V-71 engines drives the 1,400 GPM pump. Having said that, the other Detroit Diesel 8V-71 is coupled to an Allison automatic, much like the other 8V-71. Rated at 318 horsepower and 866 lb-ft of torque at 1,400 RPM, this P-2 needs all the power and torque it can get to get going. Featuring a poppet-valve two-stroke design, both 8V-71s use a low-pressure Roots-type supercharger for scavenging. Mileage is low at approximately 5,000, so I would check over the drivetrain and make sure everything is ready to go.

















If you were hoping for a better view of the interior, sorry, this is the best view that you can get. From what can be seen, the steering wheel and dash appears to be in fairly decent shape. Said to seat a total of four firefighters (including the driver), the instrument panel in this interior could easily rival an aircraft, but fortunately an 80-page manual containing information on the air, water and hydraulic systems is included. Though in need of a bit of attention, this FWD P-2 reminds me of a Tonka toy truck I had as a kid, and could easily be more than ten times the fun that the toy provided. I would restore it, take it to some cruise-ins (just because), and enjoy it for a while before selling it to a military of firefighter collector. What are your thoughts on this rarely-seen FWD P-2 Crash Truck?
Location: Mountainair, NM 87036, USA

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