Auction Buy from the DEAD aisle, Will it RUN!?!? (Cummins Powered Service Van) 

Matt really, REALLY needs a battery sponsor!

I think you should clean it up, get a Diesel Creek wrap, and it can become your “Event Truck”. Anytime you’re at an event, it can be the rally point to grab DC merch, meet Matt, maybe even you could have a cooler onboard and hand a guy a beer when we meet up. It certainly would be easy to find, and those drawers could certainly hold lots of shirts and hats…..

*"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago and the next best time is now"* I consider this to be best motivational quote I've heard in a very long time. But motivational quotes are useless if you don't practice what you preach*

A tip for all: When just starting a motor like that after sitting a long time and when it come to checking out the transmission, run it though ALL gears in the selector a few time at idle for a few seconds per gear before moving at all. This will work all the valves and help to un-stick any of them before driving off.

This is worth keeping as a service truck to carry your tools etc until your workshop is built. Then give her an overhaul and sell her, once that's complete. If you do keep your tools in there, hang some big silica gel packs inside to keep moisture level down. Keep the tool chest for your workshop.

As a mobile workshop truck it's pretty much a dream, with piles of storage space, a good workbench, the compressor and fuel pump & tank. It'd be a real shame to take it apart when it could make someone really happy. Thinking of someone who is getting started in a business where such a truck would be essential. Patch it up, sell it for a tidy profit, make you and someone else happy? :)

The sound your truck makes towing is awesome

I am from Europe but I got my higher education in the US. Always keen on anything with an engine, even though I was riding the bus as a student. I still remember the first time I heard a Dodge truck with a Cummins and an open exhaust. I was like WTF is that?! Nowadays back in the old country I am driving a diesel pickup, albeit with a 1.9 liter engine. I can't help but think, how much better would it be with a 5.9 in it?

Mitigate all the rust in the rear end. Go over the breaks and then Flip it for cash that you can use on your service truck dream build.

You definitely need this service truck when you go out hunting for new equipment.

I had a furnace repair man come do the fall service on my oil furnace. While.changing the filters he snapped the bolt that held the bowl on not knowing he did it the bowl stayed and nut didnt fall off. Week later l had my tanks filled. I worked 24 hours shifts on an ambulance at the time. Well when the fuel hit the filter the bowl dropped and 600 gallons of the 750 that was delivered made out my floor drained into a creek by my house. Greatful for 2 things. One the furnace guy and insurance battled the cost of clean up. Two the guy next door that seen in the creek build a damn and dug a holding area in the area that kept it in a creek that was 3 feet wide.

This mobile torture chamber is running nicely, good choice on getting a diesel to help with covering up noises that would get you caught.

Keep this Matt. If you want to stay serious into big Iron and rescuing and flipping auction "junk," you'll appreciate this truck more than you might think you do now. Give her some love no matter what you do. Fix that rust and weld a new floor into the compartment in back. Etc. It'll get you some good return money if you sell.

For a time, I was doing volunteer work for a transportation museum here in MN. The site was a former Northern Pacific roundhouse and turntable. The old timers used to tell a story about when they switched from steam powered to diesel powered. The fuel tanks took quite a long time to fill. The practice was to put the fuel nozzle in the tank, turn on the flow and go have a cup of coffee in the shack. When they noticed diesel fuel running down the ditch they would walk out and shut it off. That is kind of what I imagine when I see the words, "Diesel Creek".

I drove my 1990 GMC Value Van P3500 bookmobile with a 6.2 L diesel last August from Indiana to New Mexico. Went 45 mph the whole way, got 9 mph and stopped in about every city along the way. Diesel was as low as $2.99 a gallon and surprisingly cheaper than gasoline. Good thing I drove it last August instead of today. Plus solid oak shelves and over 1000 books.

If I were you, I'd clear out the back, work on all the rust, sand/clean/spray paint everything, and check that all the wiring and hoses are ok. You can probably sell it for a decent price, definitely a good score for $3K.

I would say fix everything that is broken, i.e. the lights, do some preventative maintenance, oil change and filters, and check if everything else works in terms of the external fuel tank's fuel pump and the compressor. Then, sell it for a nice profit.

I worked for a mining company in your area years ago, and the fuel pump we would top off the dozens and loaders etc was a older model. It basically had a 2,500 gallon tank under ground and a old slap handle to turn the pump on and off. One of the guys on night shift was topping off the 988 for the one day off we got a week, and shaped the handle down after putting the pump in the 55gallon drip barrel that it would sit in. Well if you slapped it a little to hard it would bounce back up into the on position. He took off and parked the loader then went home for the weekend with the fuel pump still running. At some point the nozel popped out of the hose and the tank pumped itself dry. It was luckily contained in a sight runoff sump nearby, but several hundred truckloads of dirt had to be incinerated. All of a sudden a new fuel pumping station didn't seem so expensive.

When you first showed that step van... the first thing that I thought of was an RV or like an Amateur Radio Service van (which would nicer if it had front wheel drive)! ☺️ UR mechanical intuition and ability to finger things out is what makes your channel so interesting! And KEEP dragging that old iron onto your channel... seems I am not the only one who loves seeing same! 👏🏽 👍🏼☺️

Hay, Matt thank you for telling us that story, It takes a real man to tell everyone one of the roughest days and, disastrous days, was the start of something wonderful. I enjoy your content most of the time. I hope you get to read this. You put enough heat into my heart, so It doesn't ( get cold or) freeze over.

That truck seems perfect for all of your little projects of getting "new" machines going again. You can put a diesel heater in there and work out of the rain and cold in the winter.

Eviction notice served to the tail pipe residents! (25:33)😂 The videos are cutting into work time!

I have a 2000 step van with the 3.9 and a 5 speed manual transmission. It was the core of my mobile installation and service business for communications electronics. At one point I traveled all week with mine and built in living quarters including a shower with running water, saving me tons of money on hotels. With the 18 foot body, I had all the tools and supplies I needed for a week on the road. These days I am trying to figure out what I am going to do with it since I am retired from the business. I absolutely love the truck and just can't bring myself to part with it.

Thats a lot of mobile service truck for 3k. I really like that in-line 6 cylinder doesn't seem lacking for power. I set up a 1-ton Service truck a 4 wheel drive Chev dually with a 4 speed trans with all the best tools & equipment in the 1980s. It was for a welding/ machine shop where I worked. I would go out to the local farmers and do repairs setting in the field or farm yard. The only problem was that thing was loaded with 2 welders a huge air compressor even a plasma cutter a aluminum gun that plugged in to the Miller Matic. Drill press a huge vice that folded down from the rear it had every tool but; a lathe and a milling machine. Yes, he had them back at the shop=If you went off road after a rain and you were stuck even had a huge winch on the front. Them farmers were impressed when they looked inside, man I really appreciated and enjoyed doing jobs with that truck, it was pretty damned impressive. That truck of yours already has a lot of potential from the get go. If you get that truck setup well you won't be disappointed. I am sure it's most likely for mostly your own personal use. With the price fuel, commercial license and every thing has sky rocketed in price. You need a minimum job of $500 to even consider doing a job any way nice project hope to see you working with it in the future you have a good start. By the way there is no such thing as to many lights.

Clean it up (power wash/ wipe down the interior), fix all the small annoyances and broken things, get rid of as many small squeaks and rattles then sell it outright to someone who needs a set-up like that for a profit to fund your other projects. No point in tearing down a perfectly functional work van.

I think you should keep it, that's a big mobile toolbox that gets you out of the rain and cold in the winter. If you're worried about it getting stuck put a winch on it.

My Dad had two of these work vans over his lifetime- they were invaluable around the farm/ranch and priceless when he went into custom farming! He had a welder/generator- oxy/acet, propane and a good work bench down one side😊

Matt, you have beautiful pieces of property in gorgeous Pennsylvania. Over on Reddit someone posted pics of a neighbor doing construction and dumping wood and polystyrene into a common creek. It's "wasteful" government until it effects you. The WalMart warehouse fire in Indiana sent thousands of pounds of soot into the local clime and dumped hunks of caustic and poisonous debris in people's yards. PA even has old oil wells that still poison the fauna...we're happy for you that you can enjoy such beauty, but the price is vigilance to preserve it.

That smirky smile you had driving the van says it all. Matt’s a happy camper!

I'm gonna vote option C on this one--fix it up and keep the old girl for future auctions or other "I never knew I'd need an entire mobile workshop for this" jobs--life is full of curveballs, after all. You never know when the old girl might come in handy. Maybe I'm just jealous that you got so much van for just 3 thousand freedombux and I want to see it in more videos, idk. :)

Watching you starting the Van and happiness like a KID! FUN...

Easy fix for now the neutral safety switch Being dirty but I'm sure it will need to be replaced Sooner or later great van for the price 35:51 @Diesel Creek

What I appreciate about people like you, is that you resurrect equipment others have discarded and make it useful again

I say keep it and use it for mobile repair and recovery. No harm in having a truck with fuel and air available as well as a enclosed work area should the weather become an issue. Plus all the cool flashy lights.

31:44 wow all the front lights work the light Bar and all the bak flashing lights what a gem she just ready to Go Fix Trucks runs and drives just needs some brake work not bad at all Or the old girl 😮 31:44 @Diesel Creek

@Dieselcreek sell it brother and put the money towards a service truck for your needs. I run a excavation company and in the market for a work truck with a crane as well. I've Been a follower since the beginning love your projects and content! God bless! 🇺🇸

Just when I was thinking "I hope Matt doesn't fill up his property with too much stuff from the auction," you got that truck fired-up and I immediately changed my mind lol. Man, you could probably make a ton of money just buying stuff from the auction, fix it then sell it lol. Great job Matt!

Love the smile on your face while you’re driving this thing. It says it all! Great channel man! You’re one of those guys that everyone wants to be friends with.

9:17 that sound, big yes

As a former Firefighter now LEO, I'd recommend you find a volunteer Fire Service that could buy it from you at a next to paid price and convert it, (with minimal effort obviously) into a Rescue vehicle. You would sleep a lot sounder knowing you helped those who help others, and I for one would commend you for that.

After your shop is built, that power plant would be a great transplant for another project

One of the things I like most about your videos is your honest little kid's glee when an engine starts. Especially when it starts easy or if you win after busting yer butt. I've been watching long enough that I've seen your accumulation of equipment has exploded. FANTASTIC! Keep it up Matt. And yeah, a battery sponsor would look great on this channel.

That 24 valve 5.9L Cummins Looks pretty good Dosent look like any damager or theft 21:44 @Diesel Creek

Oh heck yeah Old Girl Started righr Up she like lets go To work im ready cummins Sounds Great Matt Heck of a Buy running cummins decent van and several grand worth of goodies left in it 25:10 @Diesel Creek

Watching you at work while I'm at work makes my crap job enjoyable, thank you!

That right there will work. Did y’all see the crap coming out of the exhaust pipe!😂😂😂

That smile on your face is priceless and why we love our (deals)

was anybody else loving the sound of the 6.0 when he pulled out of the auction

I'm an old master mechanic and I would get everything working and use it as a work truck for when you have to go and get something running. I had a folding crane that would possibly fit in the back for lifting tires . For what you have in it should work for you. As you use it you can offer it for sale for a good price and if someone comes to buy it use the money for your 4wd service truck. Good work! and good luck.

I love how Matt gets so EXCITED when his new Auction buys turn out to be great deals! It's like watching him pull the lever on a slot machine and coming up all '7's! I GET EXCITED RIGHT ALONG WITH HIM! Thanks for the videos Matt! Good luck with the new shop truck!

That will come in handy when you make it your own service / rescue truck. With the Air Comp, tool storage and lights, what a deal.

Looks like the batteries have a Disconnect Power switch Connected to them Matt 14:03 @Diesel Creek

Man you got a steal on that one. You can’t buy that engine for what you paid. Amazing that it sat so long as inoperable with relatively simple problems.

25:32 Loving the stuff flying out of your exhaust when you started it!

Just listen to that Turbo On that truck just a Singing Away Sounds so good 8:00 @Diesel Creek

suspect corrosion was major reason it remained unsold. you got a great deal on it. treat it as an investment. fix the things you can - generator drive, rust damage, etc, then throw a quick quick generic paint job on it. keep for use while you're doing mobile work on church, contact repair support veh. for your heavy equipment jobs, etc. keep the insurance at a minimum. if things get tight, you can always sell it at a tidy profit. pa d.e.r. was death on us with skid tanks on the farm. everything got at least a containment pool.

The environmental protection agencies didn't really sound wasteful. They've found the issue and made you clean it up. Sounds fair and useful.

I really, really like this truck. It just has something about it that's equal parts charming and useful. I vote for giving it a good treatment and use it as it is intended to. Might also be a great vehicle when chasing for other old iron since it has pretty much everything you'd need including air and a workbench. All in all, I want to see more of it! I really like it!

I finally got a chance to watch this video this morning and started laughing to myself, as soon as you got it up on the trailer, I saw the remains of the weavertown decals. I would see this truck all the time a few years back and knew right away that you were going to haul it back to it's original home , almost. After you told the "Diesel Creek" story , I figure you have paid for a substantial portion of this truck a long time ago. (ouch!)

Tons and tons of goodies in that van Got to be 3 or 4 grand or more worth of goodies left in that Van I think you made out on this van Purchase Matt 20:32 @Diesel Creek

37:19 Since you asked... I would keep that vehicle for myself if I was in your position. I would clean it up, fix the naggy things like the missing vise handle, redo the interior/exterior lighting, clean up the fuel tank and compressor systems, redo the rear bumper, etc. I'd restock it with tools, parts and supplies for vehicles I use on off site jobs. I'd integrate the truck into my new shop, providing an interior bay (because of your weather conditions) where it can be kept ready for use, hooked up to shore power and a trickle charger like they do fire trucks (keeps them batteries up). This is a good recovery vehicle for equipment breakdown when bringing things back to your shop is notan option. Do you repair diesels for hire outside of your RU-vid channel, I don't know? It seems you do some jobs for hire like lot cleaning and demolition. Lastly I would put a big Diesel Creek logo on the side and call it a tax write off for business purposes! Think of all the renovation videos that are waiting with this one truck! I will love seeing what you do with this jewel, fantastic auction find, I am green with envy Matt! OK, obviously I stopped too soon to comment. If it doesn't work as a service truck for you...pull off whatever you want or need from it. Sell the truck, basically get your money back at a minimum, parts you can use for future projects and some video content of stripping it down. Sorry for the tough lesson on your diesel spill. I worked in the environmental industry, many cleanups like you mentioned are the result of two things, accidental discharge or malicious negligence. That you were willing to relate the story tells me you were the victim of the School of Hard Knocks. Most of us have attended a class or two there and if we paid attention we graduated without having to repeat a grade! Keep using your catchpans and watch your fluid disposal. I remember when people poured their old engine oil along the bottom of the fence lines to kill the grass and make it easier to trim. People in towns still keep pouring it into the storm drains for disposal because "...it ain't that much oil, only five quarts or so...!" But it all ends up back at some form of reservoir, usually the same one they get their drinking water from!

Sell it like it is, you should make a profit. If you clean it up, you can make some real cash. Good luck! Also, I want you to know that your videos make my day. You are not only great in fixing things but you are entertaining. You make me laugh when you make things work, you are a true entertainer. Never stop filming.

My brain is going crazy with the multitude of things that this FREIGHTER could be used for! Mobile Mechanic, Camper, Storage, ATV carrier, Party Bus, Etcetera...

I liked how you touched on the (money, I assume) risks folks were commenting on. The short answer is, you know your values. Somewhere in another of your videos, you bought a Takeuchi tracked loader for $28K and I was thinking "wow, that's a big risk". I did what you are doing back in the 80's & 90's with high end video production gear---tape machines and cameras. I knew my values and I knew how to fix some of it (not as much as you) and/or knew people who could fix the stuff reasonably. But again, you know your values, this is the key for anyone engaged in used gear buy-sell. With this truck and the Lincoln welder, sure, you could get stung for a few grand but that comes back when you're immersed in the continuous process of flipping stuff for a few grand profit all the time. I first came upon your channel when you were trying to refurb that old church and I thought "this nutball is asking for serious trouble if he thinks there's a short-term end to this project". Especially when you got into the foundation issues. I'm glad you jettisoned that project. You do much better if whatever you're working on drinks diesel! Love your spirit!

It is always a pleasure to watch Matt's video ... humorous ... skills ...,suspens ... and at the end IT WORKS ... well done Matt ...

Hi Matt, I had an aluminum Snap-On tool van back in the day when I owned a construction company. Was a great tool van I could park on a job site and use as mobile command post/tool storage/etc. Since you did so well on it - I'd sell it to a small home builder if I could. Worked great for me!

Those brakes put it in the dead pile. A blessing.

the sound of that turbo at 8:20. A beautiful thing.

Diesel Creek story reminds me of something that happened to a friend of a friends family. Pretty common in this area to heat with oil. Family called for a delivery of oil, and the driver they sent was unfamiliar with the delivery location. They had an abandoned oil fill for a tank that had been removed, that I believe had been somehow disabled, but the driver was able to connect to it somehow, and start pumping. On the other side of the fill was nothing but ground. If the driver was paying attention, he would have not heard the indicator whistle going that you normally hear when an oil tank is being filled. I believe he pumped somewhere in the neighborhood of 350 gallons before he realized his folly. Everyone showed up for the recovery. EPA, local DEP, cleanup companies. To make it even more interesting it happened a couple hundred yards from the ocean, surrounded by million dollar homes. The house was on top of a ledge embankment, behind them. Project took the good part of a year. They were able to calculate how much was recovered, and all said were 150 gallons short of the final tally of what the pump on the truck said.

Looks like a good drivetrain swap for the loadstar for sure. Cummims and an allison doesnt get much better. Jmo, great work.

Just finished that Vajayo (most the time they get a like as soon as they start, I never knew how important the likes were to a good RU-vid channel thank you for another thing you educated me on for all the great content providers like you!!!!! A great Hack for fixing bent tubing is take an open end wrench the same size as the OD of the tubing and you use it as a die (spinning it around the bent tubing and using it like a reverse pipe bender). Regarding what to do with the truck ( I followed ebay auction for the tractor you just sold) I never sell anything but sell that truck and use the money from that to buy a really big expensive basket case project! I love that you often tell what things cost. care to give a ball park number what that clean up cost you? Ironically probably not going to be enough profit breaking even selling that truck to even come close to ......

That's why I watch you. Not every body can go out and buy new equipment. It's the thrill of going thru what you bought so go for it Matt

Matt you need to get a long stick with a mirror on the end for looking underneath the vehicles at auction!

26:07 "Can you hear the ol' Cummins just a-purrin'?" Nope. I hear it snarling happily, awaiting a challenge so it can roar. 😁👍 Edit: 38:33 I vote that _for now_ you use it as your service truck. The onboard compressor, generator, _and_ fuel pump make it perfect for that. In the long run, maybe having it as a mobile workshop and backup service truck would be good.

Where I work they used to have one of these. It wasn’t part of my section but they’d park it in the bay and sometimes we’d have to move it out to do something. Which was always me because I was the only one who could figure out how to crank it. Ya gotta put it in neutral….. Sure was fun to drive though.

There is no a one of us who hasn’t had a spill of some kind,you would be the lucky one to get caught 🎉

Hey Matt, Having had a handyman business in my past, I believe this may be a great truck for your work on the abandoned church. It is an easy way to bring tools to the work site and bring them back. It would allow you to have a mobile work shop focused more on home restoration instead of vehicle service truck.

Mobile chill video editing studio. But for real, if its not going to get used. Fix the broken stuff and get a few videos out of it and sell it. Would be great to see something like this get fixed up. It does seem like it would be a cool mobile workshop when you're trying to get some new piece of machinery running. Could put a giant "Diesel Creek" logo on the side of it.

Nice and you got it running for nothing too. Myself I would either use it as a mobile workshop or gut the back ready to turn into a stealth camper.

Like the loader, a real bargain. A steal!

Seems like this is the ideal truck to do Will It Start videos in the field. Even lets you bring a fuel supply. Fix up the rear and make it a tow beast for those purchases and rescues. You could stay dry and rebuild carbs under cover. Also worth adding the roll out RV awning to the side for more covered work space.

Man I love the sound of that 6.0 towing! The turbo whistle and exhaust has always been unmatched other than a straight piped Cummins

Sweet Nice to See You backto pick up this Freightliner Van Matt 2:54 @Diesel Creek

All them free in the box Napa Oil filters you got in the cabinet of the truck very nice few hundred dollars of oil filters if there brand new and in good condition 10:07 @Diesel Creek

Once fired up, it sounded like it'd ran the day before, good drive-train = great investment/buy! ($3100 with tax & fees) So you have two choices: Custom build platform for yourself or as you mentioned, fix the rear bumper (supports) along with a service/maintenance and sell for extra $$$$ on other projects. (Some decisions, congrats & cheers mate!) 😎✌

Matt, you are a stand up guy for sure. You explained the Diesel Creek brand, made a mistake to get it and then owned it. Your honesty and integrity are above reproach. Love watching your channel. You are in the top 5 on my list. SELL THE SERVICE VAN. Hate to see your farm look like a junkyard. If you can't use it, sell it.

Cummins - Diesel Engines just done right. 5.9s are sought after. Cummins logo and a Big Ol Diesel Creek logo on the side. Site rig for you excavating jobs..

AND I see the Lucky brother in law's LINCOLN ARC WELDER trailer axle and springs on the Truck.! No wonder it took so long to film that episode...

I think that will be a great buy. Enables you to do things out of the weather when out in the field. I like it

Everyone makes mistakes. It’s how you handle it that shows your integrity.

Howdyyawl from the land down under. What a gem. MayB it could Bcome a service or mechanical handyman unit. You should not have any trouble off loadong this unit. All it needs now is a fidge & microwave units & be a work away van. Well picked😊

Several companies could sponsor him ,lubricants, cleaning products ,batteries, diesel companies .Just so many he can use and speak about in reality, with his delivery of sponsors names.

Loving the Ford turbo sounds this morning!

I think you've have a solid foundation for a first-class food truck.

I'd either flip it or turn it into an RV with a fold down queen, kitchenette, and restroom. You could pull anything like boats, jet skis, SXSs, ATVs, show cars or trucks even an airplane. Even a cool Cub Cadet collection. 😃

Well put...doing something for Me. One must take some time for ones' self, in order to keep one's ' self whole...I am looking forward to watching you slab your logs...please keep us included. 😊

Just discovered your channel a month or so ago. I have spent a lot of time watching your videos from the last 3 years or so. I like your perseverance in getting things going again, some of the things look like a lost cause (the gas powered jack hammer) but you hang in there until you get them going. In this throw away age you are just about unique! Like your remarks about people trying to put your methods down!! Thanks for the entertainment!

Matt, you bring it up to DOT inspection, road worthy & some heavy equipment contractor will jump on this. You make a tidy profit to roll into the barn. This step van has a pretty narrow spectrum of applications The person that buys, equips, staffs, puts on plates & insures this will be spending money they need to~

Accidents happen. My friend had just quit his job to start his business. He had fuel oil delivered to his house. The old fill was disabled and marked but this guy hooked to it anyway. After about 100 gallons, the driver shut it down and called my friend. Yup…100+ gallons directly into his basement. Funny thing is, the delivery driver had a map on the order as to where the correct fill was. DEQ and everyone else responded. They ended up paying him about 100,000 plus clean up. When I say clean up, I mean they removed my friends home and then a ton of dirt around and under it. Capped the well and septic.

Keep that truck man! It’ll be a real money marker for you, fix the bumper and hitch and take a trailer you got everything you need to go get or fix anything you’d run into.