Tearing Down the Autocar Construcktor, Will It Ever Go Back Together? 

Whoever said get rid of that bumper is a crazy person. That bumper is awesome!

As a DOT inspector, we were finding Autocars to be in the very small minority of the kinds of trucks we inspected, chiefly because of their age and because most were doing the kinds of work that yours was and were impractical for over the road use. So, in the rare event that an Autocar was brought in to the inspection site, it was usually very, very old. One of the points of failure was often a pitman arm was found to be loose on the output shaft of the steering gear box and your truck might even have two of those (tough to tell from the view). So, I'm recommending you have a peek at that and see what you find.

When watching Matt positioning the Case to strap/hook up the engine (abt 22 min in) it struck me - This guy has really moved up in this world. Big time! Think about the situation just a couple a years ago. I remember watching Matt working in his little garage, fiddling with all these small machines and what not. Now Matt is working in a huge new super fresh building, using big machines to help tear down even bigger machines. It makes me humble to all the work, effort and dedication that Matt has put in. WELL DONE Matt, you deserve everything! 👍💪 What makes it all even better is that Matt shares all of this with all of us. THANKS! 🙏 I'm sitting here half way around the globe still feeling involved and longing for the next episode. That is proof of another talent - how to present it all to us.... I'm not alone on that thought, just look at the number of subscribers! 👍

Love it. As an engineer working in the Azmari oil field in Iran, 1960, we had 7 Autocar tractor/trucks powered by Detroit 671,s. All equipped with a Tulsa wench, and geared to 2 4 x4 transmissions. You had to hold the steering wheel in place with your knee while double clutching to change gears. Keep in mind, these were oilfield trucks used to tear down-move-and reassemble the drilling rigs. Fast. No. Stout,yes. Serviceable, absolutely. We had them epuipedwith air starters. Air brakes and a huge air cleaner and a twin axel lock to help in soft sand. Love to see you brining this one back to life. Love it. 😊

Matt, it’s not a restoration it’s a preservation. Your keeping it going for the next generation to enjoy while making it useful for yourself.

I’m 73 and a farm girl. I remember when I was growing up my dad used to bend metal using our wood stove fire. You have come a long way from that. I was quite a tomboy when I grew up and did all kinds of work on cars and tractors and in between. Thanks for reviving the old stuff. ❤❤❤

I just realized how much I love and miss shop noise. The torches, ratchets, bangs, and just general clanking. It reminds me of my dad who has passed on.

I'm a computer science engineer, have nothing to do with diesel engine, but still watch all of Matt's videos. Love to learn and it made me motivated as well to just move projects along.

The reason you have 4 battery cables is to carry the correct amount of current (amps) to your starter. It's called parallel wiring. You would need to more than double your cable total cross section if you ran just 2 cables instead of 4 smaller ones. Love your channel and your truck!!!

My guess on the multiple battery connections is current limitations, those look like decently sized cables but doubling them ensures no cables start melting when you really pull from those batteries.

Finally, updates on the Autocar 🤩 Never ever get rid of that bumper, please!

Matt, dual battery cables allows for lower resistance with the same current draw, meaning better voltage at the starter. You could use 1 much larger cable, but it would probably be more expensive and harder to work with than 2 smaller cables.

Matt, you’re 4 minutes into the project and you already got the hot wrench involved! That front bumper is really something.

Not only is it geared to pull a mountain, but with that bumper you could just push your way through a mountain.

The total condition of the truck considering it’s previous life is very surprising. Keep up the good work 🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻

There is no other restoration project on RU-vid that I would rather see then this one. I LOVE THIS TRUCK, and I also love the huge front bumper.

Many years ago. I was a fleet mechanic for the township. We had that same truck ,same orange color. The truck was awesome the pride of the fleet. They used to haul our heavy equipment to sites. But also we used it in parades to haul floats. When I saw yours I actually thought it was the same truck. Please leave the bumper. It’s the reason I loved that truck. Also gives you great access to the front of the vehicle.

That big bumper is like having a front porch on your truck! You can sit there and sun yourself , open up a few cold beers and enjoy ! LOL

Every time your videos come to an end, I cry, "NO." It's hard waiting another week for Matt to attack another project. I love whatever you do. Just keep on making more!! Addicted!! ❤❤

That bumper is sweet. Hydraulic winch drive sounds like the way to go. Love seeing progress on this rig! Keep up the amazing work

The 2 things I would suggest is get some heavy duty pallets and a pallet jack. This would help move things in the shop. As far as the bumper goes, DON'T YOU DARE get ride of it!! Repaint it. I would suggest black with white or reflective white diagonal strips. I'm sure these videos take valuable time to film and produce, but they are so good. Please keep them coming along with the auctions. Love it!!!

Love the transparency and the disclaimer that yes even though it won’t see many miles, it’s “an overgrown toy”. Sometimes we do things just for the love of it.

I operated Two of these brutes Back in the early 80s. I work in the oil fields in SW NE. tearing down pump jacks and moving drilling riggs. I always took photos of a lot of the jobs that we done back then I was in my early 20s. We rated these trucks by the ton 15,20 and 25 wheelbase range from 230 and 300". Thank you for the great content..

You're a dynamo Matt! As a 60 yr in trade (retired x3) 76yr old..you restore my faith in the younger generation!

Matt keep up the good work. At 79 years old I can't do this kind of work anymore fun watching you.

I can't comment with any tips and ideas, because I wouldn't have a clue. I'm a 61 year old woman with no idea how or why I got hooked on your channel (or Dirt Perfect, Captain Kleeman, Dig Drive DIY, Watch Wes Work ...), but I do enjoy watching the process you go through in all of your videos. Maybe you all remind me of my dad, because you're all smart, hard working, creative men with good work ethics. I helped him work on things a lot when I was growing up, so it is all familiar in a way. I am constantly amazed at how much you can do by yourself. I look forward to seeing more of this project.

Ohhh my achin' back !!! That is some HEAVY stuff "The main reason why I don't like working on BIG trucks !"

Matt you have such a great disposition! I appreciate watching you turn a wrench and bring stuff to life and breathing new purpose into equipment. Keep doing what you do so well. I wouldn’t dream of telling you what to do, how to do it, or how to do it better or right. Enjoying watching you revamp (removing and cleaning up) your truck. Always entertaining and inspiring! Blessings!!

The doubled battery leads is probably to share the cranking amps between the two to save from the build up of heat from resistance in just one lead. Just one lead by itself would probably get hot and potentially burn up.

First of all, the reason I love this channel is that your property and fleet are the adult life-size version of my childhood playground and I love all of it. Second, this and the other Autocar restoration project are what brought me here in the first place, I've always loved those trucks. They are so unique and, dare I say fugly, that they're absolutely awesome. Third, that bumper looks like something straight out of Mad Max or Maximum Overdrive and absolutely MAKES that truck!

Love seeing this amazing thing get brought back, you've convinced me and my dad to finish restoring his 79 f150, all we have left is some body work and rear brakes. Thank you for the motivation and I live the videos

That bumper is awesome! It’s what makes the truck so unique

That bumper is MASSIVE! Gotta keep it. It totally makes the look of the truck.

My mums just passed away. I'm riddled with arthritis. My replacement knee is sh*te and Ive got raging plantar fasciitis, all at 52. Just seeing a new vid drop from Matt really DOES make my day! Thank you Diesel Creek. 😊

Good to see the autocar getting done! Two sets of battery cables - Simple, those are MASSIVE batteries adn they can send a lot of power, two sets of cables isn't going to catch fire as easy.

This is the kind of content I like! Getting serious with a project and seeing it through to the end. It's gratifying to watch

I agree 100% on converting the winch to hydraulic drive. Less components to fail or have to maintain. I love that you're taking the time to knock the crud off of this old girl. She's the same age I am.

Regarding the battery cables; You want to keep both sets! It's called "parallel conductors". It's easier to have multiple smaller wires than having a single massive wire for the positive and negative. It needs both!

I'm glad you didn't edit out leaving the one bolt in. We've all done that. Anyway they make great stories later. Extra parts too. That's never a good sign when the job is finshed. Can't wait to see this one completed. Always great videos!!

Keep the project going buddy. Give the old autocar what she deserves.

Hey Matt, for the winch conversion to hydraulic, the calculations for determining the required hydraulic motor torque are quite straight forward from first principles. Required max rope pull at full sheave diameter divided by the worm ratio, add worm drive efficiency losses, will give you a starting point for selection of an orbital motor torque. Suggest you contact a company like Eaton hydraulics with this information and available line pressure, they will select a suitably sized orbital motor and valving for you. Good luck with this preservation, a really interesting project. Cheers from Australia 🇳🇿 😀😀

Thank you Matt for getting back on the Autocar. As a retired truck driver of 39 years I have seen plenty of these back in the 70s and 80s when I ran from Clarion , Pennsylvania to Chicago, Il.

That bumper is awesome! I would never think of getting rid of it. I would actually think about a way to make it meaner looking from behind when you're on the road. Red headlights would look awesome as well!

I love that you’re willing to show even your “mistakes“, that we all make! Keep up the great videos. I look forward to seeing them every week.

this will be my Saturday night blockbuster! I love it when Matt uploads two videos a week! The evening is saved! Greetings from Germany!!! 💪🏻🛠️ 🔧

Good thing with that bumper is you can push stuff around the yard with it

Great content! Great machines! Great editing! Great framing! Great music! Great unpretentious talk! Great guy! What more can a man ask of a RU-vid video! Sir, I really love everything that you do, just keep up bringing us joy! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

@ 29:10 behind the yellow upright arm. Matt is getting a BIG delivery! Can't wait to see what this future project is!

'Should I take the fenders off' - Rule: Make bold decisions early! Saves time and frustration in the future. Good Job Matt.

That bumper is my favorite thing about the truck..... can't wait to see the truck finished and going down the road. Keep up the awesome work Matt

These rebuilds is what got me into this channel. It's nice to see a new project start rolling. Nothing against the other stuff on here and those are entertaining in their own right.

Remember stupid taxes are cheap if you catch them but expensive if you don't but the truck looks weird without the bumper. Glad to finally see getting things going.

It takes a special sort of person to tackle a job like that solo…there’s folks who can’t do a thing without having help, then there’s folks who don’t even know when or how to ask for help. I really respect those who go can go it alone.

I automatically give a thumbs UP. You never disappoint. Whether you're grading, tinkering on a piece of old iron (yours or a buddy's), building a shop, or a walk-thru of the auction yard. I know that the autocar is the current priority.. But I would love to see that overhead crane system finally go in.

Great project ! Well remember the Ontario, St. Mary's Cement Hopper type, Cat powered, AutoCar transporters coming south on the 400 to Toronto back in 1971.

i love these old truck videos because i look up the company to see if theyre still around and kicking, learned that auto car makes garbage trucks and still makes day cabs!

Matt! I can't tell you how happy I am to see you working on that old ACar. I actually had a similar one back in the early 80s. It had a 220 Cummins in it with a 10 speed. I had to get out and beat on the starter now and then to get it going but I really loved that old girl. Can't wait to see you get it back together and cleaned up. She'll be a great work truck for a looong time. Oh, and keep that bumper. In fact, try and figure out a neat way to paint it so it really stands out. It's what makes your ACar unique.

That BIG,Heavy Bumper is," AWESOME" !!!!!

Keep going on the AutoCar. With little deviation it is nice to see a project continue start to finish.

What a great site! I have been repairing Old pocket watches and clocks for 20 years and still love it. So I under stand your love of restoration.

Hi Matt, consider running your hydraulics off the PTO, you can set up a couple of pumps stacked off the PTO that are set to run different pressures and flows to suit your needs. Also you can then remove the load for when you are driving and use those extra horses for dragging your load not running the hydraulics!

The bumper gives that Autocar its identity.Really happy to see you doing more than getting something running and the recovery.Looking forward to more episodes like this one.👍

Keep going on the autocar. More interesting than seeing you get a piece of equipment running that you would never use.

Matt, you're always asking us to tell you what we think and what we want to see. I'm happy to watch anything you post. All your videos are great and I learn something new in every one. Love how you're so honest. You could so simply edit out any mistakes but you don't, you're human, you make mistakes and aren't to good to share them. That says a lot about your integrity.

Yes Matt we love to see a rebuild being done with progress and completion. This Autocar will be amazing to watch. Please continue.

I have been on RU-vid since 2008, I haven't seen a channel constant like yours. Your channel is my favorite. Keep up the good work!

MY son and I love watching your channel. You inspired us to start our own modest recovery of a lawnboy lawnmower for his summer job. Keep it up!

Matt, I enjoy seeing you use previously rescued equipment to work on new projects. I would like to see a video series on installation of your overhead crane. It seems like a project like this Autocar preservation would benefit from the overhead crane.

My Dad had a Autocar truck when I was a kid. He would love watching this video. He is really missed. Pls keep up the great videos. Tks for sharing.

I like the Autocar truck project! I like that you're taking the time to modernize it. I hope you stay encouraged!

Matt, you've got to send that kick ass bull bar/bumper off to get striped and then chrome plated. What a spectaclar look it would make with the new paint job.

Such a quality truck. Done right it'll last you a lifetime. I really share your philosophy of not overdoing the cosmetics. Keep it up.

Your auto car looks like a main character from maximum overdrive!!! Does look cool and unique.

You've come a long way since my start in watching your videos...from tinkering on things in your home garage and watching your dog chase big balls to now with your nice garage...some things haven't changed. You are STILL doing your best in resurrecting old but still useful equipment. Thx.

The bumper looks very cool. I would try to preserve the look as much as possible.

I love how the oil pan gets whatever paint hits it when they paint the body.

Hi Matt. It is gratifying that there individual's such as yourself who are saving and resurrecting these amazing pieces of history. I have many years of experience in the Fluid Power industry, especially hydraulics. You asked for input from your viewers as to converting the winch from mechanical to hydraulic drive. It would be my pleasure to help you design and spec your hydraulic needs for this project. Just my way of saying thank you for all the great videos I have watched.

I remember when I started watching this channel you were just starting work on the 1957 Autocar. It's been 84 years.....

I am hyped to see the painted finished truck.

Would swear, this engine was featured in one of the Star War sagas that had a recycling vessel! 😜😲👏😍

Loving this build. I’m so glad you’re going to paint this truck. She deserves a facelift ! 😊

Agree... bumper kicks arse... it is part of what makes an Autocar so cool. It is actually practical for atocar's uses.

Love the old autocar and can’t wait to see it come back together. It’s a real survivor! We had a ‘76 when I was a kid, and I sure would like to get my hands on one as nice as yours. Take care of her!

Matt, exhaust flange, the air hammer is your best friend, all day every day. Double the cable, half the resistance, or so the writing tells us.

That monster bumper makes the front end of the truck. I could watch as work progresses for hours. Great work Matt.

The best thing, about Matt’s videos, is that he doesn’t cut out the slip ups, that we are all prone to make. Genuine recording, keep it up mate. Great content.

Matt, that’s a lot of progress quickly! Keep up the great work. I can’t wait to see that old beauty tearing past a modern truck on the interstate!

I am so happy the Autocar is getting some love. Matt, you are the man. I know from experience that that is a big job. It will be totally worth it looking back. Take care and don't rush the job, one day at a time, my friend.

@Matt ... Definitely keep the bumper its a feature on the truck that makes it so unique !

Your truck your plans. I just enjoy watching a dedicated smart young person preserving history. Thanks for sharing..

This old truck is cool. It's one of my favorite things you own.

It's been awhile since I've been on RU-vid. but I'm back and remembering how I like the channel. I also like the fact that you are honest with viewers and let them know ahead of time that it's your first time doing something and you always point out your mistakes so that a viewer might not make the same. can't wait to see more on the autocar!👍

That’s awesome, i absolutely love that truck. And that’s exactly how it is here, there’s a lot of clean old truck out driving and dot doesn’t hassle them because the keep them in good shape. I can’t wait to see the old girl on the road again

Gotta say love seeing the work on the old Constructor , I remember my father driving one. The machine had a bench seat , and my brother being the helpful sort decided to armourall the bench seat , resulting when my father went around a turn in her he slid halfway across the cab. Keep up the awesome work Matt!!

I love the bumper, it's beautiful, it makes the truck, and the patina.

It impresses me that you do so much of that hard work yourself, no help. It takes a lot of patience to keep that up.

I Adore the old Autocar, in the mid 80's a good friend a mine ran one short trip from PA to Cleveland and back, and the scrap yard we worked with had 4 or 5 that hydro lifted scrap hoppers with chains, Massive heavy trucks, I can't wait to see Whatever You do to this machine, it's all we been talking about for about a year. : )

As an old carpenter I use to say. When all else fails, get a bigger hammer. Matt just gets out the torch. 😊

I like this truck. I had a 1980 white tandem dump truck with a 350 Cummins big cam. 20,000 lb. (set back) front axle with 44,000 lb. rears. I also had an Aluminum box installed in '96 with air tarp and air gate. That 350 you're installing should have lots of power for your application. Can't wait to see this unit complete.

All your hard work motivates me to work on my own projects. Even better with my Diesel Creek mug full of coffee!