Telecom Dodge D5n 400

G'day everyone, I'm new to this forum - I stumbled on it not long after I stumbled on this old Dodge.






It's sitting in the corner of an industrial lot near me. I'm going to ask around up there and see who owns it.

On the off chance that I do find someone, and they do tell me it's looking for a new home... can I get a sense check from the experts here?

I'm pretty handy for a bloke who sits in front of a keyboard all day, so I'm not worried about the bodywork or labour. More concerned about getting it into my driveway and then finding out that you can't get hold of some obscure part any more.

It's a Hemi 245 heavy duty under the hood, but that's all I know. Need to get in there and look at the build plate, as well as underneath to see what state it's in.

Anyone know any history of this era of Telecom? Would it have been used for shifting spools of copper cable or something?

They were a good little truck for their time
It will habe rust in the usual places but thats normal
I dont know of any aftermarket panels for them so you habe to patch everything your self

All the running gear should have easy to get hold of parts

Paul

Csimpson,
Welcome to the forum. The rust on the sides of the cowl just above the Dodge brightwork indicates that the plenum chamber (air box) in the centre of the cowl has rusted out and the drain holes are blocked. Very common on this style of cab shared by Dodge and International. It is a very difficult job to repair the plenum, the smaller and more flexible you are the better. Make sure you enlarge the drain holes as big as you can and keep them clear. Rust-free cabs to replace this one are very rare and have been known to sell for $2000.
As MrsmackPaul says the mechanical parts are reasonably common and should be easy to get. The truck-speck 245 is a very good engine.

Unless it is very cheap you should be able to find something needing less work.

I want to know what the power point is for?

Were Telecom ahead of the game with EV's?

I purchased a D5N300 two weeks ago with the same motor. Mine has no rust that I have yet found as it has always been stored under cover (i have known the truck for over 40 years). Anything mechanically you should be able to find OK and most of the other bits you would have to hunt around. Not sure if you have done much rust repair before, but it isn't easy so I always look for a rust free project even if the mechanicals aren't so good (they are easy to fix). If it has rust in the roof/gutter I wouldn't touch it. In the condition it appears it is worth next to nothing.

Be a heart breaker csimpson, never ending rust.
Rust Morris refers to on left side has been patched.
Left door has dropped, or not been fitted correctly.
Too long out in the weather in my view.
For what its worth, Paul.

Depending on the price, it may be worth getting for the mechanical bits. Body wise it looks a bit far gone and that's before you
start sanding down. Just my thoughts. Dave.

unless you are good at cutting out rust and totally enjoy doing that it is a parts truck only to me.