I am starting a volunteer roadside assistance project

[billy]

As some of you guys know
We get brutal winters here in south dakota.
And some friends and I decided to try and help stranded motorists on the side of the road due to ice,blizzards , deer collisions etc.
This morning i even started a go fund me campaign .
If it doesn't work .
I will just keep putting my own money into it.
Problem is
I am poor.

 

[billy]

I wasn't going to do the gofundme thing.
Then i realized that if people have actually gotten money for things like an abortion or a gambling debt.
Asking for help so we can do something GOOD isnt a shameful thing
I used to take my willys jeep out in blizzards to render assistance .
But this truck is way better suited to the task.

 

[billy]

This is what i wrote for the charity thing.
Since i stink at writing i copied and pasted .

have purchased a 1965 M43B1 ambulance and have plans to use this very capable 4X4 van as a VOLUNTEER roadside rescue service vehicle for the very harsh winter conditions we encounter in South Dakota .

I already have two drivers so we can go out in blizzards to render assistance to stranded motorists.

I have already spent approximately $15000 of my own money on this project .

I have gone over every inch and replaced all the wiring .

A modern 318 V8 engine

Installed a 40,000 BTU heater for the cab and rear.

Rebuilt the transmission and transfer case

Wheel bearings

Added power steering

Installed a spotlight

Excellent winter mud and snow tires with chains for same

Built two cots and bench seats in the rear for injuries and as a warm up station.

It will have blankets/sleeping bags

Extra heavy coats ,

Hot drinks and snacks.

This is an almost 8000 lbs truck that i think is perfect for this role.

We are NOT medical professionals

Merely a couple guys that are tired of all the bad news in the world

That want to do some good.

the only things that I need to have are

Disc brakes to replace the drum brakes

Winch for front bumper

CB radio.

And possibly higher gears in both axles.

With free volunteer mechanical labor.

I think $3000 will reach our goal.

I have photos of every aspect of this project.

And will be happy to share information with anyone that asks.

 

[23crate]

Billy ,,, there should be more people in the world like you.. !! [cl

 

[billy]

Billy ,,, there should be more people in the world like you.. !! [cl

Thanks
That was nice of you to say

 

[billy]

In the past i helped plenty of moms with kids that thought that SUV was magical and could go 60mph on ice.
After i got them out of the ditch and gently explained basic physics to them they CAREFULLY drove off.

 

[Bamamav]

Billy, you're gonna be our version of the Hamb's Highway Man![cl

Good of you and your Bud to do this. Law Enforcement and tow truck drivers can only do so much, and some people can't afford to pay for a tow.
Just make sure to let whoever you tow out of the ditch that you are not responsible for damages, you know how some folks are, they'd try to say you damaged their vehicle. Might be a good thing to print up a liability waiver form for folks to sign before you drag them out.

 

[billy]

Billy, you're gonna be our version of the Hamb's Highway Man![cl

Good of you and your Bud to do this. Law Enforcement and tow truck drivers can only do so much, and some people can't afford to pay for a tow.
Just make sure to let whoever you tow out of the ditch that you are not responsible for damages, you know how some folks are, they'd try to say you damaged their vehicle. Might be a good thing to print up a liability waiver form for folks to sign before you drag them out.

A release of liability form is an excellent idea

 

[billy]

The tow trucks ,ambulances and search and rescue folks have PLENTY to do when the weather gets bad.
I have had to wait SIX hours in a storm waiting for a wrecker before.
Now imagine if it was -20f and you had kids with you and all you need is a pull out of the ditch.
Even if I could not fix the vehicle problem
I can give the people warm shelter
A hot drink
A sleeping bag to curl up in
And a ride to town

 

[lowbudget50]

Hats off to you man! Soundd like a good idea, havnt evern been stranted or needed assistance along thebroad side. But i can imagine it would be scarey with kids if freezing temps.

 

[billy]

http://www.gofundme.com/winter-roadside-emergency-help

 

[billy]

The comfort level index is 16f right now.
I need to weld two small ears to my clutch fork so it cannot slip off.
It disengaged the other day
Its easy to put back on but it is unacceptable .
Unfortunately this means i get to drop the frikinfrakin transmission .
O happy day!
Joy!
Rapture !

 

[sgtpontiac]

Nice project Billy...

The comfort level index is 16f right now.
I need to weld two small ears to my clutch fork so it cannot slip off.
It disengaged the other day
Its easy to put back on but it is unacceptable .
Unfortunately this means i get to drop the frikinfrakin transmission .
O happy day!
Joy!
Rapture !

I'm sure that it would be a worthwhile project for your area for sure...Hope you get the 3MTA3 back in service before the really bad stuff hits....

 

[Willowbilly3]

Ok, but if someone is stranded in a blizzard, it's probably best not to add yourself to the list trying to get to them. And don't forget the sue-ers of America are waiting behind every tree so have the proper insurance.

 

[Willowbilly3]

A release of liability form is an excellent idea

Best to lawyer up on that one too. People do have certain rights that cannot be signed away. Even if they sign a liability release, you can still get sued if things go wrong.

 

[billy]

Best to lawyer up on that one too. People do have certain rights that cannot be signed away. Even if they sign a liability release, you can still get sued if things go wrong.

I am just going to drive around and help people
No money.
I have done it all my adult life.
And i am not going to stop now
As far as the world is concerned .
I am just a guy who likes to take his big honkin 4x4 for drives in blizzards .
No name
No cards
No phone
No address
No bank account
No organization
No nuthin

 

[billy]

I am not going to let a fear of lawyers stop me from being a decent human being .
Even if i KNEW it was illegal (which it isn't )
I would still try to help someone in need.

 

[23crate]

a few years back,, I stopped to help a chap whose 28 dodge had overheated half way up a laborious hill .. I recognised him as being a customer of mine - (but not a frequent one) anyway a few months later he turned up at work , still very greatful, offered me a tour of his collection and maybe a few parts for my then project..
I spent nea several hours at his farm, and what a collection, there were early mid 50's mopars, 40's mopars, 30's mopars, including a mint but dusty 35 Chrysler hearse with every conceivable extra available at the time, several Hillman avengers and hunters , his pet project was a resto with a 25 dodge bros roadster ... there was just so much cool... 3 large sheds and outdoor parking for his cars...

I was to learn later that invites were rarely given to anyone, and 15 + years later he still remembers that day ...

i never did get any parts , nor do i expect any .. however i figure life did have its rewards.. even if i couldn't buy one of his cars !!..

Good luck Billy,, i hope folks (we get ungrateful idiots over here too) actually see the good your doing

 

[Bamamav]

Do you have a winch? If not, you will probably want to invest in one {or two, one for each end}. A winch will pull way more than just the truck.

 

[dutch]

I am not going to let a fear of lawyers stop me from being a decent human being .
Even if i KNEW it was illegal (which it isn't )
I would still try to help someone in need.

if everyone would be like you, there would be no problem whatsoever and even lawyers would become human.
...one hero in an old dodge... [cl