Chicago Ward LaFrance/Ranger/EONE (part 3)

I’ve been following the progress of the Engine 17 rig updates closely on the Chicagoland Emergency Vehicle Show's Facebook page. If you’re interested in learning more or considering purchasing it, feel free to send a direct message to Facebook.com/ChicagolandEmergencyVehicleShow or leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

CFD Engine 69 with numbering for both Backdraft Engines 17 and 51. Photo by Tom McCarthy.

Here’s where they ended up…

• 80-287/D-372 E126 – Rehabbed into E122 – Crushed in Blue Island in 1994.

• 80-288/D-373 E73 – Became E103 on 4/2/81 – (Not rehabbed) – Crushed at Cicero Iron in 1984.

• 80-289/D-374 E8 – Rehabbed into E17/51/69 – Sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts on 8/28/96.

• 80-290/D-375 E106 – Rehabbed into E113 – Sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts on 9/4/96.

• 80-291/D-376 E22 – Rehabbed into E46 – Sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts on 9/9/96 (Crushed).

• 80-292/D-377 E113 – This rig served as a Shop’s spare at T61, O’Hare, E34, E19, E109, and E72 – Rehabbed into E14 – Sold to Erickson Trucks-n-Parts on 8/29/96.

• 80-293/D-378 E49 – Rehabbed into E34 – Sold to a private party – Now part of the PA FD collection.

Engine 17 on 4-4-2004.

So, what’s the current status of E17?

• The owner reckons that around 75% of the rig remains intact, with about 20% of the parts needing to be sourced and another 5% requiring custom fabrication.

• It features a fully functional Cummins NTF 365 Turbo-Diesel engine (365hp @ 2300 rpm).

• Missing the Allison HT70 6-speed overdrive transmission.

• Shortage of $1,100 worth of copper radiator cores – originally Mesabi radiator from Minnesota.

• The Hale Q-2 2,000-GPM pump is non-operational, but it comes with a replacement PTO gear box, some pump valves, and pump gauges salvaged from E14. These can be restored by SPAN gauges in WI for $30 each and include period-correct backings, along with a new pump gasket set from Hale.

• Equipped with a 500-gallon water tank and a 140-gallon foam tank added during the refurbishment.

• Has a 50-gallon diesel fuel tank.

• Measures 35 feet in length with a 178-inch wheelbase.

• The original grille was removed but replaced with a high-quality reproduction.

• Still retains its original deck gun.

• Needs some diamond plate and steelwork, but comes with the original E-ONE refurb blueprints.

• Imron paint is still present, though it could be repainted to match the 68-69 Dodge red.

• Includes 500 feet of 5-inch LDH hose.

• All lights, sirens, horns, and a period-correct Motorola radio are fully functional.

  Engine 17 photographed on 9-15-2012.