Need help sourcing parts for a DeLorean aircraft tow tractor

[JR Scout]

Imagine my surprise when I looked at the dataplate on our tow tractor and saw 'DMC' at the top. I have a 1988 DeLorean T-40 tow tractor (the little trucks used to push airplanes around at airports) that is in need of parts, and the only reference I can find on the first several pages of Google started in your forums.

The tractor has a broken shifter, and rather than a simple linkage directly to the transmission, this thing has some sort of intergrated unit full of safety switches and other interlocks. As you might imagine, parts aren't exactly plentiful. If anyone has any information on this vehicle it would be greatly appreciated. I'm assuming it wasn't built alongside the gullwing cars, but I was hoping someone here could tell me if it was maybe a re-badge from another company that I could cross-reference.

[Dangermouse]

I remember seeing a T-40 for sale a while ago.

No, they weren't built at the car factory. I believe either John DeLorean or DMC invested in a company making them in Logan, Utah. I know someone on here knows the actual name.

Where you would get parts, now that's a great question.

EDIT - this thread may be of interest to you.

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?4190-DMC-44-What-ever-happened-to-the-prototypes&highlight=logan

[delornut]

I remember seeing a T-40 for sale a while ago.

No, they weren't built at the car factory. I believe either John DeLorean or DMC invested in a company making them in Logan, Utah. I know someone on here knows the actual name.

Where you would get parts, now that's a great question.

EDIT - this thread may be of interest to you.

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?4190-DMC-44-What-ever-happened-to-the-prototypes&highlight=logan



Logan manufacturing. They used the logo LMC that was looked just like the DMC logo. Not sure if they made the tractor, their primary business was manufacturing ski grooming equipment.

Bruce Benson

[Nicholas R]

Hey I was just messing with this guy about 2 hours ago at Kens shop!
https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/35847_10150201191565696_1462185_n.jpg

As far as the parts, that's tough. I dont remember any of that integrated switches stuff when we were rebuilding this guy. I remember everything being very basic (actually quite a relief from working on DeLorean cars). It was just some beefy transmission bolted to a Chrysler slant 6 engine. Is that what you've got?

[JR Scout]

Hey I was just messing with this guy about 2 hours ago at Kens shop!
https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/35847_10150201191565696_1462185_n.jpg

As far as the parts, that's tough. I dont remember any of that integrated switches stuff when we were rebuilding this guy. I remember everything being very basic (actually quite a relief from working on DeLorean cars). It was just some beefy transmission bolted to a Chrysler slant 6 engine. Is that what you've got?

Exact same thing. The shifter lever is about the size of a medium screwdriver, and fits down into what looks like a pot metal or aluminum receiver that is in turn attached to some linkages. The receiver has split, and the tug will crank as if it is in neutral, but won't roll with the engine on or off. I assume there is some safety switch involved that has the transmission locked.

[DMC1983]

Imagine my surprise when I looked at the dataplate on our tow tractor and saw 'DMC' at the top. I have a 1988 DeLorean T-40 tow tractor (the little trucks used to push airplanes around at airports) that is in need of parts, and the only reference I can find on the first several pages of Google started in your forums.

The tractor has a broken shifter, and rather than a simple linkage directly to the transmission, this thing has some sort of intergrated unit full of safety switches and other interlocks. As you might imagine, parts aren't exactly plentiful. If anyone has any information on this vehicle it would be greatly appreciated. I'm assuming it wasn't built alongside the gullwing cars, but I was hoping someone here could tell me if it was maybe a re-badge from another company that I could cross-reference.


Do you have any pictures of the tugger? If it's anything like the one shown in the past few posts, there is a Chrysler variant that may have the cross referenced parts you need.