73-87 Fire trucks

[77c10diesel]

I have a few questions about the Chevy/GMC trucks that were used as Fire department trucks. I am looking at one that I might buy that was a fire truck. It looks to have been used as a aid truck or something. Its 4 wheel drive and has a service truck type body on the rear. It was not a brush truck, so no tanks or hose. The front bumper sticks out about 8in and it has a spot light on the roof.
Was there anything different about the truck that were put into service like this? I know it will not have a deluxe interior with power options, but what else would be different about these?
If I get it I will remove the service body and put a normal bed on it (I need it to haul a 5th wheel), but I will want to restore it to retain the Fire truck look it had originally. I know local laws come into play, but how far can I go?
Is it OK to have the original departments name on the side, what about lights?
If anyone has done this, please let me know.

[Captkaos]

I think you can restore it like it is, but you local laws are going to dictate how you operate it.  Generally speaking if you turn the lights on in public and use it to influence others, you are going to get nailed.  If you are just driving it around shouldn't be an issue since it is obviously out of service.  As for the mural on the door, I don't see a problem with it.

Is it a 1ton truck, dually?  If so it may be a cab/chassis.

[Cody1018]

As far as the lights go i believe that your only allowed to have orange and yellow. Dont think its legal to have blue and/or red lights on your vehicle unless your part of the fire/police department or your a volunteer. But im not 100% sure on this.

[Da67goatman]

My best friend and his father are both firefighters for 3 different stations.  You can restore it to original with lights and stickers etc, but you can operate it in public, but only as transportation, no lights, sirens, or water pumping ect.  At a show is another story, anything goes at a show.  Operating lights and sirens on public roads is impersonating a first responder and is a federal offense.

[77c10diesel]

Well I have no plans to ever operate it with lights on in a public area. I just want it to look like it did while in service, kind of a tribute kind of thing.
I have not gone to see the truck yet, just have some pictures as of now.
It is not a one ton dually, it is a 3/4 ton 4x4 with a 350 and a THM350 or 400, not sure yet.

[Engineer]

If it were me, I would leave the lights, just not hook up the wiring. That way the LEOs can't say anything......Not that they would try to enforce anything unless you were using them improperly anyway.

As far as the badging, I see no problems. There are gobs of retired fire apparatuses used in parades, carshows, and such that have their original unit IDs on them. I don't think there are any laws restricing tribute trucks.

[77c10diesel]

Well, after talking it over with my wife, we decided that I need a 4 door. So I am looking for a 73-91 crew cab. I may have found one, so the fire truck will have to wait till another time.

[Lt.Del]

it is illegal for a non-emergency vehicle to have blue or red lights.  
We sell many deadlined vehicles at public auction.  We must remove all lights from vehicles.  We also sell old lightbars and dash lights, visor lights, etc.. at surplus sales, but all colored "lenses" are removed.  These lenses can be replaced from parts from a catalog, but, we don't sell the two colors mentioned to public. What they do with them after they biuy them, we don't care.  But, if we see a non-emergency vehicle running red lights or blue lights, expect a summons with a heavy fine.  

Operating lights and sirens on public roads is impersonating a first responder and is a federal offense.

It's usually each state's "state' code, not federal.  However, impersonating a Federal officer, like FBI or CIA, is considered a federal crime.

[fitz]

SGTDEL, I'm glad you set the record straight.
I would hate to see one of our members get pulled over and face the heavy fines.
The cop doesn't want to hear " I  thought this lightbar was legal, someone on line said it was".
The previous owner of my truck had it set up as a DARE parade/show truck. The first thing I did was remove the lightbar/decals.