GL recovery. Your experiences plz

[o2jmpr]

I'm a noob and just beginning my research toward a future deuce purchase. I'd like to know what your experiences have been during recoveries. Being that i'm from Iowa, there's not much chance I could preview a GL auction before bidding. What I'm mostly curious about is if I can expect to be able to drive home a Deuce from say the Sparta or Ft. Leonard Wood sites? I see the GL listings are quite vague in their descriptions often times. I would be prepared with some basic tools, batteries, fresh fuel, filters, brake fluid etc etc. but is that generally enough to limp home on? Do they even usually start at recovery or os the general consensus to just hire a transport company from the git go and be surprised when it arrives!

Plz forgive my ignorance in advance and thank you!

 

[o2jmpr]

I forgot a biggie. What condition do you generally find the service brakes in?

 

[Warthog]

Not many Deuces left on GL. Pickings ar very slim.

Most of the trucks sold a couple of years ago.

 

[o2jmpr]

Crapcakes. You're not boosting my enthusiasm. Any other decent sources aside from classifieds here, truck paper, CL and ebay?

 

[Heath_h49008]

Here... this is almost the only place I would trust to buy an M35A2... if not directly from a member or vendor, then from a direct recommendation from a member who knows the seller and can vouch with some knowledge of the trucks as to it's condition.

 

[rtk]

Like Warthog said , not many GL Deuces left , you would be better off looking at the classified here or a dealer . As far as condition of the vehicle at a GL auction , figure the worst , no brakes , fluids have been drained , no batteries , for the most part they are not "RIDE AND DRIVE" , plus they have been sitting in a GL lot for as much as several YEARS . 5 ton trucks are the deal now , but they are a DIFFERENT ANIMAL , depends on what you are looking for .

 

[o2jmpr]

Well i guess I'm too green to know. I have a Class A cdl with all endorsements possible but the maintenance and costs of a 5 ton scare the crap outta me. Appreciate the responses guys!

 

[mattyboy]

ive bought a 5 ton from fort drum and after 2 hours of poking around and fixing a few issues i drove home 145 miles without a hiccup. i also bought a duece 10 minutes from home and had a lowboy bring it to my shop. would never drive a duece i was unfamillar with anywhere.

 

[wreckerman893]

Having owned deuces, 800 series 5 tons and the newer 900 series 5 tons in my opinion the cost of owning the new 5 tons is about on par with a deuce when you consider parts are sometimes higher on deuce parts than 5 ton parts. A lot of deuce parts were built just for the duece and thus the cost. The newer 5 tons use a lot of off the shelf items that you can get at NAPA, Fleetpride, etc.
If you want a historic military vehicle just for occsional fun and are willing and able to do the maint on it I'd get a deuce. If you want better reliability and ease of obtaining parts the 5 ton may be your best bet.

As far as recovering vehicles I have had 99 percent good experiences picking them up at several GL sites. If you go in with a good attitude chances are you will be treated with respect and they will help you out to the extent they are allowed (some may even go the extra distance).
Your milage may vary.

 

[o2jmpr]

Wow. Great posts everyone. You've given me a lot to think about. I immediately dismissed the 5 tons,but I think it might be wise to reconsider that now. Keep em coming. Love to hear anyones other recovery stories good or bad.

 

[mcmullag]

study the 5 tons on GL, many of them have depot rebuilds within the last few years and have low miles and are in super shape so if you only use the truck occasionally you prolly are not going to need to change parts out. I picked up a 923a2 in NV in july and drove it home 860 miles. it has a new engine with its ft. riley KS depot rebuild in 2008, odometer now reads 12,991, truck is in awesome shape. I just do parades so I cannot see needing brakes or anything for a long time.

 

[swbradley1]

Plz forgive my ignorance in advance and thank you!

The first thing you might research is how to use the search function on this site, either using the advanced search function or Google search on the upper right hand side of the page. More recoveries than you can shake a stick at along with what you should bring with you, availability of Deuces, M809 or M939 series of trucks. Just practice and fine tune your searches. After you get a truck read the insurance sticky.

You're welcome.

 

[iatractor]

PM sent to you O2jmpr

 

[Tow4]

If you can't preview a truck, look for one with a video of it running and moving. Compare the pictures to the video to be sure it's the same truck. It's not as good as a preview, but I have had good luck doing that.

If you do preview, some sites won't let you start the trucks, some will. If you are escorted, ask first. Don't abuse the privilege if you start them. I only run them long enough to hear them idle.

There are a lot of threads on the subject of previewing. Search is your friend, even though it is sometimes hard to find the right search term.

Good luck.

 

[mbehne]

o2jmpr, You may be able to pick-up a nice deuce locally here in Iowa that the owner can give you the background if you can't find what you want on GL. There is one guy in particular, that isn't far from you, and is a wealth of info and does sell parts/trucks. I know a few of the SS members here in Iowa and I'm sure anyone of them will be more than glad to help if nec. If you need anything, just ask.

Mike

 

[o2jmpr]

Ok, I get it. I did a totally newb thing by getting super excited for quick info and neglecting the search option. Thank you for kindly keeping me in check.

This thread can be closed. I've gotten way more info than I ever expected and from what I'm taking away, I don't think the GL experience is really for me, especially considering there are some folks locally I didn't know about. Everyone here has been great! This is one of the best forums I've ever seen regarding passion for your hobby and willingness to help and share info.

 

[jedawson1]

Don't be in a hurry for a GL deal, the cost to get it home isn't cheap usually $1 per mile for fuel plus your time off and fluids if drained. Lots of money in fluids. Ask me how I know, 2 800 mile + recoveries and 1-300 mile recovery. All 5ton variants. If you don't get in a hurry you are likely to find a good one from a member on here. What you pay over GL you will save on mileage and knowing what your getting.

The same old coots on here giving you a hard time about using the search feature are also quick to point out sellers with a less than stellar reputation. SS's are a good lot, keep reading learn to search and a truck will come to you soon enough.

 

[swbradley1]

The same old coots on here giving you a hard time about using the search feature are also quick to point out sellers with a less than stellar reputation. SS's are a good lot, keep reading learn to search and a truck will come to you soon enough.

Really?

 

[jedawson1]

swbradley, if you like my post enough to quote it, how about you give it a thumbs up? Or should I be happy the user rating has been removed?

 

[swbradley1]

I only used the rating once that I know of.