Steel Soldiers MV of the YEAR - 2014 VOTE HERE!

[vtdeucedriver]

Well out of the depths of Vermont's cold winter I come. I just found out about this tonight so my "ole 206" is a late horse in the running. No she don't pull a fancy trailer or been up to her axle shafts in mud but what she has done for the last 10 years that I have owned it is represent the backbone of the transportation units of the Vietnam War. Protected by the GunTrucks that Proud American represents, the M-52 Tractor was the workhorse that got all that fuel, ammo, C-rations, gun parts and even Toilet Paper to where it was needed.

 

[Fredo Corleone]

Jeffs M52 hauling Mutts

 

[vtdeucedriver]

In the 10 yrs I have owned this truck, I have been fortunate enough to have been welcomed by a very special group of people that have accepted me over the years as one of them. I cant explain the honor it has been to have been welcomed to their reunions since 2000 and all of the things I have learned. Two events still to this day stick out as a top high for me and both involve "ole 206". It was a rare chance on Facebook that I would learn the location of a son who lost a father in Vietnam. His dad gave his life in the back of a 359th Gun Truck when he was 4. It was a chance meeting that spread like wild fire through out the group. Everyone got on board, one drove from Texas, a couple more from PA and NJ but we all came together at a Living History event in upstate NY on a fathers day weekend (no doubt) so that a son could see what his dad did during the war and what he would have seen on his last days from inside a Gunbox. Riding in the back of a 359th Guntruck, the son of Larry Dahl who was awarded the CMH was joined by two veteran drivers of the 359th. One was the driver of #206 back in the day. A GunTrucker NCOIC and tractor driver from 444th, and Vinny driving his Gun Truck UNTOUCHABLE were there with him as I followed along in trail with "ole 206" . For me it was a once in a life time chance of riding in trail behind a guntruck on a dusty road and to take in the idea that these guys did this for 365 days, 7 days a week and got shot at. For Larry's son, a career army officer it was a whole other matter. To orchestrate this chance meeting was epic but to ask the question of what he thought about our ride will live with me forever. "Surreal.............other than death I don't think I will get any closer to my father than I did today"

 

[sandcobra164]

vtdeucedriver, I've already made my vote but I do appreciate seeing your truck in the running. Your truck smoked my CUCV in May. I love reading stories of Trucks that served in Vietnam but I am certainly somewhat biased towards ¨Proud American¨ , not only because I have driven it a few times but also because the IFS, Papabear, has taught me the history of those Gun Trucks as well as introduced me to the still living crew members of that truck. Meeting Hero's such as them is a humbling experience to a man like myself of 32 years of age. As an OIF Veteran, I salute you. My first tour across the pond was pretty rough and likely the same. My second trip was not bad from 2005 to 2006. I didn't even have to dig a hole to use the bathroom and sometimes the showers worked!!

 

[papabear]

Well out of the depths of Vermont's cold winter I come. I just found out about this tonight so my "ole 206" is a late horse in the running. No she don't pull a fancy trailer or been up to her axle shafts in mud but what she has done for the last 10 years that I have owned it is represent the backbone of the transportation units of the Vietnam War. Protected by the GunTrucks that Proud American represents, the M-52 Tractor was the workhorse that got all that fuel, ammo, C-rations, gun parts and even Toilet Paper to where it was needed.

And a fine example she is Jeff. It would be a God-send if we could get your S&P, some deuces/5tons and all the Guntrucks together this August in Pigeon Forge for the Gathering.

 

[vtdeucedriver]

And a fine example she is Jeff. It would be a God-send if we could get your S&P, some deuces/5tons and all the Guntrucks together this August in Pigeon Forge for the Gathering.

Hey Larry, check your location. Its in Chattanooga. The other project should be done but it wont be going anywhere until 2016 when I head south to VA for the 359th Reunion.

 

[papabear]

Hey Larry, check your location. Its in Chattanooga. The other project should be done but it wont be going anywhere until 2016 when I head south to VA for the 359th Reunion.

OOPS...I have issues ya know...

 

[RAYZER]

"Don't forget about us," says my security force!

 

[RAYZER]

She's a good hill climber too!
VID 20141107 130818: http://youtu.be/f4T9b_Ty94Y

 

[Another Ahab]

"Don't forget about us," says my security force!
View attachment 536141View attachment 536142View attachment 536144

Real nice rig:

- Is this a nomination?

Paint job looks spanking new. Just painted?

 

[RAYZER]

Real nice rig:

- Is this a nomination?

Paint job looks spanking new. Just painted?

Thanks, yes this is the nomination, with the trailer attached of course!
This tractor was painted three years ago!
Go to this link.
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?p=1654047

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-modification-hot-rodding/74411-deuce-road-tractor-conversion.html

 

[papabear]

Thanks, yes this is the nomination, with the trailer attached of course!
This tractor was painted three years ago!
Go to this link.
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?p=1654047

I can't believe I'm saying good stuff about the "competition" but I gotta tell ya...I've seen Rayzer's "TAJ" rig a few times and it's simply amazing!! In fact, MB was amazed at the quality of work done on that rig and she is hard to impress.

 

[zout]

In my humble opinion Ray's Hilton Hotel on wheel is outstanding. Top quality products - Top notch workmanship - not a thing was left undone nor finished in haste - one awesome ride.

But then again - for the 2014 year of all the vehicles picked outside of that slackers job Jokers Wild - those vehicles are the top notch US American Breed machines to be amazed at for their workmanship - they all need to be #1.
From where I sit - there is only one place for all of them- One page calendar - with all the MV's on the one page for the entire year. None better than the other - None any worse than the other. Don't be poking fingers at any of them.

Salute you all for a fantastic representation of MV's for 2014 and those that voted for any of them - your the ones that make it happen.

 

[Robo McDuff]

Just got back on site after several weeks off. Thanks to PB's campaigning I noticed this thread at all, almost mist it.

I am torn. History versus personal preference. Proud vs DaveP's rig. I will give it a few days to ponder over even if the race seems to be decided already.

Anyway, a bit late, but still all the best wishes to all of you for 2015, hope to see some of you back this year.

 

[papabear]

Just got back on site after several weeks off. Thanks to PB's campaigning I noticed this thread at all, almost missed it.
I am torn. History versus personal preference. Proud vs DaveP's rig. I will give it a few days to ponder over even if the race seems to be decided already.
Anyway, a bit late, but still all the best wishes to all of you for 2015, hope to see some of you back this year.

Nothing is decided Brother...we have until 1 Feb for the clock to run out and folks to make their decision and vote.

This thread is about what each individual likes and wants to vote for, therefore "personal preference" should be the deciding factor for each individual IMO.

Of course, I will continue to campaign for Proud American because I have met hundreds of the folks from that era and have a special love for them. The same is true with Jeff (vtdeucedriver) and his M52/S&P.

Of course if you don't vote for Proud American I will consider you a poopoo head...

 

[RAYZER]

Out at the trailer today relaxing!
A few pics for your approval!

 

[QUADJEEPER]

Out at the trailer today relaxing!
A few pics for your approval!
View attachment 536471View attachment 536472View attachment 536474View attachment 536473

One sweet rig!

 

[Another Ahab]

Out at the trailer today relaxing!
A few pics for your approval!

Paneled ceiling; I hadn't noticed that before. Nice touch.

 

[zout]

OK that's IT. I am tearing the guts out of Jokers and gonna get Ray up here to customize the 109 box again and bring it up to date. I just have to get rid of that double water bed in mine that is solar heated.

 

[RAYZER]

OK that's IT. I am tearing the guts out of Jokers and gonna get Ray up here to customize the 109 box again and bring it up to date. I just have to get rid of that double water bed in mine that is solar heated.

Now there's an offer i can't refuse!!
I'll take the water bed!