New M1078 Owner with questions

[scottmandu]

Well i went and done it.. I always wanted a deuce and a half but ended up with a 1995 M1078, with 11,000 miles. I have yet to see it but am already drooling at the things I can do to it and with it. None the less I got a few questions..

Regarding axles, i know they are Meritor axles, does anyone know the model numbers and if there is alternative ring/pinion ratios or outboard reduction gears available?
Also I noticed it has a 3116 cat engine, do the later models (A1) have a C7? What about stuffing a C9 in it?
Regarding tires, will 14.00R20 or 16.00R20 tires fit on the LMTV?
Are 4 80 pound batteries really needed, would two work? I'd like to put the truck on a diet wherever I can.
Are the recovery winches retrofittible, or is it easier to just find a truck with one?
Has anyone added A/C to one?



One last question.. When will we start seeing MRAPs and the armored FTMV vehicle go of for sale?

 

[sigo]

We won't see MRAPs or armored FMTVs for sale. As a rule, Uncle doesn't sell his old armored vehicles to the public.

 

[scottmandu]

We won't see MRAPs or armored FMTVs for sale. As a rule, Uncle doesn't sell his old armored vehicles to the public.

That's a shame.. Maybe I'll start collecting armored parts..

 

[tburk49760]

Welcome to the addiction. I had many of the same questions when I first got mine... Spend some time reading as many of the posts as you can and most of these will be answered. You will also garner many other useful tidbits in the process. Enjoy! Tim

 

[Overdrive]

...
Are 4 80 pound batteries really needed, would two work? I'd like to put the truck on a diet wherever I can.

I have seen a couple of LMTVs for sale online that did the 2 non-military battery conversion and those owners reported no issues with starting/charging. Full write-ups seem few and far between for LMTV mods as of late so hopefully we will start seeing more how-to in that department. Wiring diagram as well as how to secure non-military batteries in the box. I may be looking for this same type of modification soon myself since my stock batteries look to be toast and I would like to use sealed batteries.

 

[scottmandu]

Thanks guys I ended up picking up 2 LMTVs a 1995 and a 1996, both with a tad over 11000 miles. I hope to get them at the shop soon as see how bad I screwed myself.. My buddy who picked the 95 up got it running, but all electrics are dead.. I'm hoping it's attributed to the missing alternator.

BTW can the 400 amp alternator from the HEMTT be made to fit the M1078?

 

[shadowrwolf]

Thanks guys I ended up picking up 2 LMTVs a 1995 and a 1996, both with a tad over 11000 miles. I hope to get them at the shop soon as see how bad I screwed myself.. My buddy who picked the 95 up got it running, but all electrics are dead.. I'm hoping it's attributed to the missing alternator.

BTW can the 400 amp alternator from the HEMTT be made to fit the M1078?

can make it easy call a local cat dealer i use Peterson cat out here in Oregon. Give the cat dealer engine serial number and they should be able to tell you what alternators will fit it.

 

[scottmandu]

They showed up last night..

 

[ProximityX]

That's a nice pic. Head-to-Head. Camo vs. Desert. Nice!

 

[WWinAK]

They showed up last night.. View attachment 591352

Who did you use for transport, how far and how much? I am looking at the logistics before purchase!

 

[Awesomeness]

Who did you use for transport, how far and how much? I am looking at the logistics before purchase!

This is a 5 year old post. But you can roughly budget for $2-3/mile.

 

[WWinAK]

This is a 5 year old post. But you can roughly budget for $2-3/mile.

Thank you! Still learning my way around this awesome site

 

[coachgeo]

Thank you! Still learning my way around this awesome site

actually KUDOs for doing your due diligence and searching past threads for info before just throwing out a question that may have been answered numerous million times already.

 

[Mullaney]

I have seen a couple of LMTVs for sale online that did the 2 non-military battery conversion and those owners reported no issues with starting/charging. Full write-ups seem few and far between for LMTV mods as of late so hopefully we will start seeing more how-to in that department. Wiring diagram as well as how to secure non-military batteries in the box. I may be looking for this same type of modification soon myself since my stock batteries look to be toast and I would like to use sealed batteries.

So, I can't speak to the two battery plan from personal experience. I do know for sure that the battery box on my M1088a1 (the plastic piece that the batteries sit on) will "wedge fit" 4 Series 124R batteries. Very snug left to right - no slop at all! Almost like a custom fit.

Generally speaking 24 and 27 series batteries are the most commonly available (sizes) at your local car parts store... I don't have any statistics to back that up, just a gut feeling. New new cars (I know nothing about) may be the exception BUT the 124R battery appears to be a perfect fit in a Stewart and Stevenson battery box.

You can see some of the most recent postings and get a little info on the commercially available batteries in this thread:
https://www.steelsoldiers.com/threads/picture-of-your-battery-box.199716/post-2326549

STRONGLY SUGGEST that when you decide to replace your truck batteries that you take good closeup pictures of your existing battery wiring so you can easily get the wiring in battery box right - and not be where I am now - wondering what goes where.

.