Converting a cargo truck to a tractor

[quickfarms]

What is involved in converting a 900 series 5 ton cargo truck into a tractor besides adding the fifth wheel and tying into the electrical and air lines?

 

[73m819]

ramps, dropped rear cross member (kiig pin clearence at the start of the ramps)

 

[RAYZER]

The frame is longer at the back on a cargo truck, it would have to be shortened for clearance.

 

[Old Lincoln County Iron]

As many 900 series tractors being off loaded now, prices are pretty reasonable. Maybe easier to just buy a tractor. A good excuse to get another truck! just my 2 cents.

 

[jcappeljr]

To bad you are so far away.I have a m932a2 I want to put a bed on.I will be taking my tractor stuff off.

 

[wreckerman893]

If you want to be able the engage the trailer brakes without using the brake pedal you will need to install a hand valve (also known as a "trolley brake" or "Johnny Bar") inside the cab (usually on the steering column).

This is useful when coupling to a trailer that has an air over hydralic brake system.....you have to lock the brakes (or chock the wheels) to keep from pushing the trailer around.

 

[BillMc]

So quickfarms, did you make the conversion? I am presently debating the same thing. There is a local guy that has a semi with a flatbed on the rails and the fith wheel on top of the bed. I was thinking of doing something like that so I could use the bed to haul a small load not requiring the trailer.

 

[jdknech]

So quickfarms, did you make the conversion? I am presently debating the same thing. There is a local guy that has a semi with a flatbed on the rails and the fith wheel on top of the bed. I was thinking of doing something like that so I could use the bed to haul a small load not requiring the trailer.

the problem with this is height, i have a stock M932A1 tractor, and the 5th wheel plate is 5 FEET off the ground!! (most civy tracters are only 37" off the ground) because of this, i can not hook to most civy van trailers because i would be over height (max is 13.6) if you add a bed under that, you would be up atleast another foot.. it would really restrict what you can pull..

 

[quickfarms]

the problem with this is height, i have a stock M932A1 tractor, and the 5th wheel plate is 5 FEET off the ground!! (most civy tracters are only 37" off the ground) because of this, i can not hook to most civy van trailers because i would be over height (max is 13.6) if you add a bed under that, you would be up atleast another foot.. it would really restrict what you can pull..

I would like to see a civilian tractor with a 37" fifth wheel height. Mine is about 49" for a civilian tractor. Standard tires are about 44" tall and low profiles are a couple of inches lower. You can lower a military fifth wheel height about 5" by changing to a civilian fifth wheel.

 

[jdknech]

I would like to see a civilian tractor with a 37" fifth wheel height. Mine is about 49" for a civilian tractor. Standard tires are about 44" tall and low profiles are a couple of inches lower. You can lower a military fifth wheel height about 5" by changing to a civilian fifth wheel.

I stand corrrected... i was just going off what i was told was the height of the 5th wheel by a family member..

 

[Leeroofingandconstruction]

hi there jcappeljr, how do you have your tractor truck titled and insured with taking the fifth wheel and tractor stuff off ? I have a 1984 M915A1 that I want to convert to a flatbed and maybe with a dump on it. thanks, michael lee goldsboro, nc

 

[WillWagner]

Uuuuuh, this thread is 3 1/2 years old. You might want to try and PM him

 

[Leeroofingandconstruction]

has anyone dealt with or know about anyone converting an M915A1 from a tractor truck to just a flatbed by removing fifth wheeel plate and the guide rails ? also with maybe a hydraulic dump on it ?

thanks for any info.
Michael Lee
Goldsboro, NC

 

[simp5782]

C&C equipment in Indiana make the dump kits for the M35 beds and 5 tons. Shouldn't be an issue once you remove the 5th wheel plate. I don't know the exact measurements on the 915 but I don't seem them being much different in length of a M929. That being said anything can be made to work. Just get a 5 ton bed and shorten it up.

 

[RumRunner742]

So did the conversion actually happen? Has anyone else attempted it? I'm considering converting my 925A2 to a tractor since prices are through the roof now. I have a line on a 5th wheel plate and "christmas tree" from a member, but I'm concerned about running the trailer air and electric.

 

[74M35A2]

Just make sure it has an 8.3 otherwise it may stall when put into drive like simp's does.

 

[RumRunner742]

I have a 8.3, but is that and issue specific to the NHC?

Just make sure it has an 8.3 otherwise it may stall when put into drive like simp's does.

 

[grendel]

I am taking all that stuff off of my M932A2. Already scrapped the 5th wheel plate, but have all the plumbing, etc.

 

[red]

I have a 8.3, but is that and issue specific to the NHC?

He's ragging on the nhc motors. If your engine is running correctly (regardless of which engine) you should be able to engage the transmission or PTO without issue.

 

[RumRunner742]

He's ragging on the nhc motors. If your engine is running correctly (regardless of which engine) you should be able to engage the transmission or PTO without issue.

You guys are brutal. Grendel PM sent.