New Member - Texas

[Palmetto]

Hello Everyone! Thanks mods for approving my account. My sons (13 & 9) & I just picked up our first MV (M109A4). Not sure of the year model, but from what I have learned here is that it was an M35A3 fitted as a van. We are super exited, and have really enjoyed working on this thing so far. Here is a bit of our journey so far....

The previous owner had let this truck sit for about 3 years. We had some challenges, but we got it running fairly easily IMO.
some of the issues:
-a racoon had taken residence under the hood. multiple chewed air lines that we had to figure out where they went.
-4 flat super singles. they had been sitting flat on the concrete for awhile. broke those down, and changed orings/grommets & tires.
-50 gallons of bad fuel. the truck would run, but there was algae/growth on the bottom by the pickup tube. drained the "lemonade", and cleaned the tank.
-locked up brakes. got it rolling, but still haven't figured that one out. Think it's the plunger.
-leaking heater core on the floor board. bypassed it.

Part of the deal on the truck was the PO wanted to keep the van body. He offered us a newer trailer bed (I don't know the model, but I think its the LMTV type) for our truck. Since the plan is for this to be a ranch truck, a flat bed will be perfect. Luckily the new bed frame runners are only 1/2" wider than the A3 frame. Should be easy enough to fit. We currently have the new bed seperated from the trailer, and ready to fit on the truck.

Sorry for the long read. Pics to come!

Phillip

 

[Mullaney]

Hello Everyone! Thanks mods for approving my account. My sons (13 & 9) & I just picked up our first MV (M109A4). Not sure of the year model, but from what I have learned here is that it was an M35A3 fitted as a van. We are super exited, and have really enjoyed working on this thing so far. Here is a bit of our journey so far....

The previous owner had let this truck sit for about 3 years. We had some challenges, but we got it running fairly easily IMO.
some of the issues:
-a racoon had taken residence under the hood. multiple chewed air lines that we had to figure out where they went.
-4 flat super singles. they had been sitting flat on the concrete for awhile. broke those down, and changed orings/grommets & tires.
-50 gallons of bad fuel. the truck would run, but there was algae/growth on the bottom by the pickup tube. drained the "lemonade", and cleaned the tank.
-locked up brakes. got it rolling, but still haven't figured that one out. Think it's the plunger.
-leaking heater core on the floor board. bypassed it.

Part of the deal on the truck was the PO wanted to keep the van body. He offered us a newer trailer bed (I don't know the model, but I think its the LMTV type) for our truck. Since the plan is for this to be a ranch truck, a flat bed will be perfect. Luckily the new bed frame runners are only 1/2" wider than the A3 frame. Should be easy enough to fit. We currently have the new bed seperated from the trailer, and ready to fit on the truck.

Sorry for the long read. Pics to come!

Phillip

.
Hi Phillip,

Welcome to the Outfit!

Post us up some pictures. You will enjoy being able to see your new-to-you truck as it grows into what you want it to be. I can guarantee you that your boys will enjoy riding in and turning wrenches with old dad...

We have a TM (Technical Manuals) section that will help you know how to troubleshoot and find part numbers. Based on your writeup, a M109A4 should be a Deuce so that will be the books you want to get. Without the box, you will have a speedy little truck too...

Welcome to the group and looking forward to pictures!


Tim
.

 

[Palmetto]

1. First time I saw it
2. Breaking down flat tires
3. My 13yr old son after mounting the first 2 "new" tires. We were wore out!
4. Got it home with no bed. 9yr old washing windows
5. Another shot with the donor trailer.
6. Bed removed from donor trailer.

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[Spoonerist]

Welcome from the far corner of WA!

Cheers,

 

[Mullaney]

1. First time I saw it
2. Breaking down flat tires
3. My 13yr old son after mounting the first 2 "new" tires. We were wore out!
4. Got it home with no bed. 9yr old washing windows
5. Another shot with the donor trailer.
6. Bed removed from donor trailer.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

.
Neat!! I see you even have a crew of supervisor dogs as part of the group. Good looking rig.

 

[chucky]

1. First time I saw it
2. Breaking down flat tires
3. My 13yr old son after mounting the first 2 "new" tires. We were wore out!
4. Got it home with no bed. 9yr old washing windows
5. Another shot with the donor trailer.
6. Bed removed from donor trailer.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

Will you be keeping the donor trailer chassis (m-1082) ? It could really be useful later on and easy to tack a homeade floor on the chassis ! Welcome aboard ! And dont let them younguns do any sanding on this military stuff without wearing a good respirator in case you didnt already know this carc paint airborne is bad bad ju ju in the lungs !

 

[Palmetto]

Unfortunately not keeping the trailer. The PO is putting the van body on the trailer.

Thanks for the heads up ok the paint!

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[Palmetto]

Last picture for this thread. This was the day we brought it home.

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[ToddJK]

Welcome to the site! Imo, it's a good community here. Congrats on the new to you truck. These deuce and a half a are definitely some capable machines when put to work. Don't forget, you can download the TM'S here which is like a Hanes manual if you remember those, definitely worth having imo. If you run into any issues, be sure to use the search function first or Google the issue ending with steel soldiers and read any related threads, it's possible you'll find your answer. Keep us updated with the build, it's always awesome to see these projects turn out as people put their own unique twist into it.

 

[M35fan]

Welcome to Steel Soldiers! Yall have got a great family project going there.

 

[Guyfang]

The only dumb question, is the question not asked. So if you cant find it in the books or old threads, well, as Grandpa used to say, "Shoot Luke, the geese is full of Air". Where is South East Texas? My folks came from Wills Point. That's the town that ran Chucky out on a rail!

 

[SCM35A2]

Welcome to the site.

 

[chucky]

The only dumb question, is the question not asked. So if you cant find it in the books or old threads, well, as Grandpa used to say, "Shoot Luke, the geese is full of Air". Where is South East Texas? My folks came from Wills Point. That's the town that ran Chucky out on a rail!

Dont pay any attention to this one ! They wanted me to be Mayor ! And they use his picture to this day to warn what could happen without contraception in the local high schools !

 

[Palmetto]

Where is South East Texas? My folks came from Wills Point. That's the town that ran Chucky out on a rail!

Well, it's not really south, not really east.....kinda south-east area LOL. I am down about 30 minutes from the coast in Brazoria County, which is about 1 hour SW of Houston.

I know where Wills Point is. Never been there, but will be headed to Lake Tawakoni mid June for a camping/fishing trip.

 

[chucky]

Well, it's not really south, not really east.....kinda south-east area LOL. I am down about 30 minutes from the coast in Brazoria County, which is about 1 hour SW of Houston.

I know where Wills Point is. Never been there, but will be headed to Lake Tawakoni mid June for a camping/fishing trip.

I lived in white deer on the shore of LAKE TAWAKONI and i miss it just a few miles out of Wills Point ! You should plan your trip to where your there during (FIRST MONDAY ) in CANTON the worlds largest flea mkt just south of I-20 on 19 on your right its huge takes 2 days but its worth it it really gets cranked up the thursday before the first monday of the month !

 

[chucky]

When i was young and handsome (80s) i use to go to the phillips 66 old ocean / sweeny refinery hauling catalyst in pneumatic tankers and then go to bay city to get washed out so i think were pretty close ! Small world !

 

[Palmetto]

When i young and handsome (80s) i use to go to the phillips 66 old ocean / sweeny refinery hauling catalyst in pneumatic tankers and then go to bay city to get washed out so i think were pretty close ! Small world !

Yep. I work there, and live 3 miles from it.

 

[chucky]

Yep. I work there, and live 3 miles from it.

Isnt that funny ?

 

[Guyfang]

I lived in white deer on the shore of LAKE TAWAKONI and i miss it just a few miles out of Wills Point ! You should plan your trip to where your there during (FIRST MONDAY ) in CANTON the worlds largest flea mkt just south of I-20 on 19 on your right its huge takes 2 days but its worth it it really gets cranked up the thursday before the first monday of the month !


Some great fishing on Tawakoni! Spent a many a day and some nights out there.

And Chucky is dead right about First Monday. There is NOTHING like it anywhere in the world. The first time I went was in 1964-65. It was literally held in town back then, and it took several hours to see it all. One street not far from the old city hall was called Dog Town. Nothing but dogs to buy,sell and trade. I was 10 and loved it. The last time was in 2015, I think. Its like entering a small city. Easy to get lost, and anything you want, its in there, at least twice. Well worth spending a day wondering around, and eating some great BBQ!

 

[Palmetto]

Yes, I have been to Canton & the market days. Pretty cool place!

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