New deuce owner driving tips?

[Rockfeild]

Hello all,

I just bought a deuce from a military auction they say its in running condition but the battery is low.
i would imagine they keep them in good running condition but has anyone ever bought one from a military auction before?
i am needing to pick it up in the next couple weeks as soon as my EUC form clears.
i am planing on driving it from Jacksonville navel base to the Tampa area probably a 6 of 7 hour drive in this truck.
does anyone who owns one of these have any pointers for someone that has never driven one before? starting, driving, Ect.
i am told it has to towed off base so i am hoping to have a local wrecker service tow it to parking lot some place close and drive it home from their.

this is my first one but i plan to collect more in the future any help and pointers would be great.
thanks, Rock

 

[dittle]

All I can say is that you've come to the right place to get help with your Deuce. And yes, a lot of people on this site have purchased a Deuce off an auction.

 

[tjcouch]

If you want to wander over to Tampa some time, I can give you a tutorial. I will have my truck in the Veterans Day Parade on Saturday. You are welcome to ride with us. I'll be sitting in the line up area from 9 am until the parade starts at 10 . . . . I could show you some stuff during that time too.

Here is the info on the parade: http://www.veteransparade.blogspot.com/

 

[No.2Diesel]

Welcome! here are some tips to remember:

-Always look ahead calculating your next move. Be aware of who is in front, back, & sides at all times.

-Leave a large following distance from the vehicle in front of you.

-When manuevering in tight quarters or backing up a trailer, use low-range.

-Always plan your route. Even if you know your local roads, think of the easiest route to take in terms of topogrophy, intersections, traffic, etc.

-Always stay calm no matter what the situation.

 

[Barrman]

Your assumption that the truck was well maintained is logical. However, not always practical in the real world. I got a truck from GL that was said to run, it did and has for more than 1,000 miles since I picked it up with no or little maintenance. Another truck in the same auction from the same location made it about 200 miles before the clutch burned up. You really don't know what you have until you get it, take it apart and look.

Now, as far as directions and tips. The military had several manuals for these trucks. They are divided into groups. The manuals ending with -10 are the operators manual. The ones ending with -20 are for unit level maintenance and the -30 manuals are the overhaul version. All are on the site here for you to look at and down load.

I would recommend you download and print out all the manuals for the M35 which will be under the M44 series truck listing in the manual link. Then read them cover to cover, read them again cover to cover, repeat. Then, keep them or a copy of them in the truck with you.

You are about 4 days too late to see the sticky at the top of the Duece forum about the manuals. However, if you follow the link at the topof this page to the old SS site, go to "the duece" forum you will find it and the manuals. There is another sticky there about what to look for when getting a Duece and another about what to bring with you when you pick one up.

Basically, they are easy trucks to drive. But, they are big, slow and very heavy. A driver can kill a lot of people in a hurry including himself if he gets behind while driving one. Read the manuals, take your time and enjoy.

 

[FreightTrain]

Ok,take a 5 gallon bucket of 80W90 GL1 gear oil,5 gallons of 15W40 Motor oil,couple bottles of Dot 5 Silicone(NOT Dot 5.1) brake fluid.Socket set,set of standard combo wrenches,Duct tape,Wire,Electric connector kit,Cell phone,Extra Coolant,and help.This is the basics I would carry.So far I have only had to use a gallon of motor oil and some duct tape on the 2 trips I went on to collect trucks straight from GL.Don't worry about the batteries.Just remember,If they are dead,DO NOT SHUT IT DOWN.It will run for ever as long as you keep putting fuel in it without batteries.The alternator will take care of the minimalistic electrical system(lift pump and lights!).Check the brakes.Look around,Aim the truck towards the closest tree or imovable object and drive.Test the brake....if they don't work you will hit that object and stop instead of keeping on going and running over a line of nice new Military owned Hummers or worst someones Hooch.If the brakes don't feal good DO NOT DRIVE IT.7 tons will do a lot of damage if some idiot stops in front of you or cuts you off and if you are found to be driving with a faulty vehicle you butt is lawyer meat.Just take it slow and safe and you won't have any problems.If it runs and stops then you got it made!

 

[FreightTrain]

oh,Nice truck,Turbo,Heater,drop side,New steering shaft and box,good tires,airshift transfer,Split brake system(Big plus!!!).

 

[Stretch44875]

There is a sticky at the top of the deuce forum just for this. Here's a link.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?t=133

Dennis

 

[Rockfeild]

oh,Nice truck,Turbo,Heater,drop side,New steering shaft and box,good tires,airshift transfer,Split brake system(Big plus!!!).

Thanks for the info. it will definitely help me be prepared for pick-up!
i looked at a few before i placed a bid on this one i didn't think i would win it for my bid of 3k since it was a 86 which is pretty new for an m35a2c and looks to be in better condition then most. any idea what its really worth once its titled and insured for civilian use?
thanks, Rock

 

[rizzo]

keep your thumbs out of the steering wheel if you go off road

 

[emmado22]

Im not so sure that truck has the split brakes....

 

[mbwarner]

I also recommend a spare tire if you have one, dogbone and bar, 8 ton bottle jack, a gladhand airhose assembly, and spare 24 volt light bulbs.

 

[Green_gator]

If you want to wander over to Tampa some time, I can give you a tutorial. I will have my truck in the Veterans Day Parade on Saturday. You are welcome to ride with us. I'll be sitting in the line up area from 9 am until the parade starts at 10 . . . . I could show you some stuff during that time too.

Here is the info on the parade: http://www.veteransparade.blogspot.com/

TJ,
I will see you on Saturday as I am bringing my scouts to the parade.

 

[Green_gator]

Rockfeild,
I have a couple of spare tires and some of the other equipment you will want to have for your pick up. I can loan them to you for the trip. My deuce is in for work right now and will see very little road use for the next month or so.

 

[tjcouch]

Walter: Cool! I am the absolute last unit. LOL

Rock: x2 on having spare tires lying around. Both NDTs and radials.

 

[sak00]

Hey TJ,
I'm interested into get my Deuce in the parade circuit. How do you go about learning who to talk too and all?

Sorry about the thread Hi Jack

 

[atankersdad]

Take 5 gallons of water in case the radiator is low or MT like mine was. I would take along another deuce with tow bars in case it does not run or is in an unsafe condition. I just drove one for the first time several months ago and discovered the following.
1. Allow lots of room for stopping.
2. Allow more room for turning.
3. Practice shifting, since it is an all new pattern, before you hit the highway.
4. Stay off of small roads, crowded roads or ones that have a lot of lights and traffic. Since you are in FL there are no hill issues.
5. Get to an open highway, get up tp 2100 rpm, and cruise.
6. Wear hearing protection
7. Get plenty of rest the nite before because driving one of these for several hours, will wear your a** out.
8. Wave at everyone, since plenty will be waving at you. Kids love these trucks.
9. Monitor your gauges at least once a minute. Take duct tape and label them before leaving. LABEL what the minimun readings should be as stated in the TM.
Print out a TM and take it with you. Read it and everything else several days before leaving.
10. And listen to what was said in the postings before this one and after this one. These guys know this stuff.
11. Take pictures of the recovery, document it and then post it for us to enjoy as well.

Good Luck and Congrats on you recovery!!!

 

[FreightTrain]

oh,and for god sake.If you flip the switch and the buzzer does not work FIX IT!!!!Do not EVER drive one of these things with a bypassed/disconnected Low air buzzer.It is there for a reason and you would have to a fool to bypass it cause it is "Annoying for that first 3 minutes of running".If you need to stop and find no air.....You will NOT stop in time period and you will kill someone.

 

[Stretch44875]

Mine does not buzz... nor will it ever.

 

[Barrman]

Yeah, leave the buzzer attached and don't move if it is still making noise.

Here is a link to the Florida chapter of the MVPA:
http://www.mvpa.org/

I don't know where they are or where you are. But, contact them and I bet they will know of somethig going on near you sometime in the year. Your local Chamber of Commerce is also a good place. I was followed home one day by a guy in the local VFW. We talked about the truck some and then he asked if I would be willing to drive them around in parades. I was and now I do several a year with them and a few events a year with the Lone Star chapter of the MVPA. Lots of fun and great people.