1997 LMTV Journey

[Awesomeness]

Its been a while since i worked on the truck, have a bunch of parts odds and ends to install. did not get the air bags on yet, but I did get a surprise find part from Gov Planet. Light Material Handling Crane, new in what was left of the crate. 3 sold i was lucky enough to buy the last one. Its a heavy bugger to install by yourself, but i did manage to get it together. I stopped this summer when it was hot and today decided i would finish. Everything works here are my questions.
1) i can not find a picture or diagram of where the Breaker box mounts. I assume it stays on the outside of the truck all the time and you just unplug the cord
2) does anyone actually use the ratcheting pivot or just pull the pin out so its free to rotate? i have both the long and short handle.
Pictures tomorrow when its light outside.

1. The breaker box does not mount anywhere. You only put it on when using the crane, and then just roll it up and store it with the rest of the cables when not in use.
2. I use the ratcheting pivot handle, and switched it to the long handle. I feel it's pretty important, as it allows you to positively control the swing of the loaded crane, as having it free-swinging would not only be dangerous, but physically difficult if it were really heavy. When the crane isn't in use, I put a bungee cord lightly around the ratchet handle and the crane post, to keep it from swinging while the truck is driving, or else it will slowly ratchet itself around (and could do something like puncture your cargo top and stick out into traffic).

 

[FarmingSmallKubota]

Awesome find on the crane. Did GP have an NSN for that kit or was it just the kit number of 57K1215 ? I missed them if they just auctioned off three and need to know how GP listed it so I can accurately search for more.

i had two different searches saved and it never popped up. I just happened to log on when i got home and caught the last auction of 3. Here is what they were listed as
2007 Grove 1195000516 LMTV Crane Attachment

 

[FarmingSmallKubota]

LMHC pictures

 

[mccullek]

Its been a while since i worked on the truck, have a bunch of parts odds and ends to install. did not get the air bags on yet, but I did get a surprise find part from Gov Planet. Light Material Handling Crane, new in what was left of the crate. 3 sold i was lucky enough to buy the last one. Its a heavy bugger to install by yourself, but i did manage to get it together. I stopped this summer when it was hot and today decided i would finish. Everything works here are my questions.
1) i can not find a picture or diagram of where the Breaker box mounts. I assume it stays on the outside of the truck all the time and you just unplug the cord
2) does anyone actually use the ratcheting pivot or just pull the pin out so its free to rotate? i have both the long and short handle.
Pictures tomorrow when its light outside.

I would love to have one of those as well. Will need to watch the auctions!

 

[FarmingSmallKubota]

Going to revive my thread. Went to move the truck today due to parents visiting with the motor home. It took over night of charging the batteries to finally get her to start this morning. I think i need a new either bottle as it did nothing to help with a very cold start. I tried last night charging for a couple hours and then put the MEP 501a on it but just was not enough. Anyway new day It started i warmed it up and loaded the back with Recycling and took a 10 mile round trip drive. I forget how much i like driving it. I am going to start working on it again and backing away from the Generators for a while. Hope to update soon with repairs and updates.

 

[mccullek]

I love driving mine as well. It is really more fun to drive than my Humvee. I suggest you put a battery disconnect on it, as that is what I did with mine when I put new batteries almost two years ago. Now it fires up every time with no issues, even in cold weather. I have started doing that with all of my vehicles that I don't drive regularly, and it really seems to make a difference.

I have spent a fortune on batteries lately. Just in the last month, my Humvee needed two new ones, my dump truck needed three new ones, my dozer needed two new ones and my regular hummer needed one as well. Finally, I had to put a new one in my skid steer last week. At about $130+ each, it adds up fast. Since adding the disconnects, they are never dead when I go to use them now, and I try and crank everything and let it run a few mins every month or so. That seems to keep things running well for me.

I've started using the NAPA commercial batteries on most of my equipment. Look for the occasional 25% off coupon they have for online purchases and buy them online for pickup and you can save some money. They seem to be good batteries, and they have held up well for me. I did put the Walmart brand in my crane, but they weren't much cheaper and those have held up well also, so don't be afraid of Walmart Everstart batteries. The often have a better warranty as well. But yes, I like the Napa commercial brand batteries, and you can often save some money with the online coupon purchase.

 

[FarmingSmallKubota]

The LMTV has Everstart batteries in it right now, and i usually fire the truck up and keep a battery maintainer on it, but this time i just forgot. I also need to rotate the batteries. I buy a lot of batteries due to my Generator Hobby, and Usually get NAPA AGM batteries for those when i get the sale notice. I just need to drive the truck more and get more repairs/upgrades on the truck as it really has been yard art for too long. I'm Pretty sure i need a new either bottle, but it has to be ordered into Napa and the Gasket seems a ridiculus price for what it is.

 

[FarmingSmallKubota]

Small update tonight. I have been sourcing parts all winter and doing a lot of thinking. new Either bottle and Gaskets are in waiting to be installed. One of the most frustrating things about the truck since i bought it has been getting in and out. I am a very large man. i do not mean long legs and that 22 inch first step is just rediculous. so after lots of thinking and internet watching i have started my new step project. i took the idea from MWME's premade option, and have made it way way more affordable. I think they wanted 600 dollars a side so i sourced the parts. first step is to build the step, had the parts lazer cut and shipped way cheaper than i could make them. Had the guys in the shop weld them together to save me time and actually make them look good. I will share some pics of them being painted tonight. below this step i bought a 12 cable step i will weld to the bottom that way each step up in the truck should be around 12 inches hopefully this is solves my problem.

 

[mccullek]

Small update tonight. I have been sourcing parts all winter and doing a lot of thinking. new Either bottle and Gaskets are in waiting to be installed. One of the most frustrating things about the truck since i bought it has been getting in and out. I am a very large man. i do not mean long legs and that 22 inch first step is just rediculous. so after lots of thinking and internet watching i have started my new step project. i took the idea from MWME's premade option, and have made it way way more affordable. I think they wanted 600 dollars a side so i sourced the parts. first step is to build the step, had the parts lazer cut and shipped way cheaper than i could make them. Had the guys in the shop weld them together to save me time and actually make them look good. I will share some pics of them being painted tonight. below this step i bought a 12 cable step i will weld to the bottom that way each step up in the truck should be around 12 inches hopefully this is solves my problem.

Looks great. Please post a picture of it installed when completed. I'm still able to crawl up and down mine for now, but in a few years that may be different, so I may need something like this as I'm not getting any younger. lol