Bought an M35A2, with a unique addition

[Mullaney]

So, yes, it’s a five ton bed. I’m also convinced it’s an M36. With the crane and all, I’m trying to put my mind into the place this previous owner had.

A deuce is big enough by any standard. But the cost and effort to throw a 5 ton bed on deuce, with a crane? WTF?

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Previous owner could have been looking for a shorter bed. There were long frame and short frame Deuces. He needed a shorter bed to fit the crane. Long beds bring a better price than a short 5-Ton. Would have also not needed to cut the bed. Some folks (me included) are not that kind of fabricators.

Have you had a chance to crawl under your truck to see if the frame (on the inside) is "boxed" in the inside of the frame rails? And, if the extended frame is really a factory extended frame - or was it fabricated by somebody in their backyard?

It might not be a boxed frame. It could have an extra steel plate added to the outside of the frame rails. Generally there will be lots of drill holes in that plate to avoid the rivets...

The crane might never be worked hard. It just might be a way to pick up a pallet of wood or concrete. Whatever you might want to lift from the ground to that chest high bed...

Still excited for you!!

 

[Danspomer]

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Previous owner could have been looking for a shorter bed. There were long frame and short frame Deuces. He needed a shorter bed to fit the crane. Long beds bring a better price than a short 5-Ton. Would have also not needed to cut the bed. Some folks (me included) are not that kind of fabricators.

Have you had a chance to crawl under your truck to see if the frame (on the inside) is "boxed" in the inside of the frame rails? And, if the extended frame is really a factory extended frame - or was it fabricated by somebody in their backyard?

It might not be a boxed frame. It could have an extra steel plate added to the outside of the frame rails. Generally there will be lots of drill holes in that plate to avoid the rivets...

The crane might never be worked hard. It just might be a way to pick up a pallet of wood or concrete. Whatever you might want to lift from the ground to that chest high bed...

Still excited for you!!

thanks!

and it looks like a stock steel long frame. I’ll know more Saturday.

 

[cattlerepairman]

I think the concept for this truck is right (as evidenced by actual military use of the M36 frame with a short bed and crane). A knuckleboom is one of those things that you don't really know what you would need it for, until you get one. Then you won't be able to figure out how you could live without one all those years! You have the chance to mount the crane to spec and make it fit your needs. Then have at it and enjoy!

Move that spare engine? Kid's play! Lift a shed...easy! Load a car onto the bed? No problem (ok..short car). My favourite.....carry an ancient commercial washing machine down from the second floor....nah, hoist it out through the window with the crane and it's done! My back says Thank You!
Anything up to 6500 lbs is fair game with that crane.

In a previous life I had free access to crane trucks and there is not a week in my life where I don't wish I still did!

 

[Danspomer]

I think the concept for this truck is right (as evidenced by actual military use of the M36 frame with a short bed and crane). A knuckleboom is one of those things that you don't really know what you would need it for, until you get one. Then you won't be able to figure out how you could live without one all those years! You have the chance to mount the crane to spec and make it fit your needs. Then have at it and enjoy!

Move that spare engine? Kid's play! Lift a shed...easy! Load a car onto the bed? No problem (ok..short car). Anything up to 6500 lbs is fair game with that crane.

In a previous life I had free access to crane trucks and there is not a week in my life where I don't wish I still did!

I gotta be honest. The knuckle boom Is the main reason we bought this. I bought it sight unseen, and I’m not bragging. I lucked out.

We’re building a house in a remote area this year, hopefully. The truck is there waiting for us. Now I just need to figure out the details, like… I need a crane to lift a crane. Lol

We have a small wash at the entrance to our property. My wife’s AWD Subaru got hopelessly stuck there some weeks ago. Hence, the move was made.

I said: Deuce. She agreed.

the crane is, and always will be, a bonus.

 

[cattlerepairman]

@Danspomer Clever move to leverage wifey's stuck car to solicit support for the Deruce! That's an expert, right there!
Poor little Crosstrek doesn't have X-mode (and probably smooth tires, too).

 

[Danspomer]

I gotta be honest. The knuckle boom Is the main reason we bought this. I bought it sight unseen, and I’m not bragging. I lucked out.

We’re building a house in a remote area this year, hopefully. The truck is there waiting for us. Now I just need to figure out the details, like… I need a crane to lift a crane. Lol

We have a small wash at the entrance to our property. My wife’s AWD Subaru got hopelessly stuck there some weeks ago. Hence, the move was made.

I said: Deuce. She agreed.

the crane is, and always will be, a bonus.

And now.

 

[Danspomer]

And now.

and it just disappears… out of sight. It was never there.

 

[Mullaney]

I gotta be honest. The knuckle boom Is the main reason we bought this. I bought it sight unseen, and I’m not bragging. I lucked out.

We’re building a house in a remote area this year, hopefully. The truck is there waiting for us. Now I just need to figure out the details, like… I need a crane to lift a crane. Lol

We have a small wash at the entrance to our property. My wife’s AWD Subaru got hopelessly stuck there some weeks ago. Hence, the move was made.

I said: Deuce. She agreed.

the crane is, and always will be, a bonus.

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Definitely need a crane to lift a crane - but maybe not. Long ago, when the dinosaurs roamed the earth, I worked for a place that rebuilt equipment. Often times the knuckle boom cranes might be removed. Sometimes to replace a broken or bent frame or to salvage whatever was useful when trucks were bought and added to the fleet.

We had cranes. Some things like corner mount derricks were done out in the yard because there was no other way. I remember us having a cross beam with a pair of chain-falls on them Each bay had 4 of those chain-falls. I don't remember what they were rated for, but a simple Deuce could be lifted at four corners. Maybe because we could because I know we didn't do that regularly... I am certain we removed Hiab cranes using a pair of chain-falls. Maybe thumb that book and see if it will give you a weight? With that information you could plan a way to lift your boom.

You might be able to find somebody local that has a M936 or M1089 or something that can do the lift with you. Don't hesitate to ask here on the forums! We generally try to help each other.

I personally would be thrilled if somebody asked me - but Colorado is a bit of a ride from here.

 

[Danspomer]

and it just disappears… out of sight. It was never there.

 

[Danspomer]

So this is it.

 

[marchplumber]

Looked like a drop side bed from a M35a3.......I've been incorrect numerous times......

After further looks, could be a five ton bed........

Congrats on whatever ya got!! LOL

 

[Danspomer]

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Definitely need a crane to lift a crane - but maybe not. Long ago, when the dinosaurs roamed the earth, I worked for a place that rebuilt equipment. Often times the knuckle boom cranes might be removed. Sometimes to replace a broken or bent frame or to salvage whatever was useful when trucks were bought and added to the fleet.

We had cranes. Some things like corner mount derricks were done out in the yard because there was no other way. I remember us having a cross beam with a pair of chain-falls on them Each bay had 4 of those chain-falls. I don't remember what they were rated for, but a simple Deuce could be lifted at four corners. Maybe because we could because I know we didn't do that regularly... I am certain we removed Hiab cranes using a pair of chain-falls. Maybe thumb that book and see if it will give you a weight? With that information you could plan a way to lift your boom.

You might be able to find somebody local that has a M936 or M1089 or something that can do the lift with you. Don't hesitate to ask here on the forums! We generally try to help each other.

I personally would be thrilled if somebody asked me - but Colorado is a bit of a ride from here.

 

[Danspomer]

I actually found a local machine/hydraulic shop that would be interested in working the project, only 35 miles away. Things are taking shape.

I’ll be down there tomorrow, looking at data plates, and finally figuring out the air assist steering kit.

 

[Mullaney]

I actually found a local machine/hydraulic shop that would be interested in working the project, only 35 miles away. Things are taking shape.

I’ll be down there tomorrow, looking at data plates, and finally figuring out the air assist steering kit.

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Cool!! Hopefully it won't be too costly to have some help!

 

[Danspomer]

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Cool!! Hopefully it won't be too costly to have some help!

it’s an M46A2C.

 

[cattlerepairman]

That ought to settle the frame debate. It is a long wheelbase version frame from the factory. These came with water purification units and I think also workshop bodies on them.
Yours with just a bed (and a crane) must be a speedster, compared to the same truck lugging around a 7000-something pound water purification body.

 

[Danspomer]

That ought to settle the frame debate. It is a long wheelbase version frame from the factory. These came with water purification units and I think also workshop bodies on them.
Yours with just a bed (and a crane) must be a speedster, compared to the same truck lugging around a 7000-something pound water purification body.

Thanks. pal. It’s much appreciated. Much learning yet to be done.

 

[Danspomer]

That ought to settle the frame debate. It is a long wheelbase version frame from the factory. These came with water purification units and I think also workshop bodies on them.
Yours with just a bed (and a crane) must be a speedster, compared to the same truck lugging around a 7000-something pound water purification body.

The one thing I forgot to do was measure the width and length of the larger bed (facepalm).

I can’t find a reference to this anywhere- does anyone happen to know? I’m going to tarp it on my next visit.

 

[Danspomer]

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Cool!! Hopefully it won't be too costly to have some help!

This is interesting: Is this another deuce with a five ton cargo bed? Am i missing a trend?

 

[Danspomer]

This is interesting: Is this another deuce with a five ton cargo bed? Am i missing a trend?

i don’t know if it’s a “trend.” I can only speak for mine. Are there others like this?