Got a M1031 for my service truck for the past 5 yrs ,loyal to say the least. Before that was a Doka Unimog so time to try a LMTV?
Is there a reliable parts source? I.E. shoes, cans, Is the HEUI system 12v or 24v?
Like to hear what you got to say.
You owe it to yourself to test drive an LMTV. After 20 years of Unimog dedication, I have switched to an LMTV (first M-1078 model retroactively called the "A0") for a daily driver. The LMTV has even replaced my Ram pickup as my preferred daily truck.
My quick list:
Pro-FMTV family: Very much cheaper to maintain. Most routine parts from your local autoparts store or many online sources. Many parted out trucks act as sources for stuff not locally stocked. 225 horsepower and auto tranny (which my old shoulder was ready for) really excels in traffic. Drives so easy compared to any other older generation military truck (or even a U1300 Unimog with is a great road truck). I would rather park the LMTV at Home Debot than a Ram longbed. CTIS is a blessing if you drive a variety of roads like I do. Not a fast vehicle but ok if your speed limits are the limiting factor anyway. Lots of room in the cab. Good visibility with mirrors. Great brakes. Easy engine access. So much easier to work on than a Unimog. In case of bad failure can drop drive shafts or pull rear axle shafts and get towed. Can't do that with the Unimog. Geared hubs easy to check from beside the truck instead of underneath as with Mogs.
I like the way cars pull over when the LMTV approaches
Con-FMTV: Fuel mileage. Some boast of 10+ mpg. I get 6 to 8, with 8 only on steady longer drives. Bed height is tough at 5 ft above ground; not much worse than the larger Unimogs, but much higher than your U1100 and M1031. No air conditioning, unless added, but you are no doubt used to non-air trucks. Not "easy" to climb into unless your comparison is to the Unimog!! Not particularly good offroad because of no locking diffs.
