Contact Maintenance Deuce?

[Recovry4x4]

Folks, I had this idea the other day and wanted to try to feel out what others think. Before I commit to this I want to hear some thoughts. I have a 1977 M887 SECM. The Dodge is slowly rusting into the ground however the aluminum box is pretty nice. I was looking at it the other day and wondered what it might look like on a bobbed deuce. I know the fuel tank would need relocated for sure. Since looking at Miltrucks bobbed deuce with the M724 (or M726) bed on the back, I think I'd stick with 14.5x20 tires on -A3 rims. I know I'll have to carry a stool or step ladder to reach the upper compartments. Right now the 887 is my yard truck/tool box, cutting torch cart. Thoughts?

 

[Westech]

sweet go for it. JW going to need a support truck when the 09 goes down lol.... o wait.. I need the support truck.

 

[lacoda56]

I saw a picture of one just like you're talking about awhile back, but I can't remember where or any details other than it was a utility body on a bobbed deuce. Looked good as I remember.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Here's the thread on Erics truck. My body is much different.
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/4341-miltrucks-4x4-conversion.html

 

[bubba_got_you]

My body is much different.http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/4341-miltrucks-4x4-conversion.html

your right you don't look much like that truck at all

 

[bubba_got_you]

i think it sounds good you should do it

 

[NDT]

At the parade, show, etc: "Gee dad, when you were in the Army, did you drive one of those??" "No son, that is a cobbled up rolling identity crisis."


Sorry but you asked for opinions . . .

 

[54reo]

Or you could find one of these, they are kinda close to a maintenance truck...


But Kenny, you would have to do something about that last pic.

 

[frodobaggins]

Here's the thread on Erics truck. My body is much different.
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/4341-miltrucks-4x4-conversion.html

That truck looks awesome !

 

[Recovry4x4]

At the parade, show, etc: "Gee dad, when you were in the Army, did you drive one of those??" "No son, that is a cobbled up rolling identity crisis."


Sorry but you asked for opinions . . .

And I welcome your view and take no hardship from it but it begs to ask one more question. Would the M1028 with the M887 contact maintenance body also be viewed as a cobbled up rolling identity crisis? The body and truck sure don't belong together and the body requires some significant mods before being put on the M1028. I'm just trying to see where that line in the sand lies.

 

[doghead]

At the parade, show, etc: "Gee dad, when you were in the Army, did you drive one of those??" "No son, that is a cobbled up rolling identity crisis."


Sorry but you asked for opinions . . .

Does that same though apply to the guys with knuckle-booms or dumping beds on their trucks?

Kenny, when it's done, do you really think you will drive it in parades?

I would think a purpose built, modified military truck, is no different than building a chopper (think of the guys with WWII surplus motorcycles). I think the pride of building/modifying, and using something you "built", would outweigh the negative thoughts that some may have.

 

[jw4x4]

Kenny- that would look great. You should go for it. Any chance you could photoshop a pic?
Furthermore, just because someone can't identify a modified vehicle doesn't constitute a crisis. The military made it as they saw fit. There is nothing wrong with making it better.
I hope I don't need support from a contact maintenance vehicle if I break down. I do have a medium tow bar to drag the 1009 home if needed. (thanks Gimpy)!!!!

 

[Recovry4x4]

Parade duty Eric? Not likely at all. Just looking for a support vehicle for yard work and the occasional trip to the grocery store. Wouldn't mind taaking it to a rally either.

JW, I haven't a clue on photochop, anyone want to give it a shot if I provide some pics?

 

[NDT]

Here is my point with the "identity crisis" crack: Is is a contact truck, a rolling toolbox, or is it a extreme mobility cargo carrier? It can't be both: Think of the ergonmics of using the maintenance bed when it is 5 feet off the ground . . . How do you use the vise, how to you replace the 100 lb oxygen bottle while standing on a ladder? How do you wrestle the 3/4 drive socket set out of the top shelf standing on a ladder? If TACOM had come out with a contact truck with those design flaws, the using troops would have parked the things and adapted something else.

As they stand, the CMU-3, M724, M887, M1028 and M1031's do a great job for what they were intended for, that is rolling up beside deadlined equipment in terrible terrain and getting the repairs done fast.

 

[MARCO1031]

Just before I bought my M1031 I saw a bobbed Deuce for sale in the Keys. I was wondering what it would look like with a maint body on it. I think it would be a pretty sweet setup. You could definitely get places I couldn't with mine.

 

[cranetruck]

Didn't think you cared much for bobbed deuces, Kenny.

 

[jasonjc]

It's yours do as you whish, I'm shure you would make it look good.

But how well will you like climing up a ladder to get stuff out all the time. And as IRC your helper are still on the short side, do you want them to have to clime to get stuff for you,or will that help keep them out??
I think if I did it i'd get a bigger bed and one with one of the cranes on the corner.
Just some thing to think about.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Well, I kinda like the bobbed deuce. Never really wanted to chop up a truck to get one though. I have to use a box to reach many of the compartments now so I'd just have to have a bigger box. Now the possible whys. I'm really weird about having spare parts. As it stands now I have a spare everything for any of my deuces. Putting the body on another deuce would cut down on parts inventory. The whole idea is just that, an idea. I'm going to have a spare deuce around here so the thought popped up. No offense to the M887 but I'm no body man and not sure I could catch up on the cab rust. I'm considering borrowing the Diablo truck and stripping the bed off an sitting mine on just to get a real world idea if I would like this. Someone else pointed out that I could put it on an M101 chassis, maybe even a 105 chassis.

 

[doghead]

On one hand, I think it would be easier to replace the dodge cab.

On the other hand, I like the idea of a bobbed maintenance/utility box deuce.

I don't think a trailer would be very easy to maneuver in the yard. Heavy trailers are a pain to back up in soft ground.

 

[bigbee]

As for the accessability question, as long as you're making stuff, make an accessible fold-out platform on each side about the height of the front fenders. Get out of the truck, stand on the running board, flip the platform down, get to any compartment you need to. After all, the maintenance body is going to be a little narrower than the deuce bed, anyway. Right?

Then we could put a new game into one of the rallys. Have someone call for assistance and see who gets there first--1031, 887 or bobbed deuce.--staightest line, point to point.