Go Big Or Go Home

[militarytrucks.com]

This is a bobbed 5-ton build I am doing for a customer. It is almost complete. It started life as a M818 tractor.

It is now 9'9" tall with a 154" wheel base and track width of 101"

It has 9" of lift. It rolls on 54" tall x 24" wide 24R21 Michelin XZL tires mounted on custom offset OTR wheels.
HID LED 90mm 24 volt projector beam Hella headlights.
There is a custom boarding/service ladder stowed under the bed that works with the factory M105a3 boarding ladder, and it also hooks over the front bumper.

Current build hours to date: 288


Things to come;
Curt 15800 hitch.
1x 22" LED light bar mounted over the front bumper.
2x 12" LED light bars in the rear.
5x LED amber clearance lights
150 Gallon aux L-tank in the bed

 

[streetsalvation]

Yup, that thing is big! Awesome looking build! Does it still fit under overpasses??! Good looking ride.

 

[red]

What motor was swapped into it?

 

[M813rc]

While it pained me to see that sweet M818 go under "the knife", I have to admit I have really enjoyed stopping in and watching this one grow from the initial "I'm going to stick those tires on this!" moment.

Cheers

 

[mkcoen]

What motor was swapped into it?

Judging by the hood scoops I'm guessing something BIG!

 

[wreckerman893]

IMHO the M105 bed thing has been way over done.

The wheelbase and bed are too short.

It needs a flat bed with tool storage underneath and dual stacks.

Then it would look like a truck.

 

[big block 88]

Well its big... Wouldnt be my choice in a build but if the owner likes it then thats what matters. That said its unique and no one else will have one on his block.

 

[jcappeljr]

Looks Good ..

 

[simp5782]

Yup, that thing is big! Awesome looking build! Does it still fit under overpasses??! Good looking ride.

All A1 ans A2 M939 series trucks stand 10ft exactly to the top of the intake mushroom

Sent from my SM-G860P using Tapatalk

 

[militarytrucks.com]

The hood scoop is just there for decoration (the customers idea). Nothing else.

 

[militarytrucks.com]

What motor was swapped into it?

It has the stock Stock 250 Cummins still in it. The customer has been warned repeatedly not to over speed the engine.

 

[86m1028]

I'm liking the tires but are those split rims ?

 

[Csm Davis]

I'm liking the tires but are those split rims ?

No they are not split Ring rims. The split rim you speak of is dangerous but has not been made for a long time and I doubt you will ever see any, the lock ring rims are safe to drive and only dangerous if you don't follow directions.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[pctrans]

That beast looks familiar............ Made it's debut at the 2010 GA Rally.

 

[militarytrucks.com]

That beast looks familiar............ Made it's debut at the 2010 GA Rally.

The Go Big or Go Home (aka "Tatonka Negro") project began 5-26-16 as a very nice M818 tractor.
I know many of the MVPA members scoff at such builds. But it is projects like this that help to keep the economy going. The M818 Lives on as something else that for my customer is more enjoyable to own, and drive.

During the build process I have tried to recycle as much of the original truck a possible, and some other trucks to: M923a2 frame, M923 front springs, M813 front springs, M35 grab handles, M923 start switches, steps off of some type of armored vehicle, M105a3 trailer bed and lighting. M503 Jerry can holders, and many more recycled Former Military Vehicle parts that I have forgotten to write down.
Oh, and if anyone is interested each bolt hole took an average of 7 minutes to drill x 252 holes

 

[86m1028]

Lot of work, exspecially the drilling !
Noticed your ladder steps aren't evenly spaced, what's up with that ?

 

[Jbulach]

Oh, and if anyone is interested each bolt hole took an average of 7 minutes to drill x 252 holes

Ouch!!!

If you run into something like that again, go buy a mag drill. It'll be the best $300-$1500 you ever spent. Will cut you hole time down to about 30 seconds, including moving the drill, and you'll find all kinds of other uses for it as well.

 

[Floridianson]

Ouch!!!

If you run into something like that again, go buy a mag drill. It'll be the best $300-$1500 you ever spent. Will cut you hole time down to about 30 seconds, including moving the drill, and you'll find all kinds of other uses for it as well.

Yep and annular drill bits!!!!!!!!!!

 

[big block 88]

Man that cummins must suck a TON of air!!!! It has the fender mount bfaf then an injector hat with fly's and then a sugar scoop hat on top....

 

[2deuce]

I'm not purest enough to say I don't like bobbed trucks, but I don't like the M105 bed on them. The lines are wrong and the fenders look ridiculous over those huge tires. I also like big tires but those are too big for me. They look great on a Hemtt. For me a cutdown 5 ton bed would be a big improvement and the way I would go, or a flatbed like Wreckerman suggested. I'm crazy for military trucks, but it doesn't look anything close like the military would build. Sorry I don't like it and I'm also sorry if my views offended anyone.