How long will the M35 remain in service?

[halftrack]

I would have to agree with Bruce. The reason I would like an A3 is so my wife could drive it. She would probably kill people with the stick version.

 

[tmbrwolf]

Info that I have received is that all the M35 series (except A3's) stock numbers have been "obsoleted" all units are supposed to turn them in, here in Kansas the KSARNG has started to turn them in mass!

 

[BKubu]

The only unknown factor in the equation is how quickly DRMS/GL can liquidate the trucks. Just based on the volume of trucks coming out so far this year, and also based on things such as the last poster's info, I'd say the end is near.

 

[jpinst]

Does that mean some units will be holding on to the A3's for a little while longer? Or maybe to use them for the shop van platform?

 

[Recovry4x4]

Here's another thought to ponder. Since we are coming to the end of an era, the G-742, wonder how much longer GMA will be making covers for them and the M105. At least the -A3 is still in the pipeline. Are the 809 series on a crash course with demise as well?

 

[BKubu]

Take this for what it is worth...a rumor from a fairly well placed source...but I heard from the same guy that told me about the M35s and related variants being out of the system by early next year, that all of the M809 series trucks will be out of the system by early 2010. I suspect that vehicle sales will slow substantially once the M44s and M809s are gone. Heck, vehicle sales might stop altogether if info from the other post (end to DEMIL B&Q sales) is correct. People can either choose to believe this information, like I do, or choose to believe they know better. Either way, please understand that the flow of M44 series trucks and M809 series trucks is going to end eventually.

 

[nattieleather]

Last septmber (07) I met a USAR unit that was getting deployed to Iraq. They were at Camp Perry to range qualify prior to deployment. They had four or five A3s. According to their NCO they had just been issued the trucks in June of 07. So I'd have to think that A3s will be in service for a few more years. Just that there were not as many A3s made as there were A2s...so I do think the A2s are at the end and the A3s will be in service for a couple more years before they are sold off.

 

[BKubu]

Out of all of the M35A3s that have been released over the last few years, I can only remember one truck that was truly in rough shape. If they are just integrating the A3s into the Reserve and National Guard units, why are such cherry trucks coming out? The trucks that came out of PA recently were some of the nicest deuces that I have ever seen. They truly looked like recent rebuilds. I don't think I've ever seen one with more than 13K miles. If they are cutting loose these trucks, I'd say that the USAR unit you saw will get papers to turn the A3s in as soon as the FMTVs start trickling down more frequently. This is my speculation...but, I will add that the rumor I mentioned above came from a source that I trust. I realize you guys don't know him and that is why I suggested that people take this "rumor" with a grain of salt. No matter how you look at it, once the original M35A2s and variants are out of the system, vehicle sales almost have to slow down.

 

[emmado22]

With the FMTV, the whole overall plan is to "purefleet" units with FMTV...

While the M35A3 has plenty of service time left in it, it is NOT a FMTV, and will be disposed of as replacement FMTV's come off the line.

Having 98% of the same family of vehicles and parts is GREAT from a maintaince standpoint.. the other 2% trucks always turn into "hard to get parts for" maintaince nightmares.

the M35A2/3 family's days are VERY numbered.............

 

[halftrack]

I was told 20,000 M35A2s were made into A3s (or like the army guy told me, 20,000 M35A2s were ruined.)

 

[halftrack]

I believe this should answer everyones question. Its lengthy but explains the Armys plans and gives hard numbers on not only how many M35a2s they will have but 5 tons too.,

http://armedservices.house.gov/comdocs/reports/2005exereports/05-05-23NGRER%
20FY%202006.pdf

Here is the updated report.

http://preview.defenselink.mil/ra/documents/NGRER FY 2008.pdf

And this is what pres. Clinton gave away in 1997. Just think of all the years since then.

http://www.fas.org/asmp/library/asm/asm35_deals.htm


It shouldn't be considered rumor anymore or a mysterious question. Here it is above, from the Army's own mouth.

 

[halftrack]

Quote:
Cambodian soldiers look at U.S. M35A2 GMC cargo trucks during a handing over ceremony at Cambodia air base June 2, 2008. The U.S. donated 31 M35A2 GMC cargo trucks to the Royal Cambodia Arm Force (RCAF). The U.S. foreign ministry financing program has pledged $413.000 to deliver a total of 60 cargo trucks ,said U.S embassy spokesman Jeff Daigle. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea (CAMBODIA)

 

[oifvet]

This is kind of an uncomfortable topic. Must we continue?

 

[SCSG-G4]

There was another thread that mentioned the reason for retiring all the M35 series was the EPA wanted all the polluting vehicles (read M35's) out of inventory quickly (this was in the 1980s, mind you). The Army wanted to re-do 3000 truck engines a year for five years (15000 total), but EPA said no, only 300 could be done, period. So the Army went shopping for a new medium and heavy truck. Instead of having all the trucks converted to lower polluting engines in five years, it's taken the Army close to 20. Bureaucrats in action!

 

[NEIOWA]

I believe the M35A3 is going to be around for a while longer in the form of M109A4 shop van. This is from a FY2008 reserve equipment report I pilled off the net.

"iii. Sustainment Initiatives

The following initiatives are examples of how the Army Reserve has partnered with
industry to design and implement total rebuild and refurbishment programs.
The M109A4 Shop Van Truck (LIN X62340/X62477) is
designed to function as a mobile repair shop van that can also be
used to transport special equipment requiring protection from
dirt, dust, and moisture. In February 2000, the Army Reserve
successfully completed two M109A4 Shop Van Proof of
Principle upgrades at their Installation Materiel Maintenance
Activity facility at Fort McCoy, WI. The Army Reserve utilizes
the Maintenance Training Program to modify these shop vans.
The original M109A3 bodies were removed from their M35A2 truck chassis. The chassis
underwent an extended service program, while the van body was disassembled, modified, and upgraded, before reinstalling it onto the 2½-ton extended service program M35A3 chassis, thus creating the new M109A4 configuration. The program is about 88 percent completed. "

I will post the whole report. Its actually kind of interesting.

Or not. 9ea M109A4 shop vans now listed DRMO Fr McCoy. And 6ea Letterkenny, 4ea Ogden, UT


McCoy say have some 100 35A3 series they are disposing of. Hopefully all these don't go to the Phillipines. Why Rural Vol FD are not snapping these up???

 

[maddawg308]

Why Rural Vol FD are not snapping these up???

Cuz they are ugly and noone likes them.

 

[Warren Lovell]

A sgt major at camp.pendleton told me all disel vehicles that do not comply with the emissions requirements for new disels will be surplused.

 

[CARNAC]

Or not. 9ea M109A4 shop vans now listed DRMO Fr McCoy. And 6ea Letterkenny, 4ea Ogden, UT


McCoy say have some 100 35A3 series they are disposing of. Hopefully all these don't go to the Phillipines. Why Rural Vol FD are not snapping these up???

You would need to ask the VFD's why for sure but I would think ease of maintenance and carrying capacity would be reasons. The M35A2 is a whole lot easier to maintain (and also the 800 series 5 ton). Water is a lot of weight and if your going more modern, why not go up to a higher capacity.

Just my opinion.

 

[lonegunman]

I'm sure the US military will work overtime to get rid of them over the next ten years and create a fairy-dust and solar powered hippy truck. They have a near endless revenue stream and can afford to squander billions on junk nobody wants or needs to appease people.

On the other hand, you see M35's of all stripes in other militaries and in use as cargo haulers for many small countries around the world. I'm sure as they wear out they will be re-engined or rebuilt many times. It is to good a truck to simply throw away because of a little diesel smoke.

 

[SEAFIRE]

You would need to ask the VFD's why for sure but I would think ease of maintenance and carrying capacity would be reasons. The M35A2 is a whole lot easier to maintain (and also the 800 series 5 ton). Water is a lot of weight and if your going more modern, why not go up to a higher capacity.

Just my opinion.

Well, There are quite a few VFD's in Texas running M35A3's now. They are available from the DRMO and the Texas Forest Service is giving away only A3's now.
The DRMO had A2's cheap ( $200 and up ) up until a few months ago, now only A3's and 900 series 5-tons.

We're sticking with the A2 for now because we have tons of parts, extra engines, etc. I don't see any A3 specific parts at the DRMO yards yet and the Forest Service yard in Lufkin only has A2 parts as well

pic is of an A3 brush truck someshere in NW texas, was emailed to me.