Initial shake down trip of a new-to-me XM818

[98G]

I got the truck at auction as a dead truck quite some time ago and towbarred it to KS. I just recently got the time to go through it and make it roadworthy.

Batteries, fluids, and above all brakes. No pedal at all. Right to the floor.

New batteries and a bit of wiring got it running.

Filled the master cylinder and bled the brakes. Bled the master cylinder dry and got to do it all over again.

The park brake looked like it had brand new linings except the inner lining was split and missing half. My conclusion is it rusted to the drum and then snapped off half the lining when it failed to release and the truck was moved. So, new lining for the park brake....

Went to run it around in the field and see if the park brake was dragging. Buried it to the axles and spent an evening getting it out. (Pics and details elsewhere)

Spent hours removing the mud and washing it.

Then the day of the trip was upon us. Step one was to release the snapping turtle I had picked up off the road in KS.

(Edit to add pics)

 

[98G]

Step two was 360 miles in the drivers seat. 2200rpm and 53mph on 11.00R20 G286s.

Jeep wrangler as a chase vehicle.

 

[98G]

Some things just shouldn't be combined...

 

[gimpyrobb]

Looks like your comin out to haspin!


Sweet ill save you a spot

 

[marchplumber]

Weellll, anything shake out? LOL

 

[tobyS]

Some things just shouldn't be combined...

View attachment 766863

View attachment 766864

When you get that camper painted green it will be a fine combination. How about some HMMWV wheels and 37s to bring it up just a bit (kidding).

 

[silverstate55]

When you get that camper painted green it will be a fine combination. How about some HMMWV wheels and 37s to bring it up just a bit (kidding).

Or a quick spring-over-axle flip....

So is this the new traveling home for the 98G family? Giving the Jeep a rest from towing?

 

[BKubu]

That is a really nice looking M818!

 

[cattlerepairman]

How did you hook up the camper to the military 3.5 inch 5th wheel? I always thought you had to have a civy 5th wheel hitch.

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

 

[98G]

How did you hook up the camper to the military 3.5 inch 5th wheel? I always thought you had to have a civy 5th wheel hitch.

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

M818's, M52A2's, and M931's have 2" 5th wheel hitches. (Others too I'm sure, but these are what I have put eyes on.)

 

[98G]

And so it continues....

Yesterday I drove it from Hannibal MO to Washington KS.

Today I'm doing the last minute loading and hooking up to the M129A4 and departing for AZ, with a stop in Guymon OK to meet up with 155MM and a stop in Socorro NM to work on a buddy's M923.

It's hot.... can't wait to get to the desert where at least a wet towel is adequate cooling. Here in KS a wet towel is just a hot wet towel. 115* in Cave Creek isn't as bad as 90* here.

 

[aghumvee]

And so it continues....

Yesterday I drove it from Hannibal MO to Washington KS.

Today I'm doing the last minute loading and hooking up to the M129A4 and departing for AZ, with a stop in Guymon OK to meet up with 155MM and a stop in Socorro NM to work on a buddy's M923.

It's hot.... can't wait to get to the desert where at least a wet towel is adequate cooling. Here in KS a wet towel is just a hot wet towel. 115* in Cave Creek isn't as bad as 90* here.


View attachment 772987

View attachment 772988

View attachment 772989

I spotted you on I70 when you were almost to Salina. Looked Awesome!
Andrew

 

[98G]

Despite having gone through it thoroughly in June and paying special attention to the brakes, I lost the brakes entirely, entirely without warning. Pedal to the floor, no response.

No crash. No damage. No injuries. Downshifting got me slow enough that my newly installed park brake stopped it.

Bleeding the brakes restored pedal and apparently restored full functionality. I didn't get any noticeable amount of air out of any of the bleeders.

Obviously this is a bandaid fix on a symptom of a more subtle problem. I'm stopped in Socorro NM until it has been resolved to my satisfaction. I dont yet understand what happened and "anything that you dont understand is dangerous until you do".

My suspicion is the air pack. I'll be disassembling it for inspection and rebuilding/replacing as appropriate.

 

[Lovetofix]

Someone more experienced please correct me if I am wrong.
From what I understand of the M809 series brake system “no pedal” (pedal goes to the floor) will be air in the system somewhere, brake fluid escaping somewhere, or master cylinder problems. The air pack just provides “boost,” even with zero air pressure you still have “pedal” and brakes if you press the pedal hard enough with both feet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[98G]

Someone more experienced please correct me if I am wrong.
From what I understand of the M809 series brake system “no pedal” (pedal goes to the floor) will be air in the system somewhere, brake fluid escaping somewhere, or master cylinder problems. The air pack just provides “boost,” even with zero air pressure you still have “pedal” and brakes if you press the pedal hard enough with both feet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I concur.

The air pack provides a place for fluid to escape, and a source from which air can enter. Unless I'm missing something (which is entirely possible)

 

[wrenchturner6238]

I see this combo entering in to Liberal Ks on 54 hwy and I was wandering who it was guess I now know. Looked like you were getting along pretty well. 155MM is good guy and a nice m916

 

[fasttruck]

Post 10: add M915 which also have a 48" fifth wheel instead of 60" like a M818 etc.

 

[CNC2013]

If you're coming up I25 towards ABQ and need anything let me know.

 

[98G]

Some pictures from final destination- XM818 is parked and I'm taking the redtruck back to KS...

 

[Lovetofix]

Since I am driving an 809 series regularly on steep hills, I am curious what you found was the cause for your loss of brakes. I am in the process of replacing everything in the brake circuit, except the air pack. It has been functioning perfectly normally but maybe I need to rethink that decision. I do not know what the inside of one looks like, and didn’t think about seals failing in the air pack and making a place for fluid to escape.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk