looking for a Deuce

[dobyg75]

Im new to ss and looking for a duece i have been looking on gov and i have found a few but i am wondering what i need to watch out for like what ae some common problems that deuces have?

 

[Jinx]

Just because a listing says a truck runs, doesn't mean it runs well. It may not have brakes or could dump oil all over the ground. If they say the truck doesn't run, be even more suspicious. The motor could be seized or it just has bad batteries. If there is any way to get out there and check the truck before bidding, then by all means do it.

With all that said, I took a gamble and bought a truck sight unseen. It was located over 1000 miles away and I lucked out with a good truck. Auctions are a gamble. Don't spend more than you can afford and plan to have it towed from wherever it comes from.

Also if you are not in a hurry, watch other auctions to see what trucks generally sell for. Don't go crazy and overspend to try to get a specific truck. You could pay too much and have buyer's remorse. There are still a lot out there and the right one will come along. I must have bid on 10 in various auctions before I got this one.

Just my two cents.

 

[deadboi77]

Good info.As I'm looking to buy my first Duece.Local surplus store has one for sale that I've been eye balling.Good thing,it's only a half hour drive from my house.
They actualy have 2.One with the basic flat bed? no winch for 2500.The other has the canvas cover and a witch,I think was 4500

 

[dobyg75]

thanks but do you know of anything that i need to worry about when i purchase one?

 

[Jinx]

Prices sound reasonable to me. Winch trucks always fetch more than non-winch models, and the troop seats and canvas is a nice addition for the more expensive truck.

Best thing about private party is being able to thoroughly inspect the trucks before buying. See if he will let you test drive them and Make sure that the guy has the proper paperwork to title them.

 

[Jinx]

thanks but do you know of anything that i need to worry about when i purchase one?

These trucks are like over sized cars. Same problems with cars can happen to these trucks. Dry/worn out seals can cause fluid leaks, bearings can fail, tires could dry rot just from sitting. My truck only had 7500 miles on it since it was rebuilt in 1991 and the seat's canvas had become so brittle it fell apart when I sat in the truck. The foam padding behind it was hard and turned to powder.

The up side with the trucks is that they are very easy to work on. No electronics. Everything is mechanical and all the technical manuals are on this site. All you need is some large tools.

 

[dobyg75]

now how will i know if the truck was rebuilt?

 

[Jinx]

There is a plate usually on the dash that says it was rebuilt on XX date.

Here's a photo of the rebuild plate on my truck. It's the plate in the bottom right corner.

 

[dobyg75]

I have noticed that a lot of deuces have head gasket leaks my buddy has that issue his is a 1970 jeep is this common on deues that have not been rebuilt?