M35A3 Question

[renovate7]

I bought one of the A3's that sold at Warner Robins yesterday. All I can say about the pricing is, Wow! When I bought my A2 several years ago the A3's were all over $10K. The 4 yesterday went from $3.2K to $4.6K plus buyers premium. I talked to the GL manager and they have 50 more to go before the end of the year... My A3 has 3848 miles and 123 hours. It is also coming with a bad front tire. What is the tire size and who has them? Also where can I get manuals for this?...I've read all the threads about A3's as I gear up for a recovery. I'm in Lakeland Florida near Tampa so not to bad a drive. I'm going to drive up next week and "visit" with it for a once over while my EUC clears.

 

[XanRa]

everything is availible just ask around, and keep track of the classifieds

 

[eldgenb]

the tires are 14.5 /80r20 I believe, I know the 14.5 part is right its the other I am not too sure on, call around to some of the local surplus guys and try to find one.

 

[AceHigh]

Go to this site:

Army Military Tires

and look in the XL Michelin catagory for 14.5R20 XL

They are heavy! Congrats on the new ride, enjoy!

 

[KsM715]

Let me be the first.

 

[velociT]

You gotta let us know if you get the full paperwork history in a manilla envelope on the seat.

 

[rchalmers3]

Congrats on the winning bid and best wishes with the GL experience. I hope your truck is everything you hope it to be. Someday I'll graduate from the A2 to the A3. Until then I'll be satisfied you are enjoying yours!!!

Rick

 

[lonegunman]

You can download the manuals from the .mil pubs website. I have all of them on a thumb drive if you cannot find them, send me a PM with an email address and I will send them to you.

I'd swear there is a local guy in Tampa with surplus tires, but if you have a spare you are in business.

I bought mine down the road at Ft. Gillem. It was running with two brand new steer tires and 6K miles. I had the Cat guys service the truck and drove it home to Washington state the following week.

If you get the truck, you might need batts, but they prolly work. If you ask the GL guy nicely, they might go start it for you and have it charged up. Mine said," starts and runs" and I asked that it be started and running when I picked it up. Since that was the condition I purchased it in.

Don't plan on driving fast, an A3 is comfortable at between 48-50mph. Anything faster is bouncy or high revving. A Cat dealer will have the fuel and oil filters in stock if you need them, I changed mine but they looked fine. The alternator belt could be dry rotted and it is a pain in the a$$ to find. Check with Eriks Military Surplus if you think you need one. Bring a lock for the steering wheel chain to secure your deuce.

The worst thing most guys find is the insulation in the roof is rotten and that dry dusty crap falling out of it will kill your eyes, either remove it or smack it til the dust stops falling out or you might go blind to drive it home. Mine killed me for two days before I got it handled.

Congrats, I love my A3, it runs like a champ.

 

[AceHigh]

The worst thing most guys find is the insulation in the roof is rotten and that dry dusty crap falling out of it will kill your eyes, either remove it or smack it til the dust stops falling out or you might go blind to drive it home. Mine killed me for two days before I got it handled.

Truer words were never spoken! I am still finding bits of the foam in places like the windshield wiper motor.

 

[DUECE-COUPE]

the tire size is 14.50X20. the 395/85/R20s fit the rim, but for the AWESOME look, 14.00X20 Good years make the truck look great and they won't rub, stop to stop. check with PC TRANS for the tires, he is here on S/S. do you have a spare??

 

[DUECE-COUPE]

the 14.00x20 will only fit it if you bob it. they a re too tall for standard duece. the rears rub

 

[renovate7]

I've found tires at Berg Tire in North Carolina. He says he has many and the price is right. He also advertises these on Ebay...I'm now looking for manuals, 10/20/34. I need them in printed form, it's to laborious to try and read them on a computer screen. I'm old school and prefer flipping pages, back and forth, as needed. I'm going to start a new thread looking for these. Any help appreciated...Funny thing. I'm have my usual table today at the Lakeland Rifle and Pistol Club show in Lakeland Florida. This is the largest/best/oldest show in Fl. There is a guy who has started bringing GI surplus trailers and selling them. I talked to him today and he is getting them thru GL. I found out he also bought on of the A3's at the same auction. I told him I'd take a look at his while I'm up there this week and report back to him. Small world.

 

[rat4spd]

I'm not overly surprised of the price. I just got back from turning one in today. We drove five out of 12, and although they are all low mileage and look very good, they've all been to Iraq at least twice.

I will say however, there is no way on earth I'd trade my A2 with an LDS for an A3. They are pigs. Very slow, very slow acceleration, and the air assist steering doesn't really impress me. I do like the brakes though.

Good luck.

 

[Ord22]

congrads renovate 7! awesome trucks. need pics.

 

[Mark3395]

The decayed cab covers are indeed a pain... the dry rotted foam disintegrates and blows into your eyes when you drive about 35. Best bet is to take some $4 goggles with you then tear it out and vacuum ASAP at a car wash.

Congrats on your find. I don't mind the slow speed, and just think the reliability is higher than an older 'a2.

 

[DUECE-COUPE]

i got a 10 manual in a green binder. almost new. let me know