M543A2 finally home from drum. Thanks Doghead.

[joshuaz223]

finally got the ok to pick up the wrecker from Ft Drum and the weather decided to give us a break and temps were up to 9. better than the -30 of last years recovery. we first installed a battery tray with new batteries, checked and topped off the fluids and putt on new generator belts. it took three small shots of ether to get the the motor to stay running but it cleared right up with very little smoke.we then checked the tire pressure and made sure everything on the truck was secure. first few miles were rough until the tires started to warm up and become rounder. stopped at the Tilted Kilt to reward Doghead with lunch and a view. that was our only problem of the trip. truck would not restart. after three attempts i pulled the kill out to see if there was any resistance and sure enough there wasn't. so DH opened up the access cover and i crawled up on the struck and reached in and pushed the kill back in. DH then pressed the start switch and it fired right up.

overall the trip went well and the truck was much better than i expected. Dh said we got to 52 mph. which was a surprise to me as the spedo didn't work and the engine would not exceed 2500 rpm. felt a lot slower.

now that its home we will do a complete service and inspection. then play with it. looking forward to abusing something with it. here are some pics.

 

[197thhhc]

Thats an awesome truck. I drove a 543 when I was at Ft Benning. Such good memories. I hope you enjoy it.

 

[DieselBob]

Good to hear all went well. Nice score

 

[hilber]

You did make DH pay. right?

 

[F18hornetM]

Awesome truck. it still amazes me how much old stuff is still in the system.

 

[camp9]

Cool truck,

 

[RodUSMC1962]

Where is Ft DRUM,NY state?

 

[joshuaz223]

watertown, N.Y. about 60 miles north of syracuse. home of 10th mtn div.

 

[RodUSMC1962]

Thanks joshz,we picked up a mighty mite in Buffalo a couple of years back,real nice country.

 

[zout]

DH is a straight up person - I thoroughly enjoyed our business dealings and our slight times we get to hang out at the rally.

Did ya make him wear his wig in the truck and squeel like a banchie on the trip ?

Great looking MV.

 

[joshuaz223]

Is that a wig? i thought those were his real side burns. i figured the crappy voice was from being dead so long, even the king has to decompose a little.

played with the truck a little, checked out the winches and boom control. moves around nicely and quietly. both hand throttles are stuck and all the outriggers are stuck in. pulled one out today with a come-a-long. put it on the bench and tore it apart then cleaned and lubed it. a little rusty and old frozen grease. works well now. three to go.

the required pics.

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

**** that looks sweet. I so want a wrecker. What were the damages to the wallet if you don't mind?

 

[joshuaz223]

$5452.15 down payment. unknown monthly payments.

 

[tcody]

$5452.15 down payment. unknown monthly payments.

And looks like it is worth every penny!

 

[Blind Driver]

$5452.15 down payment. unknown monthly payments.

That's a good price. Are the hyd hosed rotted out yet? They get really expensive.

 

[joshuaz223]

hyd hoses don't look bad. i have a friend who has all the equipment to make hoses so i can at least keep the price reasonable. all the radiator hoses are very rotten and cracked that will be one of the first things i do.

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

$5452.15 down payment. unknown monthly payments.

No way... Really? 5K for a wrecker? I paid that for my M35A3. I hear you on the payments LOL... Same here, my first monthly payments were new torque rods all around and brake line.
BTW watch those power lines.

 

[rumplecat]

Welcome to the world of the M543, compared to the 816s out there we are a kinda select group. Was it a GL auction win or GSA?

 

[poppop]

I really like mine and I am sure you will find many uses for it.

 

[joshuaz223]

GL