MO MV man
New member
- 397
- 4
- 0
- Location
- Imperial, MO
Hello all!
First, a big thanks to all who gave me input here on SS.
Couldn't have done it without you!
A big thanks to my brothers for stopping by to lend a hand with the HEAVY stuff and my buddy's service truck crane to get the bed off and on.
In the course of a week of vacation, I worked from the time I dropped my daughter off at day camp until supper, sometimes bedtime, I performed the mod.
Of course Mother Nature gave me the hottest week of summer to do what I was doing. I lost some weight from the colossal amount of sweating and water intake.
Anyway, it was a VERY straightforward project.
Here are few highlights.
The Bed:
I knew I'd be shortening the stock bed (I love the original deuce look more than an M105 or M101 bed).
I did that by cutting off the tailgate section, then a piece of the bed to give me 3 feet shorter.
Welded the tailgate section back on.
Shortened the troop seat wood and put all it's brackets back on.
Yes, the troop seats are fully functional, only 3 feet shorter.
The Frame:
Again, very straightforward......3 feet shorter.
In the pursuit of keeping it "original deuce looking", I retained the pintle hook, bumperettes and taillight brackets.
The rear suspension:
Front Deuce suspension from Rodney Fultz.
Again, VERY straightforward.
I moved the axle back 2 inches to center it in the bed length.
Measure 10 times, drill and mount once. No worries.
Rear driveshaft:
I reused the stock front driveshaft.
I only moved the axle back 2 inches and there is PLENTY of splineage in the slip yoke to accomdate that.
Wheels and tires:
By far the most expensive part of the project but worth every penny.
Rodney Fultz again. VERY fair prices and shipping!
The HEMTT wheels and the 395 XML's are VERY easy to mount and inflate.
MUCH dish soap and take your time.
The take a long time to inflate.
I ended up using an over the road truck large bore valve stem recommended by an SS member. VERY NICE!
I'm positively thrilled with the results.
It's worlds easier to maneuver.
Driving it to the store is a piece of cake now.
Took it to work yesterday.
In all seriousness, I had about $300-350 in the bob-cost of the front suspension.
The big wheels and tires were the biggest expense (isn't that the case with ANY car or truck project? ha ha ha) at about $2200.
Again, a BIG thanks to SS!!![[thumbzup]](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumzup.gif "Thumbs Up [thumbzup]")
First, a big thanks to all who gave me input here on SS.
Couldn't have done it without you!
A big thanks to my brothers for stopping by to lend a hand with the HEAVY stuff and my buddy's service truck crane to get the bed off and on.
In the course of a week of vacation, I worked from the time I dropped my daughter off at day camp until supper, sometimes bedtime, I performed the mod.
Of course Mother Nature gave me the hottest week of summer to do what I was doing. I lost some weight from the colossal amount of sweating and water intake.
Anyway, it was a VERY straightforward project.
Here are few highlights.
The Bed:
I knew I'd be shortening the stock bed (I love the original deuce look more than an M105 or M101 bed).
I did that by cutting off the tailgate section, then a piece of the bed to give me 3 feet shorter.
Welded the tailgate section back on.
Shortened the troop seat wood and put all it's brackets back on.
Yes, the troop seats are fully functional, only 3 feet shorter.
The Frame:
Again, very straightforward......3 feet shorter.
In the pursuit of keeping it "original deuce looking", I retained the pintle hook, bumperettes and taillight brackets.
The rear suspension:
Front Deuce suspension from Rodney Fultz.
Again, VERY straightforward.
I moved the axle back 2 inches to center it in the bed length.
Measure 10 times, drill and mount once. No worries.
Rear driveshaft:
I reused the stock front driveshaft.
I only moved the axle back 2 inches and there is PLENTY of splineage in the slip yoke to accomdate that.
Wheels and tires:
By far the most expensive part of the project but worth every penny.
Rodney Fultz again. VERY fair prices and shipping!
The HEMTT wheels and the 395 XML's are VERY easy to mount and inflate.
MUCH dish soap and take your time.
The take a long time to inflate.
I ended up using an over the road truck large bore valve stem recommended by an SS member. VERY NICE!
I'm positively thrilled with the results.
It's worlds easier to maneuver.
Driving it to the store is a piece of cake now.
Took it to work yesterday.
In all seriousness, I had about $300-350 in the bob-cost of the front suspension.
The big wheels and tires were the biggest expense (isn't that the case with ANY car or truck project? ha ha ha) at about $2200.
Again, a BIG thanks to SS!!
