Need some hive collective knowledge re: M35a3.

[kblazer87]

Ok, I am going to check out an m35a3 and was hoping to garner some quick pointers from the A3 gurus prior. I did several searches and my head is hurting from reading through everything on my phone. Don't have pics or any knowledge of the truck other than it runs and has a title.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

 

[Warthog]

The check valve on the fuel tank likes to rust closed causing a no fuel situation.

There is no in tank fuel pump so bleeding/priming the fuel system takes some work.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?115762-M35A3-No-Start-Lost-Prime

 

[armytruck63]

Not a great highway truck in stock form due to no overdrive. Bigger tires will help some.

 

[m109a2]

Get a a2

 

[wreckerman893]

They were "Frankentrucks" that were designed by idiots after consulting with morons.

Slower than a regular deuce.

Uglier than a red headed stepchild.

Anything with a yaller motor in it is a prospective money pit.

Some of the parts are made of "unobtainum" and cost a war pension.

Get a real deuce or a 900 series 5 ton.

 

[The HUlk]

They were "Frankentrucks" that were designed by idiots after consulting with morons.

Slower than a regular deuce.

Uglier than a red headed stepchild.

Anything with a yaller motor in it is a prospective money pit.

Some of the parts are made of "unobtainum" and cost a war pension.

Get a real deuce or a 900 series 5 ton.

This post may save you a trip to NJ.

 

[kblazer87]

Wow, not a lot of love being shown for the A3s. I already have an M275 and just sold my 5 ton so just looking for something else for a bit. I like the buying and selling of them as much as the owning of MVs, so not real worried about speed as much as the problems and pitfalls common to the A3s in particular as it looks like I am going to get skunked on the auctions today and tomorrow.

 

[Scar59]

They are not bad trucks, pretty cool considering the modifications. The Cat engines run like a watch and its fast enough for my purposes. There is an A3 w/w parked at my place that's for sale. Storing it for a bud.

 

[kblazer87]

There is an A3 w/w parked at my place that's for sale. Storing it for a bud.

What is he wanting for it if you don't mind me asking? PM if you would like. Make sure we don't break any rules.

 

[rustystud]

I agree with most here that the A3 is a hard truck to keep and maintain since there are so many parts that cost so very much to work on. The CAT engine is a good engine, not great but good. There are far better CAT engines they could have used. The problem is the price of CAT parts. They are on average over 3 times the average price of any other diesel engine. I know as I have worked on all the other engines and CAT's for years now. The Alison transmission is a good unit, but without the overdrive it is a very limiting transmission except for back-roads driving. Body parts are also extremely expensive. Try pricing out a front turn signal housing. All I can say is "OUCH" !!!
But if you want something different then the usual Deuce then the A3 fits the bill just fine.

 

[Tracer]

They were "Frankentrucks" that were designed by idiots after consulting with morons.

Slower than a regular deuce.

Uglier than a red headed stepchild.

Anything with a yaller motor in it is a prospective money pit.

Some of the parts are made of "unobtainum" and cost a war pension.

Get a real deuce or a 900 series 5 ton.

This is why so many M35A3s are for sale with under 10,000 miles on the odometer. Butt ugly too.

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

My first MV, except for the 52 MPH screaming at 28-2900 rpm, I like it a lot. My wife's favorite of all my toys. I agree though with many, I like the 5 tons better particularly the A2 models.