Gear Head
New member
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- Location
- Christiana, TN
Hey guys. So I've been shopping around and looked at several trucks. Both 2.5 and 5 ton models. Luckily there are a few around me. I haven't driven any yet but sat in a few. Here is what I want to do. I would like to have a knuckle boom behind the cab and convert the bed to dump. Also want a drop side bed for loading cargo with my forks. Obviously hydraulic power will be a neccesity. I read Mudguppy's thread about changing a PTO winch to hydraulic and thought that would be a good start for fluid power. Might could even add remote connections at the back like a tractor for auxillary equipment.
My question is will a duece fit the bill or will I (should I) go with a 5 ton? I've been around both like I said and I prefer the size of the 2.5 for ease of loading and the multifuel availability. I did read on here somewhere about letting a multifuel idle to run a hydraulic pump wasn't a good idea though. I think I'm correct in thinking the newer 9 series 5 ton truck already have hydraulic power and are straight diesel so that may be a better route for me.
I just want to have a whole plan with things that are going to work well together before I start and find out I made a costly mistake. I know guys do this with most every series truck out there as I've read several build threads but I haven't really seen comparisons of the pros and cons of each truck for this type of modification.
Would a dump truck like a M51 be a good candidate because of the hydraulic power already there maybe? I can get a ready to go mechanically one of those for $8500 but that's more than I'd like to spend.
Any input will be appreciated.
Trucks I have looked at so far;
M35 WO/W, drop sides, soft top, road worthy. $3500
M35 W/W, hard top, non drop sides, little rougher than above. $4500.
M927 WO/W, hard top, cargo cover drop sides of course, very good condition. $8500
My question is will a duece fit the bill or will I (should I) go with a 5 ton? I've been around both like I said and I prefer the size of the 2.5 for ease of loading and the multifuel availability. I did read on here somewhere about letting a multifuel idle to run a hydraulic pump wasn't a good idea though. I think I'm correct in thinking the newer 9 series 5 ton truck already have hydraulic power and are straight diesel so that may be a better route for me.
I just want to have a whole plan with things that are going to work well together before I start and find out I made a costly mistake. I know guys do this with most every series truck out there as I've read several build threads but I haven't really seen comparisons of the pros and cons of each truck for this type of modification.
Would a dump truck like a M51 be a good candidate because of the hydraulic power already there maybe? I can get a ready to go mechanically one of those for $8500 but that's more than I'd like to spend.
Any input will be appreciated.
Trucks I have looked at so far;
M35 WO/W, drop sides, soft top, road worthy. $3500
M35 W/W, hard top, non drop sides, little rougher than above. $4500.
M927 WO/W, hard top, cargo cover drop sides of course, very good condition. $8500
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