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I’d really like to have a 900 series 5 ton. Driving it in the local parades would be outstanding! Leading the Christmas parade would be, without a doubt, the best parade ever!
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therealquaid
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Guys after these days I’ve met so many deuce and 5 ton owners and they are all such nice people! Makes me feel like what was I doing with my life all these years?
Yesterday I got to drive my first 5 ton and I can definitely see how the steering assist makes it much easier to drive and better for long trips. I also see how living on the road with sometimes no address to ship for parts, the 8.3 Cummins might be easier than the multifuel 465 to source things for, like at big stores.
This one I checked out however is almost 30ft long and would require many more two-point-turns on tight forest roads. I wanted a vehicle 22ft or less like a deuce. My current rig is 23ft and I need something shorter.
To bob is an option since I really only need 8ft ~ 10ft of a frame, but that would be at the expense of traction.
~
**Here’s a question, what do you guys think has more traction in mud/snow/sand:
A bobbed 939 5 ton or a 6x6 M35 2.5 ton?
If I use a composite box habitat and remove the steel cargo bed the weight will be so low that the bobbed 5 ton might benefit from the added traction of distributing the rear weight onto one axle rather than two, therefore increasing traction(?)**
~
The 5 ton I checked out 1992 M34A2 ($19000) belongs to a guy who has worked on trucks for years, he has owned 5 deuces and 2 5 tons this was his third. He drives it almost daily and takes really good care of the truck. all maintenance seems to be up to date and the rig looked very well kept. He sources most of his parts from Boyce and the engine looks spankin new and clean. He recently got 2 new front tires. The slide out habitat is completely useless for my build, he said he could take it off and reduce the price since he can find a buyer for it. I’d love to store something like that but my storage consists of my rv compartments
The only flaws I could find were a torn cab roof, and no rubber padding on the steering wheel. The oil pressure gauge also has a bad sending unit. There is also no spare but since the truck is so long I would need to bob it and that could be my spare.
View attachment 892912
After this one I drove another 100 miles to check out a beat up M35A2 ($8500) which has been almost sitting for 5 years. Owner says it drives fine but I made my way up to him and he had not charged the batteries or checked the tires.
Not much to say about it other than over priced, and a lot of rust and broken glass.
Yesterday I got to drive my first 5 ton and I can definitely see how the steering assist makes it much easier to drive and better for long trips. I also see how living on the road with sometimes no address to ship for parts, the 8.3 Cummins might be easier than the multifuel 465 to source things for, like at big stores.
This one I checked out however is almost 30ft long and would require many more two-point-turns on tight forest roads. I wanted a vehicle 22ft or less like a deuce. My current rig is 23ft and I need something shorter.
To bob is an option since I really only need 8ft ~ 10ft of a frame, but that would be at the expense of traction.
~
**Here’s a question, what do you guys think has more traction in mud/snow/sand:
A bobbed 939 5 ton or a 6x6 M35 2.5 ton?
If I use a composite box habitat and remove the steel cargo bed the weight will be so low that the bobbed 5 ton might benefit from the added traction of distributing the rear weight onto one axle rather than two, therefore increasing traction(?)**
~
The 5 ton I checked out 1992 M34A2 ($19000) belongs to a guy who has worked on trucks for years, he has owned 5 deuces and 2 5 tons this was his third. He drives it almost daily and takes really good care of the truck. all maintenance seems to be up to date and the rig looked very well kept. He sources most of his parts from Boyce and the engine looks spankin new and clean. He recently got 2 new front tires. The slide out habitat is completely useless for my build, he said he could take it off and reduce the price since he can find a buyer for it. I’d love to store something like that but my storage consists of my rv compartments
The only flaws I could find were a torn cab roof, and no rubber padding on the steering wheel. The oil pressure gauge also has a bad sending unit. There is also no spare but since the truck is so long I would need to bob it and that could be my spare.
View attachment 892912After this one I drove another 100 miles to check out a beat up M35A2 ($8500) which has been almost sitting for 5 years. Owner says it drives fine but I made my way up to him and he had not charged the batteries or checked the tires.
Not much to say about it other than over priced, and a lot of rust and broken glass.
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Welcome aboard from Nevada. Good Luck on your search.
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The tan truck has a couple pluses. First off, it’s got a winch. Next, it looks to have a heater system. There’s no cracks visible on the steering wheel. Just from these pictures, it might be worth a second look. Definitely want to start it up and check the electrics.Guys after these days I’ve met so many deuce and 5 ton owners and they are all such nice people! Makes me feel like what was I doing with my life all these years?
Yesterday I got to drive my first 5 ton and I can definitely see how the steering assist makes it much easier to drive and better for long trips. I also see how living on the road with sometimes no address to ship for parts, the 8.3 Cummins might be easier than the multifuel 465 to source things for, like at big stores.
This one I checked out however is almost 30ft long and would require many more two-point-turns on tight forest roads. I wanted a vehicle 22ft or less like a deuce. My current rig is 23ft and I need something shorter.
To bob is an option since I really only need 8ft ~ 10ft of a frame, but that would be at the expense of traction.
~
**Here’s a question, what do you guys think has more traction in mud/snow/sand:
A bobbed 939 5 ton or a 6x6 M35 2.5 ton?
If I use a composite box habitat and remove the steel cargo bed the weight will be so low that the bobbed 5 ton might benefit from the added traction of distributing the rear weight onto one axle rather than two, therefore increasing traction(?)**
~
The 5 ton I checked out 1992 M34A2 ($19000) belongs to a guy who has worked on trucks for years, he has owned 5 deuces and 2 5 tons this was his third. He drives it almost daily and takes really good care of the truck. all maintenance seems to be up to date and the rig looked very well kept. He sources most of his parts from Boyce and the engine looks spankin new and clean. He recently got 2 new front tires. The slide out habitat is completely useless for my build, he said he could take it off and reduce the price since he can find a buyer for it. I’d love to store something like that but my storage consists of my rv compartments
The only flaws I could find were a torn cab roof, and no rubber padding on the steering wheel. The oil pressure gauge also has a bad sending unit. There is also no spare but since the truck is so long I would need to bob it and that could be my spare.
View attachment 892911View attachment 892912View attachment 892913View attachment 892914View attachment 892915View attachment 892916View attachment 892917
After this one I drove another 100 miles to check out a beat up M35A2 ($8500) which has been almost sitting for 5 years. Owner says it drives fine but I made my way up to him and he had not charged the batteries or checked the tires.
Not much to say about it other than over priced, and a lot of rust and broken glass.
View attachment 892919View attachment 892920View attachment 892921
that five ton needs a different steering wheel. That just don’t look right. Other than that, it looks just like one I test drove a bunch of years ago. Decisions, decisions, LOl.
therealquaid
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The tan truck isn’t necessarily a BAD truck, but it’s been neglected for years. Even the owner didn’t care much for it and the vehicle showed neglect. Just as a comparison I saw those 2 Deuces in Los Angeles only asking for $1500 more on my first day and both had everything working and have been used and driven recently. That tan one drove only a few times in 10 years, and the winch was never used. The cargo bed also had deep damage on what it looked like all of the side support beams, the windows wouldn’t shut and the door hinge was broken. Since I have a constrained time frame to make my build I’d go for the fully functional ones in LA when just comparing to this one.
therealquaid
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The next day I drove 4hrs to New Mexico, tested a deuce and had some bomb mexican food.
This 1965 M35A2C ($15000) is high on my priority list because it is used a lot. It’s used to haul wood in negative digit temps in the winter and tow his 33’ camper in the summer, He has also towed another deuce across state, etc. This is the truck that has been used the most from all the ones I’ve seen, so as far as I’m concerned it seems to be the most roadworthy and closest to what I need.
The owner has owned fixed up and sold 14 deuces and 5 5 tons, this was his personal one owned for 12 years, now doesn’t need the truck.
Over this time he has gone through everything on the truck, it looked pretty damn flawless and well taken care of other than it currently needs new knucle boots and an alignment. Not only has he changed everything it needed to keep running well every weekend, but as a personal fun project he put in a low hour multifuel engine and new tranny, new t-case, locking hubs, electric windshield wipers, new seat upholstery, HEMTT wheels, personnel heater Garwood PTO winch and more. It also includes some springs and all the wrenches for working on the truck.
The old engine and tranny it had were still working well, he’ll include them for $1200.
The only things it needs from my look are an alignment and knuckle boots. The shifting felt less easy to get in gear compared to some other deuces, but not feeling broken.
This 1965 M35A2C ($15000) is high on my priority list because it is used a lot. It’s used to haul wood in negative digit temps in the winter and tow his 33’ camper in the summer, He has also towed another deuce across state, etc. This is the truck that has been used the most from all the ones I’ve seen, so as far as I’m concerned it seems to be the most roadworthy and closest to what I need.
The owner has owned fixed up and sold 14 deuces and 5 5 tons, this was his personal one owned for 12 years, now doesn’t need the truck.
Over this time he has gone through everything on the truck, it looked pretty damn flawless and well taken care of other than it currently needs new knucle boots and an alignment. Not only has he changed everything it needed to keep running well every weekend, but as a personal fun project he put in a low hour multifuel engine and new tranny, new t-case, locking hubs, electric windshield wipers, new seat upholstery, HEMTT wheels, personnel heater Garwood PTO winch and more. It also includes some springs and all the wrenches for working on the truck.
The old engine and tranny it had were still working well, he’ll include them for $1200.
The only things it needs from my look are an alignment and knuckle boots. The shifting felt less easy to get in gear compared to some other deuces, but not feeling broken.
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Nice! Spin on filters, heater, standard trailer hitch, fiberglass troop seats, winch and fording kit, wow! I think you found a winner!
therealquaid
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About the roughness getting into gear, I figured it could be:
- Low oil in the transmission
- New transmission
- The gears are actually grinding
The owner was very detailed and keeps the truck in top condition even making sure the tires have good pressure when he’s not driving, so I find it unlikely that he let the fluids level low, and the transmission he put in 5 years ago, could it be trouble??
I believe there’s a plug underneath the truck that is magnetized, and if the gears were grinding there would probably be metal shavings collected on that plug. Not sure where to find this plug however because I’m a nube
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It could be the clutch adjustment.
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.About the roughness getting into gear, I figured it could be:
- Low oil in the transmission
- New transmission
- The gears are actually grinding
The owner was very detailed and keeps the truck in top condition even making sure the tires have good pressure when he’s not driving, so I find it unlikely that he let the fluids level low, and the transmission he put in 5 years ago, could it be trouble??
I believe there’s a plug underneath the truck that is magnetized, and if the gears were grinding there would probably be metal shavings collected on that plug. Not sure where to find this plug however because I’m a nube
The plug would be on the bottom or possibly bottom side of the transmission.
Most times, the plug would be a half inch square drive that you could easily remove with a ratchet.
Thing is grinding gears is an obvious sound - and you would feel the grind through your hand with it on the shifter.
@Tracer 's suggestion about adjusting the clutch is worth looking at for sure.
Easy to do too.
.
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I need that ladder and that crank sitting inside of that expansible van...Guys after these days I’ve met so many deuce and 5 ton owners and they are all such nice people! Makes me feel like what was I doing with my life all these years?
Yesterday I got to drive my first 5 ton and I can definitely see how the steering assist makes it much easier to drive and better for long trips. I also see how living on the road with sometimes no address to ship for parts, the 8.3 Cummins might be easier than the multifuel 465 to source things for, like at big stores.
This one I checked out however is almost 30ft long and would require many more two-point-turns on tight forest roads. I wanted a vehicle 22ft or less like a deuce. My current rig is 23ft and I need something shorter.
To bob is an option since I really only need 8ft ~ 10ft of a frame, but that would be at the expense of traction.
~
**Here’s a question, what do you guys think has more traction in mud/snow/sand:
A bobbed 939 5 ton or a 6x6 M35 2.5 ton?
If I use a composite box habitat and remove the steel cargo bed the weight will be so low that the bobbed 5 ton might benefit from the added traction of distributing the rear weight onto one axle rather than two, therefore increasing traction(?)**
~
The 5 ton I checked out 1992 M34A2 ($19000) belongs to a guy who has worked on trucks for years, he has owned 5 deuces and 2 5 tons this was his third. He drives it almost daily and takes really good care of the truck. all maintenance seems to be up to date and the rig looked very well kept. He sources most of his parts from Boyce and the engine looks spankin new and clean. He recently got 2 new front tires. The slide out habitat is completely useless for my build, he said he could take it off and reduce the price since he can find a buyer for it. I’d love to store something like that but my storage consists of my rv compartments
The only flaws I could find were a torn cab roof, and no rubber padding on the steering wheel. The oil pressure gauge also has a bad sending unit. There is also no spare but since the truck is so long I would need to bob it and that could be my spare.
View attachment 892911View attachment 892912View attachment 892913View attachment 892914View attachment 892915View attachment 892916View attachment 892917
After this one I drove another 100 miles to check out a beat up M35A2 ($8500) which has been almost sitting for 5 years. Owner says it drives fine but I made my way up to him and he had not charged the batteries or checked the tires.
Not much to say about it other than over priced, and a lot of rust and broken glass.
View attachment 892919View attachment 892920View attachment 892921
therealquaid
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That ladder is functional but badly bent sadly.
I’m sure Jack’s Gov’t Surplus about 1hr away from this one has plenty of those ladders and crank though.
therealquaid
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To be honest I can’t remember feeling grinding, it’s more that getting into gear felt less smooth than other deuces I’ve driven. If I had nothing to compare I probably wouldn’t have noticed.
therealquaid
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The next day I saw two trucks. They both drove better than all the other trucks I have seen.
*I know a lot of you dislike bobbed trucks but I only need a 9ft truck frame for my project, and benefits of a shorter wheelbase outweigh the loss in traction for losing 2 wheels in my particular use.
This bobbed 1971 M35A2 ($17500) was driven about twice a week for 12 years, 2 years ago the owner moved so his mechanic just keeps it running well and moves it around the lot storage although it has collected spider webs.
He has used the truck mostly for trips with his kids, it started up beautifully and drove very well. Shifting was pretty smooth, brakes were responsive, and steering felt just right. It also cruised pretty well. After the next one I saw, this bobbed Deuce drove the best and was my favorite truck to drive in general.
The owner just likes the look of that stock spare tire, he has an actual spare in the cargo bed.
The only issues I could find were that the rubber seals for the front window need to be replaced, the parking break has never worked, minor leaks (maybe old?) including this one on the driver side of the engine which happened to be right under a leaky oil filter.
Maybe the filter (which needs to be replaced) is dripping on to this part? Or this part might just need some tightening.
*I know a lot of you dislike bobbed trucks but I only need a 9ft truck frame for my project, and benefits of a shorter wheelbase outweigh the loss in traction for losing 2 wheels in my particular use.
This bobbed 1971 M35A2 ($17500) was driven about twice a week for 12 years, 2 years ago the owner moved so his mechanic just keeps it running well and moves it around the lot storage although it has collected spider webs.
He has used the truck mostly for trips with his kids, it started up beautifully and drove very well. Shifting was pretty smooth, brakes were responsive, and steering felt just right. It also cruised pretty well. After the next one I saw, this bobbed Deuce drove the best and was my favorite truck to drive in general.
The owner just likes the look of that stock spare tire, he has an actual spare in the cargo bed.
The only issues I could find were that the rubber seals for the front window need to be replaced, the parking break has never worked, minor leaks (maybe old?) including this one on the driver side of the engine which happened to be right under a leaky oil filter.
Maybe the filter (which needs to be replaced) is dripping on to this part? Or this part might just need some tightening.
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therealquaid
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This next 1991 M925A2 ($14000) I drove was the best driving, most well taken care of truck I’ve checked out from all of the above.
The owner has had it for 4 years and is extremely detailed and confident about maintaining the truck. He knew every little detail about it and offered to help me figure anything out on the road in case I’m ever trying to learn more about it.
He has driven the truck somewhat weekly all this time and uses it to transport things for his business and to help tow friends and neighbors. He drove the truck 1000 miles from where he bought it with zero issues.
The only issue I found was maybe these parts dirty in oil, and a minor dent on the back of the cargo bed. Do these tires look like they need changing soon?
As it stands, there are 3 reasons this truck doesn’t check all the boxes for me, they are all particular to my personal project and have nothing to do with the quality of the truck:
- More height means less trees I can drive under that may damage my solar panels
- The overall length and wheelbase, for my project the truck would need to be bobbed
- The truck has the 8.3 Cummins, I have a preference for the 465 engine as I will be learning to work on my own truck, and have more people/resources around me that understand the multifuel better.
The owner has had it for 4 years and is extremely detailed and confident about maintaining the truck. He knew every little detail about it and offered to help me figure anything out on the road in case I’m ever trying to learn more about it.
He has driven the truck somewhat weekly all this time and uses it to transport things for his business and to help tow friends and neighbors. He drove the truck 1000 miles from where he bought it with zero issues.
The only issue I found was maybe these parts dirty in oil, and a minor dent on the back of the cargo bed. Do these tires look like they need changing soon?
As it stands, there are 3 reasons this truck doesn’t check all the boxes for me, they are all particular to my personal project and have nothing to do with the quality of the truck:
- More height means less trees I can drive under that may damage my solar panels
- The overall length and wheelbase, for my project the truck would need to be bobbed
- The truck has the 8.3 Cummins, I have a preference for the 465 engine as I will be learning to work on my own truck, and have more people/resources around me that understand the multifuel better.
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therealquaid
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Yesterday was my last day! 1500 miles, 6 days 3 states and 11 trucks.
I spent all day at Jack’s Gov’t Surplus looking at trucks and chatting as one does with Jack. Being around him and his mechanic 70+ year old friends (since I’m a nube) felt like being amongst MV gurus. I also watched them figure out and fix what looked like a 1950s Jeep.
He had a few good trucks but obviously they have all been sitting for years. I’m sure he might even have the best deal for a good truck. However for what I’m using and my lack of mechanical knowledge, I can’t buy a truck unless it has been fully serviced recently or at least is driven regularly.
His friend Mark came by in an AWESOME Hummer with what looked like a fiberglass camper shell which he is selling for $12000. It’s not big enough for my fulltime living or else I would have definitely considered it, started right up and sounded beautiful. Just wanted to share with you:
It has 19000 miles and runs great, gets 10mpg
I spent all day at Jack’s Gov’t Surplus looking at trucks and chatting as one does with Jack. Being around him and his mechanic 70+ year old friends (since I’m a nube) felt like being amongst MV gurus. I also watched them figure out and fix what looked like a 1950s Jeep.
He had a few good trucks but obviously they have all been sitting for years. I’m sure he might even have the best deal for a good truck. However for what I’m using and my lack of mechanical knowledge, I can’t buy a truck unless it has been fully serviced recently or at least is driven regularly.
His friend Mark came by in an AWESOME Hummer with what looked like a fiberglass camper shell which he is selling for $12000. It’s not big enough for my fulltime living or else I would have definitely considered it, started right up and sounded beautiful. Just wanted to share with you:
It has 19000 miles and runs great, gets 10mpg
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I shy away from bobbers. The Govt. never issued this style of truck and if you're going to make a camper type truck you will have less room to work with due to the bobbers bed being shorter. You will find yourself needing extra room for unexpected cargo, such as a generator, ice chest, water tank etc. etc. Also look at the spare tire, it looks to be the issued 9:00X20 NDCC tire, the tires on the truck are much larger. If you get a flat, the smaller tire may not work, and the larger tire will not fit where the smaller spare does now. I make most of the Military vehicle shows out west, so I need the room in the standard bed for the stuff I sell and the stuff I buy. For a sleeper I use the M105A2 trailer, with a S250 shelter converted to a sleeper. The sleeper works well, I'm 6' 2" and the CO is 5' and we both fit with room to spare. Here are some pics to give you some ideas. Also, my truck has some additions that were not issued when it was built in 1971. Just sharing some ideas from owning an M35A2C for 17 years. Also, I run 11:00X20 NDCC tires, I get about 5mph more top speed and better milage. Also, the 11:00X20 tire just fits in the spare tire location.
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Looks like Jack has lots of diamonds in the rough. I may go visit Jack myself, as my regular parts place Idaho Motor Pool is closing. The owner Alex Gordon is retiring from the MV business. Alex is one of the good guys in the hobby.
therealquaid
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Your setup is amazing! I appreciate you sharing your experience! What can you fit inside the shelter?
Do you mean I will have to carry unexpected parts because I’ll be driving the Deuce?
If it comes just to what I already own and use to work, I’m not too worried about storage or space since I live and travel in an RV with my partner. Everything I own and my tools are on my vehicle at all times and I feel like I have a pretty good idea of everything I have and exactly how much storage space it will need. The bobbed Deuce actually allows for more storage space than my current home in the rig I’m planning.
I also use my rig to receive friends and family members and intend to do the same in this. I totally agree that a full size 6x6 truck would give me more space, but the 9ft frame is enough for the habitat I will be using (both bobbed deuces have 9.5ft) It is a cabover habitat with 17’ total length, the back has a departure angle which will extend about 3ft off the truck frame but will be elevated with a zero-torsion sub-frame to minimize dragging the back.
My current rig is 23ft long and has a shorter wheelbase than the M925 and the M35, I definitely want something shorter. I could go with a pickup truck but for a similar price and much more off road capability I figured a bobbed Deuce would be more efficient. Also I admire MVs!
If I missed your point I apologize, I’ve been planning this rig by myself for 5 years and I can get stuck in my own head sometimes!
therealquaid
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My partner is from Idaho I intend to spend some winters in the rig over there
