Newly acquired M39-a2 I believe

[DbblDrew]

It was my grandfathers 5-ton Kaiser-Jeep truck and he recently passed away so I’ve been trying to fix it up. It’s a Continental multi-fuel and seems to not have very much power and is hard to start warm or cold it’s need starting fluid to start cold and smokes all the time hazy blue white even after driving it for a few hours. Trying to learn as much as possible about it. Just wondering if anyone has has the same issues or might have a solution. Someone said it might be the turbo. Thanks for any and all help

 

[NDT]

Welcome. Yes the mulifuel engine smoked a lot when it rolled off the assembly line, although it tends to be black as coal. And power is typical 1960’s diesel truck. Suggest you go all through the fuel system and clean everything and add some fuel conditioner when you finish, that should help. Lots of blowby could mean the engine is worn out, leading to bluish smoke.

 

[DbblDrew]

Awesome thank you! I will give that a go see if it helps.

 

[HDN]

Welcome to the forum! Which Washington are you from, the west coast?

And also, the obligatory

 

[DbblDrew]

Welcome to the forum! Which Washington are you from, the west coast?

And also, the obligatory

 

[HDN]

That 5-ton looks nice! It looks like your grandfather really cared for it. Are you planning on keeping it?

Also, as you're working on the truck, be sure to consult the manuals for it, many of them you can find here:

5-ton and up TMs

M54, M817, M123A1C, etc... the big boys! Find TM's related to the 5 ton and larger series trucks in this forum. - No posting of threads

www.steelsoldiers.com

The M39 manuals will be on the second page.

 

[18operator]

Welcome from N.E. Ohio. Very nice truck!

 

[DbblDrew]

Thank you everyone yes I plan on fixing it up and making it nice. Maybe take it in some parades is sequim. Are the valves something I should check as well?

 

[DbblDrew]

Also on a nothing note the air assist on the breaks is not working I would like to try and re-build the air pack it seems like there are many many kits for rebuild so I have to disassemble it to see what one I would need or is there a master rebuild I can get?

 

[NDT]

Just call Memphis Equipment or other knowledgeable source and ask for a kit for a multifuel 5 ton.

 

[DbblDrew]

Just call Memphis Equipment or other knowledgeable source and ask for a kit for a multifuel 5 ton.

Thank you

 

[US6x4]

View attachment 866711

I've always wanted to take my 5-ton on a ferry. That would be fairly epic

 

[HDN]

I've always wanted to take my 5-ton on a ferry. That would be fairly epic

That's a ferry? I thought it was some kind of parking garage

 

[DbblDrew]

I've always wanted to take my 5-ton on a ferry. That would be fairly epic

Do you live in the PNW?

 

[US6x4]

Do you live in the PNW?

Yeah, I'm in North Central Washington (Wenatchee) but still far enough away that I don't picture myself driving the 5-ton to the sound

 

[G744]

Is your truck building air to begin with? No air, no boost...

BTW, your M39 is the first I've seen. They don't even have a photo of one in the usual TM's.

DG

 

[NDT]

Is your truck building air to begin with? No air, no boost...

BTW, your M39 is the first I've seen. They don't even have a photo of one in the usual TM's.

DG

I think he has a M54A2C with dropside bed. M39 is the series but you know that.

 

[G744]

I think the same, but an M39 data plate would be a find.

DG