One of my dream trucks!

[Spoonerist]

Hey all,

I’m newly registered and accepted. Been loving this site and build threads.

I was chatting with a friend the other day about his pinzgauer (sp?) and mentioned that I’ve been drooling on a unimog or deuce for a long time. He mentioned that the local fire brigade has a deuce they are getting rid of. I started asking around and yes they are and yes I can have it for nominal $$!

I’m so excited! I know it’s a big project, but I’m fairly savvy with mechanics, welding, and fabrication. It has air system issues and therefore brake issues. It currently has a water tank and trash pump mounted that the brigade will keep. I plan to convert the bed to a dump and probably haul logs and anything else that fits.

I live in BFE Washington, off-grid. A Multifuel vehicle is perfect. I’ve got a burgeoning mechanic business and having a way to utilize (cleaned) hydrocarbons is very appealing.

I’m not sure what year the deuce is and have noticed there’s a member here that can look them up. I’ll share the plates after I get the truck. Some of the brigade people say it’s from Korean War era, but I think it’s later than that. She is definitely a M35A2. I will add a build thread once that starts. I’ve also got a line on an M37 and a 40’s “power wagon” (ambulance) that belonged to my grandfather.

Cheers,

Spoonerist

 

[srodocker]

Welcome aboard from a fellow WA member!!! granted im in the city!!! Arlington air show is the big event and its in august this year if you plan on taking your truck out and about to events. We also have a FB group PNW Steel Soldiers.

 

[Spoonerist]

Thanks for the welcome! Unfortunately, pretty unlikely that I’ll take her anywhere. I’m on one of the outer islands. No ferry service here.

Arlington air show is good fun!

 

[Mullaney]

Hey all,

I’m newly registered and accepted. Been loving this site and build threads.

I was chatting with a friend the other day about his pinzgauer (sp?) and mentioned that I’ve been drooling on a unimog or deuce for a long time. He mentioned that the local fire brigade has a deuce they are getting rid of. I started asking around and yes they are and yes I can have it for nominal $$!

I’m so excited! I know it’s a big project, but I’m fairly savvy with mechanics, welding, and fabrication. It has air system issues and therefore brake issues. It currently has a water tank and trash pump mounted that the brigade will keep. I plan to convert the bed to a dump and probably haul logs and anything else that fits.

I live in BFE Washington, off-grid. A Multifuel vehicle is perfect. I’ve got a burgeoning mechanic business and having a way to utilize (cleaned) hydrocarbons is very appealing.

I’m not sure what year the deuce is and have noticed there’s a member here that can look them up. I’ll share the plates after I get the truck. Some of the brigade people say it’s from Korean War era, but I think it’s later than that. She is definitely a M35A2. I will add a build thread once that starts. I’ve also got a line on an M37 and a 40’s “power wagon” (ambulance) that belonged to my grandfather.

Cheers,

Spoonerist

.
Welcome to the Outfit!

From what I have been able to find, it seems the earliest M35a2 dates back to 1967. Lots were built by Kaiser Jeep back then. Be sure to visit the Technical Manuals (TM's) section and download the books on how to repair and diagnose your New-To-You truck.

Chances are since a fire department has it, she may be red - and that is a common thing. Shoot as many pictures as you can and don't hesitate to post them as a stake in the ground showing where you started.

Welcome from the other side of the country!

 

[Spoonerist]

Just delicious olive drab with flaking white paint. They call her Big White. The bed is custom. I’ll take more pictures later.

 

[Mullaney]

View attachment 862668
View attachment 862669
Just delicious olive drab with flaking white paint. They call her Big White. The bed is custom. I’ll take more pictures later.

.
Good Deal!!
Nice way to start. Especially as a mechanic.

 

[cattlerepairman]

Well, the mechanics of it won't scare you. Great opportunity to show some "plug in the tablet" newbies what old school wrenching looks like. I see the oily residue on each wheel...... if she is complete she will likely run and drive, but needs the usual attention to wheel brake cylinders, seals, bearings, brake hoses and lines, and airpack as most of them do. Keep us posted with progress and plans!

 

[ToddJK]

Welcome to the addiction, lol.
I know you said there's no ferry service, but I'd definitely check around to see if there's any kind of contractor who could do it for a reasonable price.
Either way, from what I saw, seems like a decent truck.
My addiction first started when I was a young teen and watched that movie Tremors 2. Burt's deuce was awesome and I always wanted one since, then I got to lay my eyes on one at a surplus shop not far from where I lived. It was a done deal at that point! I've had two now over the past 10 years. These trucks are like building AR's, addicting like drugs and dig deep holes in the pockets but it's not bad for your health!

 

[rustystud]

Welcome aboard from a fellow WA member!!! granted im in the city!!! Arlington air show is the big event and its in august this year if you plan on taking your truck out and about to events. We also have a FB group PNW Steel Soldiers.

Hey "srodocker" . When is the Arlington air show this year ? Do they plan on having trucks this year ?
Also , do the guys still meet down there in Napavine at the farm ?
Thanks.

 

[SCSG-G4]

View attachment 862668
View attachment 862669
Just delicious olive drab with flaking white paint. They call her Big White. The bed is custom. I’ll take more pictures later.

From the contract number, it's a 1970 build. Last five numbers of the 'identification number' is the serial number on the frame.

 

[WOLF DOG]

Thanks for the welcome! Unfortunately, pretty unlikely that I’ll take her anywhere. I’m on one of the outer islands. No ferry service here.

Arlington air show is good fun!

So how did you get the truck there?
Just asking

 

[HDN]

So how did you get the truck there?
Just asking

Reminds me of a Military Vehicles Magazine article I read awhile ago where there's a fellow who also lives on a little island who has a DUKW for moving supplies back and forth from the main land.

 

[Spoonerist]

So how did you get the truck there?
Just asking

There’s a LCM service that brings vehicles etc here.

 

[Spoonerist]

As to the addiction… I totally get it. So far I’ve performance modded 2 sports cars. Restored 2 VWs. Rebuilt a full sized bronco… It is definitely under my skin.

I’ve been drooling on a deuce forever. The M37 also. I’ve driven both and been in love. My grandfather’s truck deserves to be listed here. I’ll walk down to snap some pictures soon. It’s got trees…

 

[Mullaney]

As to the addiction… I totally get it. So far I’ve performance modded 2 sports cars. Restored 2 VWs. Rebuilt a full sized bronco… It is definitely under my skin.

I’ve been drooling on a deuce forever. The M37 also. I’ve driven both and been in love. My grandfather’s truck deserves to be listed here. I’ll walk down to snap some pictures soon. It’s got trees…

.
Dang right! Be sure that you post pictures of your grandfathers truck.
We love pictures!! Especially with a story to go along with it...

 

[Spoonerist]

Ok, here it is. She started her life as this:

I don’t know when my grandfather got it, but I remember it running as a kid.


Wood body!

Looks like a flat head 6.

I know the next one isn’t military, but it is definitely on my list of restorations. Yes, it’s an obsession!

This thing as well. It’s a drag saw, the progenitor of the chainsaw. One of my mechanical love affairs was antique logging machines. This one was mated to a hit and miss engine. I saw the engine run when I was a kid!


My family has been here a long time. Here’s one of our views.

That is Canada across the water.

Cheers,

Spoon

 

[Mullaney]

Ok, here it is. She started her life as this:
View attachment 862791
I don’t know when my grandfather got it, but I remember it running as a kid.
View attachment 862793
View attachment 862794
Wood body!
View attachment 862795
Looks like a flat head 6.
View attachment 862796
I know the next one isn’t military, but it is definitely on my list of restorations. Yes, it’s an obsession!
View attachment 862797
This thing as well. It’s a drag saw, the progenitor of the chainsaw. One of my mechanical love affairs was antique logging machines. This one was mated to a hit and miss engine. I saw the engine run when I was a kid!
View attachment 862800
View attachment 862802
My family has been here a long time. Here’s one of our views.
View attachment 862803
That is Canada across the water.

Cheers,

Spoon

.
That view and the truck and car are pretty amazing. I'd bet that is one COLD place to be standing out there in the wide open spaces with the wind whipping across that patch of water!

That ambulance is going to be a TON of work, but maybe you can find parts slowly as you clean up the frame and find an old 60hp flathead to power it with.

 

[Spoonerist]

Yeah it can be rather nippy here. We are usually in the 30-40 degrees in winter. We will often get about a foot of snow for a couple of weeks.

There’s no pavement here and no public utilities. I’ve wanted a shop with concrete floors. Right now my shop floor is below the water table… mud, mud, mud. Ick.

I don’t think I’ll restore the ambulance. Probably just tinker and get her running. A tribute to my grandpa. The Desoto on the other hand will likely get some TLC.

I hope to establish a small vocational school out here. One of the classes/spaces will be a 2 bay mechanic shop. 1 bay for regular maintenance and the other for long term resto projects. There is a trove of antique vehicles. This is a place vehicles come to die. I want to reverse the flow and teach people mechanics in the process.

Cheers,

Spoon

 

[Mullaney]

Yeah it can be rather nippy here. We are usually in the 30-40 degrees in winter. We will often get about a foot of snow for a couple of weeks.

There’s no pavement here and no public utilities. I’ve wanted a shop with concrete floors. Right now my shop floor is below the water table… mud, mud, mud. Ick.

I don’t think I’ll restore the ambulance. Probably just tinker and get her running. A tribute to my grandpa. The Desoto on the other hand will likely get some TLC.

I hope to establish a small vocational school out here. One of the classes/spaces will be a 2 bay mechanic shop. 1 bay for regular maintenance and the other for long term resto projects. There is a trove of antique vehicles. This is a place vehicles come to die. I want to reverse the flow and teach people mechanics in the process.

Cheers,

Spoon

.
Well, it sounds to me like you have some pretty good plans. I understand the outdoor shop. That is what I have here. I do have crushed, ground asphalt to work on, but a floor jack punches right through it. No mud and that is good, but if it is cold I just get cold and when it rains me and the trucks get wet...

A vocational school would be a lot of fun. Teaching is a fun thing to do. Especially if you have the younger bunch that want to learn a skill they can earn a decent living with.

 

[Spoonerist]

On the bronco forum folks suggested using drywall ends and pieces to mitigate the mud in my shop. Don’t have a current drywall project so that hasn’t happened.

As time allows I’ll pour a slab.

Realized as I was surfing this site that there’s a new member section that I missed. Apologies to the moderators.