Original bed for dump conversion

[General Kaiser]

Hello everyone

I bought one M35A2 recently and decided to convert it's bed to a dumper. So people in my country said the original bed is too weak for dump conversion and it's worthless to make it stronger.
I want to know are they right or wrong ?!
And if I want to make it stronger , what should I do

Thank you

 

[gringeltaube]

.... the original bed is too weak for dump conversion and it's worthless to make it stronger.

First may be true; second, not.

Check out this post (in the dump-conversion compilation thread)...

Some of the pictures there showing the reinforcements added to the bed sub-frame. (successfully tested, up to almost 10 tons...!)
Adding two more pics, of that building process:


All that because a single telescoping cylinder was used. If you choose a scissor lift system, the forces are better distributed, so less reinforcements are needed.

 

[tobyS]

True, there is a lot less reinforcements in a deuce bed, but it is not "worthless" to reinforce. I would use additional bed frame rails myself to add some strength and gain a few inches for a scissor. And if your deuce is typical, it will have welded sides that give it much strength too. For the cost, a (battery operated) scissor would seem to be a good addition.

 

[General Kaiser]

Hello

Thanks a lot dear gringeltaube and tobyS

I want to keep the original look of deuce, so I like reinforcement of the original bed more than making a shop made dump bed.

How much load can deuce carry without any damage to it ? (I know it has capacity of 2.5 ton offroad and 4-5 ton onroad) But here in Iran people load the poor deuce more than 18 tons !!! I don't want to hurt my deuce because I love it

Yes my deuce is a typical M35A2 with winch.

some pictures of my deuce



Thank You

 

[frank8003]

Wow, Load and drive a Deuce in Iran at 18ton.........................
Golly, Our guys build good stuff!
Well, spring shackles fail and dogbones twist right off.
I guess they got a lot of our stuff.....................

 

[General Kaiser]

Wow, Load and drive a Deuce in Iran at 18ton.........................
Golly, Our guys build good stuff!
Well, spring shackles fail and dogbones twist right off.
I guess they got a lot of our stuff.....................

Proudly Made in USA

Here people load 5 ton (m816) over 30-40 tons !! They are crazy !!
I think Iranian people just take attention to the number of wheels of Deuce ! they don't care about it's factory capacity ! but not me , I care about Deuce just like my other American cars .

 

[V8srfun]

If you are not loading more than 5 ton you don’t need to add a bunch of extra support. The guys that are saying it is weak are obviously operating well outside of the normal operating capacity.

 

[tobyS]

I'm not saying they are weak, but that the springs and dog bone suspension is not as robust to take an overloaded condition like when new. Be prepared for a fail by having some suspension spare parts, if you can. Putting a dump bed on it will bring even more stress transmitted to the frame, so dumping a heavy load will be big potential to twist.

My m35A3, which may be GK's vintage frame, had enough surface to surface rust at the trunion mounting to take away 50% in my opinion. His trucks frame is same vintage. Here is a photo of my 4x4 but you can see the frame plates I added...an 11x3x1/4. Look for rust between the trunion reinforcement and frame.

I don't see the bed itself as the weak link, but the hinge and frame of a cheap scissor. Go heavy on frame reinforcement or not at all.