Hi everyone. I have already in a short time here been treated kindly and guided expertly. Thanks to everyone! As a disclaimer, I never really was involved with a forum before so if I don't have the proper etiquette initially let me know, please. I know somewhere on the threads I may find what I am looking for, but I browsed them didn't find it, and I don't want to bring up dead posts from way back either, so I will just ask, and see if someone can send me in the right direction! 
I have a 1968 M54 5 ton that I bought cheep at auction. It has 16.00 super single tires already. I drove it only a little bit after buying it, and last time out, I barely got it back in my driveway, 5 feet at a time, because both my brakes and my clutch went out at exactly the same time. All I really had was the hand brake, and the fuel kill knob to back it in. I should have shifted in low, but didn't think about it, but after sweating bullets I got it back, and it didn't go through any buildings, lol.
The clutch is not worn, it just doesn't disengage, and the brake master is empty and needs a new master, apparently, since it is leaking. ODD about the clutch, though. I still have to pull the inspection cover, but I adjusted the linkage and still it wont disengage. I am guessing it's either something with the pressure plate, or linkage. A person on here had me pretty much convinced to sell this truck and start over with a newer one. But, I just like the way the 1968 looks, and I am torn. Yes, it will be expensive to change to disks, and I am thinking even of going to full air for the brakes, or a dual master and another air over hydr for a dual system....I am sure many people before me have had the same quandary. Maybe some have tried and failed?
So, here are my questions: I wish to make it a hard top/ or if possible a extended cab, even quad cab. I would extend the frame and keep the bed length. I plan to build a camper box, or even find a military expansible for the back. Has anyone done this? I'm a decent welder and fabber with modest metal working equipment, but fabricating the progressive curve corners of the roof will be a hard undertaking for me. Adding doors and windows wont be cheap, but that roof is going to be hard. My next question is the engine, the continental multi-fuel. I don't like it and don't want to rebuild something so under powered. With so many other surplus engines available, and I can always rebuild it myself, what other diesel is a drop-in? The tyranny too, while i enjoy going through the gears, my 5'2" wife couldn't drive it, and an Allison or other trans would make it less of a workout and might even last longer? I want like 300 turbocharged HP, but 250 even will do. I will probably never use anything but diesel or kerosene anyway.
Another question: The RV equipment, solar, generator, batteries, tanks and cabinets, all together, is far less than the weight carrying capability of this 5 ton. Even with full tanks I don't see it above about 1500 pounds, and certainly not even 2.5 tons. Do you think I could bob it, take out an axel, and still have decent flotation and off road ability? I know the 6x6 would be ultimate at traction and in sand, but many overland are two axle, and I have the big 16.00 super singles on it too. I would bring the single rear back, I think, about where the current third axle is, and then the last 2 feet or so of the bed would angle up for departure clearance. Getting rid of that axle would really help with fuel economy, and i could use that 5 ton axle under my to be built 4x4 school bus, Then I just need a matching front axle for that, and I will have one (vehicle) to sell.
Any guidance would help. Especially documentation of an engine transplant, and hardtop roof or quad cab, and if someone has failed doing this for one reason or another. The newer ones, M39? just look kinda ugly, but that's just me, and much much newer ones are just too expensive. I can't pay 30 0r 40k to start. This M54 5 ton was 5K. Thanks!
I have a 1968 M54 5 ton that I bought cheep at auction. It has 16.00 super single tires already. I drove it only a little bit after buying it, and last time out, I barely got it back in my driveway, 5 feet at a time, because both my brakes and my clutch went out at exactly the same time. All I really had was the hand brake, and the fuel kill knob to back it in. I should have shifted in low, but didn't think about it, but after sweating bullets I got it back, and it didn't go through any buildings, lol. The clutch is not worn, it just doesn't disengage, and the brake master is empty and needs a new master, apparently, since it is leaking. ODD about the clutch, though. I still have to pull the inspection cover, but I adjusted the linkage and still it wont disengage. I am guessing it's either something with the pressure plate, or linkage. A person on here had me pretty much convinced to sell this truck and start over with a newer one. But, I just like the way the 1968 looks, and I am torn. Yes, it will be expensive to change to disks, and I am thinking even of going to full air for the brakes, or a dual master and another air over hydr for a dual system....I am sure many people before me have had the same quandary. Maybe some have tried and failed?
So, here are my questions: I wish to make it a hard top/ or if possible a extended cab, even quad cab. I would extend the frame and keep the bed length. I plan to build a camper box, or even find a military expansible for the back. Has anyone done this? I'm a decent welder and fabber with modest metal working equipment, but fabricating the progressive curve corners of the roof will be a hard undertaking for me. Adding doors and windows wont be cheap, but that roof is going to be hard. My next question is the engine, the continental multi-fuel. I don't like it and don't want to rebuild something so under powered. With so many other surplus engines available, and I can always rebuild it myself, what other diesel is a drop-in? The tyranny too, while i enjoy going through the gears, my 5'2" wife couldn't drive it, and an Allison or other trans would make it less of a workout and might even last longer? I want like 300 turbocharged HP, but 250 even will do. I will probably never use anything but diesel or kerosene anyway.
Another question: The RV equipment, solar, generator, batteries, tanks and cabinets, all together, is far less than the weight carrying capability of this 5 ton. Even with full tanks I don't see it above about 1500 pounds, and certainly not even 2.5 tons. Do you think I could bob it, take out an axel, and still have decent flotation and off road ability? I know the 6x6 would be ultimate at traction and in sand, but many overland are two axle, and I have the big 16.00 super singles on it too. I would bring the single rear back, I think, about where the current third axle is, and then the last 2 feet or so of the bed would angle up for departure clearance. Getting rid of that axle would really help with fuel economy, and i could use that 5 ton axle under my to be built 4x4 school bus, Then I just need a matching front axle for that, and I will have one (vehicle) to sell.
Any guidance would help. Especially documentation of an engine transplant, and hardtop roof or quad cab, and if someone has failed doing this for one reason or another. The newer ones, M39? just look kinda ugly, but that's just me, and much much newer ones are just too expensive. I can't pay 30 0r 40k to start. This M54 5 ton was 5K. Thanks!
