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Selfridge Deuces

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Preacherboy

Member
701
3
18
Location
North Branch, MI
Heath_h49008 said:
Any of you guys buy out of that place in Kalamazoo?

I'm shopping for my first deuce.
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They don't have the greatest reputation...honestly, I'm not sure how they can stay in business. You'd be better off purchasing from GL or GSA or from a private seller. Search through the classifieds on here and look at craigslist...there are always a few for sale in MI. For a simple, plain deuce with no upgrades expect to pay $3500-4500 for one. If you want a winch and big tires, etc. expect to pay $5500-7500
 
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Preacherboy

Member
701
3
18
Location
North Branch, MI
maxxplanck said:
Preacherboy what day are you trying for, Im looking at monday. Thanks Harleyrkc for the numbers. Let me know how everything elese goes with the truck. Are you coming to the MV get together on Oct.22 in charlotte . Hope to see you there.
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Got our recovery set up for Monday morning, plan to be there around 8 AM. Tom seems like a good guy, he said a couple folks haven't showed up on time (were several hours late) and a couple of no shows!

I assured him this wasn't my first time and I know about being on time.
 
Heath_h49008

Heath_h49008

New member
1,557
102
0
Location
Kalamazoo/Mich
porkysplace said:
Are they still in business ? there were posts last spring that they had problems with the IRS .

Here is a link to the thread about them ; Real Man toys are good people!
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You guys might have just saved me a real headache. I'm supposed to look at them in 2 weeks to pick out what I want... cash in hand. If there is an integrity issue, I could have been really screwed.

Thank you VERY much.[thumbzup]
 
D

DarkHumor

New member
3
0
0
Location
Napoleon,MI
EUC Cleared today. Going to call tomorrow to set up the pick up date for next week.
Anyone going next week for pick up? Oh EUC was sent in Sept 8 2011 Cleared Sept 20 2011.

Walt
 
P

Preacherboy

Member
701
3
18
Location
North Branch, MI
Heath_h49008 said:
You guys might have just saved me a real headache. I'm supposed to look at them in 2 weeks to pick out what I want... cash in hand. If there is an integrity issue, I could have been really screwed.

Thank you VERY much.[thumbzup]
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I wouldn't chance it unless you got a really sweet deal on a really sweet truck...like $2500 cash for a truck in excellent shape. If you can get something cheap that you look over and get to test drive, go for it. But if they want anything higher than say $3,500 or so I'd get one through someone else.

I've called over there for parts and I got prices that were higher than what I could buy new! Ouch...
 
Heath_h49008

Heath_h49008

New member
1,557
102
0
Location
Kalamazoo/Mich
Preacherboy said:
I wouldn't chance it unless you got a really sweet deal on a really sweet truck...like $2500 cash for a truck in excellent shape. If you can get something cheap that you look over and get to test drive, go for it. But if they want anything higher than say $3,500 or so I'd get one through someone else.

I've called over there for parts and I got prices that were higher than what I could buy new! Ouch...
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Most of the quotes I have gotten for shipping an M35A2 by rail from say... Alabama... to Kalamazoo run between $500-$800. Pick up and drop-off at the rail station.

So, if I can get a deal on a truck here, that runs and drives, I have that one advantage. I'm going to check it out, and try to find someone to come with me who knows these beasts. I have been promised a running and driving truck to test and several to pick from ranging from basic and in "Good" condition, to all new engines/trans/tires/paint. They wanted $13,000 for their M35A3... so we will see.

I have to say, I wasn't impressed with what I saw on their "lot" in downtown Kalamazoo.

Maybe a big sweaty wad of cash will improve my selections. Or if I get a drivable pig for a bargain, I don't mind working on cleaning and painting it myself... I would prefer it to be honest, as long as it was complete and mechanically sound/drivable.

Either way, it will be an adventure getting one.:driver:
 
hcso1988

hcso1988

Member
55
0
6
Location
Noblesville, Indiana
harleyrkc said:
Let us know what you find out on your brakes. I still haven't had time to dig into the brakes on my second truck.
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Will do. I'm going to have her hauled home. My plan is to go and help load it and escort it home. Gotta feel like I've done something right? :) I'll let you fellas know when I plan on going, still havent ironed out a date with my trucker.
 
harleyrkc

harleyrkc

New member
211
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0
Location
Burton, MI
hcso1988 said:
Will do. I'm going to have her hauled home. My plan is to go and help load it and escort it home. Gotta feel like I've done something right? :) I'll let you fellas know when I plan on going, still havent ironed out a date with my trucker.
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I'll save you some grief now that I've looked deeper into my brakes. Top off the brake fluid, bleed the lines, and if you still have spongy brakes its probly the MC.
 
goldwing2000

goldwing2000

Banned
506
15
18
Location
Ingham County, Michigan
hcso1988 said:
Will do. I'm going to have her hauled home. My plan is to go and help load it and escort it home. Gotta feel like I've done something right? :) I'll let you fellas know when I plan on going, still havent ironed out a date with my trucker.
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If you can't get your guy nailed down, call Brian Stillwell at B&R Trucking. TedG uses him for shipping all sorts of different vehicles and I'll be using him to get my two deuces home. He should be able to get you where you're going for about $2.50 a mile. 810-577-8670
 
Heath_h49008

Heath_h49008

New member
1,557
102
0
Location
Kalamazoo/Mich
maxxplanck said:
Heath_h49008, take some one with you who knows theres trucks. Theres a lot of good guys here on SS that live in Michigan or near by that can help.
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I'm working on it... I used to work for Freightliner of K-zoo back when they were on Osterhout. I'm familiar with diesels, just not THESE. I know a few guys who I heard used to work in the motor pool "back in the day" and I'm hoping to bribe one to ride along.

What I have so far is this... Bring a 1/2" breaker bar to pull the plugs on the diffs, t-case, and trans to check the fluid for quality and water contamination/cloudiness. Start the truck and pressurize the air tanks, then drain them and look for oil in the air tank that would indicate compressor leaks. Examine the brake lines for any rust or cracking... it's a single cylinder 1 failure and 0 brakes. I'll try to find some test strips for contamination... we have them in the automotive world, the DOT5 should read the same.
I was also going to bring my extendable magnetic probe to fish for metal if I can fit it in the hole. (Good idea?)

Most of the trucks I have seen that the guy has, look like the one in the classifieds right now for $1700. Honestly, I would buy that one if it was local. I have no problem rebuilding a MC and running lines. I can even put my wire welder to work and patch some rust... but I won't pay $3500 for a truck that looks like that one. I'm just afraid that's what I'll be pitched.

How much should the price change for a standard bed, vs dropside, vs 109 shop truck? I seem to see 109's MUCH cheaper than the others.
 
goldwing2000

goldwing2000

Banned
506
15
18
Location
Ingham County, Michigan
Got my appt to pick up. I'll be there Monday morning, 9:am (which goes against everything I stand for since I work afternoons) but I'm taking the easy (yet spendy) route and having my two trucks shipped. If it was just one truck, I'd attempt it myself but two just seems like a little much to deal with for my virgin recovery, especially since one is known to run but have no brakes and the other has brakes but doesn't run.

I'm sure I'll see some of you there!
 
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