Singled Out Deuce Tractor

[M275Fan]

Hello all. I'm kind of new here. A long time lurker on the forums and I still don't have a truck. After seeing some of the amazing craftsmanship here, I've decided what I want to do when I finally get a deuce. I want to make an M48A2 type truck, similar to RAYZER's build but with twin exhausts behind the cab and singles out. I'm starting this thread to ask you guys for pictures of any singled out 2.5 ton tractors. I tried using google but to no avail. I'd appreciate it if Y'all could help me out.

 

[Recovry4x4]

As a former owner of a few of those, I always look when I see one. I've never seen one singled out but there has to be one out their somewhere. Welcome aboard.

 

[red]

Couple pics I found on the forum of the deuce tractors big brother, the M818 5 ton. Similar body so gives a good idea of what the deuce tractor on singles will look like





Next year I want to make a tractor platform for my deuce, but it will be a little different.

 

[M275Fan]

Thanks all. Wreckerman, you've actually PM'd me about the M275 before. In the end however, I am too far away and too short on cash to buy the truck. I wish I could be the owner but sadly I cant. Also the softened wheelbase concerns me when it comes to trailer towing.

 

[M275Fan]

M275

we have 2- M275 tractors for sale in Phila

Super singles in stock too

Dave
www.easternsurplus.net

Dave, I have been looking at your website for a while, but the trucks are all a bit pricey for me at the moment. I actually talked to my township's fleet mechanic, who works on 2 Deuce's, about you guys. He agrees that prices are a bit high but its all that's around. And when did you guys get the 2 M275s in? The website only lists one which is sold.

 

[M275Fan]

I have another question regarding singles. Are there super singles available that have the same diameter as the 11.00x20 XL's or standard width tires that have the same diameter as 395's or M35A3 (I believe 14.00s)? I like the look of singles in the rear but they always seem too wide up front and always stick out past the fenders.

 

[rustystud]

The tires for the "Stryker" have come on the market lately. They are not as wide as the 395's and just a little shorter. Pretty nice tires in my opinion.

 

[Sephirothq]

I have a commercial wrecker deuce in central pa and all the 5 ton parts needed for the conversion.

 

[tobyS]

If a deuce is bobbed, 14.00's may work but they won't on the rear of a 6x6...too large diameter ant tires interfere with each other. I understand the 395 will fit it (6x6), just about touching.

The trucks came with 9.00 buds generally and the A3 was singled to 365. The 365 (aka 14.5) is nearly exactly the same revolutions/mile as the 11.00, but wider. They have a slightly different bead. The 365 and 14.5 are a euro style, I heard it called metric, and do not fit properly on "industrial" rims.

My preference, and I also want a deuce, would be to have dual 11.00 on the rear and the 365 on the front (bobbed or 6x6). Edit. Are you suggesting keeping the hitch or putting on a bed?

Google "bobbed deuce" and go to images. Compare those images with M35A3 and M35A2 or leave off the A2. Everything you can dream of seems to come up, someone has done something similar.

I've recently seen deuces that would cost $3-5k, not running but complete to ready to drive home. I'm partial to an A3 and prices can get much higher.

We like pictures, so take your camera when you go hunting.

 

[M275Fan]

Thanks for all the info guys. Rustystud, I'll check them out. tobyS, I'm not suggesting bobbing it. What I want to do is take a standard M35A2, put some a3 rims and tires or similar on the rear axels and put similar diameter standard width tires on the front. I'd also convert it from standard cargo to a tractor, probably a powertrain swap as well. I know how the trucks came stock, and there is much that I can and will do to one. The forum's purists will hate me for this too but id like to eventually swap a duramax/Allison motor and trans combo in one too. Its all planning and brainstorming at the moment though. I am a few months from my license and being able to get he truck, and 2 years from being able to get a Class A non commercial to tow any trailers with it. Anyway, thank you guys for all your help. I appreciate the hospitality of this forum. Better than most of the other ones I've been on. And ill make sure to get plenty of photos of the build and truck hunt

 

[tobyS]

You are going to make a tractor! Is the air brake system compatible? Why would you not go to a 5 ton tractor and get all the benefits of Cummins, Alison auto, full air brakes... and readily available?

The 11.00 is the same r/mile as 365's...which is what you have to use unless you get adapters to single it out. 395 on the rear would not have a match in a single tire as far as I know. I don't care for reversed budds on the front myself and you will have to look into the load capacity of the 365s.

In Indiana, unless one is doing commercial hauling AND over 26,000, you don't need CDL. Are you planning on using it for commercial hire?

 

[red]

A deuce tractor is rated to haul 36,000. Truck is compatible with air brakes on a trailer.

 

[M275Fan]

I'm going for a deuce tractor because its unique and more compact, and also because anyone in my family can drive it if need be (no CDL or non-CDL Class A unless towing trailer). Plus my township has 2 of them so I can easily go talk to the fleet mechanics for deuce specific problems. As for commercial hauling, no I won't be. Just going to be using it for parades and as a (not so daily) daily driver as well as helping out with my local high school's robotics team. I do need to get a Non-CDL Class A per Pennsylvania law however. Anyway, thanks for the info. It looks like i'll definitely be running 11.00s up front and 365s in back.

 

[rustystud]

Thanks for all the info guys. Rustystud, I'll check them out. tobyS, I'm not suggesting bobbing it. What I want to do is take a standard M35A2, put some a3 rims and tires or similar on the rear axels and put similar diameter standard width tires on the front. I'd also convert it from standard cargo to a tractor, probably a powertrain swap as well. I know how the trucks came stock, and there is much that I can and will do to one. The forum's purists will hate me for this too but id like to eventually swap a duramax/Allison motor and trans combo in one too. Its all planning and brainstorming at the moment though. I am a few months from my license and being able to get he truck, and 2 years from being able to get a Class A non commercial to tow any trailers with it. Anyway, thank you guys for all your help. I appreciate the hospitality of this forum. Better than most of the other ones I've been on. And ill make sure to get plenty of photos of the build and truck hunt

Don't worry about the "purists". Once you buy the truck it's YOUR truck and you can do with it what you want. I have heavily modified my deuce and will continue to do so until it is exactly what I want. Having served in the Marines and driven one of these beasts on a almost daily basis, I feel it's my right to modify it, to what I feel it should have been in the first place. After all, how many here have installed power steering, are in the process of installing power steering or want to install power steering ? I would wager almost ALL would say yes to this question.

 

[M275Fan]

Slight necropost on my old thread, but some update on my deuce project (if it can even be called that at this stage). I have some general design work done on the truck done in google sketchup. The plan is to build a new cab for the truck with more room, and also build a trailer for the truck. I must give Rustystud some credit, for he inspired the bumper on the truck. Any thoughts on the design so far?

 

[rustystud]

Slight necropost on my old thread, but some update on my deuce project (if it can even be called that at this stage). I have some general design work done on the truck done in google sketchup. The plan is to build a new cab for the truck with more room, and also build a trailer for the truck. I must give Rustystud some credit, for he inspired the bumper on the truck. Any thoughts on the design so far?
View attachment 620907

Looks like a 1970's style commercial Kenworth ! Love the bumper !

 

[11Echo]

I have another question regarding singles. Are there super singles available that have the same diameter as the 11.00x20 XL's or standard width tires that have the same diameter as 395's or M35A3 (I believe 14.00s)? I like the look of singles in the rear but they always seem too wide up front and always stick out past the fenders.

...

 

[Landbarger]

and also build a trailer for the truck.

What are your plans for the trailer? Parade float base? If you don't plan to use it for deck space have you considered something like an M146? They seem short enough and are S/A so it shouldn't be too much of a load on your deuce. As a bonus, they don't seem to get much affection even on this board...so you might be able to pick one up on the cheap!

Nice modeling, btw.

 

[M275Fan]

...

Key word is "seem". I also rather enjoy the look of standard width tires up front.

What are your plans for the trailer? Parade float base? If you don't plan to use it for deck space have you considered something like an M146? They seem short enough and are S/A so it shouldn't be too much of a load on your deuce. As a bonus, they don't seem to get much affection even on this board...so you might be able to pick one up on the cheap!

Nice modeling, btw.

Thanks Landbarger! My plans for the trailer are kind of up in the air at the moment. I have ruled out the M146 because I prefer the look of flatbed. I am currently torn between a step deck like Miltruck's old conversion from a van trailer, converting an M345 to a semi trailer with a M747 style gooseneck, and scratch building a trailer using deuce rear suspension components and again utilizing an M747-esque gooseneck.

 

[tobyS]

How about a 1061 trailer?