So I just bought a HEMTT....

[gerktron01]

This truck did not require and EUC. I called IronPlanet a few times making sure something wasn't wrong. they said to go get it before the gov changes their mind. I got around 4 mpg, and spent around $600 in fuel for the ride back.

 

[gerktron01]

can anyone tell me what makes the M977 an A2 variant?

 

[wreckerman893]

The V-8 Driptroit was never built with fuel mileage in mind.

Back in the day I drove various commercial vehicles with "double breasted Yamahas" in them and they all sucked fuel at a prodigious rate. They also burn oil to keep that big motor lubed up while driving.

Another factor with a two stroke diesel is that it has a power band just like a two stroke motorcycle.

V-8 Detroits do not like to be lugged, they like to be ran wide arsed open and stay in that power band.

It was an old joke among truck drivers that ran Detroit powered equipment that if you said "hill" over the CB radio that the truck would drop ten miles an hour on flat ground.

They do not like hills and you will pull most of them at wide open throttle or you will drag arse up them.

That being said nothing sounds like a big V 6/8/12 Detroit wound wide open.

 

[tim292stro]

Not a HEMTT, but another Oshkosh with a 8v92 engine at the limiter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-JDUzH2n-4

I love the sound of my '84 gillig Phantom bus with a 6V92-TA on the road - I have to repower it though for economy in its final usage. It did get 1.25MPG better economy than the 454 in the Chevy I bought for the XM1027 project though - that says something!!

 

[RDUKW]

So your A2 has the DDEC IV electronics? Is there a screen for it in the cab or do you have to plug it in to a computer? I think I'd dial it down if it were mine, or at least check... Maybe it's jacked up sky high. We certainly don't need 500 hp running down the highway empty, and it might improve your fuel economy. The 2 mpg rating is for GCWR (100,000 lbs) on mixed terrain. I'm certainly hoping for marked improvement at 1/2 that weight cruising on the freeway.

Your truck also has the 6-speed trans? How do you like it? Have you driven a 4-speed to compare? I assume the transmission is electronic too, and interfaces with the DDEC computer? It has crossed my mind that if anything happens to the 4-speed in my truck, I'd put in a 6-speed. But being electronic vs. mechanical, I don't know if it would work.

Jon

There is no screen on the dash. I do have a heavy foot so I'm sure that is not helping my mpg. I have the 5 speed electronic Allison. Comparing apples to oranges (lvs to hemtt) the hemtt electronic trans is crisp and shifts right were it should, the 740 Alison in the lvs is in and out of lock up and just not as precise. Also the jake works flawless in the hemtt dropping gears as you slow where the jake in the lvs sometimes works and some times does not. I will take the a2 any day of the week over the lvs if I need to cover any distance also the a2 will cruise at 65-70 just cruising along.

 

[gerktron01]

Replacement traction control air switch

After a few weeks of waiting, the local truck shop finally called. My air switch is in!!
While there I got all new brass fittings and a new light switch for the dash indicator.

Tomorrow I will install the part and see if the 8x8 engages!!!

 

[JohnnyBM931A2]

Sweet. Gotta love new parts

 

[gerktron01]

The install went smoothly. I had to recreate 2 air lines in the process. Now all that is left is to patch the air tank. So far this truck is a dream to work on. Take a panel off and all the components are right below it.

 

[dmetalmiki]

What a superb purchase! I just can not believe the price paid. I was looking at those trucks on iron planet here in Europe. And if I had known what they could be purchased for I would have gone for it! However..I am committed to completing the purchase of an armored car. (posts coming up soon).

 

[dmetalmiki]

The truck was $11,000, after taxes title and fees it ended up at $13,100. It cost me around $550 in fuel for the trip back. It was item #558810 on the IronPlanet site.

Geeeez!..unbelievable!..I'm going on to gov planet right now...(i'l just sell the polo and go shopping in...........one of those!. serious.

 

[nchittendon]

The first pic is from a parade we did. I have the tan deuce. And Gerktron's 977.


After the same parade, they had a big ho-down at a buddy's land.


So when Gerktron was welding up my snorkel on my deuce, I got to drive the HEMTT to work! She was belle of the ball.


Our camp at the Iola show with Gerktron's 977 at the center of the huddle. She was also our Flag pole.



Out cruising with friends.

 

[Elideclan2]

I love the title of this post! It makes me smile every time I see it. I've actually said those exact words
to my wife... twice....were still married m983 and m977.

 

[Gunzy]

In July of this year I made a deal on a privately owned M985. I traded 2 trucks, 2 trailers, a generator, new cargo cover and a little cash. This truck went through a "0" Recap/Reset at Oshkosh in 2001 and has gone 5000 miles since and also went through an overhaul at RSMS Texas in 2009. I have been told this is the nicest HEMTT seen by several people and is like near new. And yes, the door art is the "Decepticon" symbol and we have taken to calling it "Megatron."