Vintage pics of M809s at Aberdeen Proving Ground

[US6x4]

These photos were discovered amongst the belongings of a former AM General salesman during his estate sale. They were packaged in a presentation binder in transparent page holders.
Most of the dates listed are August 1970. Enjoy!

If anyone knows of any videos of these tests I would love to see them!

 

[fuzzytoaster]

This. I like this.

 

[cucvmule]

Their must be many more.

 

[reset2]

Wonder how the dash gauges and electrical components hold up to the river forwarding? Not to mention water getting into all the gearboxes. Not a concern when at war but as a hobbyist a lot of work to clean it up afterwards.
Thanks for posting pics are great.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[US6x4]

Wonder how the dash gauges and electrical components hold up to the river forwarding? Not to mention water getting into all the gearboxes. Not a concern when at war but as a hobbyist a lot of work to clean it up afterwards.
Thanks for posting pics are great.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Not sure about the electrical stuff but when outfitted with the deep water fording kit there are valves and lines that supply subtle air pressure to the axles, tranny, t-case, clutch housing, and maybe even the crank case. In theory the internal air pressure is greater than the external water pressure and that prevents water from intruding.

 

[Mullaney]

These photos were discovered amongst the belongings of a former AM General salesman during his estate sale. They were packaged in a presentation binder in transparent page holders.
Most of the dates listed are August 1970. Enjoy!

If anyone knows of any videos of these tests I would love to see them!

.
Definitely worthy of saving for historical purposes.
Sure would be neat to know more about the salesman too...

 

[HDN]

Look at that dump truck do the twist

 

[reloader64]

That is way cool! Not sure if I would take my M813 through 78" deep water, though.

 

[US6x4]

That is way cool! Not sure if I would take my M813 through 78" deep water, though.

I know what you mean. I want mine to be capable of that and I would install a fording kit if I could find one, but I don't want to take it swimming. A full suite of oil changes is about $1000 these days...

 

[SCM35A2]

Awesome pics!

 

[simp5782]

The eager beaver makes fording look easy

 

[US6x4]

The eager beaver makes fording look easy

Sure does...

 

[maddawg308]

Hard to believe those workhorses are 50 years old already.

 

[reloader64]

Hard to believe those workhorses are 50 years old already.

I know! At the first static display this year, people asked "What year is your truck?" I replied, "1971." Then I shocked myself by realizing, it's 50 years old!

 

[HDN]

Hard to believe even many 30-somethings like me could get historical plates in NY if we were vehicles

 

[Superthermal]

Fording in an M813. With the solid non clutch fan on these things, I would think the engine fan would kiss the radiator as soon as a full suck of water was coming in from the front end. When we used to cross deep water with our jeeps we would actually get out and remove our rubber alternator fan belt to cross deep water and then put it back on on the far side. This was as a precaution after having a fan swim though my friends radiator. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Guyfang]

In 4 days, it will be 50 years to the day, I enlisted in the Army. Hang a Historical Licence plate on me, and I will have the ass!

 

[HDN]

Fording in an M813. With the solid non clutch fan on these things, I would think the engine fan would kiss the radiator as soon as a full suck of water was coming in from the front end. When we used to cross deep water with our jeeps we would actually get out and remove our rubber alternator fan belt to cross deep water and then put it back on on the far side. This was as a precaution after having a fan swim though my friends radiator. Any thoughts on this?

How deep is the water you're going in? If greater than 30 inches, you should have the deep water fording kit installed per the TM.

 

[G744]

I remember the 800-series going through tests at Yuma Proving Ground.

Silt, deep sand, clay mud, hot weather, cross open desert.

Things not found back east, but one never knew where the trucks would wind up.

 

[Ajax MD]

Fording in an M813. With the solid non clutch fan on these things, I would think the engine fan would kiss the radiator as soon as a full suck of water was coming in from the front end. When we used to cross deep water with our jeeps we would actually get out and remove our rubber alternator fan belt to cross deep water and then put it back on on the far side. This was as a precaution after having a fan swim though my friends radiator. Any thoughts on this?

I'm not sure if even the fording kit includes anything that would solve this problem. My understanding is that the kit is mostly air pressure valves that put a slight positive pressure on the axles and drivetrain to keep the water out and of course, the snorkel gear. Give the increasing scarcity and expense of parts and the fact that you're not in a combat environment, I think that slipping the belt before a deep crossing is a simple and reasonable precaution to take.