What to look for when purchasing a fully restored 1969 M35A2

[Barneyszoo]

make sure the batteries are tyed down before you drive it

 

[WingCO]

I have an 88 model. It only had 6025 miles when I bought it, and all the records checked out. It is Air Force so there's a couple of things like a front pintle, a hard top (not necessarily AF), and an exhaust flapper . . . typical AF. The front end was adjusted like a bus. It sat in the motor pool most of the time and was 'driven by a little old lady' for mobility exercises once a year. Since 2013 I've replaced:

1. Starter (Bad, sticking Bendix) $$$ and did the job myself. It's very heavy and help is good. The inside bolt by the engine is very difficult to remove/replace.
2. Brake light switch (air/hydraulic) The switch burned up 5 miles from home and I drove back using gear shifting, maintaining distance and controlling speed, and using light hand brake action (handbrakes are not to be depended on, of course, but they can help in slow, lower gears.)
3. Wipers, blades and actuators, AND BE CAREFUL NOT TO STRIP THE NUT!
4. light bulbs and housings that leak water and rust up. Use swimming pool grease to seal better.
5. Canvas seat covers.
6. Brake fluid.
7. Wheels and tires and innertubes.
8. Front windows and seals.
9. All door seals.
10. Main fuse.
11. Installed a fan and switch in the cab at the center (WD-40 air conditioning doesn't work when standing still in Texas without a breeze
12. West Coast side mirrors and installed new 'spot' mirrors.
13. Replace rubber canopy rope a couple of times.
14. Batteries! (What a P-IN-A) Check the water levels often.
15. Installed air reservoir release/drain valves.
16. Radiator and cap - that's a lot of work for one person - get someone to help you. (flakey white stains in the fins means you likely have a leak somewhere)
17. Radiator hoses. (The bottom one is a Bi*ch). Goes fine if you're a contortionist!
18. Replaced flasher unit - twice (may be a bad buy).
19. Repainted Regulation Colors with RAPCO paint - (Thanks Mark Dodd, the cans I bought from you worked flawlessly)
20. Replaced Light Switches on dash.
21. Headlights
22. Troop seat top board.
23. Dust caps on injectors.
24. Misc. Male/Female electrical connectors.

THE SPARES RULE: TWO IS ONE, AND ONE IS NONE!

Other than that, I got some operational damage to my right drop-side, requiring both the side panel and the hinges to be replaced. A few other parts too like the exhaust gaskets, the mirror support arms, the canopy (too $$$$). Door hinges, what a pain.

Sorry for the epistle. I'd like to know what others have replaced.

 

[ldmack3]

I have an 88 model. It only had 6025 miles when I bought it, and all the records checked out. It is Air Force so there's a couple of things like a front pintle, a hard top (not necessarily AF), and an exhaust flapper . . . typical AF. The front end was adjusted like a bus. It sat in the motor pool most of the time and was 'driven by a little old lady' for mobility exercises once a year. Since 2013 I've replaced:

1. Starter (Bad, sticking Bendix) $$$ and did the job myself. It's very heavy and help is good. The inside bolt by the engine is very difficult to remove/replace.
2. Brake light switch (air/hydraulic) The switch burned up 5 miles from home and I drove back using gear shifting, maintaining distance and controlling speed, and using light hand brake action (handbrakes are not to be depended on, of course, but they can help in slow, lower gears.)
3. Wipers, blades and actuators, AND BE CAREFUL NOT TO STRIP THE NUT!
4. light bulbs and housings that leak water and rust up. Use swimming pool grease to seal better.
5. Canvas seat covers.
6. Brake fluid.
7. Wheels and tires and innertubes.
8. Front windows and seals.
9. All door seals.
10. Main fuse.
11. Installed a fan and switch in the cab at the center (WD-40 air conditioning doesn't work when standing still in Texas without a breeze
12. West Coast side mirrors and installed new 'spot' mirrors.
13. Replace rubber canopy rope a couple of times.
14. Batteries! (What a P-IN-A) Check the water levels often.
15. Installed air reservoir release/drain valves.
16. Radiator and cap - that's a lot of work for one person - get someone to help you. (flakey white stains in the fins means you likely have a leak somewhere)
17. Radiator hoses. (The bottom one is a Bi*ch). Goes fine if you're a contortionist!
18. Replaced flasher unit - twice (may be a bad buy).
19. Repainted Regulation Colors with RAPCO paint - (Thanks Mark Dodd, the cans I bought from you worked flawlessly)
20. Replaced Light Switches on dash.
21. Headlights
22. Troop seat top board.
23. Dust caps on injectors.
24. Misc. Male/Female electrical connectors.View attachment 824466View attachment 824466

THE SPARES RULE: TWO IS ONE, AND ONE IS NONE!

Other than that, I got some operational damage to my right drop-side, requiring both the side panel and the hinges to be replaced. A few other parts too like the exhaust gaskets, the mirror support arms, the canopy (too $$$$). Door hinges, what a pain.

Sorry for the epistle. I'd like to know what others have replaced.

Love the gun racks. Which ones are they?

 

[WingCO]

Hummm. 'not sure how to answer as there are several. You can find these on ebay fairly often. The key is getting the instructions that show how to place them. I couldn't, so I looked up photos until I could eye-ball their placement, and used a weapon to help get the dimensions right - or right enough for my rifles. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

 

[frank8003]

I am new to the Duce world and looking to buy a 1969 fully restored M35A2. What things should I look for to avoid major $$$ mechanical problems later. Here are some of the items listed for the truck: Air Shift Transfer Case- New Military Surplus Air Assist Steering Kit- New 600 Watt Block Heater- New Goodyear MVT Radials on New Wheels- New Crate Hercules Motor, Transmission, Front & Rear Axles- New Arctic Heater Package- New Air Assist Power Steering- New Military Dome Light- New Bed Top- New Winch Cable and Cover- New Military Spec Batteries- Electric Wipers- Pyrometer gauge- All New Gauges- No Oil Leaks.
Thanks for everyone’s help in advance…

gee, wish I could read that

 

[ldmack3]

Hummm. 'not sure how to answer as there are several. You can find these on ebay fairly often. The key is getting the instructions that show how to place them. I couldn't, so I looked up photos until I could eye-ball their placement, and used a weapon to help get the dimensions right - or right enough for my rifles. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

I'll look some more. All I saw were Easy Rider rifle racks.
Thanks