Why are the GL Deuces from Texas so beat?

[rchalmers3]

Am I the only one to notice that even when there are more than 2 trucks on the GL website, the offerings from Texas do not stand up to other regions?

The thing I noticed is that there are lots of cannibalized trucks on Texas lots, as if there is some activity the army does there that has them strip parts off trucks more than in other regions.

Anyone have an explanation for the phenomenon or am I high?

Rick

 

[TexRdnec]

i've noticed that cargo covers are few and far between. they don't have any problem taking soft tops off, either.

 

[army_nurse]

I got my m35a2 from San Antonio it looked bad on the pics. it needed seats, a top, a headlight, and the breaks had to have the air blead out on the break lines. that's it. the truck runs great! shifts well and even stops well. I got it on the super cheep. you can't always judge a book by it's cover. thanks to members of this site I was able to get the parts very reasonablly priced. this truck is now a work horse for me and my family.

if you can go look at these trucks. I determined that the one I won was on way better shape than it appeared to be in tke GL listing. I was blessed with a great truck that I was able to pay for with the money I saved up hauling scrap metal. I hope someone else has the same outcome I did.

God bless America

and safe driving to all

 

[PorscheTech911]

I've noticed that to actually. They must be more into recycling the parts than the other bases.

 

[kc5mzd]

I have had alot of luck with the trucks in San Antonio. They do seem to go through periods where everything looks like scrap. They also go through periods where even scrap turns out to be a good running truck. I was there last week and there were alot of very nice trucks waiting to be picked up or geting ready to go up for auction. The best advice I can give is to be patient...

 

[PorscheTech911]

Maybe they use parts from several trucks to make a few nicer ones? God forbid the GL people actually do something that nice for you if that's the case. I would be surprised, but anything could happen.

 

[820jeep]

We use our trucks in the Military in Texas. We don't just set them in the motor pool and look at them. Well it sounds good.
I have one in San Antonio waiting for EUC 60+, I hope it is going to be a good one.

 

[Westex]

I purchased both of my Deuces at Fort Sam and have been very happy with both of them. My hard top which I drive alot needs its FDC bypassed, which I intend to do next week, but it's been a great truck so far with no major issues. The soft top actually had a rebuilt motor in it. Both cranked and ran when I picked them up. My advice if you're going to buy at Fort Sam is to preview the truck if at all possible.

 

[mkcoen]

I've gotten 6 deuces from Ft Sam and all but one drove home with no problems.

Back in the mid-80s when we were turning in 151's it would take about 35 to get 30 that would pass inspection to turn in. We had to cannabilize all the others for parts. We worked a good 4 months to do that only to have them cut in half or run over by a tracked vehicle. Be happy they're in the condition that they are.

Here's a picture of my W/W I got at Ft. Sam. I put over 400 miles on it the week of Veteran's Day doing events. The only thing I had to do to it was replace 1 windshield and 1 mirror. After GL fees I paid a total of $1578.50 for it.

 

[kc5mzd]

We use our trucks in the Military in Texas. We don't just set them in the motor pool and look at them. Well it sounds good.
I have one in San Antonio waiting for EUC 60+, I hope it is going to be a good one.

Let me know if you need help when it is time to pick it up. I live close, if I am not working I can help. I also know a few good mechanics.

 

[NDT]

The pattern has been the cann'd deuces came from the Air Force bases in San Antonio. They are all late A2C's with the dual brakes. The trucks missing tops are Texas National Guard.

 

[blacktop_one]

Day 47 waiting for EUC to clear, hope to get my deuce out of Ft. Sam before Christmas! Ho, Ho, Ho!

 

[Varyag]

I have two acronyms for you, 1st CAV.

We used to beat the holy crap out of all of our wheeled stuff so it looked like garbage but we kept it running well. I think we ended up painting the commander's hummer twice a year to cover all the deep scrapes. The last year I was there we spent 294 days in the field including 2 NTC rotations.



They get used.

 

[TexAndy]

Quite true, OP.

All the Texas trucks are beat to ****. Everyone stay away from those auctions. Don't waste your time.

 

[fuzzytoaster]

I've noticed it too and lately its been slim pickings around here. I'd like to pick up a good runner around $1500..unless Santa wants to leave it in my drive way.

 

[rchalmers3]

The pattern has been the cann'd deuces came from the Air Force bases in San Antonio. They are all late A2C's with the dual brakes. The trucks missing tops are Texas National Guard.

Thanks NDT, is this info passed to you, your theory or personal knowledge?

Why oh why would the AF cannibalize newer trucks? Don't they have the older models around to steal pieces off of?

TexAndy, good advise. Those boys are making junk of those trucks, might as well look elsewhere! hehe.

Rick

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

All the Texas trucks are beat to ****. Everyone stay away from those auctions. Don't waste your time.

That's absolutely correct.... Look for the GOOD TRUCKS elsewhere... yeah that's it.... The GOOD TRUCKS are ALL at the OTHER GL LOCATIONS. They just don't have GOOD TRUCKS in Texas! Go away, Go AWAY - the GOOD TRUCKS don't live here!!!!!

(Think they'll get the hint?) <LOL>

 

[NDT]

Thanks NDT, is this info passed to you, your theory or personal knowledge?

Why oh why would the AF cannibalize newer trucks? Don't they have the older models around to steal pieces off of?

Rick

You can tell which trucks are TXNG from the 36-XXX bumper markings. You can tell the Air Force trucks by studying the "Late Contract AF deuce spotter's guide" thread.

Not sure why the trucks are cannibalized. Maybe an Air Force bad habit, gotta have that "hangar queen".

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Why oh why would the AF cannibalize newer trucks? Don't they have the older models around to steal pieces off of?

Rick,
While it's well known that the military (all branches) are regularly criticized for the lack of genious they apply to many decisions, the cannibalization of equipment actually dates back to prehistoric times and the "survival of the fittest".

When unit a has a "dead truck" in the motorpool, and some problem more minor comes up on another truck, it's simple supply and demand that says, "go rob that part we need from the "lot lizard" and we'll get this one up and running quickly." They always plan to go back and fix the "lot lizard", but eventually, when it has to stand upon its own horribly cannibalized value, it need too much inve$tment to restore to operational readiness. The "lot lizard" is never selected based on age or desirability, it is simply the slowest Gazelle in the fleeing herd and the lion pounces upon it simply for the nutrition it will provide to the fighting lion (the rest of the motorpool).

and that is your survival lesson for the day.

 

[CARNAC]

Some of these trucks are still being used heavily. Perfect example is that the Army Medical School (a regular Army unit) still have a large number. Considering the Maintenance Expenditure Level is zero on these trucks, units will be scrounging for the parts for fear of loosing the truck. In normal units, such as infantry unit, that might not be a problem since they can get loaned vehicles or get transport requests filled from other units. Since training units don't belong to the "same Army" as the field units, getting that support is significantly more problematic. So if a training unit looses trucks, they have a much higher potential of going without.

Tarps, bows, and side racks for trucks maybe turned in separately for a simple reason. These items are accounted for as a separate item from the truck. Think of it as a ring mount or a 50 cal or a S-280 shelter. Some folks that manage property will require it to be turned in separate from the truck (sticklers for regulation I imagine) while others write it off as a loss (which is one reason why the newpapers hears about how the military can't account for property).

It's hit or miss depending on time, location, and unit that turned the truck in. A recent thread discussed using vehicles as targets is a valid use of vehicles if it supports our war on terror. This concern that is raised here is similar if not identical. If stripping this vehicles helps out training troops, so be it.

Lastly, if the vehicle is stripped prior to going to GL, it's a situation of ensuring to inspect prior to buying.