Wrecker I.D. Help Please???? M62 or M543 maybe???

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Spotted a Wrecker today and am trying to determining just what M-Series it is.

Here are the two photos I have.
.
Unfortunately, these are the ONLY photos or for that matter the ONLY information I have about the truck.

The possibilities I've considered are:
M816 - NOPE, the Air Breather is on the wrong side.
M62 - I don't think so. The M62's images on the web show NO fender mounted Air Breather.
M543 - Could be! But I'd still like confirmation.


I checked OliveDrab.com
http://olive-drab.com/od_mvg_www_deuce_m39.php

...which leads me to the M62 page:
http://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_m62wrecker.php

...or the M543 page:
http://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_wrecker_m543.php


Studying the pics on those pages, it looks like the M62 has no fender mounted air breather, although only the left side view is shown in the larger photos. The only right-side pic is small but appears there's not an air breather on the right either.

The page with the M543 does indeed show the right fender mounted air breather.

Can someone please confirm this: Yay or Nay ???



Thank you very much!

 

[bigmike]

Looks just like the M543 I have. I don't see the spare tire on the side of the crane like an M62.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Thanks, BigMike!

Also, the M543 pics at OliveDrab.com show the front bumper mounted vise in only one shot. The base plate seems to have been standard equipment, but the vise seems seldom present. (maybe a high theft item??? LOL)

Thanks again.
John

 

[Recovry4x4]

Boom hoist is visible slung under the boom. 543 for sure.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Boom hoist is visible slung under the boom. 543 for sure.

Thanks for that.

OliveDrab mentions only difference between M62 vs M543 was boom configuration, but it seems the air breather and spare tire mount vary too.

 

[bigmike]

Base plate for vise is standard and my vise is missing as well. Also, spare tire on M543 is directly behind cab, centered and parallel to the back of the cab.

 

[dmetalmiki]

Nice truck if you can get it cheap enough.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Nice truck if you can get it cheap enough.

...but the air breather is on the wrong side for the M816's powerplant.

Now I'm corn-fused.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Nice truck if you can get it cheap enough.

Huh.

I don't remember saying it was FOR SALE.

I know that "everything is for sale for a price." But whose saying that old lady is for sale?

 

[jatonka]

M62s had a hyd tank at the back of the cab. M543s have hyd tank mounted on the rotating upper house. That truck is an M543. Air cleaner mount only signifies gas 6602 or multifuel LDS 465 1A. Many M62s were up graded to multifuel engines. You either have an M543A2 multi or an M543A1 Mack. JT

 

[Evil Dr. Porkchop]

The air intake elbow would indicate that it is an m543a2 multifuel (or an earlier model that had been changed to a multifuel).

 

[Rmtaunton]

X2


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[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

M62s had a hyd tank at the back of the cab. M543s have hyd tank mounted on the rotating upper house. That truck is an M543. Air cleaner mount only signifies gas 6602 or multifuel LDS 465 1A. Many M62s were up graded to multifuel engines. You either have an M543A2 multi or an M543A1 Mack. JT

The air intake elbow would indicate that it is an m543a2 multifuel (or an earlier model that had been changed to a multifuel).

X2


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Multi-Fuel. I like that. We happen to have a spare MF still in the can that we got when we won our Deuce at auction.

IF.... and I must emphasize - IF it is "for sale" the Multi-Fuel would simplify any maintenance learning curve and spare parts inventories.

Got it.

Thanks.

 

[86m1028]

Is that a standard military wrecker bed ?

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Is that a standard military wrecker bed ?

Yes, Sir, it is.

Click on the links in Post #1 of this thread and you can see examples of it's mass production.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

We're making progress !

I spoke that a "point of contact" for this wrecker today!

He's a very nice, enthusiastic veteran, seemingly knowledgeable of MVs in general and this truck in particular.
I'm told that this truck last ran about 2-1/2 years ago. He believes that with a set of fresh batteries she'll fire right up! According to him, it did indeed "ran when parked".
All 10 tires are holding air, though he (nor I) would trust them to endure our current 100F temps for a 100 mile drive or flat-tow back to our LZ.
It has a CLEAR TITLE that shows it to be a "1972 KAISER". I'm not sure of that statement's accuracy. I think the M543 production ended sometime before 1972. I'm expecting an email with a pic of the data plate. Once that's recieved I'll request some VIN INFO from "bikeman".

On a more serious note...
Soldier B and I have entered into negotiations on several points:
1. If it's "for sale", do we really "need" another MV in our motor pool?
2. Where exactly in our backyard would be park this beauty-in-the-rough?
3. Would it be useful? This point has already been conceded... It's a wrecker, it's a crane, of course it would be useful!!!
4. Just how much would it cost to acquire and restore to safe operational condition? (This question is too practical and logical for an addict's mind to wrap itself around. I am thankful that Dianna is rational at times like this.)
5. Does the COOL FACTOR equate to any CASH VALUE?
6. Is MV-buying habit-forming?
...and the list goes on.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

I have just obtained photos of the DATA PLATE(S) on this wrecker.
Unfortunately, the resolution is poor and therefore the printing is not legible.

. .

If anyone can play with the resolution and/or contrast to make out the actual model, serial number, registration number, etc. please feel free to "decode" it and submit your findings.
Thank you,
John

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

The Plot of this Thread Just Took an INTERESTING TURN ! ! !

I am not yet at liberty to disclose any details, but as the post title declares...
STUFF JUST GOT REALLLLLLLY INTERESTING !!!

Stay tuned for details as they become clear and post-worthy.

HEHEHE - I just LOVE a good mystery !

 

[86m1028]

Keep us posted, always like to hear a good wrecker mystery !

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

I am not yet at liberty to disclose any details, but as the post title declares...
STUFF JUST GOT REALLLLLLLY INTERESTING !!!

Stay tuned for details as they become clear and post-worthy.

HEHEHE - I just LOVE a good mystery !

OK, boys and girls, here's the BIG REVEAL......

This Wrecker WAS UP FOR AUCTION with a closing date of Friday July 15th.

HOWEVER....

On Tuesday, July 12th, shortly after I posted the Data Plate Pics I clicked on the auction to check on the bidding (someone had placed an opening bid of $500 only) and I was prepared to wait patiently and jump into the bidding sometime Friday before the auction closing.

BUT...

To my surprise, the Auction Lot had DISAPPEARED ! ! !

So I texted my point of contact. All he knew was that the City Manager had had the Wrecker PULLED FROM THE AUCTION.

Now, here is where I know there's a GOD THING going on.....

Just that morning, I got a call from the staff that supports a San Angelo City Board that I sit on. I was asked if I would be able to attend a RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY in the very town where this Wrecker was at. So, on this coming Wednesday, July 20th I will be "in town" on official business. This will be a significant event for the City that owns the Wrecker, and their City Manager - the guy that had the Wrecker pulled - will be in attendance. Now THAT is what I like to call something more than a coincidence... It's a GOD-incidence.

I have emailed the City Manager asking for 10 minutes of his time at the ceremony. My intent is to determine why the Wrecker was pulled from auction, IF it will be re-offered at auction, or IF they might be agreeable to transferring it to a 501c3 Charitable Organization for preservation and restoration. (Paperwork is in the works for the creation of such an organization locally.)

One of my concerns is that during it's time on the auction block someone in the City determined that they didn't actually "own" the Wrecker but that it may have been on loan from Uncle Sam. THAT could complicate things.... OR simplify its transfer by donation to a 501c3.

In any event, I have high hopes. I will keep y'all posted as new information becomes available.