Purchase of new M35A2C from Goverment Liquidation

I have bitten the bullet and purchased a M35A2C from Goverment Liquidation.
I really do not like purchasing things that I can not seen first.
I'm really hoping that I have not made a huge mistake.
I took a chance on purchasing by the pictures and statement that the truck ran.
I'm still awaiting the goverment to okay the purchase which should not be a problem, but you never know.
I'm curious what it will cost me to insure it, register it, and that I will not need a special license as I was told that no special lic would be required in MA.
I'm getting crazy prices from $1,000.00 to $2,000.00 to get the truck transported to MA(I was hoping before the snow set in).
I really just purchased it for my son and I to have something to do together and use it when camping weekends with his scout troop.
I'm just hoping this does not turn into one big horror show.
I was asked if the vehicle had airshift on the front axle, but have no clue if anyone can tell me.
Hoping this turns out to be a good project with minor work.
Thanks

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cten!

Hang tough! If the truck is running, you might be ok!

Air shift is the more desireable than a sprag transfer case!

You can tell if it is air shift, by looking for a lever that is mounted on a bracket at the bottom edge off the dash!

It is used to engage the front axle using the onboard air! Look for it if you have any pictures of the interior!

Don't worry, cuz you have come to the best place in the WORLD for help with a Deuce! <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_approve.gif" alt="Approve"><img src="speech/icon_speech_yes.gif" border="0">

Go back and read the previous posts in the Deuce section, and you will learn a whole bunch! <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_thumzup.gif" alt="Thumb Up">

The only stupid question is the one that never gets asked!

Congrats on the purchase. How far are you having to have this hauled at those prices?

Hope this picture helps idenitfy whether or not the vehicle is air shift.

I have to have it hauled 605 miles.

Yes, I have been quite impressed so far with the amount of information on this forum.

It is much appreciated to have people willing to pass down their knowledge.

Regards,

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<font color="green">[3]<font face="Comic Sans MS">That is a darn nice looking "C" truck. It does have the airshift front drive as well as heat and a spring seat. Maybe you can pole the guys here to see if anybody is near MA and can have a looksee at it. 650 mile drive in a deuce is nothing if its a runner. I did 600 in mine teusday. As far as insurance, I use Gulfway in Tampa FL. Costs me less than $200 a year and no limitations on driving it or garaging it. Tags for me are about $130 year. FL has no specialized tag for big trucks. Hauling is a tough one, just keep shopping.</font id="Comic Sans MS">[/3]</font id="green">

Its not eveyday you find a truck that nice.<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_jawdrop.gif" alt="Jawdrop">

cten!

Fine looking Deuce!

Looks like a hard top, heater, air shift, air ride seat, drop side (C), manifold heater(cold weather start), good paint, good tires and a cargo cover! <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_thumzup.gif" alt="Thumb Up"><img src="speech/icon_speech_yeah.gif" border="0">

If all the parts that are there to get it home, you are in great shape!

If it needs to be hauled, let me know! I know a hauler, out of Virginia, that knows how to move a Deuce properly!

Good luck!

I use gulfway as well, I'm in NV and it costs me $169 a year. I got some other ridiculous quotes before that one!

registration can vary. I estimated mine on the DMV site at $300 due to the GVW, but they didn't know what they were doing when I got there and registered it as a Jeep truck, for $39 a year <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_shrug.gif" alt="Shrug"> that'll depend who you talk to.

49 out of the 50 states as far as I read don't require a CDL because the GVW is 23,880, and the limit for CDL is 26k. Also, you're not hauling more than 18 passengers, hauling for commercial purposes, or tyransporting hazardous materials

have fun with your new toy, it looks CLEAN!!!

Very nice looking truck. My purchase decision was similar to yours, only I didn't go to auction. I wish I had. If you drive it, you may want to do it over 2 days. That way you have time to check the fluids (4 hours minimum for a newb), top everything off and hit the road. Drive down with someone so you have a chase vehicle. Look up the fluid capacities and bring enough of everything to top with.

I would say:

- a gallon of antifreeze and a gallon of water (or 2 gal of premixed stuff)
- 2 gallons of 80/90 gear oil with GL-5 AND MT-1 specs (safe for syncros)
- hand pump for the gear oil ($4-5 at the parts store)
- 2 gallons of 15W-40 for diesels
- a quart of DOT5 silicone brake fluid*
- a quart of DOT3 brake fluid*
- a grease gun with NLGI #2 lithium grease (2 tubes)
- pint of battery acid
- a copy of TM 9-2320-361-10 from logsa or a cd on bay. books will save you many times what they cost.

* brake fluid has been reported as sometimes being DOT3 for whatever reason. Stick a clean finger in the fluid and see if it feels warm. If so, then DOT 3, if not DOT5. Don't mix the two. DOT 5 is most likely and most desireable, but you are just worried about getting home for now.

Everything above should be under $100 and likely closer to $50. You will go no faster than about 55, and its a real bear to get used to, whick makes you tired on the first trip. This is why I say 2 days. I was whipped after 5 hours in the seat and having to load/unload my Jeep from the back.

Maybe we should add some items and sticky this as a checklist for picking up a new truck. I know Kenny had a similar list for long trips at one time too. Lots of stuff could be added, but I'm thinking of just a starter list if nothing is wrong with the truck.

Fujunama is probably right. 600 miles in a deuce with an unknown truck and new deuce owner should be spread out. It's an adventure and I live for them. One day I'll tell the story of the 5 ton I bought and nearly burned it to the ground on the way home!

Heads up time!

If you look at the 4th STICKY down from the top of the DEUCE section of the Forum, (yes, that is THIS section of the Forum), you will see that topic covered!

This topic has been covered so many times, that I made it a STICKY! <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_reyes.gif" alt="Reyes">

A whole lot of information is available by going back and looking at previous posts!

Here is another question. What can you tell me about this. Does the engine look complete? If it is running I would hope it is, but maybe someone can tell me somthing by looking at this picture.

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That engine compartment looks sweet as, and no worries about the big long drive. I did 1400 in mine in a push when I picked up mine from GL in Selfridge AFB (N or detroit) and drove it back to Boulder, but I'm a young guy and fairly hale.

Man, I love my deuce. Buying it was one of the craziest things I've ever done but man oh man, it would be one of the last vehicles I sell in a pinch.

Bob

All this talk about buying from GL reminds me of a discussion a buddy and I had in the Columbus DRMO once. We bought 3 trailers, bought them sight unseen, only from the pics on GL. When we got there, I'd swear that what we bought was NOT what the pics were. Anyway, we decided then and there that when buying from GL, we only bid what scrap value is, unless we see them first-hand. And, when planning on picking up the items, plan on picking up scrap, too.

I'm not saying that all GL stuff is junk, I'm just saying that all it takes is one good burn and you really have a bad taste in your mouth. And, if you are wrong about bidding on scrap and it turns out to be a good deal, BONUS!

Dude take a few days driving the truck back
55mph 100dB it's going to hurt and the fun of
you'r first time in one of these<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_headbanger.gif" alt="Headbanger">
have fun rock out.

By the way, the only way I made the long drive was a combination of the following:

1. Ear bud earphones connected to an MP3 player
2. And ballistic quality ear muffs.

Bob

ya definately bring earplugs!!! you wont have the exhaust noise as bad with the hard top on it, but you still have the loud engine and that god awful 5th gear tranny scream that could peirce ballistics armor.

$600 is alot of dough to spend on transporting it home. these trucks are pretty reliable and real simple. as long as you have somthing in the tank that burns and air and oil. it will run. i bought mine from a guy that owned a body shop. i drove it home from his shop on a tank full of paint thinner!!
all the other drivetrain stuff is just like a late 70's 1 ton pickup truck, only bigger. really really simple to work on!!
even if you have a major malfunction half way home, then it would be half price to get it the rest of the way home on a trailer<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_approve.gif" alt="Approve">

Dang, I wish the interior of OUR deuce looked that good!

Most of the data plates are all bleached/scratched, I had no idea they were supposed to be YELLOW like that

So everyone seems to be in concensus that $1,000.00 is too much to have it hauled from VA to MA.<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_dito.gif" alt="Dito">

That TM 9-2320-361-20 that is posted is a good reference guide to bring along.<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_idea.gif" alt="Idea">

Bring the items on the to have list prior to moving and fill all fluids before starting.<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_idea.gif" alt="Idea">

Drive down with a chase vehicle and preferable someone that knows truck engines(brother in law)(his boss worked on M35A2 in the army-phone resource during trip).<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_idea.gif" alt="Idea">

Plan on a 4 day trip back to not push things(weekend).<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_approve.gif" alt="Approve">

I figured that the truck looks nice and clean and it was part of the troop command and more than likely scrutinized more for maintainence.<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_thumzup.gif" alt="Thumb Up">

Engine looks great! But will the tires handle a trip that long (dry rot?).<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_shrug.gif" alt="Shrug">

Ear plugs and hemroid cushion.<img src="emoticons/icon_smile_headbanger.gif" alt="Headbanger">

So what do you all think? Go for it?

looks good man best of luck and gods speed(55mph)
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