Talk Me Out of My Fascination With Owning an LMTV

I already own a 1986 AM General M998 HMMWV. The wife was super happy about that surprise.

But lesson learned, I have forewarned her of my recent irrational fascination with owning an LMTV: Stewart & Stevenson family or BAE (liking BAE as it has A/C already).

She's not happy about that either.

I told her wanting to buy a ~$10k military surplus truck that is super utilitarian (we live on 9.5 acres, I have a sawmill etc.) is a lot better than lusting after a high-end sports car.

I know the Stewart & Stevensons have some notorious issues - I am not aware of the full extent of them, nor how to avoid / mitigate them when purchasing / after purchase - but they have an appeal to me (the trucks, not the issues).

So, I need input from you LMTV-ers to own up to the pain in the butt factors of owning one of these so I can definitively put a check in either the Dubious or Glorious column.

Thanks in advance for your input.

PS: I live ~2 hrs from Fort Bragg, NC, so that's where mine would most likely come from - I've seen a few posts about how the Bragg LMTVs end at auction.

Be advised that the LMTV's that come out of Bragg are rode hard & put up wet. If you shop well & are not in a hurry, you may get a good truck for a fair price. Also, the prices of good shape running trucks are not low anymore, the last MTV I bid on went for $25K, but it was a runner in nice shape.

Maybe just go fishing?
How much work you wanna do?

FloridaAKM said:

Be advised that the LMTV's that come out of Bragg are rode hard & put up wet. If you shop well & are not in a hurry, you may get a good truck for a fair price. Also, the prices of good shape running trucks are not low anymore, the last MTV I bid on went for $25K, but it was a runner in nice shape.

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A running BAE 1093 just sold for ~$13k. A running Stewart & Stevenson went for ~$7k.

All in the last two (2) weeks.

Find an owner close to you and see if you can go and drive it, do the pre checks, talk about it and in general soak in the LMTV. I was all in on up grading from my XM818 truck tractor to a M931A2 truck tractor till I drove one on a day long road trip. I still have my 818!

FMTV's are just plain cool. They draw a lot of attention. They are fun drive and make Jeeps look like toys

What will this vehicle be used for ? If it is just a hobby truck to fiddle with, then jump in. If it is going to used as an Overlanding RV, then tread much more carefully. Most everything that is plastic or rubber will need to be replaced or somehow rebuilt. If you plan on short runs camping, yeah you can work your way through the truck, but a tow will be expensive if something breaks. Max speed for trucks is around 56 mph unless you have the 3.07's. Full-time Overlander ? You will need to put a lot of money in it to do a bumper to bumper rebuild.

The first thing to do is get the driveline balanced. Damages run into the thousands of dollars if it is not done. The driveline will crack the block, crack the bell housing, destroy things like alternator brackets, the list goes on.....

The air over hydraulic system is awful. Yeah you can rebuild it, but it still will fail. The all time 6 AWD is noisy, but powerful. It lacks locked axles, BUT you can add lockers.

MWMULES said:

Find an owner close to you and see if you can go and drive it, do the pre checks, talk about it and in general soak in the LMTV. I was all in on up grading from my XM818 truck tractor to a M931A2 truck tractor till I drove one on a day long road trip. I still have my 818!

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Good call

Do it, you will never look back or be released from your addiction

Phoenix77 said:

....so I can definitively put a check in either the Dubious or Glorious column.

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You do realize what forum you're in, right? This is like asking crackheads on a crack forum if crack is fun.

I second the recommendation to go sit in one and/or drive it. It's probably the most imperative thing to do.

I was somewhat in your shoes... check the first post in my build thread (link in sig). Wasn't sure what to do but decided to jump on it and take a chance. I think we ended up with a great truck. The more I dig through it, the cleaner it seems. Something will eventually break and bite me, but I truly am a fan of mine.

So yeah, there's a very analytical "they're awesome!" for you. I'm still on the honeymoon...

I actually hopped up in one during my last visit to the Fayetteville GovPlanet yard.

Sound advice.

My LMTV came from Bragg and I would buy another from there any day. They tend to run them until something simple breaks and then off to GP.

My M1081 & M1082 came from Bragg about 3 years ago as a runner, but it was missing the turrent cover, drivers window glass & had serious brake problems that wouldn't let it run over the road. Lots of work & $$$ have made it drivable, but still not road worthy for trips & just driving around. They are fun trucks to drive compared to a Deuce, but you have to get one in good shape for a low price to have a good road worthy truck to drive & trust that it won't dump you on the road & rob your bank account. YMMV.

I say go for it since you already know your way around a hmmwv. These are not any worse than those as far as I can tell.
I still have a blast with mine. It is super handy around the land that is why I got one with a crane.

I'm about 1-1/2 hours the other way from Bragg, I have a couple bragg trucks here. I (the 107 is the love of my life, and one (108 is being parted. If you find yourself with time, come on out.

SausageGuy said:

I say go for it since you already know your way around a hmmwv. These are not any worse than those as far as I can tell.
I still have a blast with mine. It is super handy around the land that is why I got one with a crane.

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That crane is awesome; I contemplated one with a crane - especially since I have a sawmill now.

wheelspinner said:

I'm about 1-1/2 hours the other way from Bragg, I have a couple bragg trucks here. I (the 107 is the love of my life, and one (108 is being parted. If you find yourself with time, come on out.

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You're west of Fayetteville?

Everything is electronic. A sensor malfunctions or fails and you'll be in limp home mode, about 20 MPH. Replacement parts are expensive. Yellow engines are expensive.

I will let you know a month after I get mine. It is supposed to be a NICE One and well looked at before buying it.

JD4044M said:

I will let you know a month after I get mine. It is supposed to be a NICE One and well looked at before buying it.

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Where did you buy? GP or private sale?

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