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Towing
I used to have an M35A2 as my tow vehicle for our track loader, but have recently changed up to a M813. Big improvement but still not everything I was hoping for. We are clearing some land to build on that is only 7 miles from our current location, so a short haul both ways. The 2.5 tow...
Recent pictures
Hey Buggyman,
Those are older pictures taken near the end of the restoration, only have one GMC dumper. I would like to compare notes on your M813, picked one up myself several months ago. I'll send you a PM with contact info.
Karl
I was asked by the Virginia Muesum of Military Vehicles to asst in recovering a hull of a armored vehicle today. Basically I was needed to winch this thing out of a hole it's been sitting in for a long time. This piece of armor had been purchased about ten years ago by the muesum but for reasons...
GMC Hydromatic
Hello Steve,
I have just had a chance to read your thread about the tranny rebuild project, all I can say is THANK YOU!!!!
I have a spare Hydromatic for our GMC that I would like to rebuild, your info will be very helpful.
Was Memphis able to supply all the needed parts for the...
M809 steering wheel
I just went through this with my M813, original 18" steering wheel was in rough shape. Purchased what I thought was a NOS 18" replacement off Ebay, ended up cutting the old wheel apart to remove it. The replacement ended having a different shaft size and was unusable...
Rims
A local truck tire shop breaks them down for me, about $15 per rim. Allows me to clean and repaint the rims before reassembly. I put them together myself, about 15-20 so far. Use a clip on air chuck, locking rim face down, long hose and stand clear. Getting ready for my first 11x20s...
Aberdeen 08
Hello SS,
I plan to attend, display one of the vehicles and just hang out, do I need to reserve a spot, or just show up? Don't need a vendor spot.
Karl
11x20s
Tom,
John had NDT 11x20s, about a dozen that I saw, purchased four myself. John may have had others, but these still had the stickers on them. John mentioned he had 12x20s available also, assume these were Michelins but @ $200 each that is too much for my budget.
Karl
Made a trip to Winslows to change out the bed on the M813, my needs require the truck to have a dropside bed. The change out was quick, removed the mud flaps and loosened the bed bolts before heading to John's place, everything lined up great on the new bed.
John had several beds to pick from...
Front marker lights
The front turn signal lights were made by milling out the face of a standard marker light and attaching a full amber cover. Easy to unscrew and replace with original cover if ever needed for shows. Rear lights are the full red cover used on the Gama-goat. I utilized the...
Hello SS,
How many bows are used on the 5 ton 14' drop side bed, 6 or 7?
Does the second bow from the front install on the rear of the short section of the bed that is fixed, or first section of the drop side?
Thanks in advance, Karl
new pictures
Thanks fellow SS members for the kind words about the dumper, it continues to be my favorite MV. These are not the best pictures but shows the markings we ended up using. I could not find any accurate info on the proper Seabees markings for this era. The local VA National Guard was...
Color
I painted this truck with Gillespie #34087 Lusterless Khaki Olive Drab, which may not be 100% correct for this truck's era. #24087 Semi-gloss OD was not standard until 1957 (?) and since the truck is a 1953 that was one of the reasons for the color choice. I have painted two vehicles in...
hydromatic
When I first installed the Memphis rebuilt tranny in the GMC M215 I used Dexron III. I started to notice the tranning slipping when cold, only in high range forward 1st and 2nd. Once warmed up it worked fine with no slipping. Per Memphis I change the fluid to 30 weight motor oil...
Cummins smoke
SS thanks for the input!
I really was hoping it wasn't a head gasket. This was the only time it smoked like this, engine was up to operating temp. before starting out. Smoked the entire trip approx 20 miles.
Now the question is how do I check or advance the IP or which TM covers...
Hello SS,
Today was the first use of the recently acquired M813 as my tow vehicle for the dozer, noticed something different, lots of white smoke out the exhaust. This has never done before until this morning when put under a load. My first thought was leaking head gasket, checked the oil and...
Halftrack
Hey Mark,
That has to be the coolest recovery ever of a halftrack! To me the Halftrack was the US icon vehicle of WW2. When looking to purchase one I could have never even dreamed of finding / affording one as complete as yours, well worth what ever $ and affort it cost you. We are...