ntxcop
New member
- 186
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- Location
- Fort Worth, Texas
In September, 2012, I purchased my first ever Military Vehicle, an M923 5-Ton. I had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into. Luckily I met up with a great group of guys at the MVCC of North Texas! They are a great group of guys!
Since making the purchase, I've read the TM's and downloaded the animated guides (AWESOME). I've had some ups and had some downs, but with every turn of a bolt, twist of a screw, and stroke of a paint brush, I've grown to love this big BEAST.
When I purchased it, a friend used his deuce to pull it to my house. Since then I've installed batteries, changed some air valves, installed the drop sides on the cargo bed, fixed the power steering, and painted the exterior of the truck.
Today, I traveled to Hooks, TX and picked up a new set of tires, as the treads on the BEAST are getting low. It was a long day that started at 07:00 hours (normally my bed time, as I work over night shifts). The drive from Fort Worth to Hooks was not too bad, took about 3 hours. It was my first time at Hooks and luckily, since me and my friend are both police officers, we were able to get on base (WITH our weapons) pretty easily. (I would not suggest trying to carry on base unless you are law enforcement.) The guy that loaded the tires on the trailer for us was VERY helpful. I really didn't realize just how big these tires are. The are about the same diameter as the ones on my truck, but the are about 4 inches WIDER. The loader used a fork lift and was able to put 2 tires in the bed (with our assistance) and then load the two pallets of tires on the trailer, and move one tire from a 4 stack to the other pallet with only two tires to balance out the load. The drive home was uneventful (Thank you LORD) and we were able to pull/push the tires off the trailer and roll them to my truck.
I've got to switch out the tires but first I need to repair an air leak in the front rear axle on the passanger side (hope that makes sense) and then switch out the tires. There is an air leak I can hear inside the brake housing. I've read the TM's and think I know what the problem is. I'll find out when I tear into it next week. I hope to have it fixed and have the truck 100% by the March MV Rally in Bryan / College Station next month.
I have pics of the transformation of the truck from day one until today, and I plan on keeping up with this post as I work on the BEAST!
I've said it several times, and I'll continue to say it, Steele Soldiers is the most AWESOME website I've ever seen on a specific subject. And you guys never cease to amaze me with your knowledge. I'm already looking forward to my NEXT military vehicle purchase!
Stay tuned and please be safe!
Keith
The first pic is what the truck looked like the day I arrived to pick it up!
The 2nd pic is of the deuce pulling my 5-Ton! Quite a difference in size!
The 3rd, 4th, and 5th pics are of the grinding and sanding done to prep the truck for paint.
These pics show the drop down sides installed and the finished paint job!
These last two pics are of the tires just after being loaded onto the trailer at Hooks, and unloaded by my truck in Fort Worth! It was a LONG day!
Since making the purchase, I've read the TM's and downloaded the animated guides (AWESOME). I've had some ups and had some downs, but with every turn of a bolt, twist of a screw, and stroke of a paint brush, I've grown to love this big BEAST.
When I purchased it, a friend used his deuce to pull it to my house. Since then I've installed batteries, changed some air valves, installed the drop sides on the cargo bed, fixed the power steering, and painted the exterior of the truck.
Today, I traveled to Hooks, TX and picked up a new set of tires, as the treads on the BEAST are getting low. It was a long day that started at 07:00 hours (normally my bed time, as I work over night shifts). The drive from Fort Worth to Hooks was not too bad, took about 3 hours. It was my first time at Hooks and luckily, since me and my friend are both police officers, we were able to get on base (WITH our weapons) pretty easily. (I would not suggest trying to carry on base unless you are law enforcement.) The guy that loaded the tires on the trailer for us was VERY helpful. I really didn't realize just how big these tires are. The are about the same diameter as the ones on my truck, but the are about 4 inches WIDER. The loader used a fork lift and was able to put 2 tires in the bed (with our assistance) and then load the two pallets of tires on the trailer, and move one tire from a 4 stack to the other pallet with only two tires to balance out the load. The drive home was uneventful (Thank you LORD) and we were able to pull/push the tires off the trailer and roll them to my truck.
I've got to switch out the tires but first I need to repair an air leak in the front rear axle on the passanger side (hope that makes sense) and then switch out the tires. There is an air leak I can hear inside the brake housing. I've read the TM's and think I know what the problem is. I'll find out when I tear into it next week. I hope to have it fixed and have the truck 100% by the March MV Rally in Bryan / College Station next month.
I have pics of the transformation of the truck from day one until today, and I plan on keeping up with this post as I work on the BEAST!
I've said it several times, and I'll continue to say it, Steele Soldiers is the most AWESOME website I've ever seen on a specific subject. And you guys never cease to amaze me with your knowledge. I'm already looking forward to my NEXT military vehicle purchase!
Stay tuned and please be safe!
Keith
The first pic is what the truck looked like the day I arrived to pick it up!
The 2nd pic is of the deuce pulling my 5-Ton! Quite a difference in size!
The 3rd, 4th, and 5th pics are of the grinding and sanding done to prep the truck for paint.
These pics show the drop down sides installed and the finished paint job!
These last two pics are of the tires just after being loaded onto the trailer at Hooks, and unloaded by my truck in Fort Worth! It was a LONG day!
