dessertrat
Member
- 8
- 32
- 13
- Location
- Eagle Mountain, UT
I might be in over my head, but I knew that was going to happen before I jumped, so that technically makes it a good decision.
I've wanted to do this for a long time. I figured if I ever get an MV, I had better do it in time for the 250 year anniversary of Independence Day. And here we are with little less than a year to spare.
May I present my 1982 M35a2. Runs great, starts right up, stops better than I expected (one of the things that worried me about Deuces; it also has a remote brake fluid reservoir so I can keep an eye on brake fluid level and ease my mind a little), and the parking brake even holds it on a steep hill (another one of the things that worried me, and don't worry, I still use chocks, but it is quite a relief that it doesn't just roll away on a slight incline like I've seen in some YouTube videos).
I believe it may have been used in the Air Force because it has a sticker on the dash describing airdrome stop/go/warning signals, which I believe must be for ground vehicles to be aware of incoming/outgoing air traffic around a runway (glad for someone to set me straight on this if you know more about those signals).
You'll notice the second gas tank. I think it's set up as a transfer, not a direct dual tank like my old 93 F350, though it may not have been fully set up as the prior owner didn't use it and wasn't the one who installed it, and it's empty. Probably needs wiring finished up.
It came with some extra parts including some for power steering (at least that's what I was told, haven't had a chance to go through and identify them yet). Turning with these oversized wheels can definitely be a workout, though I found it not too bad under normal circumstances, at any speed reasonably beyond stopped. In my cul-de-sac, however, I didn't make a wide enough turn to turn around and had to keep going in and out of reverse to wiggle my way around, and boy, that was tough to get those wheels turning.
It also came with a coveted boarding ladder. That thing is awesome. I can see why they're like hen's teeth now.
Needs a new tarp, might need to get some new tires sooner than later as I noticed some cracking. I need to figure out the buzzer not turning off-- I'm guessing the low pressure switch needs to be replaced or cleaned out. The cable connecting the two had a lot of electrical tape on the buzzer end and was clearly falling apart, so maybe replacing the cable would fix some short or something. For now I disconnected it and watch the pressure gauge, but I don't intend to keep it that way long. Needs a new horn button assembly as that's totally missing, which was disappointing not to be able to honk as I came down the street for the kids. Though the exhaust was loud enough they could hear me a long way away anyhow.
But she's a beaut! All the neighbors and their kids were naturally drawn outside when I brought it home, and everyone's excited to do hayrides and other neighborhood/community fun with it, which is awesome because I know some people's neighbors get persnickety about our MVs; at least mine are cool about it. The neighborhood is all half acre on up to 2 acre lots, so semis, dump trucks, backhoes, horses, chickens, and junk piles are not uncommon.
While I work out flattening part of my property to park this long term (we live on a hill and I'd prefer not to park it on my steep driveway), someone in the neighborhood with a lot of empty flat land a couple streets away is allowing me to park it there. Unfortunately his dogs got out at the time when I came to knock on his door to make sure he was still good with it and ask where he wanted me to put it, and that is the first and hopefully last time I'm attacked by a German Shepard. She was all cuddly afterwards once the owner told her I'm a friend, but boy, you don't want to be on the firing end of one of those. Luckily it wasn't too bad, though she did break the skin on my leg and rip my good pair of pants. This just gives me more incentive to get my own property all set up.
A small mechanic shop in the neighborhood was excited to see the truck when I told them about it, and they happily said they'd give me all the waste oil I want because it saves them $150 pickup fees. I've been doing a lot of research on the forum about filtering/moisture removal setups, so once I can build one of my own and get myself a transfer pump, I should be able to get the majority of my fuel for free aside from thinning it down with diesel or gas.
Well, here's to a future of proper maintenance, a lot of learning, lighter wallets, and a whole load of fun.
I've wanted to do this for a long time. I figured if I ever get an MV, I had better do it in time for the 250 year anniversary of Independence Day. And here we are with little less than a year to spare.
May I present my 1982 M35a2. Runs great, starts right up, stops better than I expected (one of the things that worried me about Deuces; it also has a remote brake fluid reservoir so I can keep an eye on brake fluid level and ease my mind a little), and the parking brake even holds it on a steep hill (another one of the things that worried me, and don't worry, I still use chocks, but it is quite a relief that it doesn't just roll away on a slight incline like I've seen in some YouTube videos).
I believe it may have been used in the Air Force because it has a sticker on the dash describing airdrome stop/go/warning signals, which I believe must be for ground vehicles to be aware of incoming/outgoing air traffic around a runway (glad for someone to set me straight on this if you know more about those signals).
You'll notice the second gas tank. I think it's set up as a transfer, not a direct dual tank like my old 93 F350, though it may not have been fully set up as the prior owner didn't use it and wasn't the one who installed it, and it's empty. Probably needs wiring finished up.
It came with some extra parts including some for power steering (at least that's what I was told, haven't had a chance to go through and identify them yet). Turning with these oversized wheels can definitely be a workout, though I found it not too bad under normal circumstances, at any speed reasonably beyond stopped. In my cul-de-sac, however, I didn't make a wide enough turn to turn around and had to keep going in and out of reverse to wiggle my way around, and boy, that was tough to get those wheels turning.
It also came with a coveted boarding ladder. That thing is awesome. I can see why they're like hen's teeth now.
Needs a new tarp, might need to get some new tires sooner than later as I noticed some cracking. I need to figure out the buzzer not turning off-- I'm guessing the low pressure switch needs to be replaced or cleaned out. The cable connecting the two had a lot of electrical tape on the buzzer end and was clearly falling apart, so maybe replacing the cable would fix some short or something. For now I disconnected it and watch the pressure gauge, but I don't intend to keep it that way long. Needs a new horn button assembly as that's totally missing, which was disappointing not to be able to honk as I came down the street for the kids. Though the exhaust was loud enough they could hear me a long way away anyhow.
But she's a beaut! All the neighbors and their kids were naturally drawn outside when I brought it home, and everyone's excited to do hayrides and other neighborhood/community fun with it, which is awesome because I know some people's neighbors get persnickety about our MVs; at least mine are cool about it. The neighborhood is all half acre on up to 2 acre lots, so semis, dump trucks, backhoes, horses, chickens, and junk piles are not uncommon.
While I work out flattening part of my property to park this long term (we live on a hill and I'd prefer not to park it on my steep driveway), someone in the neighborhood with a lot of empty flat land a couple streets away is allowing me to park it there. Unfortunately his dogs got out at the time when I came to knock on his door to make sure he was still good with it and ask where he wanted me to put it, and that is the first and hopefully last time I'm attacked by a German Shepard. She was all cuddly afterwards once the owner told her I'm a friend, but boy, you don't want to be on the firing end of one of those. Luckily it wasn't too bad, though she did break the skin on my leg and rip my good pair of pants. This just gives me more incentive to get my own property all set up.
A small mechanic shop in the neighborhood was excited to see the truck when I told them about it, and they happily said they'd give me all the waste oil I want because it saves them $150 pickup fees. I've been doing a lot of research on the forum about filtering/moisture removal setups, so once I can build one of my own and get myself a transfer pump, I should be able to get the majority of my fuel for free aside from thinning it down with diesel or gas.
Well, here's to a future of proper maintenance, a lot of learning, lighter wallets, and a whole load of fun.
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