Looking for a deuce tractor

[oifvet]

That's a fine pic, Kenny! What kind of tires did you have on the tractor? Also, is that a canvas or vinyl cargo cover on the second truck? Looks good.

Miltucks has an interesting tractor. It was a long-wheelbase 2 1/2 ton cargo deuce, w/ bed removed and 5-ton fifth-wheel installed. The headache rack fit nicely and still left adequate room for trailer swing radius. I also learned that borrowing the over-load springs from a 2 1/2 ton box-van, you can have a nice load-bearing tractor.

I really like that truck of his.

 

[Offroadfabworks]

Miltrucks does have a very nice collection of stuff..

 

[Recovry4x4]

The tires were fairly worn 900 NDTs. The bed cover is vinyl and odd as it may seem, I just got that very cover back from the guy who replaced it. It will be going on the back of the dropside until I can get the special order one from GMA

 

[ARMYMAN30YearsPlus]

What means did you use to capture the duece in the fifth wheel? I would have welded up a kingpin on a large wideflange I beam and lashed the front tires to it.

 

[Recovry4x4]

They say a pic is worth 1000 words. I did it this way so I could steal tires off the front of the toad if I needed them.

 

[oifvet]

One more thing, Kenny. What step(s) did you take with the wheels/axle of the deuce being towed? Anything to make it free-wheel? Drop a shaft? Pull an axle and re-cap the hub?

Just curious. Not trying to track away from the topic.

Thanks!

 

[Recovry4x4]

Funny you ask! I planned on my trip to OH and was leaving Saturday night. Friday night I was headed to Ft Lauderdale with the cargo on a towbar behind the tractor to have the device all welded up. I get down to Matt's place and for the next 3 hours he welds his behind off. While the device is too hot to handle from welding, we use a forklift and lock it into the 5th wheel. Matt squares his Mack wrecker around and we hoisted the cargo up in the air. I back the tractor under it, he drops the cargo and we are done.By now it's late and I wanna get home to get ready. (Remember, both rear axles are still on the ground). I head up the interstate and within 3 miles the driveshaft between the bogies explodes. I guess too much articulation and bumps at highway speed and the shaft hit the trunion axle and broke it. I've got not a tool on me. Quick, call Matt! 5 minutes later he arrives with tools to remove the garbage and a replacement shaft. Load up and go home. Since the shaft is already out I just suspended the fore axle and went with it. On the way back I removed the axle shafts and covered up the holes. Whew. 2003 will go down in history for me as the most adventurous MV year.

 

[oifvet]

Holy Cow!!

 

[oifvet]

What 2 1/2 ton truck does one start with to build a nice tractor? Which one has the long wheelbase so the 5-ton fifth wheel installs, and leaves you with room to put a nice headache rack from a pipeline truck?