M35A3 value?

[Elohim1]

Been out of the MV scene for a while.

Found a 1993 M35A3 Cat/Allison with winch locally . Has 13k on speedometer. Looks to be in real good condition. Tires Look good. Just wanting to know market value. He is wanting $14k .

 

[glcaines]

Does it run good? How about rust? Does it have a fiberglass hood or the crappy steel one? Does it have a clear title? Does the winch work? You need photos! All M35A3 trucks are listed as 1993 re-manufacture. It is likely another year. Mine is a 1998 re-manufacture. Much of the equipment on the truck will have data tags with dates on them, such as axles, hydraulic pump for winch, etc. I love my M35A3. It has proven to be a very reliable truck which gets used frequently, including fairly long trips.

 

[HDN]

I also want to see pics. You could get a nice driveable M939-series 5-ton or a decent HMMWV for that price. I feel like that M35A3 better be close to immaculate or come with plenty of extras for $14000. It might be the seller's let-go price too - they don't necessarily want to sell the truck, but they will sell it at that price. My let-go price would be something ridiculous for a sucker to latch onto

In addition to what @glcaines asked:

• What tires are mounted?
• Are the CTIS components still there, functional, or are they dismounted and come with the truck?
• Can you take it for a test drive?
• Any extras come with the truck?

 

[Elohim1]

Runs good.
New bed cover.
No rust
Ctis still in tact. One tire not working properly.
Clear title.
Not sure about hood.

 

[Elohim1]

More pics

 

[HDN]

That truck looks pretty clean to me! Be sure to check the fenders for rust too. I see the rubber floor mats were removed at some point. They retain moisture, which is why the floor looks a bit rusty. I took most of them out of my truck when I had to pull the toeboard to replace the engine speed sensor.

The trucks with steel hoods are made up of cut-up sections of sheet metal riveted together. I'm pretty sure they're M35A2 hoods cut down the middle and widened with a sheet of metal, with another strip of formed sheet metal at the cab end of the hood to lengthen it. I think the fiberglass hoods are all one piece.

Also wondering:

• Where is the spare tire? The mount is empty, but it looks like it has 395s mounted, and a 395 spare won't fit on the spare tire mount. Is it in the bed?
• What's in the transmission, 15W-40 or some kind of ATF?
• Does the heater core leak? Many of these trucks have leaky heater cores which are the result of a fixable manufacturing defect. My truck's heater core leaks.
• Do the heater vent controls work freely?
• Why does it look like the topload mechanism of the front axle differential is covered in oil in the one under-the-truck pic?
• Has service been performed on the wheel bearings and the tandem spring seat bearings? At its current mileage I'd think both of those things should have been taken care of at least once by a private owner. Maybe its current owner hasn't had the truck for that long.

Maybe I'm splitting hairs now but if I'm considering spending that much on a truck, I'd be asking about that stuff. I think the truck looks nice, but I'm not sure it's $14000 nice. Maybe offer $11000-$12000? That will depend on a test drive too.

 

[Elohim1]

Thanks for the input. He said he was firm at this point. Has had it for three years and I believe he drives it weekly. I am going to pass at this time until me drops the price

 

[glcaines]

That looks like a good M35A3, but as HDN mentioned, $14K is too high in my opinion. From the photos, it definitely has the steel hood, which is less desirable. That drivers seat really looks bad, not 13K worth as the odometer shows. New seat covers aren't that expensive. HDN mentioned to find out what fluid was in the transmission. The original motor oil works, but the transmission shifting up and down is sluggish. ATF is far superior, but only Dexron 3 should be used. Any ATF with a higher number than Dexron 3 will destroy the seals in the Allison 1545 transmission and should never be used according to Allison. I would want to drive the truck and see the winch work. Additionally, deuces are not for everyone. Have you ever driven a deuce? I love them, but some don't. If you are really interested in the truck, show up with $11 -12K in cash and tell him that's all you can come up with. It's amazing how the price can come down when you have a fairly large stack of 100-dollar bills in your hand.

 

[Elohim1]

Thanks for the info.
Yes , I used to use a deuce to haul my jeep around as you can see in my avatar. Have had many CUCV’s , Humvee’s , M715’s , M37’s . I wish I could find the M715 I built 15 years ago . It has deuce axles and a 502 chevy motor. Attaching a pic.