Reporting aboard / Southwest Florida

[Semper Gumby]

The wave tops

Found this forum via Garage Journal - spent a fair amount of screen time scrawling through - appreciate the tribal sharing here!

Retired U.S. Marine 0311/0802/0302/0530 -> late career corporate executive (just retired) -> now a bored Floridian.

Final life move billet'd in Fort Myers, Florida (referred to as "SWFL")

Number of years around green iron (mainly M813s and M923s) -

After years of rebuilding and owning vintage 4x4s (FJ40s, CJs) , I've got the time, patience, and space to acquire a green iron < 2.5 ton vehicle -> M35 / M37???

On to the fun part of searching and acquiring one!

 

[marchplumber]

Welcome aboard! Good crazy people here and tons of info!

 

[Mullaney]

The wave tops

Found this forum via Garage Journal - spent a fair amount of screen time scrawling through - appreciate the tribal sharing here!

Retired U.S. Marine 0311/0802/0302/0530 -> late career corporate executive (just retired) -> now a bored Floridian.

Final life move billet'd in Fort Myers, Florida (referred to as "SWFL")

Number of years around green iron (mainly M813s and M923s) -

After years of rebuilding and owning vintage 4x4s (FJ40s, CJs) , I've got the time, patience, and space to acquire a green iron < 2.5 ton vehicle -> M35 / M37???

On to the fun part of searching and acquiring one!

.
Welcome to the Outfit!

Sounds like a good plan to me... I suggest that you check out the vehicles for sale thread. The guys here generally do a good job of describing their toys and what kind of shape they are in. Hopefully you can find one in good shape and ride it off into the sunset!

 

[Guyfang]

Wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, we normally have rules about the Marines. But in your case, WELCOME aboard!

 

[Semper Gumby]

.
Welcome to the Outfit!

Sounds like a good plan to me... I suggest that you check out the vehicles for sale thread. The guys here generally do a good job of describing their toys and what kind of shape they are in. Hopefully you can find one in good shape and ride it off into the sunset!

Affirmative

My most likely acquisition source. I check daily.

 

[Semper Gumby]

Wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, we normally have rules about the Marines. But in your case, WELCOME aboard!

Noted

One saving grace is Marines were typically better at maintaining the gear than my doggie friends with all the merit badges

 

[Semper Gumby]

After a few months of searching, I finally pulled the trigger on some green iron.

Picked up a 1969 REO M35A2 that spent part of its service life with the North Collier Fire Department here in Southwest Florida. I have to assume the FD acquired it decades ago for bush-fire or high-water response duty as it’s clearly been stored and maintained rather than neglected. It came with a clean Florida title, a few spare axle parts, and the kind of honest wear that tells a good story.

The good news: it starts easily, drives straight, and shifts cleanly through all five. Brakes feel solid, steering is tight, and it tracks well for a deuce.

Even better, the original REO Motors data plate is intact:

• Manufacturer: REO Motors, Lansing, Michigan
• Stock No.: G2742-8358463
• Contract No.: DA-20-089-ORD-8126FS
• Serial No.: 05238478 / 4L-97498

Given that it’s been under FD's care for a long stretch, I’m assuming the fluids aren’t prehistoric but I’ll still drain and replace everything so I’ve got a clean baseline.

The less-good: typical rust at the cowl/fender junction and under the snorkel guard. Nothing structural — just patch-panel work ahead. I’ll likely neutralize and epoxy-seal it for now, then decide later whether to go full restoration or just keep her mechanically sorted and ready to roll.

All-in cost was $6,250 (fees and taxes included). Based on what I’ve seen around here, that’s decent for a current running-truck market.

Appreciate the collective knowledge on this forum as I’ll post photos and progress as I go. Open to any advice from members who’ve tackled cab-corner rust or electrical cleanup on these early REO-built deuces.


Semper Fi,

JP – Fort Myers FL

 

[marchplumber]

After a few months of searching, I finally pulled the trigger on some green iron.

Picked up a 1969 REO M35A2 that spent part of its service life with the North Collier Fire Department here in Southwest Florida. I have to assume the FD acquired it decades ago for bush-fire or high-water response duty as it’s clearly been stored and maintained rather than neglected. It came with a clean Florida title, a few spare axle parts, and the kind of honest wear that tells a good story.

The good news: it starts easily, drives straight, and shifts cleanly through all five. Brakes feel solid, steering is tight, and it tracks well for a deuce.

Even better, the original REO Motors data plate is intact:

• Manufacturer: REO Motors, Lansing, Michigan
• Stock No.: G2742-8358463
• Contract No.: DA-20-089-ORD-8126FS
• Serial No.: 05238478 / 4L-97498

Given that it’s been under FD's care for a long stretch, I’m assuming the fluids aren’t prehistoric but I’ll still drain and replace everything so I’ve got a clean baseline.

The less-good: typical rust at the cowl/fender junction and under the snorkel guard. Nothing structural — just patch-panel work ahead. I’ll likely neutralize and epoxy-seal it for now, then decide later whether to go full restoration or just keep her mechanically sorted and ready to roll.

All-in cost was $6,250 (fees and taxes included). Based on what I’ve seen around here, that’s decent for a current running-truck market.

Appreciate the collective knowledge on this forum as I’ll post photos and progress as I go. Open to any advice from members who’ve tackled cab-corner rust or electrical cleanup on these early REO-built deuces.


Semper Fi,

JP – Fort Myers FL

Looks red and swollen.....possible infection......better quarantine it @ my LZ
.. safety first!!



CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW TRUCK!!!