Anybody bought a retired 6x6 deuce and a half?

[JB4310]

Here's a pic of mine after I got the dump installed.

BTW - I named it "Deuce Bigalow", but the wife and kids refer to it as "Shrek".

That one looks in pretty good shape.

You have the 10 wheeler, mine was a 6 but my brother has a 10 wheel dump with a pto front winch and a 6 for parts.

Trannies are the achilles heel of those things, there are countless numbers of these trucks sitting in fields with weeds growing up thru them for need of a transmission (that's what I've heard anyway).

JB

 

[RoyJackson]

Trannies are the achilles heel of those things, there are countless numbers of these trucks sitting in fields with weeds growing up thru them for need of a transmission (that's what I've heard anyway).

JB

I know that most were (at one time) 4 or 5 speed manual trannies...but quite a few of the newer ones use an Allison automatic.
Which tranny is the weak link?

 

[JB4310]

I know that most were (at one time) 4 or 5 speed manual trannies...but quite a few of the newer ones use an Allison automatic.
Which tranny is the weak link?

All the ones I'm familiar with, those GMC's from the 1950's had autos, not sure of the make, but they were 4 speed with 2 ranges for a total of 8 forward and 2 reverse. From what I heard they are complex and no parts available, that's why every one needs one. I sold mine to another less mechanically inclined brother and he destroyed the tranny by putting ATF in it, It requires 90 weight!!! in an auto :confused2:

You can see some specs here, a whopping 130 hp

http://olive-drab.com/od_mvg_www_deuce_m135.php

Standard would be nice, they would still all be on the road. I may have some info crossed as it has been awhile.
Got to dig out and scan an old picture.

JB

 

[MossflowerWoods]

SLHawkins has one (or something VERY similar).

I've seen it at his Dad's place.

David

 

[RoyJackson]

All the ones I'm familiar with, those GMC's from the 1950's had autos, not sure of the make, but they were 4 speed with 2 ranges for a total of 8 forward and 2 reverse. From what I heard they are complex and no parts available, that's why every one needs one. I sold mine to another less mechanically inclined brother and he destroyed the tranny by putting ATF in it, It requires 90 weight!!! in an auto :confused2:

You can see some specs here, a whopping 130 hp

US Military M135 Series 1/2-ton, 6x6 Trucks

Standard would be nice, they would still all be on the road. I may have some info crossed as it has been awhile.
Got to dig out and scan an old picture.

JB

I clicked on your link...the automatics were the old GM Hydra-matic...mostly used as bus transmission, IIRC. IIRC, GM had a plant that built these transmissions.
I had one in a 3/4 ton stake body truck. I can't recall if the truck was a Chevy or GM. We used this as an ice truck (yep, my first job was as an iceman working at my uncle's ice house).
I remember how hard this truck shifted from 1st to 2nd...pretty smooth after that. It was also a 4 speed. I also remember the transmission was as big as the 6 cylinder engine in this truck. I don't recall if it used ATF or gear oil though.

 

[jpsheb]

I looked seriously at these before getting a 4x4 F350. I even bid on one at a government auction but pulled out when the bids went over $3k (I was looking for a bargain). I really liked the options that having a winch, air-compressor, and multi-fuel gave, on top of the 6-wheel drive.

I wanted to use the truck for hauling materials for building, and later for hauling higher-quality logs to veneer or stave mills. 5-tons of stave logs will bring, on average (you *will* be transporting your lower-value 2nd & 3rd logs too) $100 or so per ton. Veneer logs will bring any more. For high value logs, but lower quantities, a 5 to 10-ton payload seemed more attractive than hiring a full-sized rig for hauling.

They are alot of truck for the money, even after buying from a civilian owner or dealer with tags and registration already taken care of. 10k is a lot of truck-bed capacity. But then 6-11 mi/gal (depending on tires, loading, and speed) is quite thirsty. For the same purposes, in all but serious mud and offroad, an Isuzu with an 12-foot bed would be a more conventional solution.

At some point, though, I still may get one of these to fill the roles where an 18k lb Isuzu cannot, such as a bucked tree-to-mill transporter, or a fowarder. But I have a ways to go to work my way up to that point! Right now, I will be trying to get the most out of my F350 and Kubota M6040. My next piece of equipment will probably be a larger more log-capable trailer for the F350 (after I get my CDL!).

 

[RoyJackson]

Roy, if you look at the link in the 1st thread, you will see that it is a '93 model. Really looks good.

When clicking through the link the JB4310 posted, I saw that the '90's rebuilds did include an emissions controlled diesel (Catepillar engine), so that's how they make 'em legal for road use.
Of course, that "93" model is probably from the 50's or 60's and is not actually of 1993 manufacture.

 

[RoyJackson]

that isnt possible cause where i live theres no trees.

I'm not sure which post your's referred or replied to...

BTW, that's a very unusual screen name you have...

Never mind...I read your other posts...you, laddie, are a troll

 

[SLHawkins]

Would it be fun just to have? I was thinking another use could be for my daughter's 1st vehicle to learn to drive in. From a safety standpoint.:laughing:

Kyle_in_Tex,
If you could teach her to drive an 'old' duece, there is nothing out there she wouldn't be able to handle down the road.:laughing: Everything from the M939 series (to include the M35A3) on are automatics. It just aint the same.

I agree with aczlan. Go check out the site Steel Soldiers. Yep, I am a member. You can find just about every piece of information that you need and get all your questions answered there. You might even be able to find one at a decent price. There are several folks with them in Texas. As Mossflowerwoods mentioned, I do have a M52A2. It is the 6x6 Truck, Tractor. The uses for these vehicles are only limited by your imagination. (and, yes, I am going to teach my daughter how to drive it) I use mine primarily for hauling hay. No, it does not even come close to my freightliner for getting down the road. However, I can take this truck places and do things with it that I wouldn't dream of doing with the freightshaker. There are still plenty of the old M39 and M800 series (5 spd manual and multi-fuel or cummins engines) out there. The M39s have the multi-fuel and the M800 series have the cummins. The M939 series still have the cummins, but they came with the allison automatic transmissions. The automatics do not pull as well as the manuals. Also, the basic models (no 'A' in the nomenclature) are you standard dual tandems. The upgraded models (A1/A2) came with super singles. The main difference between the A1 and A2 were the Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS). They did make a 2.5T dump, just not very many. The shop van is the M109. There were very relatively few M35A3s made. These came with Caterpillar engines and CTIS. They were quickly replaced by the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTVs). I reckon these will start hitting the market in another 5 years or so. IMO, stick with the older models (M35, M109, M54, M813, M936(at a good price)). These trucks are a lot more reliable. Much easier to work on, and a whole lot more fun. There are still plenty of parts available out there. The trailer in the video is 12V. I did not have any issues with the lights. The did burn a whole lot brighter though:laughing: The solution, however, is to switch the bulbs to 24V bulbs. You can find the 24V counterparts at NAPA.

P.S. Don't be fooled by the small HP numbers. These trucks are geared for power, not speed.
Old Soldier Rides Again (M52A2 6x6 truck hauling a load of hay) - YouTube
Hawk

 

[MossRoad]

When clicking through the link the JB4310 posted, I saw that the '90's rebuilds did include an emissions controlled diesel (Catepillar engine), so that's how they make 'em legal for road use.
Of course, that "93" model is probably from the 50's or 60's and is not actually of 1993 manufacture.

Roy,
I see you mentioned going to AM General years ago. Was that the Hummer plant in Mishawaka? They also had the original AM General plant over in South Bend. Back in the 80s I had a part time job driving 2.5 ton, 5 ton and Hummers out of the South Bend plant to rail spurs around northern Indiana and loading them for transport. I have driven hundreds of these along with Postal vehicle, too, out of that plant. These military vehicles were brought to AM General for refurbishment. They were stripped down to the frames, rebuilt as a new vehicle, equiped with modern (at the time) equipment and sent back to the military. They were as I recall, much less expensive than a new vehicle. This was discussed somewhere on TBN within the last year, I believe.

Anyhow, we would drive them in convoys of 6 on the highway. They would do 55. So would the 5 ton units. As I recall, the 2.5 tons only came in a troop carrier model and the bed did not dump. The 5 tons had flat beds, troop carriers, dump trucks, cranes and a couple other odd configurations. Both of them would go through mud and sand very well. I can attest to this because when we were left unsupervised, and being of low moral integrity at the time, we would ALWAYS take the opportunity to make an "accidental" wrong turn in the staging lot and take them through the off road test track that was (and still is) on the grounds of the old AM General plant in South Bend.