Thought on M35A2 AM General "Deuce and a Half", 2 1/2 ton Cargo Truck

[Builder]

Americans will be doing it the American way, Europeans will be doing it the European way... Allthough in the globalising market, we're getting more of your fastfood chains, and you're getting more of our truck engines, so the differences are getting smaller

I'm not sure all Americans want that-a globalizing market or european diesels. I know I liked the CASE & JD diesels in heavy equipment I operated better than Iveco and I like IH DT, Cummins, Detroit or CAT diesels better than I've seen from Europe, too .

I don't eat much fast food, so I can't help you there.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Renze, I must tell you the Mercedes Benz motor in my Freightliner is a dog. (everyone said so before I bought, but nooooooooooooooo I knew better, they were right ). Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE passes me going up long hills. It's supposed to be a 470hp, which should be plenty, but it's a dog. The engine brake is quiet, but it doesn't do much. I pass them all on the way down, which is not really a lot of fun either.

And it doesn't get any better mileage than anyone else's motor. (6.5mpg, just like everyone else)

parts are expensive (oil pan was $1850, just the oil pan) and it's only ok.

Ain't nobody perfect. And trucks built for Indiana aren't so hot here in colorado (passes over 10,000 feet, etc), trucks especially are very custom built for the job they are to do, much more so than most people think. I think that's a big part of it. City vs long haul, dumps vs vans, even tire size makes a big difference.

 

[Builder]

I ain't met a person yet who liked an MB diesel over here.

 

[Builder]

You know, after seeing what "european" influence did to MACK trucks, I think I would pass on any further "european" influence on American trucks.

MACK, when American made, made the heaviest, toughest construction trucks in the world. They were like road locomotives. Now they're just a shadow of what they used to be-some with Renault diesels and lightweight thin metal cabs. Gee, thanks.

No wonder the old timers do everything they can to hold their old MACKs together.

 

[Renze]

You know, after seeing what "european" influence did to MACK trucks, I think I would pass on any further "european" influence on American trucks.

MACK, when American made, made the heaviest, toughest construction trucks in the world. They were like road locomotives. Now they're just a shadow of what they used to be-some with Renault diesels and lightweight thin metal cabs. Gee, thanks.

No wonder the old timers do everything they can to hold their old MACKs together.

I think you guys didnt get a lot of Renault diesels in them - Renault belongs to Volvo now, they are rebadged Volvo engines. I dont know who made Renault diesels before the Volvo takeover....

Benz did have serious problems with some recent engine families: Some Claas chopper owners traded them as soon as they were out of warranty. Wirtgen, making asphalt millers, changed from Benz to CAT engines because the 700 hp V12 kept blowing up (i do mean blowing up, literally)

Over here, there are many old timers that do everything they can to keep older, non-electronic equipment together, whether its a truck, car or tractor. Without all the crap, they were more reliable. Its a global thing, not just Renault/Volvo influences in Mack...

I am very curious how you guys are going to like the DAF/Paccar MX engines in the Kennies and Petes....

 

[LoneCowboy]

Just for some background, if you don't know.
In 03, emissions standards for big trucks got considerably tighter, most got EGR and a lot of extra crap added on. Mileage went down 10 to 20%

In 07, they got WAY tighter and there is now LOTS of EGR including particulate filters, mileage went down 50% over the pre-03's and there is LOTS of extra weight. You also have to use ULSD diesel (which is what everyone now has) to not plug the filter. Power is down a lot too which is why all the motors that everyone used to be able to get 500hp out of a 12.7, now they need 15L or more to get 500hp.

In 2010, standards get even tighter. Everyone except Navistar is going to DEF fluid, where you have to add this fluid every two diesel tanks for it to work. (it's all over Europe), Navistar is staying with EGR. Cat is getting out of the class 8 engines.

NOBODY is going to buy one, everyone is afraid that it will be another 07 disaster. Everyone is afraid of the new motors, and if the economy was actually going along, you would see tons of pre-buying just like you did in 06/early 07 for people to avoid it and let others work the details out.

BTW, each of these emissions jumps adds about $10,000 to the cost of the engine and the maintenance work goes up a lot.

If DEF works, they "say" that mileage will go back up, but everyone is holding their breath.

 

[Builder]

I think you guys didnt get a lot of Renault diesels in them - Renault belongs to Volvo now, they are rebadged Volvo engines. I dont know who made Renault diesels before the Volvo takeover....

Benz did have serious problems with some recent engine families: Some Claas chopper owners traded them as soon as they were out of warranty. Wirtgen, making asphalt millers, changed from Benz to CAT engines because the 700 hp V12 kept blowing up (i do mean blowing up, literally)

Over here, there are many old timers that do everything they can to keep older, non-electronic equipment together, whether its a truck, car or tractor. Without all the crap, they were more reliable. Its a global thing, not just Renault/Volvo influences in Mack...

I am very curious how you guys are going to like the DAF/Paccar MX engines in the Kennies and Petes....

Renault, Volvo, whatever.

What Volvo did to MACK is not good.

 

[knowlton]

Im trying to contact duke about his IH 4800 for sale. do you still have it? i live in colorado and have been looking for a 4x4 dump for a while now. i use a dump for my business and have alot of steep and tight roads that i drive almost daily. if your dump is still for sale id like to talk to you.

 

[Builder]

Im trying to contact duke about his IH 4800 for sale. do you still have it? i live in colorado and have been looking for a 4x4 dump for a while now. i use a dump for my business and have alot of steep and tight roads that i drive almost daily. if your dump is still for sale id like to talk to you.

I might still sell, but only if I can still get the other truck that's for sale to replace it.

Send me a PM.

 

[westcliffe01]

Builder: Unfortunately, the seller in MN with the truck wouldn't respond to emails and I couldn't reach him by phone either. AFAIK the truck didn't sell on ebay. I have decided that to be in a better position for the next opportunity, I will sell my Dodge Ram truck so that I can move faster on potential deals. Right now I need to get rid of a couple of vehicles before I acquire any more.

I have seen some of the Isuzu Cab over trucks with dump beds which also seems like a possible option. They run about 7000lb lower than the limit (19k gvw) but still have a reasonable payload. The payload becomes important when the distance becomes more significant and one does not want to do too many trips. I'm not sure that would apply to me too frequently.

I recently saw an RV towing a large trailer with 2 tractors on it (I am guessing the owner was taking vehicles to tractor shows and living in the RV). So one gets the impression that RV's are permitted to tow heavy trailers, as long as it is not in any way connected to a business operation. An RV could theoretically be a Semi truck that has had the cab extended to provide the minimum requirements (cooking, sleeping and toilet facilities).