Deuce Dilemma

[Reaper651]

Hey All,
New to the site so my question might be dumb, but here goes. I was just given the opportunity to purchase a 1971 M35A2 that has 17000 miles on it for basically scrap price. I don't think it has been overhauled. It has a White Hercules LD-465-1C according to the data plate on the engine. The whole truck is in VERY good condition. I have worked on these trucks a little bit, back when everyone was turning them into water trucks and beating the **** out of them on the construction site. (Ouch!! Heart Pain!!) Ok here is the dilemma. I live in Kalifornia (yes with a K) and have been told by DMV that I need a class B license to drive one. It would also need to be registered as a historic in order to keep driving, due to the upcoming idiot emission laws that take effect next year. I do plan on leaving this socialist republic asap, but I want to have my truck running and good to go before I leave. I don't plan on hauling a bunch of weight with it. I mainly want it for the cool factor, and to have something that I can rely on for when my pickup gets snowed in. (Where I'm moving to snows a lot) Now, I have been told that If I bobb the truck, and set the gvwr at 14000lbs. (in Kali, you set the gvwr for the truck as long as they deem it safe), It will be exempt from carb laws (because its pre 1991 and under the line on gvwr) and I can register and drive it like a big pickup truck. My question is, If I bobb it and install an air diff lock on the rear end, will it be able to tackle the same terrain as a standard 3 axle deuce? I plan on running the duals on the rear, the super singles are cool but Ive always liked duals. Also, the truck has no title as it was bought as an "Emergency Response Vehicle" by a group that owns a large gated community so they never needed to street legal it. DMV told me that since it wasn't bought from the military, (the group bought it from a private seller) All I have to do is fill out an application for title and drive it down to get the vin verified. Is this true? Thanks for the help. And please forgive me but I'm sure I will think of some other goofy questions to ask.

 

[ATPTac]

Well, you're going to get a ton of differing opinions on bobbing vs. not bobbing for off road use. In MY opinion, leaving it 6x6 will give you more ability to get out of a sticky situation, but having a bobber will enable you to go more places due to size. I really don't have a ton of off road experience (most of mine is teenage years hitting mud holes with Jeeps), especially with these trucks. I'm mostly going off of thinking about it on a traction basis (non bobbed, more tires on the ground) and size basis (bobbed). Check out youtube for video's, there are quite a few of Deuce's off roading in both configurations. I personally am not a fan of bobbing trucks, but that's just me. I don't hate them or have any issues with them, its just not my thing. As far as your title/registration issues, I'm know nothing about California laws so I'm unable to help there.

 

[mikey]

I'm no expert on CA, but the title part would not be true in NJ or PA. Not title = no sale.

If you bob the truck, you have modified it enough that it is no longer a 91 and historic. You would then be liable to register it as is and to modify it to conform to current laws and regulations including lights, seat belts, emissions etc. I'm not saying everybody does that, but that's the law.

If you want to run the stock duals or tires, you'll want chains for snow. You can still run duals with newer and better tires, but stock NDT's do not do well in snow.

You cannot go by the mileage on the gauges as gauges get swapped often in these trucks. But if the conidtion is good and you can get it for scrap price, AND get it titled, that is a great opportunity.

Mikey

 

[Reaper651]

That is a good point about the gages. I tried to look at things and tell if axles had been apart, engine had come out e.t.c. by looking at the flats on the bolts for wrench marks and nothing looked like it had been taken apart but its impossible to tell for sure. Are there any markings added when a deuce is overhauled? Also, I agree with you about the title and I'm a little weary of buying a vehicle without one. I'm going to check with DMV more to make sure I can get one for it. They told me that as long as I have a bill of sale, I can apply for a new title just like I would if the title had been lost but I will check further to make sure. I'd hate to buy it only to find out I can't register it. The registration seems to definitely be an issue as far as what to register it as and its driving me crazy. Kalifornia If I leave it alone, I need a CDL and go historic. If I bobb it, I don't need a CDL and according to DMV, I can go light commercial which is how my pickup truck is registered in Kali. Of course the only reason for a CDL in the first place is because of the 3rd axle. In Kali, the third axle is what gets a deuce, Its under 26,000lbs. gvwr and has juice brakes but because kali is one of the few states with that **** third axle law, I'm kinda stuck. Honestly I would rather just leave it alone. The truck is in great condition from what I can see Especially the suspension. If it was overhauled, they must have replaced almost everything. One more thought, If it was overhauled, would they have installed the turbo? This truck doesn't have a turbo. As far as tires go, the ones that are on it are in good shape and will be enough for me to test it a little bit but eventually I would like to get rims that I can run some type of tubeless tires on and keep the original rims and tires, probably stud the originals and use them for winter time or something. Thanks for all the help. I've always wanted one of these trucks, I hope this works out!! Thanks again everyone.

 

[gimpyrobb]

I really want to build a bobber, but seeing their performance off-road killed that idea for me. I do know a lot has to do with driver skill, but still the trucks REALLY seamed neutered.

 

[ATPTac]

North Carolina has some pretty funky laws regarding tandem axle vehicles as well. You're technically supposed to get a fuel tax decal for anything with tandem axles regardless of weight (I have no clue why). I know that most guys with MV's in NC don't actually get them and typically don't get harassed about it, but I have seen a few threads where people got pulled and ticketed for it.

If the truck is a good enough deal, I'd definitely do some leg work and see about getting a title for it. You can figure out the rest once that's done. How soon are you moving? If its not going to be that long, you could always get the truck and park it until you move so you don't have to worry about bobbing it just for the sake of registering it.

 

[welldigger]

I really want to build a bobber, but seeing their performance off-road killed that idea for me. I do know a lot has to do with driver skill, but still the trucks REALLY seamed neutered.

Throw a few hundred pounds of something in the bed. Bobbers are so light on the rear end you end up relying on the front axle way too much.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Nah, no bobber for me. Junkyardwars Crusher and I have talked about building a deuce buggy. Remove most sheet metal and re-locate all the components from underneath for lots of ground clearance. Someday!

 

[DieselBob]

Hey All,
I live in Kalifornia (yes with a K) and have been told by DMV that I need a class B license to drive one.

Well after reading the post I'm not clear on what they are basing their decision on for the need for a CDL. Is it the number of axles or the weight. The curb weight of the M35A2C W/W is under 14K and the GVWR is under 26K. If you were to rent a 24' hertz truck that hertz registers for 25999# for a reason, would you still need the CDL ? If it is the number of axles then they are saying you couldn't drive a pinzgauer without a CDL which is smaller than a crew cab dualey pickup but just happens to have 3 axles.


I know we are talking Kalifornia but that's just stupid.

 

[RodUSMC1962]

Are there still companies out there that get you a title for hard to title trucks? Expensive I think. Might be worth looking into if you buy the truck cheap enough.

 

[Reaper651]

About the axle count. Yep, in Kalifornia, the law states that any vehicle that has 3 axles and an unladen weight of 6000lbs. or more requires a CDL to drive. So basically on a Deuce, its just the third axle that makes a CDL required. I have seen some Toyota pickups with a second rear drag axle and that's about the only 3 axle in kali that doesn't require a CDL. LOL I have no idea why a little tiny ricer pickup needs a drag axle but they do exist and are quite funny to look at. LOL generally when you see one in Kali, its packed full of illegal aliens. I have thought about just leaving it alone and moving out of kali before I register it, but then I have to get it towed to where ever I go which will be at least 1100 miles. I have also thought, bobb this one and run it/love it. Then once I'm out of kali and have some cash to play with, buy another one and leave it alone. The only thing is if there will be any nice ones left by the time I can afford another one lol. I can see how buying a Deuce makes you want another one. I'm also wondering if I should tell the seller to get a title for it before I buy it. But yeah the $1500 price makes it worth a little leg work. And I couldn't live with myself if I just let the seller scrap it. Maybe I should just shut up and get a CDL, but they are such a PITA.

 

[Reaper651]

Are there still companies out there that get you a title for hard to title trucks? Expensive I think. Might be worth looking into if you buy the truck cheap enough.

Yes I believe there are places that will do that. I might look into that also. Thanks for the help everyone. You all make this site awesome!

 

[porkysplace]

Yes I believe there are places that will do that. I might look into that also. Thanks for the help everyone. You all make this site awesome!

Most all the title companies quit doing military vehicles a couple years ago.

 

[swbradley1]

I don't think I have ever heard a good thing about the title companies either, seems like they rip off more people than help.

As far as opinions on how to work on the truck, bob the truck or drive correctly you can find all that here. If you want advice on what to do legally with a truck either because of a BMV, DMV, state government, federal government, county government, local government or even your HOA where you live then get an attorney and get correct advice.

Don't get legal advice on registering or insuring one of these trucks from the Internet. Too many people on the Internet are wrong and some days I think they are all posting on here.

Good luck with the truck and your endeavors to get out of The Great State of California.

 

[3rdaavbn]

Original configuration 10 points of contact. Super single 6 points of contact. Bobbed 4 points of contact. Tracked vehicle all point of contact. IMHO.

 

[Kloakndagr]

I'm in paso robles, I'm in the process of converting mine and getting it's tags as a "housecar" (RV) that eliminates the class B and CDL. I'm also getting my VIN verified by CHP. Word of advise, DO NOT DRIVE IT TO GET THE VIN VERIFIED, WITH NO TAGS, INSURANCE OR CDL. The poo poo will have a field day with you if you do - especially the CHP. You'd be looking at the cop scratching you a ticket for no registration, no insurance, and driving out of class (class B). No registration no insurance will get you a heafty tow bill and impound. In my city, that was a 30 day impound. Yup some cops are poopshoots. I can say that cuz I wore a badge for 17 years. Good luck.

I'm leaving the state as soon as I'm finished my conversion. The illegals can have this state with all the lefties!

 

[Reaper651]

I'm in paso robles, I'm in the process of converting mine and getting it's tags as a "housecar" (RV) that eliminates the class B and CDL. I'm also getting my VIN verified by CHP. Word of advise, DO NOT DRIVE IT TO GET THE VIN VERIFIED, WITH NO TAGS, INSURANCE OR CDL. The poo poo will have a field day with you if you do - especially the CHP. You'd be looking at the cop scratching you a ticket for no registration, no insurance, and driving out of class (class B). No registration no insurance will get you a heafty tow bill and impound. In my city, that was a 30 day impound. Yup some cops are poopshoots. I can say that cuz I wore a badge for 17 years. Good luck.

I'm leaving the state as soon as I'm finished my conversion. The illegals can have this state with all the lefties!

Thanks for the info. I have thought about the RV registration but it seems that only applies to the M109?? Shoot I think that's the number. The M35 with the big box on the back I think. Is there any other way to do it to a regular m35a2 with flat bed and troop seats? I will definitely have the insurance and all complete before I drive it. I'm pretty sure I'm going to bobb this one and then find another one to keep original once I get out of Kali. The DMV said they would give me a trip permit to get the vin verified and my dad has a class B and I'm sure he would be ok with driving it. (lol who wouldn't want to drive one of these) Also, H&LL YA TO YOU for telling this illegal alien infested socialist republic to eat one!!! I can't wait to get out of here and get back to America!!! Best of luck on your quest for true American freedom. I will be doing the same very soon, I hope.

 

[Dipstick]

Well, you're going to get a ton of differing opinions on bobbing vs. not bobbing for off road use. In MY opinion, leaving it 6x6 will give you more ability to get out of a sticky situation, but having a bobber will enable you to go more places due to size. I really don't have a ton of off road experience (most of mine is teenage years hitting mud holes with Jeeps), especially with these trucks. I'm mostly going off of thinking about it on a traction basis (non bobbed, more tires on the ground) and size basis (bobbed). Check out youtube for video's, there are quite a few of Deuce's off roading in both configurations. I personally am not a fan of bobbing trucks, but that's just me. I don't hate them or have any issues with them, its just not my thing. As far as your title/registration issues, I'm know nothing about California laws so I'm unable to help there.

Just my two cents...I own a bobbed Deuce with duals on the rear. I love my truck. I don't have the cargo carrying capacity of a straight Deuce, but mine serves me well for the hilly, twisty, narrow roads of NJ. People (mostly men) freak out when they see him and I get tons of thumbs ups and waves whenever me and Brutus go out for a drive. He may be bobbed, but he kicks major ass in snow thanks to Ouverson hubs and Firestone T-831s.

 

[Reaper651]

^^^^^^This one is awesome!!! That's what I want mine to look like!! Lol DS I know I already told you this once but awesome Truck!!

 

[dezert ratt]

California there's three ways to register our trucks. Historical, recreational (rv) and commercial.
Most of us here stick to rv and historical. It is really not that hard to get the older trucks registered, as long as you have the proper paperwork.
I've done two trucks and a m105 trailer so far, no issue at all.