M1028a2 and a3

[2deuce]

I'm inquiring about the dually pickups. Why did they get converted from the M1028's. I have a M1028, it hauls a shelter just fine, although a bit sluggish. Did the army have a different use? Were they used by all branches of the armed forces? With any different objectives? They would tow better, being a wider platform, but did they tow anything a M1008 didn't. I have to admit I always wanted one, but other than looks I didn't know why I should have one. Now that I have one, I want to know more about them. I haven't picked it up, so no pictures are available yet.

Thanks

 

[86m1028]

Top heavy with shelter in back, off camber.
They added duals for stability.
They put a few on their sides.

 

[2deuce]

I have a ford camper with duals and compared to the SRW ford I used before I understand the stability. I was wondering about other uses. Were they used by all branches? How many were converted? and what was the PTO used for on the a2? I'll look for pictures. The main difference between the a2 and a3 was the TC, but having a PTO available makes other uses possible and differences that separate the trucks further.

 

[welpro222]

Its just like a car sales person selling a (any make) 3500 dually to a buyer that didn't need it. GM probably said "you need this, but its gonna cost you" and the government said "no problem here is my tax payers credit card".

 

[Recovry4x4]

The military actually came to GM looking for the duals. Some of the shelters are quite heavy and as such, DOD sought a solution. The biggest part of the kit to help with the top heavy sway was the rear sway bar. GM never offered a rear sway bar on the 4x4 trucks, only a front. I would like to find a cheap one for my M1010 since it doesn't see trails.

 

[2deuce]

So the a1 and a2 while being PTO capable with the np205, they didn't have a PTO installed in them?

If I was going to keep the M1028 I should look for that sway bar to add. The shelter I have is heavy. I think it says 3k. I'm going to have to run it across a scale.

 

[Recovry4x4]

Many of the 2wd trucks had that rear sway bar. It's attached to the axle via the u-bolts and then has links that go to the frame.

 

[86m1028]

So the a1 and a2 while being PTO capable with the np205, they didn't have a PTO installed in them?

If I was going to keep the M1028 I should look for that sway bar to add. The shelter I have is heavy. I think it says 3k. I'm going to have to run it across a scale.

Correct, the only trucks that came with pto's are the 1031's with the belt driven generator.
I have heard the m1028ff had a pto driven water pump but also heard they had small gas powered water pumps.
I can't confirm (I've never seen one).