Gonna get a 5 ton

[HHC B co]

After 10 trips to the woods for firewood this year, I have decided to purchase a 5 ton. I need some advice and more importantly a MV mentor I can visit with. I am willing to help work on one and even ride along to pick one up.

A couple of things: I just started saving up so the timeframe will be this spring.


The purpose of the truck is to gather my personal firewood and possibly sell a load or two as a side hobby. Also camping a couple of times a year. Probably not enough to justify the expense but I'm ok w that.

I have some military experience with the 923a2's they were new at the time and we had full maint. support. What do I need to be aware of as a private owner?

I would like a 925 A1 or A2. The winch would come in handy for dragging logs as the forest service does not like you driving off the trail at all. Is there a winch option for the 923 as a retrofit?

A SMG friend in wheeled maintenance tells me the CTIS can strand you if it fails. His recommendation is to bypass it.

I have some purchase options I am considering.

There is a guy here in Montana that re- sells 900 series 5 tons he gets at auction.

The SS classifieds here seem to have 5 tons that have been better cared for and are in better shape overall. None local right now but I have time to wait as I save.

I have noticed some of the members here will assist in a recovery/acquisition.The idea of driving to Utah or CA or anywhere to pick up a Gov Planet one scares and thrills me at the same time. I have summers off as a teacher so the time and drive isn't an issue. I understand this is the highest risk but greatest reward in savings.

Anyway sorry for the ramble of thoughts. Great forum and I am glad I found you!

Set me straight if you have some thoughts or advice. I could use the help! If you are within a day's drive to western Montana, let me know if you need help sometime and are willing to help me. Thanks!!

HHC B co
Helena, MT
3/73 AR 82nd Airborne Div 1987-91

 

[Coffey1]

The Ctis will not leave you stranded if a problem arises take hose off wheel and install valve core.

You can put a warn 18K on front of or rear of M923A2.
They are not that scary to work on.
Read some TMs and ask ? Of the 5 ton guys

 

[Ford Mechanic]

The ctis or so I'm told, can blow a certain seal resulting in pressurizing the axle and spitting axle oil every where. I can air tires up and down manually and have peace of mind. I pulled the whole system and Coffey got several of those valves.

 

[MtnSnow]

Yep unless you have a the need to be constantly changing your tire pressures, then it is advisable to disable/remove the CTIS. Side benefit is being able to sell off the good parts to those who are trying to keep their systems working.

 

[infidel got me]

Both my trucks had the ctis disconnected[ from the military] so I air up/down manually. When I go out in the morning I don't have flat tires due to a malfunctioning system. If it worked when purchased I would have kept it but since it didn't, I removed it. The warn winch will pull logs but will not recover a stuck 5 ton. You can buy a truck from a auction site and do repairs yourself or pay more for a privately owned truck that has already been gone through. You can drive home a privately owned-- auction site is a box of chocolates-- you don't know what you might get. It really depends on how much you can afford, transporting a 5 ton out of state can cost thousands. Either way I think you will be happy to be in the 5 ton club. Good luck on your purchase and you'll be wearing a big smile hauling those logs down the mountain.

 

[wreckerman893]

Unless you have a tractor with a front end loader on it loading and unloading firewood out of that high bed is going to be a real PITA.

As a matter of fact loading and unloading anything out of the back of that high bed is a real PITA without a forklift or loader.

Your mileage may vary depending on the age and condition of your knees and back.

 

[NovacaineFix]

You mentioned that you have experience with the 900-series, but is that what you are settling for?

The 900-series are great trucks, don't get me wrong, but there are also the 809-series trucks, like mine that may be more cost effective for you. The $$ you save in the price can afford you to get that winch, if it isn't already installed, as well as some other goodies.

No matter which type you go for, there are always pro's and con's for either one.
Some people like the old-fashioned real truck feel with a manual trans and some people like having a more modern powerplant. Like I said pro's and con's.

Good Luck in your search, I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for.

 

[Gunny65]

The newer 5 tons drive so much better than the older ones. Mine drives straight with very little correcting needed. The ride is also smoother. Part of that is the large Van on the back but still, it has a much smoother overall ride. It costs more though. I think for what you are wanting though, like Nova said, get an older model that runs, and enjoy. Pick a model and then go over this site and read all you can about that model. Then buy one and have fun with it.

 

[Coffey1]

Ctis is the great when I have to go through my yard and I air down it barely makes a mark.
I go through with full tire pressure and the yard looks like it's been plowed.
The Ctis will shut down when there's a problem.
I have a truck right now that the the Axel air seal is bad I had to run air to by shop compressor to find it because the controler kept faulting before I could find it. So until I fix it I bypassed that hub by taking the big hose off to that hub and capping hose and plugging hub. Ctis now works on 5 tires instead of 6.
Now I at least know 5 tires will always have the correct air pressure and I can keep an eye on #6 until seal is fixed.

These systems are not that hard to repair.
And you are so much better off with it when you get into the soft deep stuff.

My truck went through everything I asked it to at GA rally and it was muddy and tight.

I have never walk out to any tires flat on my trucks if you maintain the system it works and it's very little maintenance.

 

[Coffey1]

Yes I've bought several Ctis parts but not to keep repairing. I bought a truck that had a lot of parts removed so had to replace where they were removed.
Now it's a working system.

 

[Andyrv6av8r]

To each his own but I have 2 CTIS trucks that work flawlessly. And I have yet to own a super singled truck that didn't have at least one tire with a slow leak that needed attention occasionally. I'll stick with my CTIS and buy spare parts cheap from those not wanting it.
As a side note, they are fun too. Wife was driving her A2 in the Veterans Parade this week and the CTIS purged right when she was in front of a bunch of little kids. One little boy yelled out laughingly " That truck just pooted! ". She had tears from laughing so hard!

 

[Recovry4x4]

I think your approach to this purpose is sound. As you save your sheckels, keep reading about these and other trucks. There is a bunch of information to digest. I can think of a least one member who decided upon a deuce and then set off to read every thread in the deuce forum. He was likely the.most informed deuce non owner that ever bought a truck.

 

[infidel got me]

You South Carolina guys let me know when parts are needed, as I have almost two ctis units. Both my units are unemployed.

 

[74M35A2]

Unless you have a tractor with a front end loader on it loading and unloading firewood out of that high bed is going to be a real PITA.

As a matter of fact loading and unloading anything out of the back of that high bed is a real PITA without a forklift or loader.

Your mileage may vary depending on the age and condition of your knees and back.

I also thought the same thing. Why would you want to sling wood atop a 5' tall platform to move it? That will suck a lot of energy out of somebody. Post pics!

 

[dilligaf13]

Time for a dump bed install!!! That'll take care of the unloading part anyway....

 

[JohnnyBM931A2]

I also thought the same thing. Why would you want to sling wood atop a 5' tall platform to move it? That will suck a lot of energy out of somebody. Post pics!

Well.. He could always pull a trailer behind it.

 

[HHC B co]

Thanks for the responses.

I am looking forward to the reduction in required trips to get 4-5 cords of wood...not the loading of it all. The bed will be about 2.5 feet higher than my pick up. I'll just go slow or get some younger and more energetic helpers! I can accept the trade off at this point. Of course that's without having actually done it!!

I don't doubt having CTIS would be a great advantage...I'm just thinking reduced expense and less routine maintenance. At this point all options are open.

I am poking around the site and looking at some TM's as advised.

Thanks again!

 

[Recovry4x4]

Maybe build a platform to step up a foot when loading. There is always a workaround.

 

[JohnnyBM931A2]

Maybe build a platform to step up a foot when loading. There is always a workaround.

Agreed. I've seen quick attach towing assemblies that use the 2 lifting hook mounts and the pintle hook. I'm sure a step could be rigged up fairly easily, and still be easy to remove (or left on if it doesn't get in the way.)

 

[infidel got me]

Cut the tree where it will fall in the back of the truck---problem solved---