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Lucky I think : Glad for sure M1008A1

Tinstar

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Gem in the Rough...... M1008A1

I picked up my M1008A1 from Ft Hood on 9/11 I was a little disappointed.
Pics showed it to be in better cosmetic shape than it was. In fact I was a little pissed. Some things missing that weren't shown in pics.
After the 8 hour drive back to OKC I just left it on trailer and would really look at it the next day.

The next day I looked it over with my brother and we started to see the gem in the rough. No rust rot anywhere at all. Just the normal surface stuff.
Brother knew about the rust issues with these trucks and was simply amazed that there was none!

Put truck on lift to get a good look under.
Surprise...!!
Discovered brand new transmission and TC.
Brand new drums and front hubs and rotors.
New brakes
New tie rod ends
brand new front and rear differential covers
brand new oil pan
Bent driveshaft
Not sure what was done but there is no Evidence of damage or water submersion.
Listing said all fluids drained. All but engine and Tcase were full and pristine. Including fuel.
I had already seen the three brand new tires.
Spare was dry rot

Of course no paperwork to be found in cab.

Nothing leaks. At all. Everything is dry as a bone. No evidence of past leaks either. Except for rear diff input seal which dried up and doesn't leak.

Engine compartment findings;

New battery cables
New brake booster
New master cylinder
New CDR valve
New oil cooler and PS lines
New GM throttle cable.
New GP relay
New air filter and wrap
New overflow tank
No leaks (including IP)

Found Inside;

10/86 build date
One of the last ones built I'm told. No clue if true.

brand new wire harness
brand new GP card

starter relay was missing and it looked like they had the same issue others have had with it failing.
Why else replace all the wiring inside the cab?


No clue as to what exactly was done and why.
Nothing looks like it sat in water or was repaired (crash).

The rest of truck looked like it had sat for years without running.

Did the normal $2000 (includes two new Hawker 6AGM batteries) upgrades/repairs like everyone else usually has to do.

She fired right up and has been purring ever since.
3000 miles so far without a hitch or hiccup.

I did have to replace the fuel filter base about a month ago due to the usual leak at the sensor.

Extremely happy with truck
Drives and runs like new
Starts right up down to 15 degrees (haven't used block heater yet)
Wife will not let me put on new CARC paint. She loves the look of it now and the character it has.
Cant complain, I bought two 5 tons with her blessing.

After reading all the old post I think I was one of the lucky ones.
Not having to do a ton and lots of new parts.

Don't me get me wrong......there were issues for sure!!
but with the TMs and old post and stickies, it made life a LOT easier.



This truck was bought as a ranch truck.
No fancy upgrades or radios, etc.
Its just like it was as it came off the assembly line.
with addition of trans, water temp and oil pressure gauge plus Hobbs meter
And never sees past 55-57mph
Almost 84k on the ticker now

And it fits like a glove .....!
 

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tommys2patrick

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Sounds like the few things that were wrong were not too big deal except for the driveshaft. Someone must have shuffled it around with a forklift at the yard. Were the seats and dashboard in bad shape?
 

Tinstar

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Seat is in great shape !
dash......toast.
New one coming very soon. Still researching
 

Tinstar

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image.jpgimage.jpg
Hard to tell but it was bent in three places.

Took it to shop and four hours later it came out new.
A coat of paint
Truck was rolling

Front DS was great except one tear in the boot ( still looking for one )
 
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Tinstar

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I like that hour meter. Was the install easy?



Truck looks great. Sometimes I wish I would of held out for an m1008.
o

Install was super easy
It's tied into the voltmeter
As soon as key is on, it starts counting.

I idle it and drive slow a lot and use the Hobbs for all my maintenance.
Not the mileage.
 

Tinstar

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Congrats on the vehicle, that engine compartment looks really nice. Pooches seem to approve [thumbzup].
Now that it's warming up I can start to repaint some things.
I keep the engines as clean as I can on all my trucks.
This one gets washed about every two weeks.

The Dogs love it!
They get plenty of attention at stop lights.
 

joshuak

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Now that it's warming up I can start to repaint some things.
I keep the engines as clean as I can on all my trucks.
This one gets washed about every two weeks.

The Dogs love it!
They get plenty of attention at stop lights.
Do you have a special procedure? De greaser, rinse, compressed air, WD-40?
 

Tinstar

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Do you have a special procedure? De greaser, rinse, compressed air, WD-40?
No

The car wash I use has very very hot water.
Does a really great job. Almost a steam cleaning effect.
I get close but stay away from alternators with the direct spray. They get wet outside of course.
Every connection I could reach received a good dab of grease so washing wouldn't be an issue.

The rest gets a good wash and rinse including under the manifold. Etc.
 
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Tinstar

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Extremely happy with it.

Paints faded but a very solid truck.

Wish I knew the history of it.
 

DieselBob

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Arnold Maryland
The next day I looked it over with my brother and we started to see the gem in the rough. No rust rot anywhere at all. Just the normal surface stuff.
Brother knew about the rust issues with these trucks and was simply amazed that there was none!
That right there makes it worth every penny as far as I would be concerned. I can fix mechanical issues but I can't do body work so anything with rust and rot costs me 2 ~ 3 times more to fix because I have to have it done and then you never really know if it was done with best practices and materials. Nice looking truck and hope you get lots of enjoyment with it.
 
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