Bought an M35A2, with a unique addition

[cattlerepairman]

They are simply a result of standardizing the axles so that there is not a different differential chunk, depending on which position the axle is in. All three axles use identical centre differential parts (and that includes the top loader flanges, although they are really only needed on the rear axles and then only on one side each. But - easier logistics, mechanic training etc.
In civilian trucks, you cannot usually just make the middle axle the rear axle if you feel like it. On the Deuce you can!

Edit: of course, the flange is also needed on the front axle, on one side.

 

[Danspomer]

They are simply a result of standardizing the axles so that there is not a different differential chunk, depending on which position the axle is in. All three axles use identical centre differential parts (and that includes the top loader flanges, although they are really only needed on the rear axles and then only on one side each. But - easier logistics, mechanic training etc.
In civilian trucks, you cannot usually just make the middle axle the rear axle if you feel like it. On the Deuce you can!

Wow. Much to think about.

 

[Danspomer]

They are simply a result of standardizing the axles so that there is not a different differential chunk, depending on which position the axle is in. All three axles use identical centre differential parts (and that includes the top loader flanges, although they are really only needed on the rear axles and then only on one side each. But - easier logistics, mechanic training etc.
In civilian trucks, you cannot usually just make the middle axle the rear axle if you feel like it. On the Deuce you can!

Edit: of course, the flange is also needed on the front axle, on one side.

Thanks so much, guys. You all have been just super great in helping me out with everything. I still have a long way to go, but progress is being made. I have so many questions yet, but time will tell.

Thank you again.

 

[Danspomer]

Thanks so much, guys. You all have been just super great in helping me out with everything. I still have a long way to go, but progress is being made. I have so many questions yet, but time will tell.

Thank you again.

She goes into a “large” truck repair shop on the 19th of this month for basically a good look-see and evaluation from folks who know a hell of a lot more about this than I. I also have an air assist steering kit that I will have them install. I’ve picked a route down secondary roads and frontage roads to avoid the 75 mph interstate as much as possible.

Then, a quick trip across town to a machine shop to have the crane mounted, evaluated and (hopefully) made operational.

Question: I have a done a lot of exploring on this site and it seems (seemed?) at one point a person could track the history of their truck. Is that still a thing? I have (I believe) a faded unit paint job on the side, as well as my VIN. Any suggestions would be most welcome.

 

[Mullaney]

She goes into a “large” truck repair shop on the 19th of this month for basically a good look-see and evaluation from folks who know a hell of a lot more about this than I. I also have an air assist steering kit that I will have them install. I’ve picked a route down secondary roads and frontage roads to avoid the 75 mph interstate as much as possible.

Then, a quick trip across town to a machine shop to have the crane mounted, evaluated and (hopefully) made operational.

Question: I have a done a lot of exploring on this site and it seems (seemed?) at one point a person could track the history of their truck. Is that still a thing? I have (I believe) a faded unit paint job on the side, as well as my VIN. Any suggestions would be most welcome.

.
Hoping to hear that everything will be fixed up and made right soon. The machine shop guys being able to help source parts and hydraulic lines will make you life a lot easier! I can't wait to see a picture of the truck with the crane on it!!

BE SURE to check your height when it is mounted. I know it will be under 13'6" but knowing how tall you are on a concrete floor might be useful. We have a short bridge here - and it always makes me check height on everything I drive...

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In answer to your serial numbers: One of our members is the "high holder of information" when it comes to what it is, where it came from and so on. It is a VOLUNTEER job, so keep that in mind.

CARNAC is the guy

Information on how is in the thread below:

2013 VIN INFO Thread

*** Thread is Closed until furthur Notice *** OK here we go again with yet another VIN Info again. I should have the database loaded onto a new computer by the end of the week. So let's get rolling on a new thread for 2013. Anyone letting others know about VIN INFO, ensure you tell them to...

www.steelsoldiers.com

I didn't find a new thread, but if you reply to the post below you will get some help.

Newbie trying to find vin info on my new truck

Hi All I just recovered my first M35A2 from GL. I am having trouble trying to figure out what numbers are my correct vin so I can fill out My sf-97 form. I looked on both frame rails and found some random numbers on the drivers side but I can not read them. My Data plate has the following...

www.steelsoldiers.com

 

[Danspomer]

.
Hoping to hear that everything will be fixed up and made right soon. The machine shop guys being able to help source parts and hydraulic lines will make you life a lot easier! I can't wait to see a picture of the truck with the crane on it!!

BE SURE to check your height when it is mounted. I know it will be under 13'6" but knowing how tall you are on a concrete floor might be useful. We have a short bridge here - and it always makes me check height on everything I drive...

----

In answer to your serial numbers: One of our members is the "high holder of information" when it comes to what it is, where it came from and so on. It is a VOLUNTEER job, so keep that in mind.

CARNAC is the guy

Information on how is in the thread below:

2013 VIN INFO Thread

*** Thread is Closed until furthur Notice *** OK here we go again with yet another VIN Info again. I should have the database loaded onto a new computer by the end of the week. So let's get rolling on a new thread for 2013. Anyone letting others know about VIN INFO, ensure you tell them to...

www.steelsoldiers.com

I didn't find a new thread, but if you reply to the post below you will get some help.

Newbie trying to find vin info on my new truck

Hi All I just recovered my first M35A2 from GL. I am having trouble trying to figure out what numbers are my correct vin so I can fill out My sf-97 form. I looked on both frame rails and found some random numbers on the drivers side but I can not read them. My Data plate has the following...

www.steelsoldiers.com

Thanks, big guy. I posted in the thread, and we shall see what happens. I’m very curious as to the unit marking.

As for the mounted height of the truck, for the first in my life, I actually don’t care! Lol! There isn’t a bridge within 50 miles of our place, thankfully.

(I’m a CDL holder, so heights DO matter to me!)

 

[TechnoWeenie]

I’ve seen those- I was just curious if some author had published a book that kind of oversees and addresses the whole picture.

Yes. It's the -10 operators manual.

 

[Danspomer]

Thanks, big guy. I posted in the thread, and we shall see what happens. I’m very curious as to the unit marking.

As for the mounted height of the truck, for the first in my life, I actually don’t care! Lol! There isn’t a bridge within 50 miles of our place, thankfully.

(I’m a CDL holder, so heights DO matter to me!)

She goes into a “large” truck repair shop on the 19th of this month for basically a good look-see and evaluation from folks who know a hell of a lot more about this than I. I also have an air assist steering kit that I will have them install. I’ve picked a route down secondary roads and frontage roads to avoid the 75 mph interstate as much as possible.

Then, a quick trip across town to a machine shop to have the crane mounted, evaluated and (hopefully) made operational.

Question: I have a done a lot of exploring on this site and it seems (seemed?) at one point a person could track the history of their truck. Is that still a thing? I have (I believe) a faded unit paint job on the side, as well as my VIN. Any suggestions would be most welcome.

So. All went well. The truck is safely at the maintenance shop. I took a bunch of back roads, but had to hit the interstate a couple of times.

funny story: my friend (following me) said I hit 62 mph, even though my dash gauge read 42.

I couldn’t figure it out at first, but then it me- the big 46” tires. The speedometer was way off.

I passed by a couple of state troopers, but they just let me go on.

Anyway, 45 miles later, the truck ran great, gauges were all where they should be (except for fuel), and it ran like a dream.

PS: I couldn’t actually remember why I ordered hearing protection, but after hitting 50 mph the first time, I remembered. Lol

 

[Mullaney]

So. All went well. The truck is safely at the maintenance shop. I took a bunch of back roads, but had to hit the interstate a couple of times.

funny story: my friend (following me) said I hit 62 mph, even though my dash gauge read 42.

I couldn’t figure it out at first, but then it me- the big 46” tires. The speedometer was way off.

I passed by a couple of state troopers, but they just let me go on.

Anyway, 45 miles later, the truck ran great, gauges were all where they should be (except for fuel), and it ran like a dream.

PS: I couldn’t actually remember why I ordered hearing protection, but after hitting 50 mph the first time, I remembered. Lol

.
What did you say? Hunh?
I can't hear you.
What?

Happy to hear that your trip went well.
Can't wait to get the diagnosis.

 

[Danspomer]

.
What did you say? Hunh?
I can't hear you.
What?

Happy to hear that your trip went well.
Can't wait to get the diagnosis.

Does anyone know what this camouflage scheme is called?

 

[Mullaney]

Does anyone know what this camouflage scheme is called?

View attachment 843105View attachment 843105

.
It is hard to tell, but there appears 4 colors. Sometimes called MERDC which stands for the Mobility Equipment Research and Design Command. You can search the site and see a few trucks and trailers painted that way.

 

[Danspomer]

.
It is hard to tell, but there appears 4 colors. Sometimes called MERDC which stands for the Mobility Equipment Research and Design Command. You can search the site and see a few trucks and trailers painted that way.

Thanks. I DO like it. It fits our property perfectly.

 

[Mullaney]

Thanks. I DO like it. It fits our property perfectly.

.
That is the way Camo is supposed to be for sure.
To match the environment where it is used.

There are manuals with the pattern.
Army version and USMC versions...

 

[Danspomer]

OK, guys.

I’ve driven commercial for many years, but this is a different kind of animal.

What is everyone’s preferred method of taking a deuce down a long, steep paved road, like a mountain pass, without screwing traffic up too bad?

 

[cattlerepairman]

OK, guys.

I’ve driven commercial for many years, but this is a different kind of animal.

What is everyone’s preferred method of taking a deuce down a long, steep paved road, like a mountain pass, without screwing traffic up too bad?

In a commercial truck without an engine brake or a retarder a downhill grade usually has to be driven in the gear one would use to climb said grade.
This is to ensure that it is not only the service brakes that stand between you and a smoking wreck at the bottom of the hill.

This knowledge was once commonplace and even car drivers understood that a commercial truck needs to navigate a grade slowly.

As someone posted, "My 1974 car owners manual had a section on how to properly adjust the valve clearance. My 2021 car owners manual warns against drinking the contents of the car battery ". Have we become less smart?

In any case, do what you need to do to stay safe, generally ^#$%^& the impatient morons behind you, pull over to let faster traffic pass, when feasible, and carry on!



Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

 

[Mullaney]

In a commercial truck without an engine brake or a retarder a downhill grade usually has to be driven in the gear one would use to climb said grade.
This is to ensure that it is not only the service brakes that stand between you and a smoking wreck at the bottom of the hill.

This knowledge was once commonplace and even car drivers understood that a commercial truck needs to navigate a grade slowly.

As someone posted, "My 1974 car owners manual had a section on how to properly adjust the valve clearance. My 2021 car owners manual warns against drinking the contents of the car battery ". Have we become less smart?

In any case, do what you need to do to stay safe, generally ^#$%^& the impatient morons behind you, pull over to let faster traffic pass, when feasible, and carry on!



Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

.
Well said!
Quite a few hard and fast rules apply to a big truck - and most of the time - If you wanted to get there ahead of me, you should have started sooner. Another one is old and tried and true: I may be slow, but I am ahead of you.

I can say without a doubt that given the opportunity for me to pull over and let traffic pass - I will do it almost to a fault.

 

[Danspomer]

In a commercial truck without an engine brake or a retarder a downhill grade usually has to be driven in the gear one would use to climb said grade.
This is to ensure that it is not only the service brakes that stand between you and a smoking wreck at the bottom of the hill.

This knowledge was once commonplace and even car drivers understood that a commercial truck needs to navigate a grade slowly.

As someone posted, "My 1974 car owners manual had a section on how to properly adjust the valve clearance. My 2021 car owners manual warns against drinking the contents of the car battery ". Have we become less smart?

In any case, do what you need to do to stay safe, generally ^#$%^& the impatient morons behind you, pull over to let faster traffic pass, when feasible, and carry on!



Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

This is a good answer, and matches my personal experience.

Thank you.

 

[Danspomer]

In a commercial truck without an engine brake or a retarder a downhill grade usually has to be driven in the gear one would use to climb said grade.
This is to ensure that it is not only the service brakes that stand between you and a smoking wreck at the bottom of the hill.

This knowledge was once commonplace and even car drivers understood that a commercial truck needs to navigate a grade slowly.

As someone posted, "My 1974 car owners manual had a section on how to properly adjust the valve clearance. My 2021 car owners manual warns against drinking the contents of the car battery ". Have we become less smart?

In any case, do what you need to do to stay safe, generally ^#$%^& the impatient morons behind you, pull over to let faster traffic pass, when feasible, and carry on!



Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

One of my biggest pet peeves is the newer larger vehicles with nothing but an automatic “PRNDL” transmission. Once you bring it down a steep hill, you’re either feathering (and burning) the brakes in “Drive,” or you’re doing 20 mph in low and the engine is redlining.

It’s annoying as hell.

I’ll take the deuce down slow. I mean, what is anyone going to do?

 

[Danspomer]

 

[M37M35]

As someone posted, "My 1974 car owners manual had a section on how to properly adjust the valve clearance. My 2021 car owners manual warns against drinking the contents of the car battery ". Have we become less smart?

Love it!!
That may end up in my signature line...