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M35's are great - for parades. And if you want the engine to last any significant amount of time you will run primarily diesel in it - all "other" fuels were emergency authorization only. I worked on and drove a lot of those turds (52D Motorpool vet) and the FMTV replaced it for GREAT reasons. Speaking specifically of the gearing and manual transmission - they suck on steep grades. Not just because they have no power and you'll do 10-15 MPH up a mountain pass loaded, but because if you get stopped - especially on loose surfaces - good luck getting it moving again. They will just violently shake themselves to pieces trying to climb unless you get a running start. We had to ban them from some of the forest fire roads and use HMMWV's, CUCV's and M35A3's instead because if they got stopped in convoy they couldn't get them moving again and would have to back down the mountain to get a running start.Does it have to be an LMTV? An M35A2 with service van body would make a nice rv, but won't go very fast. Then you have a manual and a 2 speed transfer case and an all fuel engine that only needs electricity to start and have gauges. Basically everything you want out of an LMTV on close to the same chassis, just not a cab over. Just saw this post is from 2022, apologies if it's no longer a concern to you.
Also the duals are garbage off-road. They plug up with all kinds of debris and mud and you get very large rocks jammed between the tires requiring removal of the outer wheel.......
I've been in the poop with those trucks and trust me you WANT the FMTV. You only drive an M35 if you HAVE to or don't know any better. My M1079 to an M35A2 is like comparing a Concord to a crop duster. I have 370 HP and 931 Ft/lbs of torque. With ECO hubs my truck will do well over 80 MPH. And I guarantee it will out-crawl an M35 of any vintage. And I'll never have to wear out a clutch or get special pants made with a bigger left leg hole.....
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