The ol' M52A2 -to- M54 Cargo Canvas On

[Hkx3]

Ok I wanted to thank all of you guys who pointed me in the right direction for finding all of the parts to finish this old truck. I dont have many pics as of yet, but Im mighty happy with it.

I know most of you guys already had the bed/seats/uprights/bows/canvas, etc, but I didnt, and its been fun getting it all.

The truck came from Carlisle Ky, the bed from Albion, IN (almost Michigan ?), the canvas on the cargo from Pennsylvania, and the brake and service parts from Memphis, TN.

I cant wait for summer, maybe I can do a trip or two.
Two pics: January 09:

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p207/hkx4/000_0002-1.jpg

 

[vtdeucedriver]

Sweet!!! If I found another M52, I would be temped to do that!!! Deuce owners should have lug nut envy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rmgill]

Kinda makes me think of the WWII Mack NO Artillery Tractor. I think that had a shorter bed no?

 

[Recovry4x4]

Stop it! You guys keep doing this and I'll be forced back into a 5 ton!

 

[Hkx3]

Thanks for the kind words.

Im not sure about the WWII Mack...Im sure others can help there.

I do know I like how this bed 'sits' on the truck... It seems proportioned out correctly.

We had a machinegun shoot on January 17th, and I used this truck to haul gear/etc to the range, about 4-5 miles over, and 1.25 miles back on a farm.

Everyone really enjoyed it, and said it put into perspective how BIG the 5 ton is on the road.

 

[clinto]

Stop it! You guys keep doing this and I'll be forced back into a 5 ton!

Sounds like it's time for somebody to go find that brake drum out in the yard!

 

[ETHOS]

so is the swap simply removing the 5th wheel, and bolting on a bed, or is it a lot more involved than that

what had to be changed on the brakes

i like the results.....

 

[Recovry4x4]

Funny thing Clinto, I just tried to move a 6352 tranny out of a 5 ton. Helped my attitude quite a bit. (Its still not moved)

 

[Hkx3]

so is the swap simply removing the 5th wheel, and bolting on a bed, or is it a lot more involved than that

what had to be changed on the brakes

i like the results.....

Without typing a book:

I removed the 5th wheel, ramps, and headache rack. Also removed the air lines to the glad hands, and the mudflaps and fuel tank guards.

I then measured the riser blocks on the tops of the frame rails, which were riveted in place. After buying the steel, I drilled the risers to match the originals, making the rails the same height/width front to back. I clearanced the rails to fit over the original rivets, and bolted these in place to keep them from working out.

I notched the original brackets for the headache rack / pogostick to make it accept the bed front./rails., then drilled to attach with 3/4" grade 8.

Made 8 "L" brackets from 1/2" steel, and drilled to match the 'feet' on the bed. Bolted in place with 3/4" grade 8, and 5/8" gd 8.

Re-hung the flaps and guards, in new locations to clear the different location of the 5 ton axles.

As for the brakes, I had to remove the trailer brake lever/control on the column, cap off the tee for the pogostick, and swap out the front wheel cylinder due to age. (nothing related to the swap)

 

[ETHOS]

thanks for the info, you did a nice job

 

[ken]

Are you still using the original rear wiring harness? The one with the trailor light connection behind the cab? I've been looking for one for a while.

 

[Hkx3]

Thanks again for the replies.

As for the wiring harness, yes, Im still using it. I capped off the wires, and left everything in place.

Sorry

 

[goldneagle]

Without typing a book:

I removed the 5th wheel, ramps, and headache rack. Also removed the air lines to the glad hands, and the mudflaps and fuel tank guards.

I then measured the riser blocks on the tops of the frame rails, which were riveted in place. After buying the steel, I drilled the risers to match the originals, making the rails the same height/width front to back. I clearanced the rails to fit over the original rivets, and bolted these in place to keep them from working out.

I notched the original brackets for the headache rack / pogostick to make it accept the bed front./rails., then drilled to attach with 3/4" grade 8.

Made 8 "L" brackets from 1/2" steel, and drilled to match the 'feet' on the bed. Bolted in place with 3/4" grade 8, and 5/8" gd 8.

Re-hung the flaps and guards, in new locations to clear the different location of the 5 ton axles.

As for the brakes, I had to remove the trailer brake lever/control on the column, cap off the tee for the pogostick, and swap out the front wheel cylinder due to age. (nothing related to the swap)

 

[SgtHatred]

nice work.

 

[hippiedude]

Looks cood , I like the way it came out ...... Tim

 

[motorolanut]

Sweeeeeeeeeet....Great Job!!!

 

[Hkx3]

Thanks a bunch guys.

I wish I had more pics, but alas my wife was in charge of running the camera, and I ended up with like 3 pics of the build, and 300 pics of our son and dog...



Here is the truck before I started:
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p207/hkx4/Miltruck1.jpg

 

[m.walker]

Great job , it looks good ! I've thought of doing that lots of times , pics like yours tempt me even more ! It seems to be getting to be a more common swap .

 

[Hkx3]

I posted this before, but in this pic you can see the spacer/riser blocks used on the frame. Maybe that will give you an idea of what was done. Its really very very straightforward.

The biggest thing when I tried to hire this done, was everyone wanted to weld the bed. If you notice, the military doesnt weld much of anything. There is far too much frame flex in these big trucks to trust a weld...

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p207/hkx4/bedinstall1.jpg