Is it worth it?

[1adamp]

I'm looking to get started in the MV world and would like to get a Deuce to start me off. I found this one about 45 min away on craigslist. It says it will only drive in reverse but claims it should be an easy fix. I wanted to ask the pro's before I take a drive to look at it. Here is a link. What to you think? Will it be an easy fix? If so what shouls I offer?

M35A2 military 6x6 will trade for sled

 

[Goose2448]

Best thing to do is to find one that is in running condition. Unless he will sell it for a few hundred bucks dont buy it. To start into the MV world get a good truck. I am still new too so hopefuly someone else will chime in here. And welcome to the site.

 

[AN/ARC186]

Someone took it for a joyride without me knowing it? Hmmm, must have the very rare stealth package installed, the one that makes it silent and invisible....

I'd be careful, I'm getting a whiff of male bovine waste product.

 

[CARNAC]

Concur that this guy is full of it.

"Don't try to lowball me man even though this truck has a toasted transmission. "

Sure it is easy to fix, you just have to take it to your local deuce mechanic and have them repair/swap the trans. EASY! Doesn't say how much that would cost you.

If you were into parting things out....

 

[cattlerepairman]

As a relatively new Deuce owner I chime in. Sit down and make a list, for yourself, what you want in your truck.
Split brakes a must? Winch? Power steering? Heater? Hard top? Dropside? Already singled out? 11.00-20 Michelin XLs on it? Just overhauled, with new seals and axle boots? Make the list and think about points that are deal breakers versus stuff you could see yourself compromise on....Then stick to the list for your search.

The truck you describe is perfectly buy-able....if that is what you want to do. If you can easily flatbed it home, have a place to work on it, are willing to hunt down parts or source a new tranny and want to take the time and spend the cash it takes to repair and restore.

If you want a truck you can get into, start up and drive it, while being safe and legal, then plan to buy a repaired/restored truck that needs (next to) nothing.

Look at the commercial re-sellers, for example. The reputable ones, many here on this site, go over every truck they sell with a fine comb. If stuff is amiss, they fix it - PRIOR to you getting on the road with it. Sure, you pay money for it.

My pet peeve are the brakes...sure, there are plenty of trucks that "drive and stop". To me, that simply is not good enough if you have standard Deuce brakes. If you intend to be on the road where mom drives the minivan with the kids, then you cannot have a leaking wheel cylinder, rusty steel lines or questionable flex hoses - period.

The decision is yours alone. Sit down and make a list!

 

[tie6044]

"Buyer Beware" for sure in this case. Buy from a more reputable seller in my opinion.

 

[clinto]

What is a "600 or larger sled"?

 

[jbingvtx]

there isn't anything wrong with that truck that money can't fix. But thats the case with all of them. My first mv is going to be able to move under its own power.

 

[Divemaster920]

Driving 50 miles in reverse will take some time.

 

[xm708]

600 or larger

He is referring to a snow mobile or here in VT they are called snow machines. 600 is the CC of the engine.

 

[GoHot229]

Well a couple things come to mind. With al the vaugeness of the seller not knowing whats what, just that someone took it for a joy-ride and here it is.....needs the trans fixed and a windshield. What did HE/THEY hit? and are the police looking for a hit and run vehicle ? likely (BIG) that left green paint at the scene? Secondly the trans may be (likely is) toast. Theres 4-5 hundered bucks of replacement cost likely and the time to locate, not to mention the replacement along with mabe a clutch or throwout bearing, pluss the tools and lifts to do the job. AND FOR CERTAIN Do NOT get one with out a title ! ! ! I dont know the status of the title for this, just a warning. There have been 4-5 recent threads of horror stories about trying to title these trucks with only a bill of sale. TOUGH, even in the best of scenarios ! ! ! As for a windshield, less than $100. The truck may have other dammage your not seeing, like blown out tortion bar rubber or u-bolts or, or , or. You need to look this unit over closely, and if your a noob then you need someone who can spot a problem. As it is, this M35 is mabe worth $1000, because of the fixing needed. WHAT HAVE YOU GOT ....dollarwise to spend on a Deuce? $$$ There are alot of $2000-$2500 Deuces floating around, even here on the classifieds. I'd look elsewhere, this Truck may buy you more than you expected. Leans and claims for dammages and such........??

 

[GoHot229]

What is a "600 or larger sled"?

Clinto .....aren't you hip dude, er like a 600 dude, it's a ............................................................? I got nut'in

 

[Speddmon]

Clinto .....aren't you hip dude, er like a 600 dude, it's a ............................................................? I got nut'in

You gotta remember that Clinto is from the south....a 1/4 inch of snow shuts down the entire state. The don't know the lingo for snowmobiles!

 

[Speddmon]

I would be most concerned with the fact that the picture of that truck was taken in the GL lot at McCoy!!!

That means that the seller probably does not have a clear title for it yet!!! Also, the damage he's referring to was probably like that when he went to pick it up because he did't preview it. He's probably one of those guys who bought it to sell it right away and turn a little profit, but when he went to recover it he realilzed it was damaged!

These are just guesses, but it sure makes scense to me.

 

[dittle]

Good point Speddmon.

 

[jdr2710]

I just did windshield glass a few days ago, $70 ($20/sqft).

My requirements were pretty loose for my first MV (acquired a couple months ago), it just had to be drivable. That's what I got, able to drive it home, but missing a Lot of bits, but I factored that into the cost and offered appropriately. I've been enjoying the process of the restoration (except the last couple weeks where it has been too cold to work out in the barn!) I specifically didn't want a plug & play machine, I wanted something that I could put some blood & sweat into, (mostly blood so far since it has been quite chilly) so it felt properly like it was mine.

Jeff

 

[Heavysteven]

I just bought my MV M35A2 W/W from GL. Its been a nightmare so far but i only paid a couple thousand for a rebuilt truck with a winch, all new tires, runs, and stops. I would reccomned waiting for more trucks to come up for auction and preview. I am sure the best M35's are going to be coming up for auction soon.

If i was you i would buy a drivable truck. I have limited skills, so hopefully i will be changes fluids, filters, and belts.

Good Luck with your search

 

[Recovry4x4]

Heck, even I knew what a sled was! The ad for that truck sends up reg flags all over the place. Worth a phone call but that title issue is serious. I would also be weary of frame numbers that don't match data plates and titles.

 

[pyrogod117]

Yes, sled means snowmobile. It's a common term for them among people that ride. 600s are average trail sleds. Top out anywhere from 85-100 stock cry: Boring), depending on the conditions.

 

[dittle]

Top out anywhere from 85-100 stock cry: Boring), depending on the conditions.

But more than fast enough to kill yourself with