Taking the MV plunge with my first Deuce

[midcounty]

Well, I have finally decided to take the plunge and fulfill my boyhood dream of owning a Duece. I have been shopping around, hoping to find that 1500 dollar bargain that I just couldn't say no to. Instead I found one nearly 3 times that much, but I think it may be worth it. Maybe you guys can give me your take on it. I am probably going to pick it up in a couple days, and hopefully will have pics by the end of the week. What I found was one with a hard top, cab heater, winch, what appears to be a whistler turbo(will know for sure when I go back to hear it start and run), fair body, good side racks, bows, soft cover, and best of all.... the LDS-465-1A engine. I was ready to pass on this one until I found out about the engine. The truck looks to need a little tlc, as it has some broken glass and needs a couple tires. The seller has agreed to throw in extra tires and the glass it needs off another truck. Now I am keeping my fingers crossed that it is in good running order. He claims it is, and said he will put batteries in it and start it tomorrow, then give me a call to come check it out. To top the deal off, I have a car I was looking to get rid of and was going to take a couple hindred for, but instead I am trading it for a trailer to go with the deuce. So what do you more experienced Duece lovers think? Am I doing ok at 4k with the title?

 

[gunboy1656]

Can't really say without pics. But if you look at my pics, I picked it up last year for 4k. It had a hardtop, but I like the soft top better. I don't know any of these trucks that don't need some kind of TLC, that is what makes them fun.

 

[drgreg]

Not sure but, i think the LDS would have a LDS turbo.
Sounds like an OK deal, if it were an operating truck (currently on the road), it would be better.
The LDS, itself, would not make me jump at it.

 

[Heavysteven]

Would like to see pictures. My advice is to not post info on the board about a truck. It would suck if some one decided they wanted it more.

Simply post pictures and ask what poeple think.

 

[midcounty]

Hmmm, didn't know there was a lds turbo. I noticed it was banded together, not bolted, and assumed it was a whistler. I have heard people rave about the LDS-465-1A, and say that adds alot to the value due to the extra 50hp. Is that not true?

 

[drgreg]

I have not driven a deuce with an LDS, so I can not rave or rant. But I have driven alot of trucks with great running LDTs. I think the value may be based on an overall nice truck, rather than just the engine model.

 

[BugEyeBear]

Would like to see pictures. My advice is to not post info on the board about a truck. It would suck if some one decided they wanted it more.

Simply post pictures and ask what poeple think.

Good Advice! Post Pics and ask for opinions, but don't give price or location or someone else might snag it out from right under your feet!!


THAT SAID, be sure to look the truck over for rust, esp at the cab-to-frame mounting points. Ask what sorts of repairs have been recently done, and what maintenance has been performed. Ask what lubrication fluids were used, and ensure that the gearbox, xfer, and axle oils used are "yellow metal" compatible (do a SEARCH for threads on this, but basically some newer-style gear oils can EAT the soft bearings & bushings whereas the old school basic gear oils (available at NAPA) are safe.).

Take it for a test drive & make sure it drives straight, stops straight, and doesn't have any strange noises (but know that they are ALL loud and noisey...). Take along an infrared temp gun (can be bought cheap at Harbor Freight, a GREAT investment!) and check the temp of the trans, xfer, axles, wheel bearings and brake drums after a drive of at least 15 mins at speed. IF one component is exceptionally hotter than the rest you'll need to investigate! Hot usually indicates either lack of lube, too much bearing preload, or a brake that is dragging or doing most of the work. Other than the engine & exhaust, all other components shouldn't be too hot to touch. Brakes might be a little hot immediately after a hard stop, but should cool quickly. One hot brake drum (while the others are cool) indicates an issue.

Also crawl underneath & check for leaks. Check the wheel end of every axle, check all of the pinion seal areas, and check all of the driveshaft seals. Leaks either indicate a bad seal, a plugged vent, or an overfilled condition. Also a good idea to check that the driveshaft bolts are all tight (these frequently are loose). The PTO is also a frequent source of leaks, so be sure to check that also.

ALL OF THIS IS FIXABLE, but better to know up front... And any leaks/flaws you find might provide you with some price negotiating power!

(IF you know an existing experienced Deuce owner take him/her along... It is AMAZING how much a little 1st hand knowledge is worth!!)

GOOD LUCK and welcome to the sickness....

-Bear-

 

[midcounty]

I have not driven a deuce with an LDS, so I can not rave or rant. But I have driven alot of trucks with great running LDTs. I think the value may be based on an overall nice truck, rather than just the engine model.

Yeah, I can certainly see that point. The body seems about average. One thing I did like was that there didn't seem to be much rust. The bed especially was more rust free then most I have seen. The true seal of the deal will be when I go see it running, and get to see and hear how everything works. Keeping my fingers crossed that it runs and drives well, and then will be a done deal. I forgot to mention, for what it's worth the odometer shows about 25k. From the ones I have seen that seems to be on the low side of average. Hopefully that is a good thing. Anyone else have an opinion of what, if anything, the LDS is worth to an average truck?

 

[midcounty]

Good Advice! Post Pics and ask for opinions, but don't give price or location or someone else might snag it out from right under your feet!!


THAT SAID, be sure to look the truck over for rust, esp at the cab-to-frame mounting points. Ask what sorts of repairs have been recently done, and what maintenance has been performed. Ask what lubrication fluids were used, and ensure that the gearbox, xfer, and axle oils used are "yellow metal" compatible (do a SEARCH for threads on this, but basically some newer-style gear oils can EAT the soft bearings & bushings whereas the old school basic gear oils (available at NAPA) are safe.).

Take it for a test drive & make sure it drives straight, stops straight, and doesn't have any strange noises (but know that they are ALL loud and noisey...). Take along an infrared temp gun (can be bought cheap at Harbor Freight, a GREAT investment!) and check the temp of the trans, xfer, axles, wheel bearings and brake drums after a drive of at least 15 mins at speed. IF one component is exceptionally hotter than the rest you'll need to investigate! Hot usually indicates either lack of lube, too much bearing preload, or a brake that is dragging or doing most of the work. Other than the engine & exhaust, all other components shouldn't be too hot to touch. Brakes might be a little hot immediately after a hard stop, but should cool quickly. One hot brake drum (while the others are cool) indicates an issue.

Also crawl underneath & check for leaks. Check the wheel end of every axle, check all of the pinion seal areas, and check all of the driveshaft seals. Leaks either indicate a bad seal, a plugged vent, or an overfilled condition. Also a good idea to check that the driveshaft bolts are all tight (these frequently are loose). The PTO is also a frequent source of leaks, so be sure to check that also.

ALL OF THIS IS FIXABLE, but better to know up front... And any leaks/flaws you find might provide you with some price negotiating power!

(IF you know an existing experienced Deuce owner take him/her along... It is AMAZING how much a little 1st hand knowledge is worth!!)

GOOD LUCK and welcome to the sickness....

-Bear-

Thanks, I had not thought of the fluid issue with the bearing surfaces. I will do some research on that. I plan to give it a real good once over when I see it again this week. Then I plan to drive it home. That will be a good little test to see if any problems are going to surface with leaks ect.

 

[m16ty]

Not sure but, i think the LDS would have a LDS turbo.

Not necessarily. While I have seen the turbo you're talking about, I've also seen plenty of them with "C" or "D" turbos.

 

[midcounty]

Not necessarily. While I have seen the turbo you're talking about, I've also seen plenty of them with "C" or "D" turbos.

Can you tell a whistler C from a LDS turbo by looks?

 

[gimpyrobb]

Yup, the (5ton)LDS turbo has a blow-off valve. I have never seen an LDS turbo in a deuce as they will interfere with the starter. I do plan on trying to put one in my drop side truck, just have a few other "issues" I need to complete first. Now there is also the LDS427 turbo that will fit just fine, but its harder to describe.

 

[hndrsonj]

Also, much harder to find.

 

[conchev1]

New deuce

Mid, congrats on finding your new deuce. I just got my wish on Sat, went poking around an old airfield, happened to ask the right guy about an old truck, and before I knew it ended up with a great find.

She's got a ton of rust, little weight reduction, but that'll be repaired soon enough. Parked 500 ft from the Pacific for 5 years will take its toll I spose. Rust aside, she's in good working order. After three viewings and a few thorough walk-arounds, only noticed a few leaks (steering is main concern) and minimal mechanical problems.

Question for the group: Anyone have pointers for fixing issues with the starter? When depressing the start button, there is a noticable drop in battery power, but the starter doesn't budge. Before I pull the starter completely, has anyone else had this trouble? (fingers crossed that a simple switch or wiring may fix the issue) Wont be able to work on it til this weekend, but will start with the switch first, then wiring, and hope for the best. We were able to tow it and pop-start at 10mph, ran great!

Pics to come soon, thanks!

 

[gimpyrobb]

If you push the button and there is a drop in voltage, the switch is probably good. I would check the relay on the (engine)block above the starter, then I would clean up or rebuild the starter. Welcome to the site, might want to start your own thread for this though.

 

[midcounty]

Yup, the (5ton)LDS turbo has a blow-off valve. I have never seen an LDS turbo in a deuce as they will interfere with the starter. I do plan on trying to put one in my drop side truck, just have a few other "issues" I need to complete first. Now there is also the LDS427 turbo that will fit just fine, but its harder to describe.

So maybe I will end up with a whistler I started out not wanting the whistler, because I want to drive it a lot and didn't want the extra noise. Now after hearing some I like the sound and am sorta hoping for it. May find out today, yay!

 

[Recovry4x4]

That truck sounds like an average deal. Does the seller have other trucks to offer? You need to drive a few different trucks so that you can feel the difference. MD is not a large state. I would invest some hours and contact decodeme2 here on the site. He has many deuces to sell and can probably get you a test drive in more than one truck. He may have exactly what you want ad some savings too.

 

[midcounty]

Sealed the deal tonigh, and plan p/u tomorrow. On the turbo topic, it does appear to be the whistler Starts and runs very nice. Only issue I can find is a leaking wheel cylinder. So, here she is waiting for the replacement windshield and wiper assembly before pick up.