My M813A1 Old US Navy SeaBees truck??

[Truckoholic]

So I was sandblasting the old paint off of my M813 today, and as I started to do the passenger door, I noticed some numbers showing up under the top layer of paint. So I pulled the blasting nozzle back a couple feet so it would just take off the top layer and reveal what was underneath, and this is what I uncovered.



This is the info I got in the 2011 Vin info thread:

Organization: 2632, 2632D TRANSPORTATION COMPANY
Location: SAN BRUNO, CA
Nomenclature: TRUCK CARGO D/S 5-TON
Model: M813A1
NSN: 2320000508913
Serial Number: C22810842
Registration Number: NL070P
Year of Mfg: 1978
Manufacturer: 65909
Contract Number: DAAE07-74-C-0120
Usage Miles: 61462

The 2632nd Transportation Company is the National Guard in South San Francisco. So does the VIN info, only show the most recent user, or do I just have a door that was taken off of a different truck or what? I'm really intrigued by this. If this truck really was a part of the US Navy SeaBees, I want to know for sure, because that is going to affect how I end up painting it. I would love to put the seabees insignia back on there when I am done painting if this truck really does have that history. But if it's only the door, then I don't want to do that. The drivers door simply had the number 15 on it and nothing else.

 

[M813A1]

By the infor mation you have does it match the data plate numbers on the truck ?? Does the serial number C22810842 match the number on your truck ?? You can also check the data plate on the engine the contract number should be the same and also check the frame rail on the left front near the steering gear box the serial number should be stamped there..

 

[hndrsonj]

Well you could also look on the tailgate and front bumpers under the paint.

 

[Recovry4x4]

The Navy number is consistent with a 5 ton!

 

[Truckoholic]

Well you could also look on the tailgate and front bumpers under the paint.

Allready made the mistake of blasting right down to the metal all the way accross the front bumber. Havent got to the tailgate yet, so I will look there.

And so far I have not been able to locate a number stamped on the frame. Where should it be in relation to the steering gear box. Behind it, below it, in front of it? I'm going to blast the paint off around there next to see if there is just too much paint keeping me from seeing it.

 

[FMJ]

Go Navy!!!!

 

[Truckoholic]

Okay, I found the serial number stamped on the frame to the right of the steering box. So lightly stamped in there, no wonder I couldn't see it with all the paint over it. Even after I blasted the paint off I couldn't see it til I looked really close with my goggles off.

And yes it does indeed match the data plate on the dash, and the info for the VIN pasted above. The drivers door had only 1 thin layer of paint that was super easy to get off which is not consistent with the rest of the truck. While the passenger side door which is the one with US Navy Seabees on it, has multiple layers which are consistent with the rest of the truck. So I'm thinking if any doors were replaced, it was the drivers door, which leads me to believe this really was a US Navy truck before going to the National Guard. I am just not familiar enough with the way these trucks are passed on from branch to branch. I didn't really think they were. But I understand the National Guard gets hand me downs.



But what is this found on the left side of the hood?


Appears to be an old label that is wearing off. But it also appears to be a standard 17 digit VIN or something. Could it be?

 

[FMJ]

Sooooo, next question, locker, or no locker. . . . or was that just in the 900 series five tons?

 

[Truckoholic]

Sooooo, next question, locker, or no locker. . . . or was that just in the 900 series five tons?

No locker as far as I can tell

 

[M813A1]

The lockers were install in the marine trucks in the M809 series trucks !!! You can jack the truck up and set it on jack stands then start it up and put it into low range and you should see all 6 wheels turning together if it has lockers ?? But being it is a Navy truck the possibilities are good it may have lockers since the Marines are the Navy's army

 

[63foxtrot]

alot of these 5 tons went through a rebuilt after the 1st Gulf war at Camp Roberts SWA rebuilt program. I'm sure this truck was one of them. there was a big can point there. Trucks were there from all services.

 

[Truckoholic]

The lockers were install in the marine trucks in the M809 series trucks !!! You can jack the truck up and set it on jack stands then start it up and put it into low range and you should see all 6 wheels turning together if it has lockers ?? But being it is a Navy truck the possibilities are good it may have lockers since the Marines are the Navy's army

Well, that sure would be awesome if it did. But I took it up a pretty steep slope the other day, and not all of the tires were spinning when I spun out. So I'm pretty sure it does not. Atleast I know the left front rear drive axle was not spinning, and I don't think the left steer was spinning either.

 

[Truckoholic]

Okay, so what are the legalities of Stenciling US Navy Seabees back on the truck when I am done painting it? Would that be a totally bad idea? I've seen other privately owned military trucks that say US Army on them. Is it legal, or is it a bad idea? I would just love for it to be able to show it's heritage as much as possible.

 

[MWMULES]

Your truck your paint. You can paint whatever you please. I would go Seabee!

 

[Truckoholic]

Your truck your paint. You can paint whatever you please. I would go Seabee!

Yeah. I think that is what I'm gonna do. I found some Seabees insignia stencils online that I'm gonna buy. Just didn't want to get in trouble for joy riding in an active duty us navy truck. Ha ha

 

[hndrsonj]

Here you go, SS member too. index

 

[southdave]

Okay, so what are the legalities of Stenciling US Navy Seabees back on the truck when I am done painting it? Would that be a totally bad idea? I've seen other privately owned military trucks that say US Army on them. Is it legal, or is it a bad idea? I would just love for it to be able to show it's heritage as much as possible.

This done alot when goverment own it, via DRMO or zomie type that would leave a truck park in on spot for too long... if was ever in the seabee unit TOA then it would have yellow on shackels and bumperetts somtimes..& freakin wheel chocks ..