After Months of Research and Looking... We Finally bought an M35A3 Deuce

[Commander5993]

Congrats on the new purchase andwelcome to the club! Let the projects begin...

Thanks Cobra! Already saving threads and information on Maintenance, "Things to Check", and a some possible "Upgrade" Projects

 

[Commander5993]

Any of you Deuce Owners Have Any Suggestions on:
Maintenance Items (not basic Maintenance, but things specific to the deuce)
How about Things that may need to be Checked (again items specific to the deuce, not general/normal stuff) ?

And the best part, how about Some ideas for Good Updates/Upgrades Not looking to change out the trans or anything though. Just additions or changes that you have done to your rigs, improve comfort, usability, or things that are just cool to change/add

I really need some more leg room! Anyone figured out anything more than moving the steering column up, and adjusting the brake pedal down? That's mostly what I have seen in my thread search on the topic so far.

Also are there any specific threads that I should read ASAP??
Or something else that you suggest? Feel Free to Post!

Thanks All!

 

[autigers35a3]

2001 rebuild is interesting. Great looking truck...
Get you a set of TM's on the truck.

 

[Commander5993]

That's a clean looking Deuce you got. Congrats! The color sure looks familiar.

Just checked out your album and you did your paint job yourself! Great Work by the Way!
I always Like to watch the progress of a vehicle from what they start out as, then see the repairs and updates that a person chooses to do, then to see how it all comes together in the finished project.

I Almost bought and M1009 back some months ago, but the rust/rot was just way too bad for $$$ that this car dealer wanted for it. It would have had to have a good amount of work, and metal, to the fenders, quarters, floorboards, etc etc.

Looks like you got a Good Solid Truck Though! Looking forward to seeing the finished project! Thanks for Sharing the Photos!

 

[Commander5993]

2001 rebuild is interesting. Great looking truck...
Get you a set of TM's on the truck.

Is a 2001 military rebuild odd or just rare? Or??

TM's is a great suggestion. Always a big plus for a "new to me" vehicle. ~ Thanks

 

[SPCWarning]

LOL! From the color, I'm guessing that your M1009 was one of Brett's too

Let me guess, you named it "Butterbean" because of the color ?

No sir, it was my doing........I was in Lowe's, in a hurry getting material for carpentry project, "needed" paint for the CUCV, found the closest color I could, (amazing how much difference their flourescent light above the color charts makes), bought a gallon, now it's the color of my CUCV.

I figured I could say something about your color because mine is exactly the same. If you park them side by side in the sun they match.....did Brett buy his paint at Lowe's too? Just kidding, I believe he would use higher quality paint.

Honesly I wasn't making fun of your color, you have a really nice A3 there, real clean looking and SOMEDAY, a Deuce will be in my shop. Congratulations on the find!

Yes sir, Butterbean got his name from the color! I'm hoping to do the woodland camo asap, but hey, it's got a NICE base coat right?

 

[islandguydon]

Commander,

Your truck ROCKS. I like the front picture, looks mean,GRRRRRRRRR


SPCWaring,

Congrats on the avatar, Representing the sticker, looks good.

 

[Tlauden]

Very good looking truck!! Looks like it rolled outta the factory yesterday!! Personally I like the green that it is.

As for additions, mine have been for pure safety since these trucks ain't the fastest. I added a strobe on top for when I'm on the highway doing 50 in the 65 mph area haha also I have some additional running lights I wanna get installed. Plus I got upgraded windshield wiper kit from Saturn surplus, they are much better than the original military blades IMHO

 

[Commander5993]

No sir, it was my doing........I was in Lowe's, in a hurry getting material for carpentry project, "needed" paint for the CUCV, found the closest color I could, (amazing how much difference their flourescent light above the color charts makes), bought a gallon, now it's the color of my CUCV.

I figured I could say something about your color because mine is exactly the same. If you park them side by side in the sun they match.....did Brett buy his paint at Lowe's too? Just kidding, I believe he would use higher quality paint.

Honesly I wasn't making fun of your color, you have a really nice A3 there, real clean looking and SOMEDAY, a Deuce will be in my shop. Congratulations on the find!

Yes sir, Butterbean got his name from the color! I'm hoping to do the woodland camo asap, but hey, it's got a NICE base coat right?

I hate Fluorescent lighting when it comes to viewing the color on anything! I used to work in a place where we had a ton of different automotive paint, and of course like every other business, we had fluorescent lighting... Well, every week when we went to re-stock the paint, everything would be fine on your basic colors, find their spot pretty quick. But then you get stuff that is just a shade different from everything else on that row. Looking at the cans, they look exactly the same! And you know how vehicle's paint colors are now days, especially when you are talking all vehicles by all brands both domestic and import. You end up with 20 shades of the same color. So, when you couldn't tell from the can color, you have to try to read the paint code in that tiny fine print, like they couldn't make it larger. Just to to find where each can went on the shelf. It was a pain to say the least.


Anyway, I had the same idea about my truck having a Good Base Coat
I wanted the 3 color camo when I was looking for a truck. And I may paint it at some point, you know, can't have the truck not matching bed cover.
But who knows, if the color grows on me, its a good paint job, might just leave it. It is a little different, I'll say that for it. Should make it easy to spot if I took it to an MV Convention

 

[Commander5993]

Commander,

Your truck ROCKS. I like the front picture, looks mean,GRRRRRRRRR


SPCWaring,

Congrats on the avatar, Representing the sticker, looks good.

Hey Islandguydon, Thanks for the Comment
Hummm.... I could call it "The Mean Green Machine"... lol


islandguydon & SPCWaring what is the sticker about?

 

[Commander5993]

Very good looking truck!! Looks like it rolled outta the factory yesterday!! Personally I like the green that it is.

As for additions, mine have been for pure safety since these trucks ain't the fastest. I added a strobe on top for when I'm on the highway doing 50 in the 65 mph area haha also I have some additional running lights I wanna get installed. Plus I got upgraded windshield wiper kit from Saturn surplus, they are much better than the original military blades IMHO

Hey Tlauden! Thanks for the comments! Yeah I think the green is starting to grow on me

The extra lights are a good idea, especially if we were driving on the interstate at night, or in rain/fog type conditions too. Most Interstates here are 70mph, so even more of a difference between the speed limit, and the deuces "speed limit".

On the wipers, are you talking just about the blade or part of the actual wiper unit? ~ Thanks!

 

[73m819]

That color almost looks like some late WW2 OD

 

[silverstate55]

WOW, that truck is gorgeous! Great score!!

 

[SPCWarning]

Hey Islandguydon, Thanks for the Comment
Hummm.... I could call it "The Mean Green Machine"... lol


islandguydon & SPCWaring what is the sticker about?

Hey Commander, the sticker is the official Steel Soldiers Membership sticker!! There's a thread on here with how to order from Recovry4X4 (Kenny). I believe the thread is "Steel Soldiers Sticker Order Info Thread". Post one on your MV and when another member sees it he/she will recognize it right off the bat, and those who don't recognize it will inquire and you can answer with something like," I'm a member of an outstanding, world wide, and very informative military vehicle enthusiast group that you should check out called Steel Soldiers"
Jimmy

 

[sierra117]

Some upgrade to consider that I have done myself is: 2 inch reciever hitch, am/fm radio with sirius satelite radio, cb radio, 24 to 12 power converter(seemed easier than a seperate 12 alternater and batteris), 12 volt trailer plug in, 12 volt power point. Upgrades yet to come: hydraulic winch, dump bed.

 

[jaxsof]

She really is a great looking truck, and I hope she takes care of you. The green, while being an odd shade, looks pretty good. I dont think its CARC though. Looks like an enamel.

Great Catch, Brother!

 

[Commander5993]

That color almost looks like some late WW2 OD

WOW, that truck is gorgeous! Great score!!

Thanks guys! Yeah I'm kind of liking the color honestly. I might just leave it instead of going camo.
Looking forward to picking it up

 

[Commander5993]

Some upgrade to consider that I have done myself is: 2 inch reciever hitch, am/fm radio with sirius satelite radio, cb radio, 24 to 12 power converter(seemed easier than a seperate 12 alternater and batteris), 12 volt trailer plug in, 12 volt power point. Upgrades yet to come: hydraulic winch, dump bed.

I've been seriously considering adding a CB. I installed a Cobra CB in my 08' Honda Element that I sold a few months ago.
What kind of CB setup did you go with in your deuce?

Adding a AM/FM Radio is a nice idea. Did you use your 12vdc for the radio? Or did you go find a 24vdc radio?

I am going to add a 12vdc Alternator and independent battery for my 12vdc. I want to add several accessories, and just knowing that I have plenty of power to play with, and not affecting the starting of truck if I do somehow accidentally run the 12v batt dead, is worth it to me.

Thanks Sierra for the Idea's

 

[Commander5993]

She really is a great looking truck, and I hope she takes care of you. The green, while being an odd shade, looks pretty good. I dont think its CARC though. Looks like an enamel.

Great Catch, Brother!

Hey Thanks! Yeah the color looks like an odd shade, but I think at least part of that is just due to the photo/camera.

 

[Commander5993]

(I might need to start this in a new thread...)

Ok, I've done some searching here on the forums, and I'm now considering putting in some things to make it "slightly harder" to steal, or at least to keep people from messing with the deuce.

I have read about the battery kill switches. But having seen the basic run-of-the-mill battery disconnect "switches" not work properly, and cause more trouble then they are worth. I want something that works better, and I would rather have it in the cab some where.
I found a heavy duty battery kill switch. Not sure if we are allowed to post website links, so I just attached the photo. Its listed for race car applications mostly, but it has ratings of "175 amp continuous rating, 6-36 volt, 1000 peak [450 Rating]" So would there be any reason this switch wouldn't work for the deuce application?

I also read that some have added a key switch, in the place of the starter button. But I couldn't really find any specs for the switch.
I would like to add a key switch ignition, but I personally don't want to use a "lawn mower" type universal key ignition. Is there any other key switches anyone would suggest?
Also I tried to search, but couldn't find a listing anywhere for what the amp draw on the ignition switch is... I would be guessing somewhere around 30amp? Does anyone know if it has to be a "24 volt" switch, or is it only the amps that matters?

Sorry to post so many questions, on something so basic. I'm betting I have missed something, or I didn't use the "right" search term, and have missed threads that covers all of this.