Recent content by Flyboy207

Totally right. I tried to do my homework on that, I messed up somewhere. It’s obvious now, looking at the pivot point of the boom that it’s the older style crane. The hydraulic tank on the deck is a good call too, I didn’t know that. Changed the title.

Well, sure enough, there they are. I would run with them flipped the other way on the rears, but it might just be doable. Those 14.00-20 NDCC’s aren’t available new anymore, although that would have been neat. Here they are on a howitzer: I guess now the only questions are if I really need...

Hello All, WillWagner and I are trying to determine the origin of a set of wheels he has, and whether they’re rated for use on my wrecker. I haven’t been able to find anything like them. They have an NSN, which is 2530-00-735-3766. They’re 20x10”, so they’re not for the regular size...

Well, crumb. I guess I don’t get to be the one to upload it… but that also means I don’t have to pay the UPS store to scan it! My hard copy is getting here today, maybe the restoration crew at my museum wants it.

This isn’t at a military salvage yard, but I thought someone might be interested. I just saw it on FB marketplace in Northern California. Obviously missing some parts, especially the boom. Ad says Continental gas engine. Owner is asking $4000, no idea about paperwork. He says it runs and...

Exactly as you said. Rolled backward in neutral until the rear tires touched the ground, then into reverse and backed it all the way to where I took the picture. I didn't realize the rules yet.

Just purchased a copy of the 1976 MERDC vehicle markings manual, TB-43-0209. I'll work on uploading it for everyone when I get it.

What should I do to test/free the sprag? Those marks were only there after backing the truck off of the lowbed, I dont think I saw any when I backed up and turned into the driveway. UNRELATED UPDATE: Tried to run the crane a few days ago (still dealing with the bees), and couldn't figure out...

It makes sense that locking all the wheels would have more holding power than that little drum. That said, I avoid using them on the other vehicles I’ve worked on because they have a tendency to cause leaks from the wheel cylinders. This is the main reason I want to convert to air brakes, so...

This seems like a good direction to go for my wrecker, but just the cost of super singles was going to be almost as much as the truck, and I can only assume duals are even more expensive, having to buy 8 instead of 4. That said, you save $800 on not buying combat wheels for the rears. I’ll try...

Quick question: Can anyone tell me why the Mico brake lock is installed in these trucks when the handbrake is on the driveshaft? I had assumed (like a fire engine that I had) that the power divider required the handbrake drum/driveline to turn when powering the winches or crane. When I was...

Hi all, The fact that I’m here should be an indicator of how my day is going… Today in the process of blocking off a beehive in my crane cable drum (see my XM816 new purchase thread), I found out why my wrecker was so cheap, and/or why the government decided to get rid of it. I was wondering...

UPDATE: The bee man with his nice suit has come and plugged the hole in the cable drum on the crane. There are holes in both sides, so the other is covered with duct tape until I can get another plug for it tomorrow. 1/2” electrical box plugs seem to fit perfectly, in case anyone wants to do...

Thanks for the explanation! That sounds great, essentially adding a “neutral” that can reduce wear or potential damage, and you don’t have to change the transfer case like I was worried about. Pictures are great too!

Thanks for the tips! I had a sprag transfer case in my deuce and I wanted to switch it to air, hopefully that retrofit is available for the 5 tons. As far as all the lubrication and wrecker hydraulic hoses, I’ll get a better idea of what shape it’s all in after I can get the bees contained or...