Better to start with questions - I rather prefer to conduct this sort of discussion as an interview to determine if YOU are a candidate to properly own an FMTV. Any of the various models of military surplus trucks (FMTV and beyond) can and do work well for the *right* owner.
1. What is your mechanical background? Did you do any maintenance or repair in the Marines? What are you comfortable doing yourself. WHEN (not if) it refuses to start or won't go into gear are you going to get to work and figure out the problem yourself no matter how long and how much you have to learn to solve it or are you going to call a wrecker and find someone (can be difficult) willing to exorcise the demons from your toy?
2. What are your expectations in terms of performance and economy? Without modifications these trucks will do about 58 to 62 MPH depending on model and engine - and that's with the engine AT redline. They are happiest at about 50 MPH and get about 6 MPG. With ECO hubs (another $2500 investment plus installation) they can cruise 75+ mph without redlining the engine and can get 10+ MPG.
This aint a Chevy truck. You must realize this is a Militarized Class 8 Semi-tractor. Some parts are COTS (commercial off-the-shelf), but some are definitely not. Especially the electrical system.
Probably THE biggest issues people have with these trucks are electrical in nature. Especially the older truck with the 100A alternator, WTEC-II transmission computer, etc. Connections - especially ground connections - are very often problematic.
I'll copy what I posted on your Facebook post in response to the A0 discussion:
"The A0 trucks have largely already gone away. They have had a $0 MEL for a lot of years now. Being they are based on 1980's and early 1990's technology they are becoming difficult to support as many parts are discontinued being 30+ years old. Try to find things like the engine pressure sensors and switches - or anyone at a CAT dealership that has ever done an overhead on a 3116. Our local dealer will flat out tell you no because they don't have any old-timers that know how. Even the A1 and A1R trucks are being shuffled out of service because they can't be fielded - they aren't armored and that means they stay here in garrison. When I talk about support and parts I'm talking about what the military has and is currently buying and how that will affect the market in the next 5, 10, 20 years for people buying trucks now. The A1R shares 90% of it's parts with the currently fielded A1P2 and the military was buying those trucks brand new from Oshkosh till just recently - I've seen 2021 build date A1P2's. That means that parts for the A1P2 will continue to be ordered and be eventually surplused out for the next 20 years. All the A0 stuff is already gone and won't be manufactured again because they military isn't placing orders for thousands of spare parts. Need a WTEC-II transmission control? Call 1995 and ask for one?
. This stuff is CRAZY old and in the world of electronics you don't trust them when they reach that kind of age. Don't get me wrong - they aren't "bad" trucks - they just aren't the smart buy at this stage of the market. Spending 30-50% more on an A1R will ensure you enjoy cheap available parts for the foreseeable future. A0 and A1 trucks aren't as easy RIGHT NOW to get parts for - what do you suppose that landscape looks like in 5-10 years? I doubt it gets better."
Obviously I don't prefer the older trucks. I've worked on a fair number of these (Army Motorpool) and I daily drive a 2008. It is far and away a better, more comfortable truck than the A0 and A1 trucks I've worked on. My recommendation is to get the newest truck you can find and afford.
Oh - and low mileage is NOT a good indicator of condition. That just means the truck sat for years and was likely not maintained at all. Buying a 20+ year old military truck that sat unused can be a HUGE rabbit hole. Tires are $1200 each for new from Goodyear commercial dealers, and most trucks for sale need them immediately as most have unsafe tires. Anything with a DOT over 10 years is trash. Army won't mount anything more than 6 years old. PS Magazine had a run down on that at one point.
