I could go on for hours about all the good things on the early deuce so lets rant instead.
It's very rare to see one on the road. Parts in the transmission are not being re-produced and they are very similar to a 1950's farm tractor for pulling power.
They'll pull a house at a crawl but are not built for our current highways with a screaming in-line 6 that struggles to maintain 58mph, empty.
If they haven't been re-built, they are old enough to expect a complete tear-down and re-build before being introduced to public roads.
Maintenance and inspections for a 60 year old, 12,000 lb truck are an oily, greasy responsibility. Bolt torques can exceed 300psi, then add rust.
Some of the other heavy hazards we've read about that can cause problems or death are,
- Park brake assembly can crack, detonate and take out brake lines while on the move. Check for cracks, signs of heat.
- Worn, loose or missing steering components (cotter pin) have come apart while in motion. Check for play and tolerances.
- Single circuit brake system. Hydraulic brakes are inoperable if any component in the entire brake system spills fluid. This can occur with a single stroke of the brake pedal. Check condition of entire brake system. Plan on re-build.
- Frame cracking at suspension mounts can occur if not landed properly after a flight. Inspect frame/ suspension. G-meters should have been installed in these trucks.
Expected challenges
- All 50's rubber has a conditional life expectancy. Everything from tires to window seals, axle/ brake/ air / fuel system seals and the coating on the wiring harness could be rotten.
- Differentials tend to seep which could be venting issues, parts wear issues or that little piece of cork that holds it all together.
- Diminishing parts availability, Mufflers, fuel pumps, exhaust manifolds, steering wheels are difficult to find, hidden or gone.
- Air/hydraulic cylinder collects water and rusts, even under high maintenance, especially in extreme climates.
- Original Air tanks are very old and are asked to hold 90-120 psi. after possibly collecting water and rusting.
- NOS parts that are available are often dried and shrunk beyond use.
It's not much different than re-building any 1950's era semi-trailer truck and putting it on the road. It's best if you already have a 6 ton jack, heavy stands, air compressor, heavy duty mechanic skills, big tools, specialty installer/replacer tools and a place to work on it where you're appreciated.
Even new MV trucks, when properly maintained, have huge maintenance demands. Add 60 years of metal fatigue and antiquity to any potentially flown, landed, dropped and thrashed 6x6 and the safety responsibilities and risks keep going up.
You'll certainly enjoy the ride as long as a guy knows going in, it's a great big elephant with arthritis that needs special care. The G749 series of trucks must be a leader in "abandoned MV restoration projects" and I wish you luck with your decisions.
