Air Drop trucks. Dumb questions

[Rene M]

How different are the air drop trucks? Any major changes that might block me from installing ac?
I would be interested in comments from guys that have both on pro cons. I bought "but has not been delivered yet" A M1081 and have a ton of questions. I guess most will be answered soon enough.

 

[FloridaAKM]

There are some large differences when it comes time to replace missing windows, cab sections & other odds n ends that makeup the airdrop version. Having the ability to hook a large section of cargo parachutes to the frame of the truck is(useless to those of us without a C-130) is just cool factor if you can BS well. You can hook a paraglider to the truck & tow it up if you have a good release mechanism! The spare tire rack also has the ability double as a crane to remove the top of the cab for a summer ride down the highway with the wind in your hair! Other M-1081 owners will chime in shortly for details I don't even know about!

A vet told me the air drop versions were garbage & I should have gotten a M-1078 for a good truck. I do not believe everything people tell me!

 

[Gunzy]

A vet told me the air drop versions were garbage & I should have gotten a M-1078 for a good truck. I do not believe everything people tell me!
It must be true, I read it on the internet............

 

[mkcoen]

You might PM NDT. He has both style trucks and could probably give you more info. I really don't see a problem with adding AC as none of the parts have anything to do with the top but haven't seen the inside of one to know if there would be an issue with the evaporator.

 

[FloridaAKM]

I am putting the new A/C evaporator in my M1081, but haven't had time to complete the installation. The only problem others here had was the gunners platform was too long to allow the evaporator to fit & lay flat!

 

[NDT]

The only differences on the 1081's cab are from the beltline up. The beltline is the imaginary line at the bottom of the windows. Mechanically and electrically the 1081 and 1078 are the same. The 1081's have two sling points over the rear axle that are accessed through square holes in the bed floor. As has been mentioned, when it comes to windshield replacement time, the 1081's use stock flat safety glass versus the special costly one piece glass found in the normal FMTV. To me, the LVADs are a very special, very low production truck that were used extensively with special forces in Afghanistan, and are well worth preserving.

 

[Rene M]

I thought most mount the condenser on the roof area which would be hard on a unit the roof comes off.. P.S. I just got the call, the transport is 3 hours away from me.. I cant wait.
Its like x mas except i actually get something i want not a tie or ugly socks.

 

[mkcoen]

The stock location for the condenser is in front of the radiator. If you're going to mount it to the roof just get a roof mount style AC like an RV and skip all the hassles of correct engine mounts and pulleys.

 

[Rene M]

wow, i was thinking it was one of the roof mount box types that have two or more fans etc. not a more conventional tractor style,.

 

[FloridaAKM]

I'll bet you are sitting on pins & needles right now, the wait is not as long as it seems. The picture of my avatar is my truck the morning they delivered it to work. It caused quite a stir with everybody @ first!

I thought most mount the condenser on the roof area which would be hard on a unit the roof comes off.. P.S. I just got the call, the transport is 3 hours away from me.. I cant wait.
Its like x mas except i actually get something i want not a tie or ugly socks.

 

[mkcoen]

Here's a pic of my condenser after we got it installed.

 

[Rene M]

HA! midnight i got the call. " hey where do you want this thing?" After a midnight unload and a 9 mile drive to my house " with no headlights" because the transport got lost and my headlights dont work.... I AM ONE OF YOU NOW.... =)

 

[Rene M]

Ive been all over it thus far and have not found many problems yet. cits control was removed, no spare " but i knew that",the drivers door will not unlock , and there are a butt loads of "what im guessing " are cables for a radio . A BIG radio.

 

[Another Ahab]

HA! midnight i got the call. " hey where do you want this thing?" After a midnight unload and a 9 mile drive to my house " with no headlights" because the transport got lost and my headlights dont work.... I AM ONE OF YOU NOW.... =)

Congratulations.

 

[mkcoen]

HA! midnight i got the call. " hey where do you want this thing?" After a midnight unload and a 9 mile drive to my house " with no headlights" because the transport got lost and my headlights dont work.... I AM ONE OF YOU NOW.... =)

 

[Rene M]

Ok ok i will shoot some.. Q, why is there Velcro all over the cab? and ****, it shifts hard...

 

[Rene M]

Here's a pic of my condenser after we got it installed.

View attachment 645059

OOOhhh nice . So, where did you source it from and the compressor brackets? mine is duel v belt . not real happy about that. But, i will make it work..
Holy cow that is a big generator. Why a generator and not an alternator?

 

[mkcoen]

Ok ok i will shoot some.. Q, why is there Velcro all over the cab? and ****, it shifts hard...

Hard shifting is normal. Some folks switch from 30w oil in the tranny to regular transmission fluid and that is reported to help some but still harder than a regular auto. Where is the velcro? There's usually a couple of pieces on the shift panel to cover the panel for blackout operations.

 

[Oxyacetylene]

Ok ok i will shoot some.. Q, why is there Velcro all over the cab? and ****, it shifts hard...

It will shift better once up to temp. Also try not completely flooring it during acceleration and it will shift without winding out the RPM's.

 

[Rene M]

Hard shifting is normal. Some folks switch from 30w oil in the tranny to regular transmission fluid and that is reported to help some but still harder than a regular auto. Where is the velcro? There's usually a couple of pieces on the shift panel to cover the panel for blackout operations.

Almost the all of the cab on the outside is covered in it.