Are M917 dump trucks street legal and suitable for commercial use?

[ichudov]

I am wondering about something.

If I look at M917 dump trucks from a PURELY UTILITARIAN perspective, completely disregarding their visual appeal:

How suitable are they really for being used commercially as a surplus hauling vehicle and to pull trailers?

Are they unreliable in real life use?

Also, how hard are parts to come by?

M-917 DUMP TRUCK

thanks!

i

 

[R Racing]

I have seen them used sucsessfully . Although the 1s I have seen used are not the A1s or A2s Just the earlier 1s with the cummins and 16 speed Cat Trans.

 

[wreckerman893]

They are basically a civy truck that has some mods to make it military friendly (4 volt elec system, pintle hitch, blackout drive, etc.)

The 400 Cummins engine is reliable (up grades have the 60 series Detriot in them).

The CAT tranny in the early ones is good as long as you don't have mechanical issues....later ones have the Allison which is a good tranny too.

I have owned several M915's and an M916 and like them.

 

[Derrickl112]

this is the only style of m917 you'll find....

 

[PeterD]

To use it commercially you'd have to make sure you met all DOT rules (would not want to fail a DOT road-side inspection, for example.) This may be difficult to do, you would have to change the lighting (add ID lights front and rear for example) and there are probably other things that may need changing.

That said, those images are nice! Nothing better than a big truck!

 

[71DeuceAK]

Dead thread revival, I know, but I've been wondering the same things...

 

[Floridianson]

To use it commercially you'd have to make sure you met all DOT rules (would not want to fail a DOT road-side inspection, for example.) This may be difficult to do, you would have to change the lighting (add ID lights front and rear for example) and there are probably other things that may need changing.

That said, those images are nice! Nothing better than a big truck!

Old thread. But I believe the Freightliner is good to go DOT wise at least my 915A2 is. Now my bumper is lower than the 916 and all the other big boys. Other than the bumper height on the big boys I would add some kind of extension to it. This way you blow the car out of the way instead of running over top of it which might cause you to flip over. Another reason I will never sell my 915A2 is if for some reason all states say they will not register X military vehicles I will show them it is just a street legal Freightliner painted camo.

 

[fuzzytoaster]

Ditto. That's why I like my M915A4s. Same glider kit and all Freightliner approved but without the emissions BS and it's camo for style points.

 

[Floridianson]

Yea I like your A4's too. I was put up for adopted once and you have the chance to adopt me again so I can drive our trucks.
Also the only thing I added and I do not know if it was required was the sticker. The green one I mounted just because it was OD and I found it in another truck. Yes I also have one in the box with my flares and triangle reflectors.

 

[71DeuceAK]

Interesting. So far, I think I am most partial to the "A0".

 

[simp5782]

Well they have only sold a few A1s at 3 to 5x the price of the first generation.

The first generation has a higher GVWR than the A1

A0 is non electronic.

Easy to swap a manual into for faster speed and easier operation