Bedford MJ or Bobbed Deuce

[eaw46]

I have been thinking of getting a Bobbed Deuce but found a British Bedford MJ and it might work for me. Its about the same size as a Bobbed Deuce and has a 6 cly diesel motor and should work for me. I know parts will be a little harder to get but not impossible and I have to import all my M35 A2 parts anyway. I would like a shorter truck that will still tow a good load and would rather not wreck a good Deuce by bobbing it if this would work out. Has anyone got any experience with one of these trucks? Any comments or ideas?

 

[davidkroberts]

I have some experience with the M35A2 . The Bedford has a decent rep with the troops. What can you get the parts for and from who do you have a link for them

 

[197thhhc]

 

[eaw46]

Here is a couple of pics of the truck and a link for the UK parts guy.

Crouch Recovery | Military Vehicle Specialists | Parts | Supplies | UK

The parts have to come from the UK but as I said most of my parts have to come from the US anyway so it is not much more time and money for me. The trucks look like a flip cab but are not there is access to the motor but its not all that great and that can cause trouble. I can get this truck for about 5K and it is 30 miles from me and runs great with new tires. It costs me 4K for a M35A2 and then almost as much to get it here depending on where it is and then I would have to bob it or buy a bobbed one that would cost me at least 6K and another 2 to 3 K to bring it here. I love my Deuce but this might work for me. Eddy

 

[eldgenb]

looks almost like a mogg.

 

[trucknut]

The bedford was the truck of choice for tour companies doing overland expeditions in Africa in the 70's &80's . They were relable and fairly simple to fix if broken. Is it a lefty or a righty ? Better view off road, just don't hit anything too big!

 

[eaw46]

Its a left hand drive and in good shape. It is a bit like my 404 but no portal axles and no where near the wheel travel but does have a lot more motor for the towing I want to do. I am just looking for some comments from anyone who has experience with one. Thanks Eddy

 

[m880 unimog]

hello from england-these trucks are good because they are tough-there are better off road machines,and almost everything is faster,but you really need to try hard to break them,they come from a long line,'squady proof'
having dealt with david crouch for over 15 years,i can say there is no-one better to buy a mv from in england.
if you want an easier life,you will want a turbo charged engine-and then you will REALLY need power steering.if you plan on towing any load with a non turbo MJ-avoid hills!
personally i,d buy a TM- the k500 turbo engine RIPS!!!
I HAVE OWNED AND DRIVEN BOTH VARIENTS.
ah! caps lock- let me know if can help from this end...oh,and all the service parts are common stuff we get from the 'crosslands' catalogue,filters,and such

 

[eaw46]

Thanks for all the comments. I would love a turbo or more power but I do not have much choice in the truck as this is the one that is here. I think I will pick it up and give it a try and see how it tows the half track. I can then use the M35 to tow the Dukw. I live in a place so flat you can watch your dog run away for 3 days so hills are not a problem. I do not expect to tow anything very fast or far just want to get them around to local shows and sites. The max I would tow them would be about 100 miles. I will post on this thread later when I see how it all works out. That will be a few weeks as I am not going anywhere with the 4 ft of snow on the ground that we have right now. Eddy

 

[m880 unimog]

you have a DuKW ? -i have had such good fun swimming accross europe in various amphibious MV,s!
amphibious MV,S are hard to beat for fun.
good luck with the MK-let us know how it goes