Deuce Fever

[Big K]

Hello SS,

I live in Central Texas and while this is my first post. I've been researching Deuces i.e. reading the manuals, alternative fuel post and decided I want to start with a M35A2 bobbed daily driver that is already titled MVL. I know this takes all the fun out of it but I work full time and also lauching the wifes food trailer.

The bug started after trying to locate a diesel truck that can pull our 36ft 10,000lb + food trailer. (pics attached) Peachez (the trailers name) is a mobile kitchen. No MRE's here. While we keep it at one location I need something to pull it when needed and always needing to haul somehting. Our Fired Chicken business produces ~55 gallons waste PEANUT oil week. Which will be plenty for my personal use. I wanted to convert a 94-98.5yr Dodge to run on WVO but the intial cost is out of my budget.

I decided to search for a Bobbed deuce w/w in the Central Texas area. The ones I've found are below. The first one is one 52's which is too tall for my taste but could sell or trade the tires for 14X20's and add drop hitch? The second deuce looks to be on a GL lot but being sold by an individual. The fuel gauge in the picture reads empty? So my guess is gauge is broken or bone dry. (potential rust issue here?) Plus would need to be bobbed. Finally the 1969 has 60K miles and is a Govt rebuild from 89.

I know the Deuce is reliable but also is 40yrs old, I personally don't want to go out on a limb and purchase one of these gals only needing to repalce major items. Thoughts, ideas and random comments welcome!

Really want to look for any memebers in the Central Texas area that would be willing to help me inspect a couple and also bob one for a fee?

Big K

 

[91W350]

Picture 6 is not an original 60's to mid 70's speedometer. It was probably installed with the depot overhaul.

You are pushing the GVW for a deuce at 10,000 pounds. They were rated for 3,000 off road and 6,000 on road. They will carry much more and pull more, just want you to be aware the data plate says...

Have you ever driven one? Big, slow, loud, awkward, but a lot of fun.

I see issues with brakes, hitch and lights. Deuces are 24 volt, not anything huge to get around, but you need to be aware of them.

I would say you are looking at a realistic road speed under 48 mph with your trailer and you will definitely want trailer brakes.

Sounds like fun, good luck in your search. We have some great members in Texas and Oklahoma. Maybe you can get out and drive a couple, ride in a few, talk to the owners. As far as the fuel gauge, the deuce fuel gauge is one of the biggest liars on our planet.

The bobbed thing, I would expect a lower GVW for a 4x4 than a 6x6, but who is going to rate it. Glen

 

[drgreg]

The tach is at zero, so the truck is not running, so the fuel gauge will show empty. It is electric not mechanical.

 

[drgreg]

If I were to tow a heavy trailer I would want tandems and duals. No BoBs for me.

 

[Derrickl112]

The tach is at zero, so the truck is not running, so the fuel gauge will show empty. It is electric not mechanical.

The fuel gauge is not even pictured. Correct? I thought it was the oil pressure below the speedo, and the air pressure below the tach?

 

[porkysplace]

I would have to guess what ever you pull the chicken trailor with your going to need commercial plates and insurance

 

[91W350]

That depends upon who assembled the instrument cluster last. I picked up one with the fuel on the lower right and the voltmeter on the upper left where the fuel normally is. I think normally the water temp is the upper right gauge, however, one of mine had the voltmeter there and the water below. I swapped them back.... I always thought it was kind of funny that the the two pressure gauges, oil and air, were side by side. In a five ton, they use the same gauge for air, oil and fuel prime pressures.

Replying to.... "The fuel gauge is not even pictured. Correct? I thought it was the oil pressure below the speedo, and the air pressure below the tach?"

 

[jaymcb]

I hope they treat you better in Texas than Massachusetts for commercial plates. I just found out that commercial plates for my M109 are going to be over $300 per YEAR. That's JUST the plates. Thanks Massachusetts

 

[porkysplace]

I hope they treat you better in Texas than Massachusetts for commercial plates. I just found out that commercial plates for my M109 are going to be over $300 per YEAR. That's JUST the plates. Thanks Massachusetts

Thats a good deal they start at $500 here in michigan.

 

[Flyingvan911]

Move to Missouri. $118 a year for 24,000 plates. Historic plates suck due to restictions.

 

[91W350]

Move to Kansas, antique plates for my deuce are 45 dollars and good for the duration of display. Title fees and initial registration on my 71 was 60 dollars. Taxes are 17.50 a year... from now on it will cost me 17.50 a year, unless they raise it, which they have, used to be five bucks for antiques. No mileage or load limits associated with an antique tag, just lot legal for commercial use. If I want to haul sand home or wood, rocks etc... we are good. If I want to charge you for hauling sand, wood, rocks to your place, that is a foul. I can do it as a favor though. Glen

 

[fuzzytoaster]

If I were to tow a heavy trailer I would want tandems and duals. No BoBs for me.

I have to agree with "G" here on a practical stand point. If you have not driven a deuce yet I highly suggest you wait and come scope out the Texas MV rally in November in College Station. You can get a better feel and understanding of the beasts and make the right move before cutting into one. (The rally is also fun! )

 

[Big K]

The 1951 trailer orginally weighed 5500lbs before she was gutted. Currently, (no pun intended) she has "6 volt" braking system which I'm upgrading to 12 volt. Understand I would still need the converter system. For the weight I am guessing at 10K. With 10ft stainless vent hood, fryers, 2 fridges and 1 freezer probably closer to 7000lbs but VERY good point and need to have her officially weighed first. In the 50's they would pull these trailers with the same decade cars down the highway at 50mph, now that is scary. I haven't taken her over 50 with a extended cab 2005 HD truck

We had to use a come along around her axle to get her angled in current resting place. Using that same extended cab 2500HD and her attached everything was too long to simply back her in. Since Peachez has a very short tonge (maybe 2.5ft) I've read where tadems are harder to turn then BoB's. Is this true? Not wanting to be able to turn on a dime just need to to get her close enough to pull her in place.

No commercial plates needed but do have a umbrella policy. This covers "Peachez", "any vehicle" I pull her with, "theft", "fire" etc.