Deuce shopping, what are the best options?

[Wildchild467]

I am in the market for a M35A2. I looked at some not too far from where i live where a guy has a bunch of them to choose from. I know i want to get one with a winch and a heater. My question is, is there anything i should stay away from, or anything i should look for when pick one out? It seems like i heard a while ago that the Herc engines were not as good as the Whites and Continental, but that might have been pertaining to the 427 engine (where as i would only get the 465). Were there better engine designations with the "1A 1C whistler and 1D? some of the trucks I looked at one truck and it had Continental ( LDT465-1A) with a plate on the engine where it was rebuilt in '98... Do you think this is definately the truck to get because it has a newer engine? If the engine is in better shape (only thinking that because it was rebuilt not long ago) maybe the other smaller things are not that big of a deal like if the tires were not as good as the others. Any help would be greatly appriecated!! Thanks!

 

[tm america]

turbo multi fuel are the way to go i like the d turbo since it gets boost lower in the rpm range and make more boost in the end but i still like the sound of a c turbo i would look for a air shift front and suspension seat also look for one with heat and a hard top also drop side bed are very nice to have since they can be loaded with a fork lift when you are at the lumber yard.

 

[fuzzytoaster]

Yep, TM pretty much summed it up. But it all falls back on what you can afford and whats available.

 

[CARNAC]

Wow, Binghamton NY, I closed the Army Reserve Center down many years ago there. Talk about a mess.

Welcome to the website.

 

[hndrsonj]

Unless the truck has the maint paperwork with it and all the miles/hours match it's a crap shoot. Your 98 rebuild could have 35,000 miles on it and the truck has a new speedo. Just go for a good solid RUST-FREE truck with whatever options you want. Me personally I'd love to have one of the 427 A1 trucks. Good luck finding one though.

 

[Blood_of_Tyrants]

The amount of grease and dirt caked on the engine is a better indication of the miles it has than the odometer.

 

[cattlerepairman]

You already got good advice.

The military rebuilt and overhauled these trucks so much that years and data plates do not really mean all that much. A late model (1987-198 Deuce is an exception. The rest...not too much different between a "1969" and a "1978".

If you want peace of mind, buy from one of the reputable guys (some are on this site) that go over every truck they sell. They have the knowledge and decency to fix whatever needs to be fixed before you get behind the wheel.

If you go out on your own to buy your first truck from some private seller that just wants to get rid of it or even from an auction, that is ok, too - but make arrangements, financially and otherwise, that enable you to work on your truck from day one if needed to bring it up to a safe, roadworthy and complete condition.

If you want to drive it on public roads, it ain't enough that it apparently "drives and stops".

For example I gambled on my first truck and got both lucky and unlucky. Lucky, because I got the type of truck I wanted; unlucky, because while things were mostly ok on the test drives, on the trip home all axle seals started leaking....needed new seals and brakes all around. I am ok with it; I expected having to do work on it from the get-go.

In some respects, buying a Deuce is like buying any other old, used vehicle - you can only check out so much before you buy it and after that, you will be surprised.

You are the only person that can decide what you want and how much risk you are willing to take.

 

[Wildchild467]

I appriecate the advise guys! i looked on the engine that i said was rebuilt in '98 and the engine looked a lot cleaner than the other ones i looked at. not that the others were filthy, but you know what i mean. I dont have an endless budget with one, but i'd rather get a good solid foundation deuce (one with a solid body) than to try to parts one together with better parts. How well do the new soft tops work? they keep the elements out pretty good? it gets cold up here in upsate new york, and i would drive it 'till the salt hits the road.

 

[Blood_of_Tyrants]

The soft tops work pretty good to keep cold out. But your best bet is to get boots for the shifter and the transfer case hi-lo lever. Get something to seal the front windows, they are notorious for leaking. The side windows generally do not fit well, either.