FLU419 SEE HMMH HME Owners group

[Knobby57]

It seems like it is a common mod that they did in the field to cut the pins off and hinge the doors on the stubs. I bought replacement pins, I think from E.I. It was a trick to get the remains of the old pins out, but nothing a torch , 6 lb sledge, an a lot of determination couldn't deal with. I haven't had any issues with the E.I. pins, but do try to remember to oil them regularly.

I have I think an unrelated (maybe) issue with my passenger door. It will not stay latched. Now that I think of it, this issue started right after I replaced the hinge pins. Full disclosure I have not gotten serious about fixing it, but I have tried to adjust the latch a couple of times. The little half moon latch just does not go past the tipping point to hold it shut. Right now I am holding it shut with a couple of zip ties. I also somehow lost the driver side door handle. Kind of a pain, but other issues are higher on my list.

These snapped when opening the door . I kind of wanted them now to put the door back on . I’m slow machining stuff so those took me an hour . I’ll do the drivers pins if and when I find a window for that door

 

[glcaines]

I don't even want to think about what those would cost.
Unless you buy a set of well aged surplus ones. Okay, so they may not have aged well, but they are usually aged.

I found something out about the Continental MPT80 335/12.5 X 20R tires. I couldn't find them for sale anywhere. Continental refuses to sell them in either Canada or the U.S. according to the specialty marketing rep at Continental. They will sell the larger sizes here, but not the 12.5 size, but even the larger MPT 80 tires are hard to find. Unbelievable that they still list the 12.5 size on the corporate website as for sale. The Continental guy told me the problem is that the limit on speed for the tires is quite (62 mph) low and people drive on them faster, have blowouts and then sue Continental. I ordered some PS 12.5 X 20R Pirelli tires from CSM Army Tires at $310.00 apiece. They are un-used, but have a 2012 date code. Old, but better than the 36 year old Michelins on the FLU419 now. I suspect that if my tires hadn't been so old that when I ran over that piece of scrap metal it might not have sliced my tire so bad. Although 35 years old, my current Michelins weren't obviously dry rotted or in bad shape visually and still had 95% of the tread. Since I routinely drive my FLU419 on the highway and sometimes for moderately long distances, I needed decent tires without breaking the bank.

 

[The FLU farm]

I really don't ask much from my FLU tires.
Other than that they're not radials, not old, and have decent tread pattern for dirt.

With no use for the improved handling and fuel mileage that a radial can offer, I prefer a bias ply's stronger sidewalls and general longevity as far as aging goes. Although, my OE Michelins were also in good shape (at least visually) when I took out a sidewall, on a metal object.

But with tire prices as they are now, I hope my bias tires will last a long time. Yeah, by then they will also be old, but at least they're not radials trying to change their shape. And they weren't all that easy to mount even when they were new and still quite flexible.

 

[Speedwoble]

I found something out about the Continental MPT80 335/12.5 X 20R tires. I couldn't find them for sale anywhere. Continental refuses to sell them in either Canada or the U.S. according to the specialty marketing rep at Continental. They will sell the larger sizes here, but not the 12.5 size, but even the larger MPT 80 tires are hard to find. Unbelievable that they still list the 12.5 size on the corporate website as for sale. The Continental guy told me the problem is that the limit on speed for the tires is quite (62 mph) low and people drive on them faster, have blowouts and then sue Continental. I ordered some PS 12.5 X 20R Pirelli tires from CSM Army Tires at $310.00 apiece. They are un-used, but have a 2012 date code. Old, but better than the 36 year old Michelins on the FLU419 now. I suspect that if my tires hadn't been so old that when I ran over that piece of scrap metal it might not have sliced my tire so bad. Although 35 years old, my current Michelins weren't obviously dry rotted or in bad shape visually and still had 95% of the tread. Since I routinely drive my FLU419 on the highway and sometimes for moderately long distances, I needed decent tires without breaking the bank.

I am shocked that they were 35 years old as the military has a rotation program where they rotate tires out. Or so I thought. All my FLU's had 2003-2009 date codes on them which corresponded to when they were actually being used by the military.

The MPT80's are available from Expedition imports, but more than double the price you paid.

 

[Knobby57]

Got the top off my Trans . Is Mickel Jackson bad , broken parts and stripped gears . What’s the going rate for a ok trans ?

 

[Migginsbros]

I think you have to rebuild it. The broken parts are expensive enough. In Germany a working trany will cost 5500 $ and a new one for ex. for an 1300 will cost 17000$.

 

[glcaines]

The other option is to part it out and buy another good FLU419, or buy a parts FLU419 and part out the rest once you remove the transmission.

 

[glcaines]

I am shocked that they were 35 years old as the military has a rotation program where they rotate tires out. Or so I thought. All my FLU's had 2003-2009 date codes on them which corresponded to when they were actually being used by the military.
The MPT80's are available from Expedition imports, but more than double the price you paid.

I'm not sure how EI gets their tires. Are they new from Continental or older new military surplus? In any event, they are too rich for my blood.

 

[Speedwoble]

I'm not sure how EI gets their tires. Are they new from Continental or older new military surplus? In any event, they are too rich for my blood.

From their website:
“Expedition Imports has been a Continental Specialty Dealer/Distributor for many years. We import tires from the factory by the container load! The most commonly sold tire in North America is the Continental MPT 81. Tire specific information can be found on each of the category pages below. Tires normally ship truck freight. In some cases it does make sense to ship the 275 and 335 tire sizes via UPS if it is an individual tire. Give us a call for a freight quote to your location. EI imports tires by the container regularly, ensuring that our tires have current date stamps. When comparing tire prices, ask and CHECK the date stamps.”

 

[glcaines]

From their website:
“Expedition Imports has been a Continental Specialty Dealer/Distributor for many years. We import tires from the factory by the container load! The most commonly sold tire in North America is the Continental MPT 81. Tire specific information can be found on each of the category pages below. Tires normally ship truck freight. In some cases it does make sense to ship the 275 and 335 tire sizes via UPS if it is an individual tire. Give us a call for a freight quote to your location. EI imports tires by the container regularly, ensuring that our tires have current date stamps. When comparing tire prices, ask and CHECK the date stamps.”

It sounds like EI may be importing their tires directly from Europe or someplace else. MPT81 tires are not a problem and all are available in the U.S. according to the Continental rep. I do know that EI sells a lot of tires for Unimogs and other trucks.

 

[aghumvee]

Got the top off my Trans . Is Mickel Jackson bad , broken parts and stripped gears . What’s the going rate for a ok trans ? View attachment 858630

I have a military rebuilt trans. PM sent

 

[glcaines]

I am shocked that they were 35 years old as the military has a rotation program where they rotate tires out. Or so I thought. All my FLU's had 2003-2009 date codes on them which corresponded to when they were actually being used by the military.

I just went out and checked the date codes on all 5 tires on my 1987 FLU419. The FLU419 was rebuilt by the Army in 2005. The FLU was in Iraq 2010 - 2011 according to paperwork found under the seat. I bought it in July 2020. It came from Ft McCoy in Wisconsin and had been with the Wisconsin National Guard when it went to Iraq.
Tire Date Codes
1. 1987 LF
2. 1987 LR (Tire that blew when hitting scrap piece of steel on highway)
3. 1987 RF
4. 1987 RR
5. 2003 (Spare Tire - Never on road)

The Army could very well have replaced the tires in 2005 during the rebuild or at any time later and then swapped newer tires with older ones when they auctioned it off. Who knows? The spare was obviously replaced in 2003 or later. The tires all looked very new, but looks are deceiving. Everyone with a FLU419 should check the date codes on their tires.

 

[Knobby57]

I think you have to rebuild it. The broken parts are expensive enough. In Germany a working trany will cost 5500 $ and a new one for ex. for an 1300 will cost 17000$.

The reverse gear on the counter shaft and the gear behind it to the rear of the truck both slide about .25 inch . They should not move . Looks like I can get the needed parts for around 1200$ not including bearings and seals . I will pull it down and see what failed to cause the bearing to thrust to the back . Someone was not nice to this trans

 

[Knobby57]

The other option is to part it out and buy another good FLU419, or buy a parts FLU419 and part out the rest once you remove the transmission.

I consider this a rescue !! She will
See the road again !!

 

[rtrask]

I found something out about the Continental MPT80 335/12.5 X 20R tires. I couldn't find them for sale anywhere. Continental refuses to sell them in either Canada or the U.S. according to the specialty marketing rep at Continental. They will sell the larger sizes here, but not the 12.5 size, but even the larger MPT 80 tires are hard to find. Unbelievable that they still list the 12.5 size on the corporate website as for sale. The Continental guy told me the problem is that the limit on speed for the tires is quite (62 mph) low and people drive on them faster, have blowouts and then sue Continental. I ordered some PS 12.5 X 20R Pirelli tires from CSM Army Tires at $310.00 apiece. They are un-used, but have a 2012 date code. Old, but better than the 36 year old Michelins on the FLU419 now. I suspect that if my tires hadn't been so old that when I ran over that piece of scrap metal it might not have sliced my tire so bad. Although 35 years old, my current Michelins weren't obviously dry rotted or in bad shape visually and still had 95% of the tread. Since I routinely drive my FLU419 on the highway and sometimes for moderately long distances, I needed decent tires without breaking the bank.

I don't drive on the highway, and I don't drive fast. I bought some relatively cheap tires from Simple Tire Harvest King that have aggressive tread for more traction. I believe they were manufactured in India. If you search on 12.5 x 20 for FLU you will get very few hits Continental, Pirelli, and Michelin. But is you search for "Tractor Tire 12.5x20" you will have a lot more variety to choose from. Last I looked there were some that would be less likely to bounce you off the road than mine would be If I ever got up to 30.

 

[rtrask]

View attachment 858142

Knobby57, I was looking for some info on the air system and found this post Trailer tank used for accessories. So I think you will have some work dealing with that too. Small potatoes compared to your tranny issues, but thought you would rather know sooner than later.

 

[rtrask]

I was looking for information on connecting an air hose up to the SEE, and came across this old exchange between 911joeblow and The Flu Farm on the subject, but there did not seem to be any resolution. Does anyone know where to get the fittings to connect an air hose to the tanks? I understand and appreciate not wanting to inject oil into the tires, but I am thinking it might be a convenient way to power my pneumatic grease gun as well some other low volume tasks.

Also the two grease zerks on the bucket seem prone to being clogged. On one of the two after applying a lot of manual pressure I was able to get it to take grease but it is still really stiff. The other one is does not seem to take much if any grease. Short of disassembly, does anyone have recommendations on getting the grease flowing. I don't think it is the zerk itself. Even on the one that I can get grease into, it takes a lot of pressure to get it started each time I grease it. I think it is the nature of being in the dirt all the time that clogs it up, which is why I am not too excited about disassembling that pin.

 

[Knobby57]

Knobby57, I was looking for some info on the air system and found this post Trailer tank used for accessories. So I think you will have some work dealing with that too. Small potatoes compared to your tranny issues, but thought you would rather know sooner than later.

I actually have the trans back in and cleaned up air pressure and hydraulic lines while cab was tipped . Just need to go through the brakes now . Turns out these are a beast to bless the fluid . Absolute need to pressure bread this system . …. I will add a second tank for air tools . Going to use a larger tank and use an unloader set to 95 psi to fill that tank to give priority to the main tank and shifter controls .

 

[rtrask]

I actually have the trans back in and cleaned up air pressure and hydraulic lines while cab was tipped . Just need to go through the brakes now . Turns out these are a beast to bless the fluid . Absolute need to pressure bread this system . …. I will add a second tank for air tools . Going to use a larger tank and use an unloader set to 95 psi to fill that tank to give priority to the main tank and shifter controls .

yeah, I went through several rounds of bleeding the brakes and replaced the master cylinder and reservoir. Lots of not cheap dot 5. This thread has a lot of info on building a pressurized bleeding set up for the two reservoirs. Unfortunately for me I discovered too late where the leak is, and I have to make due with the hand brake until I can tip the cab again.

All the stuff you are doing to the air system sounds great, but I wonder if you missed the point of the post in the link There are a lot of air controls that are pressurized by that back tank. With that tank missing that plumbing likely needs replacement too. So make sure you understand how to get the correct pressure to those accessory activation controls.

 

[319cssb]

yeah, I went through several rounds of bleeding the brakes and replaced the master cylinder and reservoir. Lots of not cheap dot 5. This thread has a lot of info on building a pressurized bleeding set up for the two reservoirs. Unfortunately for me I discovered too late where the leak is, and I have to make due with the hand brake until I can tip the cab again.

All the stuff you are doing to the air system sounds great, but I wonder if you missed the point of the post in the link There are a lot of air controls that are pressurized by that back tank. With that tank missing that plumbing likely needs replacement too. So make sure you understand how to get the correct pressure to those accessory activation controls.

@rtrask do you mind taking pictures of what your old master cylinder looked like inside and post in a thread? I’d like to see whether the inside was pitted or the seals went out… or both.

This thread is a total CF . It’s so convoluted and a bunched up mess of topics. I’d it helpful when searching for solutions to a certain problem faced? I doubt it. And the topic is pretty useless already , since it’s obvious that one one’s a Unimog when posting in a Unimog section.
Why would be make any particular thread, if throwing it all in one dump is so much better?