For a Newbie to these trucks, Can I get everyone to list what they had to repair/service/replace when they got their truck and over the next 12 months

[JW7tonWY]

I am thinking it would be nice to land on Yermo with the basics covered, the common and inexpensive parts already purchased and ready to install, the best things to do to make it more livable/survivable for the journey home. Civilian part numbers where possible please! Sources if possible too.

I am pushing my budget to start on my overland RV now so I can't pay taxes and transportation - about the same amount of cash - and make a start on the project. So i am going to have to muscle my way thru this, any help on what to prepare for and look for would be Really Appreciated.

Does any body have a line on spare tires with rim?

I suspect I won't be the only one looking for all this too...

 

[DirtyDirk]

I put a new serpentine belt on and a ctis Compressor hose....

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[DirtyDirk]

Oh and i have 2 extra tires in Colorado w/o rims if you you are interested

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[fasttruck]

I have never bought a 7 ton but in dealing with a number of 809 series trucks, deuces, forklifts and such dead batteries is a common problem as it takes the government 3 years to sell the truck so it sits someplace without being started for that time. I have had lower radiator hoses on M35s with pinhole leaks and being a molded hose you can't get one at Autozone. Air over hydraulic brakes inop, flat tires, lights in op because switch was missing, holes in radiator from someone trying to push vehicle with fork lift, mangled driveshafts from being lifted with a forklift, lights required for highway use like turn signals either inop or missing all together. It is possible to get a truck from GP that will start, run, stop and be street legal but they only offer such on February 29th. You will be amazed how much money will be unsaved if you break down on the road. A member here was killed in Virginia a couple of years ago while driving a HEMMT on I 81 in the dark when he was belted by a Peterbilt so these long haul Interstate moves are not without their risks. A selection of fluids applicable to the vehicle, fuel filters, grease for at least the u-joints, enough tools to be able to change a flat tire, some 24V bulbs, any publications you can find or load into your devise, hearing protection and travel rations would be a start. If you get a member near Yermo to inspect the truck and report on its problems in advance it would help you prepare.

 

[fasttruck]

I have never bought a 7 ton but in dealing with a number of 809 series trucks, deuces, forklifts and such dead batteries is a common problem as it takes the government 3 years to sell the truck so it sits someplace without being started for that time. I have had lower radiator hoses on M35s with pinhole leaks and being a molded hose you can't get one at Autozone. Air over hydraulic brakes inop, flat tires, lights in op because switch was missing, holes in radiator from someone trying to push vehicle with fork lift, mangled driveshafts from being lifted with a forklift, lights required for highway use like turn signals either inop or missing all together. It is possible to get a truck from GP that will start, run, stop and be street legal but they only offer such on February 29th. You will be amazed how much money will be unsaved if you break down on the road.

 

[JW7tonWY]

Oh and i have 2 extra tires in Colorado w/o rims if you you are interested

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I would be interested. My travel plans currently don't involve CO. I will message you.

Thank you for the info.

 

[JW7tonWY]

I have never bought a 7 ton but in dealing with a number of 809 series trucks, deuces, forklifts and such dead batteries is a common problem as it takes the government 3 years to sell the truck so it sits someplace without being started for that time. I have had lower radiator hoses on M35s with pinhole leaks and being a molded hose you can't get one at Autozone. Air over hydraulic brakes inop, flat tires, lights in op because switch was missing, holes in radiator from someone trying to push vehicle with fork lift, mangled driveshafts from being lifted with a forklift, lights required for highway use like turn signals either inop or missing all together. It is possible to get a truck from GP that will start, run, stop and be street legal but they only offer such on February 29th. You will be amazed how much money will be unsaved if you break down on the road. A member here was killed in Virginia a couple of years ago while driving a HEMMT on I 81 in the dark when he was belted by a Peterbilt so these long haul Interstate moves are not without their risks. A selection of fluids applicable to the vehicle, fuel filters, grease for at least the u-joints, enough tools to be able to change a flat tire, some 24V bulbs, any publications you can find or load into your devise, hearing protection and travel rations would be a start. If you get a member near Yermo to inspect the truck and report on its problems in advance it would help you prepare.

All good points and being taken. I do have a set of batteries already to go, collecting filters, oil grease and so on...just found the charger for the big grease gun, it will probably need a battery been years since it was used last.

Thank you!

 

[MTVR]

I think almost all of them need batteries. Mine was unusual in that it came with two new batteries.

I had to replace the wiper blades, seat air switch, and a few light bulbs.

...but I chose (and paid for) a VERY nice truck, with only about 3,000 miles on it.

If you choose to buy something "cheaper" because it is not as nice, then you're going to pay, and the sky is the limit.

Keep in mind that the U.S. government originally paid about $250,000 for each MTVR, and the component costs of any vehicle add up to WAY more than the cost of purchasing a new complete vehicle. For example, a Volkswagen Beetle that cost around $1,500 new in 1960, would typically cost around $75,000 to restore it to like-new condition today. So it's MUCH less expensive to buy a nice vehicle, than it is to buy a hoopty and fix it up...

 

[MTVR]

It is possible to get a truck from GP that will start, run, stop and be street legal but they only offer such on February 29th.

I don't think that's entirely fair. My MTVR was the very first vehicle I've purchased from GP, and everything worked just fine, apart from one burned-out running light bulb and a leaky air ride seat switch. Total cost to replace those two items was about $15.

It sounds like you're talking about buying much older, much higher mileage vehicles, that have been through a lot. Some of these MTVRs, like mine for example, are only 12-13 years old, with only about 3,000 miles and 200 hours on them.

 

[Elijah95]

Whatever you do, don’t fail to check all (6) hubs. I had one full of water, takes standard 75-90 gear oil gl5. I covered in a video and so Did Micah, you’ll lose a wheel over it if you’re not careful


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[simp5782]

.

Compared the old days of trucks at auction. Most of those trucks had under 500 miles on them with the RSMS trucks. Some drove long distances home. Some didn't. A lot more self recoveries and cross country trips in 5 tons and deuces over the FMTV and MTVR crowd.

 

[fasttruck]

Think about taking some hose clamps for the radiator hoses. They are cheap, don't take up much space and if one breaks on the road you probably will not be able to get a new one in a convenience store. You usually do better when the military sells off all the trucks in a complete class as when replacements come out. Some of them will be right out of a depot overhaul. However when they a selling specimens of a class still in service, the troublemakers will go up first.

 

[fasttruck]

Reference post 9: When Government Liquidation was selling M35A2s at the rate of 100 a month for several years the trucks were 30 years old. I bought several; some you could drive off the lot, others to be trailered home. M35s are much simpler than the trucks being offered today and could be repaired without a STEICE. So much for times past. 20 years ago the quality of the offerings varied from fresh from depot to total wrecks. Bid accordingly.

 

[JW7tonWY]

Whatever you do, don’t fail to check all (6) hubs. I had one full of water, takes standard 75-90 gear oil gl5. I covered in a video and so Did Micah, you’ll lose a wheel over it if you’re not careful


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I saw your video got a bucket of oil already, one of the first things I am goning to do! love all the videos I have seen so far. I would love to bury you in questions....

 

[Elijah95]

Fire away! I’m an amateur by all means, but if I can’t answer you’re question I’ll try to find it


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[Tracer]

I think almost all of them need batteries. Mine was unusual in that it came with two new batteries.

I had to replace the wiper blades, seat air switch, and a few light bulbs.

...but I chose (and paid for) a VERY nice truck, with only about 3,000 miles on it.

If you choose to buy something "cheaper" because it is not as nice, then you're going to pay, and the sky is the limit.

Keep in mind that the U.S. government originally paid about $250,000 for each MTVR, and the component costs of any vehicle add up to WAY more than the cost of purchasing a new complete vehicle. For example, a Volkswagen Beetle that cost around $1,500 new in 1960, would typically cost around $75,000 to restore it to like-new condition today. So it's MUCH less expensive to buy a nice vehicle, than it is to buy a hoopty and fix it up...

MTVR. You are absolutely right!!

 

[Tracer]

.

Compared the old days of trucks at auction. Most of those trucks had under 500 miles on them with the RSMS trucks. Some drove long distances home. Some didn't. A lot more self recoveries and cross country trips in 5 tons and deuces over the FMTV and MTVR crowd.

Simp, that picture is worth a thousand words and dollars.

 

[JonM934]

I have fixed a lot of things - too many to mention. I had plans to fix things before I left Yermo but it took so much time that we gave up. There is a thread about my trip and some of the things I did fix before leaving Yermo.

I wish I had greased the doors and checked the gasket on the gunner's hatch before I left because I thought the doors were closed all the way and the hatch would not make noise but I was wrong about both. It was a VERY noisy ride.

I have a few tires and many rims. I even have a few tires mounted on rims and they are aired up and ready to go.

 

[JW7tonWY]

I have fixed a lot of things - too many to mention. I had plans to fix things before I left Yermo but it took so much time that we gave up. There is a thread about my trip and some of the things I did fix before leaving Yermo.

I wish I had greased the doors and checked the gasket on the gunner's hatch before I left because I thought the doors were closed all the way and the hatch would not make noise but I was wrong about both. It was a VERY noisy ride.

I have a few tires and many rims. I even have a few tires mounted on rims and they are aired up and ready to go.

Would you be interested in parting with a rim?

 

[JonM934]

Would you be interested in parting with a rim?

Sure, they are listed in the classifieds.

10 x Tires and rims - Michelin 16.00R20 XZL Tires w/ Wheels & CTIS parts, 10% tread $250
8 x rims without CTIS parts and no rim bolt nuts, Titan 05-14630-00 $85

Jon