G749 preservation

[Stan Leschert]

Dave, I hope that you stood them a drink (of their choice) for me.
When you drag your sorry butt out west again,
there are a couple of pints waiting for you at the bar.

I think you can remember where my Legion is!

 

[m1010plowboy]

M135 Ride Along

After a few hundred miles of testing, re-filling and re-torquing the M135 was ready for a 2 minute speed run.

Thanks to Gunfreak I grabbed the camera for a video.

........come along for the ride.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj0HRUflhfM[/media]
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBy5bFSyBUY[/media]

 

[m1010plowboy]

NDT Tire Balance

After hearing the "balance the front tires" scenario from 135GMC and others I finally got the chance to get it done.

It almost feels like a step back removing front radials and going to NDT's but for some reason I need to experience what the 'previous pilots' of these units lived with.

Seano11 hauled the almost new 11.00 20's right to my shop and I didn't delay getting them on.

I now understand why MV lovers do their own tires because treating the rims correctly during re-assembly takes a lot of 'shop time' and contracting it out is expensive.

Scope of work:

- Remove 6...... 5 ton rims off the new NDT's,
- Remove 6 tires off my existing rims
- Clean off 1/2 inch of 'time' from rims that had not been split for 30 years
- Re-mount 6 NDT's
- Examine rims and rings to ensure they are safe
- Balance 2 front tires
- Load all materials

Return air pressure to 75 PSI and re-torque after 125 miles.

$864.00

One of the 'veterans' at the tire shop talked of 6 incidents with these rims over the 30 years he's been on rubbers.

Best money I've spent on ......"It's just got to be done right".

 

[seano11]

Man I hope those tires work good they have been on one crazy of a journey

 

[Stan Leschert]

Looks good. Now you need a tarp / cargo cover.
Dave, I'm impressed with your progress. Keep up the good work!

 

[Seatyger]

You Sir have been an 'Industrious Little Fellow' lol! If your a stickler for historical accuracy I suppose the NDT's have a place, but personally I think they suck as a tire. I will keep them on my M135 thats being restored. However I believe I will go the radial route with the 'Play' truck.

How do you find the difference?

 

[m1010plowboy]

NDT's

I agree Seaty, switching to NDT's is kinda like pullin' on the old shorts with the holes and the sandals that are worn out and broken at the strap.....but 'just feel right'.

I honestly think the front end feels lighter. The truck is happy, even on a 'dry steer' she seems easier to turn. I understand the radials are 'heavier' but I never thought I'd notice a difference. She just seems all 'rodded' out now and pulls to 60km at 3/4 throttle slightly behind other traffic. Did 90 miles yesterday......testing the tires in rush hour and in the dark.......which is very important.

I did notice some complete truck 'hop' crossing frost cracks and heaves which are nearly in their prime right now. I guess that should be expected and airing down will change that....but I kind of enjoy that solid ride. It's not uncomfortable but the roads are bad and one must watch for every CB, CC, bridge approach and pot hole or risk damage.

There's no doubt lower psi radials are 'softer'.

Had my first 'panic' stop. Short light, truck on a cruise at 60K, hammered on the brake and she stopped straight and now....without lockup.
You know these trucks, usually you time the light, lift your foot and they just shift down and crawl to the light while you 'hover' over the brake pedal.

Just a pleasure to drive.

 

[armytruck63]

Great video. I rode in the cab of an M211 when I was 10 years old. I've been hooked on MV's ever since. Thanks for bringing me back.

 

[Gunfreak25]

Now that is a Military truck, the NDCC's look so much better. I guess part of me likes them just because everyone say's they are unsafe and obsolete. Gotta love shorts and sandals too!

 

[Stan Leschert]

This will amuse you, Dave.

I finally have a deck truck heading to Kelowna, with an empty backhaul.
He's taking a Porsche up there and has the time to pick up the parts
for "Karen's Green Army Truck" !!!

Just in time for parade season .... Woo Hoo!

 

[seano11]

So when are we gonna have a canadian rally ?

 

[m1010plowboy]

G749 pics

Sean011, we should find a spot below wandering river, half way between us and make it happen. I can get you the MVPA info that they have to date but there's usually something going on most weekends. August will be nuts with a few antiques heading up to the Alaska highway.

Stan Le, get me some feedback when you get the 'pieces' back to you. There's a complete 'front' rack, several troop seat brackets and all the bow pieces. I hope the PTO cable is still on top of the pile.

We need to see if we wrapped them well enough to keep the moisture out because most of it was sand-blasted before we sent it. You may need to hit them again but let me know what they look like.

Put a couple original photos up and had the 135 pose for a few shots across from downtown and the stadium.

Gave me an idea, wondering if someone should start the "Official G749 picture thread" and get these trucks in one place for all to enjoy.


What do you think?

 

[Gunfreak25]

Already been done! You sure have been getting a lot of wheel time in the GMC.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/early-deuce/58040-unofficial-g749-picture-thread.html

 

[m1010plowboy]

Unofficial G749 pic thread

Well would you look at that thread, it's old.......and you started it.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/early-d...re-thread.html

It requires more bumping,

Thank you

 

[Stan Leschert]

Dave, the care package was OUTSTANDING!!!!

I can now put original troop seats in both the M135 and the M105 ...
and use the other cool bits that you sent!

Monty, Leo and I had a great time sorting things.
Now I have some work to do!

 

[Sumner]

Hey Dave, I met you at your shop when sean had his 5ton there. After reading this thread I see how much work you put into your truck. All I can say is wow! Amazing rebuild!

And yeah, anytime you guys want to meet up with the MV's just let me know, I'll come out. I may actually make a trip to edmonton with mine this spring, as I have a buddy who has been bugging me to come in with it. If so, I'll be sure to contact you!

Kurtis

 

[m1010plowboy]

Thanks for coming down. That was a great day, got to meet your Mom.

If you're booking time, the last week of July to the 4th of August should be ripe
with opportunity to see gear heading up for the Alaska Highway Convoy.
As the dates get closer I'll get you some details.
Some collector convoys will be going through Edmonton and the chance to
welcome them with escort is always there.

Anytime you get an opportunity to spend a weekend at the swamp, the doors open.

The 135 is frosted over just waiting for a convoy.

 

[Seatyger]

Hey Brother, my apologies if you've already posted it.... but can you tell me the paint code number and brand you utilized for the truck. That is a sharp looking set up you have there. I will be doing some tweaking and fiddling about to put the HIAB crane and Short bed onto mine and figure I might as well repaint while I am at it.

 

[Seatyger]

Sorry, two more photos I hope.

 

[m1010plowboy]

Paint

Seaty, the crane will be handy, but now I must have one. Drop more pictures when you can. Certainly get some shots up on the "Unofficial g749 picture thread" our great Guru Gunfreak started.

We took a door panel to Endura and chip matched the color. I can dig up a 'formula' and some prices for you if you want to go 'polyurethane'. It's miserable stuff to work with but is a great way to seal steel.

We had an original "semi-gloss" formula but it's too glossy and had them lower the shine on some spray cans we made up. It's much closer to the original 'dash gleam".

Part of the challenge when using Endura, they have every color and formula imaginable.

SuperDave has a code from 'Cloverdale' paints that he uses and I can dig that up too.