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I'd recommend an M151A2. They are a lot of fun and are practical every-day-drivers. You can do 55-60 mph without a problem. I'd love to get another some day...
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General Deuce Questions
- Thread starter LuckyBambu
- Start date
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For a daily driver keep in mind these are not made for comfort. The novelty may wear off quickly if you are not sure of what you are getting into.
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I'd go with the M35A2, uncut. Be diligent in the maintenance of the brakes - and try to buy a later model truck with the dual circuit brakes.
These trucks were designed to be driven by 17-19 year old men (not a lot of 40 year old truck drivers in the military - especially over 20 years ago - just a lot of over 40 year old truck collectors).
Keep in mind every time you get behind the wheel you are driving something capable of killing someone else, pretty much regardless of what they are driving. That is the case no matter what you drive, but the deuce magnifies this.
The truck is simple, rugged, well-documented and easily maintained. Start modifing the truck, you begin investing lots of labor, non-stock components, non-stock maintenance, and doing who knows what with titling/insurance/resale value. With a bit of practice, a deuce goes into a standard parking space. I parked one at my store many, many days in a space lots of folks couldn't put their dually in for some reason.
If you become a good driver of the deuce, it will make you a better driver of everything else. Just remember, this isn't like anything else you've driven - not like a pickup, not like a Jeep, and not like a semi. Read and follow the manual, and forget old wive's tales about "back when".
This information truthfully applies to all of us, not only young men just getting into the hobby.
Best wishes,
David Doyle
These trucks were designed to be driven by 17-19 year old men (not a lot of 40 year old truck drivers in the military - especially over 20 years ago - just a lot of over 40 year old truck collectors).
Keep in mind every time you get behind the wheel you are driving something capable of killing someone else, pretty much regardless of what they are driving. That is the case no matter what you drive, but the deuce magnifies this.
The truck is simple, rugged, well-documented and easily maintained. Start modifing the truck, you begin investing lots of labor, non-stock components, non-stock maintenance, and doing who knows what with titling/insurance/resale value. With a bit of practice, a deuce goes into a standard parking space. I parked one at my store many, many days in a space lots of folks couldn't put their dually in for some reason.
If you become a good driver of the deuce, it will make you a better driver of everything else. Just remember, this isn't like anything else you've driven - not like a pickup, not like a Jeep, and not like a semi. Read and follow the manual, and forget old wive's tales about "back when".
This information truthfully applies to all of us, not only young men just getting into the hobby.
Best wishes,
David Doyle
LuckyBambu
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I'm not opposed to the idea of a CUCV, been looking into those as well. Starting to compile a list of questions, just because I do want to look at all the options that I have, especially with so many people being strongly opinionated that one might be a better option for me. I'll get that finished up and posted in my next reply. I'm definitely not ignoring all of you suggesting this.
@DDoyle: Most all of the things you mentioned are reasons why I want an M35A2, the bits about being simple, rugged, etc. I didn't think that a deuce would fit into a standard parking space. They're usually about 6M long, and a deuce is 7, am I correct? Also, the issue of insurance came up last night in the chat room. From what I understand, it will be hard (or impossible) to get insurance on a 2.5 ton truck for a 16 year old. I think the idea that I'm capable of killing someone else is more likely to make me a cautious driver, as would maneuvering such a large vehicle that I would have put a lot of work into.
When I say daily driver, I don't mean long distance trips. Maybe around town or the next town over at most. Certainly not into my (least) favorite city to drive in, Chicago.
Another question about deuces (applies to CUCVs, too). Are heaters a relatively common addition (or included)? Air conditioning isn't so much of a problem, because after all, I can roll the windows down, but that's something else I'm curious about.
@BKubu: I'll take a peek into the M151A2. Are all of them canvas top, or do they have hard tops as well?
As much as I'd like to get both a CUCV and deuce, I don't have room for both. It's either one or the other, right now.
Someone mentioned heavy tools, also. My step dad works at a local auto shop and I have access to pretty much everything they have as long as I don't get in the way. They get semis in there all the time and do maintenance on both of their wreckers (both 5-ton I want to say), so I can't imagine there's much I'll have a problem with in the equipment department.
@DDoyle: Most all of the things you mentioned are reasons why I want an M35A2, the bits about being simple, rugged, etc. I didn't think that a deuce would fit into a standard parking space. They're usually about 6M long, and a deuce is 7, am I correct? Also, the issue of insurance came up last night in the chat room. From what I understand, it will be hard (or impossible) to get insurance on a 2.5 ton truck for a 16 year old. I think the idea that I'm capable of killing someone else is more likely to make me a cautious driver, as would maneuvering such a large vehicle that I would have put a lot of work into.
When I say daily driver, I don't mean long distance trips. Maybe around town or the next town over at most. Certainly not into my (least) favorite city to drive in, Chicago.
Another question about deuces (applies to CUCVs, too). Are heaters a relatively common addition (or included)? Air conditioning isn't so much of a problem, because after all, I can roll the windows down, but that's something else I'm curious about.
@BKubu: I'll take a peek into the M151A2. Are all of them canvas top, or do they have hard tops as well?
As much as I'd like to get both a CUCV and deuce, I don't have room for both. It's either one or the other, right now.
Someone mentioned heavy tools, also. My step dad works at a local auto shop and I have access to pretty much everything they have as long as I don't get in the way. They get semis in there all the time and do maintenance on both of their wreckers (both 5-ton I want to say), so I can't imagine there's much I'll have a problem with in the equipment department.
