Help picking out a M35A2

[Gunfreak25]

Well! On Monday lucky little old me is going to be inspecting a bunch of M35's. The owner of this lot may be trading trucks with me after some talking on the phone. My M211 plus my M1 Garand rifle for a single running Multifuel in driving condition.
It is going to be TOUGH picking just 1 truck out of 12. Most are pretty recent (2007) GL trucks and he said most all ran and drove great when last parked. A few though are very old and have been sitting without tops for the better part of 15 years in the AZ elements.

I'm really hoping we can strike a trade. He seemed pretty interested in my truck.
I have $2700 total in it so far and my M1 is valued at $700. He normally sells the M35A2's for $5000 but seems quite interested in my GMC just because it's so unique. 455 Oldsmobile and Th400 repower. Unique alright! But, I won't be happy until I own my Multifuel and that's why I am looking to trade.

So far I have only crawled around 1 truck, the rest were behind lock and key and I can't see them until Monday. It was was one of his much older GL trucks and cosmetically is in VERY rough condition. Np pics, but a good description.

-1970 AM General
-No cab top
-troop seats
-leaking wheel cylinders and some front brake lines are disconnected
-bullet holes in all glass
-has winch
-heater
-air shift
-seats beyond repair
-no major rust to speak of
-doors don't shut
-bumperettes are damaged
-34,000 miles
-1333 hours
-all 9.00 tires fairly sun rotted

Luckily he very close by and if we strike a deal he would let me keep the truck I choose on his lot until I can get it checked over and road ready. If you guys can recommend some things to look for let me know!

 

[patracy]

$5K for a deuce needing more work? Maybe the prices are higher on the west coast, but that seems high to me...

 

[Heavysteven]

Good luck with your deal. I went the gl route and saved a lot of money. For 3,500 I would want a truck ready to go.

 

[ctmustang]

If I were you I would keep the 211 and sell it yourself and then go look for a m35 in descent shape. 10 new 900-20s bought and put on will roughly be around $1500.00. I just got mine. You could definately do better somewhere else but goodluck eitherway! Just my . Don't rush into anything!
CT

 

[RAYZER]

That description sounds like something I would.stay away from. I know over here on the east coast you can pick up a deuce in good condition and ready to drive for about about 3k. My advice is look around and wait for the right one.

 

[Gunfreak25]

We'll see what happens on Monday. I am stoaked! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my M211. But a Multifuel of my own has always been the holy grail, THE unobtainable for me. I have a habit of under cutting myself so this time I will make sure that for the amount I have to trade I get a really nice Multifuel. Otherwise, i'll just keep my M211, finish it and enjoy the fruits of my labor.

Highly doubt I'd pick the 1970 truck listed above. He surely has others that are in a lot better shape. As far as my guidelines go, it must have a top, air shift front and usable tires.

If it happens to have a heater, hard top, winch, is pre 1970 and has a C turbo that is all just extra gravy for me.

I can also get as many 9.00x20's as I want at Jacks Government Surplus in Tucson. $50 for 50% tread and $100 for new tires.

 

[goodguyzy]

prices here on the left coast are about 20% higher

 

[goodguyzy]

also on another note 9.00x20 NDT are a dime a dozen, keep your eyes open on the classifieds. Ive seen 10 take offs from a bobbed deuce project all for $100

 

[wsucougarx]

I would hold out for a GL truck or a truck in better condition. Now deuces in the PNW go for a premium compared to the other parts of the country. An east coast $1500-2000 M35A2 would probably score $3500-4000 in WA state. With the description you just gave, a truck in that condition would probably get $1200-1500.

 

[SETOYOTA]

I think unloading the 211 is a good thing. Esp. one with a non-stock engine and needing work. There does not seem to be much interest in the 135/211 series and are usually found quite cheap when compared to other 2.5 ton trucks

 

[Sephirothq]

Your M1 might be worth more then $700 depending on what it is, where it came from, manufacture and condition. Was the rifle imported. It would have a stamp on the barrel if so. I would do a little more research on your rifle so you don't get hosed on that. there are a few sites you could look to for pics. the od.cmp.com,guns america, gun broker, etc

And mostly importantly do be too anxious to buy anything.

 

[Gunfreak25]

My M1 is a CMP Rifle and is therefore not import marked, Feb1944 receiver and 1953 barrel with early 50's Korean ear GI wood. IH front sight, maxnefluxed poppet valve and most other parts are SA manufacture as well. Not worth much over $700. I only paid $467 for it though, still in the cosmoline when I bought it.

I have learned that good things come to those who wait and since I still have a real soft spot in my heart for my M211, if I cannot find a suitable Multifuel I will be keeping it and my M1.
He called me last night and after seeing pictures of my truck he still sounded interested in a trade, we're going to meet up tomorrow and talk turkey.

 

[m16ty]

Most are pretty recent (2007) GL trucks and he said most all ran and drove great when last parked. A few though are very old and have been sitting without tops for the better part of 15 years in the AZ elements.

He normally sells the M35A2's for $5000

Sounds like he thinks a awfully lot of this trucks. I may go and look but sounds like he's going to have to cut his retail price in half (even for the west coast) to be in line dollar wise.

 

[Gunfreak25]

He's a pretty good guy, and I agree the prices are high compared to other trucks that sell for less. But I also look at it from his point of view. He buys these trucks with the intention of reselling them at a higher price to make money. We all like money and want to make money, that's capitalism for you. Which I see as a good thing, as the idea of making a good buck now a days is a dying tradition. When you factor in the cost these dealers pay to have the trucks shipped to them and the fact that you get to pick it out in person and do all the checks you want to, the price is pretty reasonable. Just the way I see it.