paradeduty
New member
- 727
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- Location
- Chelsea, Michigan, U.S.A.
OK Guys (and Gals!) - I think I am finally to the point that I can put some wrenches to work and not have excessive delays because of parts. In short, my next (insane) attempt is a "mechanical" restoration/rejuvenation of a M984E1 HEMTT Wrecker. I brought this one home a little while ago and have been spending my time collecting some of the various parts that I will eventually be needing. There are still a few misc. ones that the info out there is a little scetchy on and I may need a little more of a professional input to locate the correct replacement. Although my end goal is to get her back to parade-duty/show condition, my current obstacle is just getting her back into runnable shape. First and Foremost - please understand that I am in no way going to attempt to finish this truck to the quality of Damon's/Stuart's or Bruce's amazingly restored examples. With work and a wife that is always extremely patient with my projects (of which there is always plenty), I have to force myself to try to be as realistic as possible. We enjoy being able to share the military trucks with anyone interested (especially the wide eyed kids!) and I find that once a truck is "done" and I move on to another project, I don't have as much time to keep them cosmetically pristeen and at the same time let the kids, etc. climb on them. I'm pretty sure most of us understand the "first scratch" scenario. Seems like I don't worry too much about them once they get "lived in". I definitely think they look a little better (maybe more "in their element") with a little dirt (mud?) on them! Second - this is going to be a Long Term Project. I must also be realistic about my time and obligations as it reflects on the pace of this project. So please, please be patient. Occasionaly work takes me out of town or even local work morphs into 12/14/16 hour days and everything else must wait. It is also progressing "cash out of pocket" so some things must just wait a bit.
Anyways - on to my first challenge. See if I can get her running again. I'm hoping that this is not as daunting as it could be as she only shows a little less than 1K hours on the dash. Unfortunately, my diesel mechanic buddy is just buried in work and is finding it impossible to find any time to spend over here. So, if possible, I am putting the call out to any SS'ers in the area of Chelsea, MI that might have heavy diesel engine experience and might be interested in helping work on her to contact me. My mechanical skills I would assume are at least average for the vehicle collector group, but I would never claim to be a diesel mechanic. On top of that, I would have to guess that the majority of the diesel guys out there may not have much experience any more on the 2-stroke engines. Oh ya, in case anyone is wondering, the original engine that is still in this girl is a Detroit Diesel 8V92TA. I'm pretty sure that it was put in all of the older HEMTT's and 911 HET's. I think even the XM977 HEMTT prototype that a few guys have had the 8V92 as well. But my first goal is to get her moving on her own power before the fall season so we can get her back inside. The HEMTT wrecker weighs in at about 53,000 lbs empty so coaxing her around is not something that I ever look foreward to. Like I said, give me a shout if you are able to help and do not have enough challenges in your life already!
I have stumbled on a few interesting things on these trucks (and there will no doubt be more) that set the wreckers apart from the other HEMTT's. And then even other differences between the 984E1 and 984A1(production version) even though the military considers the two to be the same truck (surprise!). These differences mostly became obvoius due to the fact that the depot guys had pilfered a number of parts for unknown reasons. The reasons became apparent! Most of these parts were unique to the 984E1/A1 wrecker - some due to the wrecker variant and some due to the higher GCVW rating of the chassis to accomodate the wrecker variant.
For example - consider this scenario..... O.K. crawl underneath and check her out.
Hmmmmm - why would the rear output driveshaft from transfer case to axle #3 be disconnected from transfer case and output yoke from transfer be removed.
Possibility #1 - Dam*, bad transfer case - but if its a bad transfer, why remove just the output yoke off the back while its in the truck instead of after the TC is removed? OK - keep digging.
Check the parts manuals - locate the specs on a rear yoke (note - I did not say "the" rear yoke - stay tuned). Call spicer - get specs on yoke. Hmmmm - specs on new yoke are different than that for u-joint still on drive shaft. Hmmmm - decide to acually READ parts breakdown manual in depth. Hmmmm - why is it that rear output yoke on TC is the only part not included in parts breakdown for TC as a whole? OOOHHH - isn't that sweet - it's because the output yoke for the wrecker variant is different (read bigger/harder to get) than the standard one. (I think the GCWR of the wrecker is in the range of 160,000 lbs - may be wrong).
Possibility #2 - Most probable - hard to procure part for the base boys and so they stole it! Ah, life.
Order the new yoke from truck supply - could only get me the "half round w/ clamps" yoke. Hmmm - original is shown w/ full round joint ends w/ caps. OK fine - order the correct one from spicer. Yay, Success!
Next Scenario - ever try to locate a part that the "local" Oshkosh dealer has no idea what it is for or what it does? Found out that it is an electronic pulse generator gizmo that drives the electric/electronic tach. Ended up tracking it down through the manufacturer to Oshkosh Truck.
Ended up doing similar for the "ignition" switch (I know - it's a diesel) - who knew that a simple start/stop switch could be such an adventure! Went someting like this....Hi, did/do you folks supply this NSN part #?....Hmmm, not in our books......Well, it is for a military truck......Oh, well let me get you to Mr. X - he works with most of that.......Hi, (repeat previous).......Hmmm, looks like that was for Oshkosh?.......Yup........Yes we did those.......Do you still show any in stock?......No----But looks like we have the parts to make you one on the shelves......OK, that will work......Do you have a local dealer rep so I can place an order.........Sure, call these guys..........Cool........Hi, I have talked to Mr. X and I need to order this part........Sure, Suzzie is out of the office this afternoon but she can get back to you tomorrow......Cool......(tomorrow)Hi, um, our books don't show that part number - are you sure that is a good number?.......Hmmmm, let me call back Mr. X........Hi, Mr. X (explain above)......Well, you see, that is a military part and doesn't show up in our standard catalog. Just tell them to order that number - tell them not to worry about it, just order it.......(this kind of stuff always worries me).......Hi, they say to just order it.......Ok, I'll call you back w/ pricing tomorrow........Cool........Well, it will be $XX each and they say they have enough left to make two - how many do you want?......Hmmm, well better just get two then. Believe it or not they actually made/shipped the correct one(s). I thought for sure it would get messed up when it got to the mystery part numbers!
Well, anyways.
Just thought I would attempt to start a new "build/rebuild" thread for any interested parties.
Attaching a few pictures.
Dave.
Anyways - on to my first challenge. See if I can get her running again. I'm hoping that this is not as daunting as it could be as she only shows a little less than 1K hours on the dash. Unfortunately, my diesel mechanic buddy is just buried in work and is finding it impossible to find any time to spend over here. So, if possible, I am putting the call out to any SS'ers in the area of Chelsea, MI that might have heavy diesel engine experience and might be interested in helping work on her to contact me. My mechanical skills I would assume are at least average for the vehicle collector group, but I would never claim to be a diesel mechanic. On top of that, I would have to guess that the majority of the diesel guys out there may not have much experience any more on the 2-stroke engines. Oh ya, in case anyone is wondering, the original engine that is still in this girl is a Detroit Diesel 8V92TA. I'm pretty sure that it was put in all of the older HEMTT's and 911 HET's. I think even the XM977 HEMTT prototype that a few guys have had the 8V92 as well. But my first goal is to get her moving on her own power before the fall season so we can get her back inside. The HEMTT wrecker weighs in at about 53,000 lbs empty so coaxing her around is not something that I ever look foreward to. Like I said, give me a shout if you are able to help and do not have enough challenges in your life already!
I have stumbled on a few interesting things on these trucks (and there will no doubt be more) that set the wreckers apart from the other HEMTT's. And then even other differences between the 984E1 and 984A1(production version) even though the military considers the two to be the same truck (surprise!). These differences mostly became obvoius due to the fact that the depot guys had pilfered a number of parts for unknown reasons. The reasons became apparent! Most of these parts were unique to the 984E1/A1 wrecker - some due to the wrecker variant and some due to the higher GCVW rating of the chassis to accomodate the wrecker variant.
For example - consider this scenario..... O.K. crawl underneath and check her out.
Hmmmmm - why would the rear output driveshaft from transfer case to axle #3 be disconnected from transfer case and output yoke from transfer be removed.
Possibility #1 - Dam*, bad transfer case - but if its a bad transfer, why remove just the output yoke off the back while its in the truck instead of after the TC is removed? OK - keep digging.
Check the parts manuals - locate the specs on a rear yoke (note - I did not say "the" rear yoke - stay tuned). Call spicer - get specs on yoke. Hmmmm - specs on new yoke are different than that for u-joint still on drive shaft. Hmmmm - decide to acually READ parts breakdown manual in depth. Hmmmm - why is it that rear output yoke on TC is the only part not included in parts breakdown for TC as a whole? OOOHHH - isn't that sweet - it's because the output yoke for the wrecker variant is different (read bigger/harder to get) than the standard one. (I think the GCWR of the wrecker is in the range of 160,000 lbs - may be wrong).
Possibility #2 - Most probable - hard to procure part for the base boys and so they stole it! Ah, life.
Order the new yoke from truck supply - could only get me the "half round w/ clamps" yoke. Hmmm - original is shown w/ full round joint ends w/ caps. OK fine - order the correct one from spicer. Yay, Success!
Next Scenario - ever try to locate a part that the "local" Oshkosh dealer has no idea what it is for or what it does? Found out that it is an electronic pulse generator gizmo that drives the electric/electronic tach. Ended up tracking it down through the manufacturer to Oshkosh Truck.
Ended up doing similar for the "ignition" switch (I know - it's a diesel) - who knew that a simple start/stop switch could be such an adventure! Went someting like this....Hi, did/do you folks supply this NSN part #?....Hmmm, not in our books......Well, it is for a military truck......Oh, well let me get you to Mr. X - he works with most of that.......Hi, (repeat previous).......Hmmm, looks like that was for Oshkosh?.......Yup........Yes we did those.......Do you still show any in stock?......No----But looks like we have the parts to make you one on the shelves......OK, that will work......Do you have a local dealer rep so I can place an order.........Sure, call these guys..........Cool........Hi, I have talked to Mr. X and I need to order this part........Sure, Suzzie is out of the office this afternoon but she can get back to you tomorrow......Cool......(tomorrow)Hi, um, our books don't show that part number - are you sure that is a good number?.......Hmmmm, let me call back Mr. X........Hi, Mr. X (explain above)......Well, you see, that is a military part and doesn't show up in our standard catalog. Just tell them to order that number - tell them not to worry about it, just order it.......(this kind of stuff always worries me).......Hi, they say to just order it.......Ok, I'll call you back w/ pricing tomorrow........Cool........Well, it will be $XX each and they say they have enough left to make two - how many do you want?......Hmmm, well better just get two then. Believe it or not they actually made/shipped the correct one(s). I thought for sure it would get messed up when it got to the mystery part numbers!
Well, anyways.
Just thought I would attempt to start a new "build/rebuild" thread for any interested parties.
Attaching a few pictures.
Dave.
Did you get that from GL ?