71DeuceAK
Well-known member
- 1,508
- 377
- 83
- Location
- Fairbanks, Alaska
Welcome! I almost bought one of these as my first car, as an 18 year old college student. Great old trucks. Cantankerous as they are, taken care of they will outlive you.
Steel Soldiers now has a few new forums, read more about it at: New Munitions Forums!
It depends on the unit the truck came from, but in the Marines a star on the roof meant the truck belonged to headquarters. I don't know anything about the Armies markings though.While prepping my truck for paint, I noticed a large white star on the roof of the cab, not the top of the hood (where I usually see them). I've never seen one with a star on the roof, does anyone know anything about this?
Kinda like the Quatrefoil for the Blues Cover of the O's....It depends on the unit the truck came from, but in the Marines a star on the roof meant the truck belonged to headquarters. I don't know anything about the Armies markings though.
That's interesting, it did have the 4 color Marine camo on it last. I'm not sure at this point about it, seems like none of the markings make sense. I met with the guy that picked it up from auction and he did not paint it with the 4 color and said it was already on, but he did not know much else about it either.It depends on the unit the truck came from, but in the Marines a star on the roof meant the truck belonged to headquarters. I don't know anything about the Armies markings though.
After the auction was the truck picked up at a Military Base? If so, what was the name and service branch of the base. That will help you find out more about your trucks history. My 1972 M35A2C was from Fort Irwin Army Base Barstow, and my M105A2 trailer was from Marine Corps Logistic Base Barstow, CA. MyThat's interesting, it did have the 4 color Marine camo on it last. I'm not sure at this point about it, seems like none of the markings make sense. I met with the guy that picked it up from auction and he did not paint it with the 4 color and said it was already on, but he did not know much else about it either.
Another interesting thing I found on it while painting was the residue from vinyl stickers on the bottom left corner of the drivers window. They were about 1.5-2" tall and spelled "SPC OSTE" I'm not sure if there is a letter at the end that is missing.
View attachment 743794View attachment 743795
So, there's a thread on this. But I have State Farm on mine, it's listed with them as a collector vehicle, and as long as I drive it less than 6k miles a year it's like $40/mo (bundled with my other cars). That's just for liability. At a certain point, I want to insure it against theft, not sure how that's gonna go...- Find decent / affordable Insurance
Shake, when you do your filter change, I recommend converting to spin on oil and fuel filters. These will make your filter changes easier, quicker, and less of a mess, especially the oil filters. Also if you have a rusty battery box I recommend a nylon (plastic) battery box. The later model trucks use them, I just changed mine out it's an easy job.I just got the tires and wheels mounted (took way longer than I thought to follow through with everything)
I still need to:
- Get the bed sand blasted and painted.
- scrape the flaking paint and re paint the interior
- service the brakes / axles
+Install new master cylinder
+Install new brake lines and hoses
+Inspect / install pads
+Install axle seal / rebuild kits
- Install LED headlights and taillights
- Install the lower fixed style drivers seat (so my fat ass can steer)
- Install CB and Intercom
- change fluids and filters
- Find decent / affordable Insurance
- Drive it down to the DMV to get plates
- Enjoy
View attachment 788945
I agree. This March will be 13 years since I purchased mine and I still have things I plan on doing other than regular maintenance.Looking good. Deuce restorations are fun albeit lengthy projects.
You dont need theft ins. Where ever you park, turn the front tires hard to the curb before shutting it down, then when they try to turn the armstrong steering wheel, they will think something is wrong and just leave it.So, there's a thread on this. But I have State Farm on mine, it's listed with them as a collector vehicle, and as long as I drive it less than 6k miles a year it's like $40/mo (bundled with my other cars). That's just for liability. At a certain point, I want to insure it against theft, not sure how that's gonna go...
I'm not really concerned about it getting stolen in the US...You dont need theft ins.
I just remembered you are right near the border of Canada. A hidden electrical cutout switch may be more cost effective, and would actually save your vehicle from being stolen.I'm not really concerned about it getting stolen in the US...
I think that's a good deterrent no matter what part of the U.S. you're in. Only a very deterimed thief with time to go digging, who also has some familiarity with FMV's would figure it out.I just remembered you are right near the border of Canada. A hidden electrical cutout switch may be more cost effective, and would actually save your vehicle from being stolen.