LMTV Recovery, Denver to Reno this week 3/17-3/20

[jpinreno]

Hello,

Newer to the forum, and have been absorbing all of the great information - as well as the LMTV Facebook page. I was able to procure a LMTV from another member here in Denver, and am planning the trip home to Reno Nevada this week. Currently I am thinking of driving through Colorado Junction, Holden UT, Austin NV and home on scenic but lonely US 50. I have a friend in Austin NV, but no real contacts between there and Denver.

It has new Goodyear tires, high speed gears, working heat and AC and professionally serviced, along with a lot of cab sound deadening and custom items. Services have been done, and it seems to be in excellent mechanical shape with all of the usual issues resolved and/or checked. I'll let the seller disclose himself if so desired, but am thrilled to be part of this community.

I'm driving out in a rental suburban with my daughter tomorrow such that I can bring my tools, sleeping bags, and Coronavirus necessities, but could certainly use some steelsoldier friendly feedback and eyes watching the trip while en route. It is a 2001 M1078 A1 w/3126B, which I have had a long bed installed from a M1083. My plan is roof top tents, a 6x8 box, and a lifgate for motorcycles and a mobile outdoor kitchen, domestic ice chests with underbed pull outs that bifold from the existing bed side. I figured if I did not recover this week, then it will get harder with possible travel restrictions and hotel closures. This way I can use April to outfit it, with a plan to be in the high desert by Mid May. I also plan to have it painted in march by a local International paint shop.

Anyhow, great to meet everyone, and pending a successful trip, I should have this great machine back in Reno next weekend. I'll take photos and post progress along the way. The attached pic is using a M1083 to scale as. the bed length is correct, even though I have it mounted on the single rear axle of a M1078.

Josh
Reno NV
M1078 A1

 

[fasttruck]

Get or download the operators and organizational maintenance pubs and a lubrication order. Lubricate everything. Check all fluid levels. Have extra make up coolant, motor oil, transmission oil, glass cleaner and the necessary tools to open the relevant gear cases to check/fill.

 

[jpinreno]

Get or download the operators and organizational maintenance pubs and a lubrication order. Lubricate everything. Check all fluid levels. Have extra make up coolant, motor oil, transmission oil, glass cleaner and the necessary tools to open the relevant gear cases to check/fill.

Will do - the hubs, and fluids have been changed and recently checked. I'll double check, and yes I did get all of the manuals downloaded on my laptop, and have tried to read through the pertinent sections. I've also read most of the FMTV posts here, and been tracking the Facebook page since getting serious in November, so feel like I have learned a lot and hopefully remember some of the wisdom found here.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[wheelspinner]

A 1078 with a longer bed? I’d like to see that

 

[jpinreno]

A 1078 with a longer bed? I’d like to see that

Maggie and I blasted from Reno to Denver in one day yesterday, and are doing our walkthrough this morning. New can airbags were installed yesterday in order to help the drive be more comfortable. Had one encounter with LE at about 12:30 am. Small over speed ticket but really frustrating that these people have become a revenue force. I admit to having a lead foot over the years, but what happened to the friendly demeanor and warnings or at least small give in infraction? Seems like if the police and highway folks don’t want to have a us vs them society then part of the conversation starts with how they treat the public.

Off topic but the nature of police interaction has sure changed since my childhood.

anyhow it was a safe trip and now we are ready for the much slower multi day scenic return, pics to follow!

Josh

 

[jpinreno]

In Grand Junction - EGT hit 916 on the biggest climbs otherwise 414 at 65mph by gps. It’s running so well decided to press on, great stereo, pretty quiet too. Maggie has taken a stretch.

 

[wandering neurons]

Funny, I did nearly the same drive a year ago in my M1081 with factory gears. Colorado Springs to Fallon, NV. Yes, 50 is very scenic but nobody on the road. Fill up every chance you have just in case, holler if you have problems.
Watch the weather - when I drove out last May/June, I got snow outside Austin, NV.
When you get to Fallon, NV, PM me and I'll try to meet. It's only an hour to Reno from here. Would love to see your rig, and I can show you the toys I'm playing with, and share stories, if you aren't too tired.
Also, many Nevada businesses are on lock-down due to virus. Restaurants are pick-up only, casinos are closed, which also limits hotels.
Safe travels, life is a journey, not a destination. Stop and smell the roses and enjoy the scenery.

 

[jpinreno]

Funny, I did nearly the same drive a year ago in my M1081 with factory gears. Colorado Springs to Fallon, NV. Yes, 50 is very scenic but nobody on the road. Fill up every chance you have just in case, holler if you have problems.
Watch the weather - when I drove out last May/June, I got snow outside Austin, NV.
When you get to Fallon, NV, PM me and I'll try to meet. It's only an hour to Reno from here. Would love to see your rig, and I can show you the toys I'm playing with, and share stories, if you aren't too tired.
Also, many Nevada businesses are on lock-down due to virus. Restaurants are pick-up only, casinos are closed, which also limits hotels.
Safe travels, life is a journey, not a destination. Stop and smell the roses and enjoy the scenery.

I just saw this, but arrived in Reno late last night, hope safely. It was a great journey, with the lower passes in Ely and Eureka, and Austin all covered in snow. Two of them were blizzard conditions, but the LMTV plowed through, just took it slow. I'd very much like to meetup, will send you a PM.

 

[1stDeuce]

I thought top speed for M1078s was 55... Yours must have higher gears installed... ?? I assume your ticket was in a small town, since the speed limit on highways is at or close enough to your top speed. Some small town cops are not so friendly to trucks blasting through w/o slowing...

And let's see that longbed M1078!!

 

[jpinreno]

I thought top speed for M1078s was 55... Yours must have higher gears installed... ?? I assume your ticket was in a small town, since the speed limit on highways is at or close enough to your top speed. Some small town cops are not so friendly to trucks blasting through w/o slowing...

And let's see that longbed M1078!!

The ticket was outbound in our suburban rental - I will not be speeding EVER in an LMTV. Yes on the high speed gears, and cruising speed seemed best at 55 on the odometer which showed 63mph on GPS. At that speed the fan rarely turned on except when climbing grades, cruising get was typically 500-700 degrees, peaked climbing out of Denver at 963. Pics of the bed below - I personally feel that the proportions look great, and no change to departure angle. I will need to figure out towing, but have nothing to tow at this point as I likely will create a new tow point, and move lights inset into the bed back rail similar to the A1R's. As a platform, I do like the extras length, and I believe it allows for the right space needed for an under bed hydraulic lift....... that will need fabrication, but may mount to the bed frame opposed to truck frame such that if I remove the bed the lift goes with it.

 

[1stDeuce]

Wow, thanks for the quick reply!!! That does look nice! Looks like the bed is only 1.5' or so longer than a standard 1078 bed.
Ticket in the burb makes more sense.

 

[Green Mountain Boys]

In Grand Junction - EGT hit 916 on the biggest climbs otherwise 414 at 65mph by gps. It’s running so well decided to press on, great stereo, pretty quiet too. Maggie has taken a stretch.View attachment 792965View attachment 792966View attachment 792967View attachment 792968View attachment 792969View attachment 792970

Your truck reminds me of mine.... Same Goodyear tires, same color, same winch... even the same rare green license plate!!!
What's up with that?

 

[wandering neurons]

I just noticed, you're lucky and have the 11k hydraulic self-recovery winch (SRW). It's a somewhat rare and very handy tool to have in your arsenal when off-road.
I'm jealous, your truck is much prettier than mine and has a bunch of upgrades.

 

[BKubu]

The ticket was outbound in our suburban rental - I will not be speeding EVER in an LMTV. Yes on the high speed gears, and cruising speed seemed best at 55 on the odometer which showed 63mph on GPS. At that speed the fan rarely turned on except when climbing grades, cruising get was typically 500-700 degrees, peaked climbing out of Denver at 963. Pics of the bed below - I personally feel that the proportions look great, and no change to departure angle. I will need to figure out towing, but have nothing to tow at this point as I likely will create a new tow point, and move lights inset into the bed back rail similar to the A1R's. As a platform, I do like the extras length, and I believe it allows for the right space needed for an under bed hydraulic lift....... that will need fabrication, but may mount to the bed frame opposed to truck frame such that if I remove the bed the lift goes with it.

PM is inbound.

 

[resQav8r]

It's a great looking truck and nice to hear the drive went well. I have my M1088 up in the Virginia Highlands (top of Geiger) so I will be interested to see how your machine progresses. Right now the house build is taking all my time and the truck is on hold for a couple years (but it starts every time on the 1st try).