Looking into adding a M1078 ?

[1951M1078]

I'm new here, Hello.
Been looking into a M1078. Its more my style than the Duce 1/2. Getting older and the auto trans works for me.

The Question is, I have talked with Mike and can get the 3.07 gears. I don't have a M1078 yet. Does it make sense to get the gears first ? Not looking for high speed but the 55/58 is a little low .

Thanks for the input !
Randy

 

[fastsailor]

i have a 1078 with stock gears and i am good at 55 with a top at full rpm of 64
but i am on back roads and in the mountains so that's good for me
i am thinking of selling her and getting a m1083a1 but TBH unless you plan over 3hr drives you don't need the high speed gears

 

[1951M1078]

Thanks,Fast !

In the little bit of reading I have done here.It looks like gear change just moves things a little. I'm thinking of a better tune to help with a bit more power.( Still need more info on the retune ? ) And thought the gears would also help ? Don't want to be in the way.

General plan is to build a Overlander truck. Thinking of pulling the stock bed and build Aluminum one.( Looks like weight is a problem for this truck ? ) Also thinking about a removeable bed box.(camper ) Would like to keep the flatbed for other things. As for speed, 60 to 65 would be great and not having it on the floor , would be best. I have a friend that is a "Cat" instructor and will need to get his input on the motor and trans. Hopping he will be able to get into the box and other things for tuning ?

I looked at the longer 6 wheel but their are some places I go that would be to long. Its good to have another set eyes looking at my idea. Thanks

 

[Oxyacetylene]

Keep in mind the early FMTV/LMTV trucks are mechanical injection, so tuning is done manually instead of with a computer. The newer (A1) trucks have electronic fuel injection and can be tuned with a flashing of the computer by a CAT technician.

 

[1951M1078]

My friend said ,bump the rack and sync the injectors. He is a CAT guy and said that their is not a lot left a 225Hp. ? So I think we will just do a good tune and leave the big HP to some other motor.

Thanks for the input!

 

[1951M1078]

Also,what are the right Aluminium wheels for the M1078 ? And are they worth it to save weight ? Trying to get the weight down.

And, any idea what the standard bed weights ?

 

[Oxyacetylene]

My friend said ,bump the rack and sync the injectors. He is a CAT guy and said that their is not a lot left a 225Hp. ? So I think we will just do a good tune and leave the big HP to some other motor.

Thanks for the input!

One of the other guys had his injectors shimmed and changed injector timing, he said it made a difference. The 3116 in the 5 ton is rated at 290 HP.

 

[73m819]

I believe the 5t has the 3126

 

[Oxyacetylene]

I believe the 5t has the 3126

The A1 5 tons have the 3126. The original ones have the 3116. Here's a photo of a data plate from a 290HP 3116

 

[1951M1078]

Man, CAT does a dyno test on all its motors. I just go the data sheet for the M1087 I'm looking at. Pretty cool, big brother is watching. 223hp at 2600 and 611 TQ at 1660 rpm on 12/8/1995.

 

[NDT]

Here is the aluminum wheel. It was used on the later Caiman MRAPs. I would say the bed weighs less than a G742 deuce bed, maybe 1200 lbs?

 

[1951M1078]

NDT, do you think the wheels make a big difference in weight ?

 

[NDT]

I think the steel wheel weighs around 100 lbs. I don't own an aluminum wheel yet, but I bet it is around 70 lbs. So a whopping 120 lbs weight savings on the truck, not counting the spare.

 

[1951M1078]

That's like throwing a small girl off the truck ?

 

[1951M1078]

Was looking at Alum. flatbed's. A 96" X 144" = 480 LBS.A savings of 720 lbs.

Where is all the weight in this truck ? I know, don't ask. LOL

 

[Shark Bait]

Will the wheel studs need changed for longer ones to go to the aluminum wheel? I think they are a bit thicker. As far as the LMTV goes it is a smooth comfortable ride compared to other MV's I've got. Don't forget to air up the cab though.

 

[1951M1078]

Good point about the studs. I will need to check that. Maybe the studs from the MRAP will work ?

Air ride cab sounds good, seeing I'm this 18 year old trapped in this 64 year old body !

 

[NDT]

The studs are the same but the nuts are very special: (ones on the bottom)

 

[1951M1078]

Many thanks ! I would not have looked at that. Maybe Mike a Premier has some ? Better yet maybe their still on the axles I will get ? No way ?Dreaming !

 

[NDT]

Premier is where the wheels and nuts came from. They have been scrapping those wheels as fast as they can dismount them.