OK - for a nice round sum of just $150 I snatched an M105A2 in pretty good shape. There are some surface rust issues and only 2 sideboards (poor condition), no rear "post" stabilizers, nor any tailgate chains. Brakes and electical are in good shape.
The paperwork may require some TLC, but all in all nothing insurmountable.
Pics 1 thru 3 above are the pick up point shots.
Pics 4 thru 8 above are the post recovery and Inspection-Upon-Arrival shots. Shown are FOUR of the Five-Dog Inspection Team thoroughly checking out everything that might smell funny. The Three-Legged Wonder Dog "Spooky" was most interested in the rubber insulation on the wire harness: "No that's NOT a chew toy!"
The recovery trip was SO uneventful, that I hardly have anything to say about it. Thanks to all the help and support here, the inspection and haggling was quick, complete, and quite easy. The brakes were something I had the most pre-arrival anxiety over, but when I got there I could see FRESH tire tracks ing the DUST leading up to its location. The wheels had OBVIOUSLY rolled easily RECENTLY so there was no need to jack it up and check that out.
Because of some messy paperwork issues (Title in hand but has not been officially transferred in THREE owner "trades"), it was an easy haggle down from his asking price of "$250-$300" to our agreed $150 CASH & CARRY.
The whole recovery went like this:
1720 hrs: Fire up The ARK, warm up and Depart the Home Compound;
1750 hrs: On Target and begin Inspection;
1820 hrs: Negotiations Complete, Cash Exchanged and Lunette & Pintle Coupled;
1825 hrs: Final walk-around and Roll-Out - about a mile down the road pulled over to check Bearings for heating - running "cool" cosidering the Air Temp was 104F at the time.
1935 hrs: Mission Complete and EVERYTHING back in its proper place - Trailer in Back Yard, Deuce in front next to driveway and secured, tools unloaded, LARGE glass of Iced Tea in hand and several photos taken.....
Sorry I didn't post this up last night. I enjoyed a relaxing cool down after "laboring" in the 100+ heat, a nice dinner with my bride, and a good laugh at the dogs "inspecting" and "re-inspecting" the new OD (tan) Iron in THEIR back yard.
Thanks again for ALL the help that made this such an easy and confident purchase and recovery.