M149A1 Water Buffalo with A2 Tank.

[Tinstar]

Recovered the water buffalo yesterday.
The chassis plate shows it started life as an M149, then later updated to the A1 version. Still researching the differences.
At some point, the A2 stainless steel tank was installed and that tag says 1987.
Unknown if it’s a manufactured date or installed date.

Lots of light/medium surface rust but no heavy rust and zero rot.
The tires of course are toast.
Good news is it came with a NOS set of STA 10.00-20’s.
Also included a good used set of 9.00-20 NDCC tires mounted on the rims.

Brake system is shot, as expected
Short of installing a new Dexter axle, I’m not sure what to do yet about brakes.
Parking brake handles work but the cables are also toast.
Haven’t tried the tongue jack yet.

Best part is the tank inside is spotless!
Gasket on top hatch cover is in great shape.
I was worried that fuel or oil might have been carried in it.
All faucets and drain plugs are in place.
A good Sanitizing (per the FM) and it’s ready for drinking water.
I didn’t realize that the tank was insulated.


New tires will be installed next week.
The bulky and heavy jack will be replaced with a modern 7000 pound crank jack by Butler Jack.

Power washing it today to get old paint and moss off.

A few missing/damaged parts like the parking brake cables and original main drain plug will hopefully be found. It has PVC drain plug with a garden hose adapter on it now.
I’m sure it works great but want an original plug.

Also missing is one leaf spring roller bushing and shaft.
Will not fill tank until it’s found.

Lots of work ahead to get it in the shape I want it in.
I already have the 383 CARC paint.
New taillights are ready.
New wiring harness acquired.
Will also install side clearance lights.

Happy with the purchase so far.

 

[kubotaman]

What is the difference between M149/A1/A2?

 

[juanprado]

What is the difference between M149/A1/A2?

The tank was upgraded to stainless on A2 from the fiberglass and also the landing gear on the A2 tend to be the dual wheel adjustable.

Some of them also have the platform for a pump.

 

[Tinstar]

I power washed it today.
Looks a lot better but forgot to take pictures.
Will do that tomorrow.

Great thing is with the tongue modification that was done, it sits level when hooked up to my M1008A1.
Safety chains reach is perfect.

She’s gonna take a bit of prep before paint.

 

[Tinstar]

Data plate on the A2 tank.
Not sure why someone obliterated the NSN number.
It’s readily available online.

The front jack works great once it was oiled and greased.
It actually looks to be a fairly new replacement part.
I might keep it and install a secondary jack so I can hook it up by myself.
Two people can lift it up just fine now when it’s empty plus third person in CUCV to back up for Pintle alignment.
Will be impossible when full.

A trip to the local truck stop weigh scale is also on the list.
With the mods done on it so far, I only have a ballpark estimate of how much it weighs empty.
I already know exactly how much 400 gallons of water weighs.

It will never go up and down the highway and only between two ranch’s less than 8 miles apart.
All back roads and dirt roads.
I would like it to have brakes but don’t want to install new axle.
Surge brake assembly?
That’s a lot of weight for a CUCV to handle.
My dually can tow it but trailer won’t sit level.

Ideas?

 

[porkysplace]

View attachment 779954
Data plate on the A2 tank.
Not sure why someone obliterated the NSN number.
It’s readily available online.

The front jack works great once it was oiled and greased.
It actually looks to be a fairly new replacement part.
I might keep it and install a secondary jack so I can hook it up by myself.
Two people can lift it up just fine now when it’s empty plus third person in CUCV to back up for Pintle alignment.
Will be impossible when full.

A trip to the local truck stop weigh scale is also on the list.
With the mods done on it so far, I only have a ballpark estimate of how much it weighs empty.
I already know exactly how much 400 gallons of water weighs.

It will never go up and down the highway and only between two ranch’s less than 8 miles apart.
All back roads and dirt roads.
I would like it to have brakes but don’t want to install new axle.
Surge brake assembly?
That’s a lot of weight for a CUCV to handle.
My dually can tow it but trailer won’t sit level.

Ideas?

You can go with a electric over hydraulic set-up.

https://www.easternmarine.com/electric-hydraulic-brake-actuators

 

[Tinstar]

Excellent idea.
They are proud of them that’s for sure.
I will price a new Dexter axle
Cheapest option wins.

 

[Tinstar]

Going this route.
https://www.crofttrailer.com/da91bz...hannel-lock-out-8-000-lb-capacity-model-da91/
Or
https://www.crofttrailer.com/da1002...ntered-channel-12-500-lb-capacity-model-da10/

The #8000 Model should work just fine.
Even fully loaded the trailer will not weigh that much.

 

[Tinstar]

She cleaned up decent.
Sprayed it down with Ospho Rust Inhibitor today.
NOS military trailer electric cord ordered.
NOS parking brake cables ordered.

It looks a lot rougher than it feels.
Power washing did wonders.

Will feel much better once it’s painted.

 

[juanprado]

Maybe the pic is distorted with the ground level, but the lunette looks twisted?

 

[Tinstar]

I saw the same thing in the pic and went up to the barn and looked at it.
It’s the angle of the pic, plus the slight tilt of the trailer giving it that effect.

 

[Tinstar]

Before using the Ospho rust treatment and after.
The stuff works.

 

[Coug]

Yup, OSPHO is good stuff.

 

[juanprado]

I saw the same thing in the pic and went up to the barn and looked at it.
It’s the angle of the pic, plus the slight tilt of the trailer giving it that effect.

awesome, One less worry on the punch list!

 

[Tinstar]

Well at least I know where it was last assigned.

Will probably paint these back on after repaint.

 

[Tinstar]

Paintwork was started a few days ago before the weather became lousy.
Good now but no time to work on it.
Tongue jack/wheel and wheels were painted flat black.
Primer job is almost complete.
Fenders will have to be removed when I’m ready to paint tank.
All parts ordered are in.
Still looking for a spring bushing pin. (Already posted in parts wanted).

Test fitting of tail lights complete. One side was severely bent and was difficult to bend back correctly.
It’s coming along.
Slowly but surely.

Everyone who has seen it up close wants one.
Two serious offers to buy it already received.

I’m ready to see it green!

 

[Terracoma]

View attachment 780968View attachment 780969

Any idea what the "FRC" stands for?

The 43rd ADA had some battalions at Fort Sill, once upon a time.

 

[Tinstar]

FORSCOM?

Not exactly sure on that part.

 

[Tinstar]

Some Pictures not loading correctly

 

[Tinstar]

New Paint job complete.
Installed new factory wiring harness today.
New mud flaps were installed yesterday.
New grade 8 hardware on everything.

New parking brake cables were Installed along with new brakes.
New bearings/races/Seals have been installed.

Located not one, but two tank top hatch seals. The almost impossible to find improved silicone version.
Also located and purchased a NOS original rear tank water valve.
Solid stainless steel.
Extremely hard to find.
(Reading old threads was helpful. Came across a 6 year old thread that mentioned someone having some NOS rear tank valves for sale. Contacted member and he had one left still in original box. Sold!).

Tank is slowly getting finished.
Lots more to do.

Still need 4 new faucets.
New Reflectors get Installed tomorrow.
Tank gets reinstalled Wednesday.
Have all new rubber mounts and Gd8 bolts for tank.
Stencil paint work will be last thing on list.

Still haven’t decided on which new jack to use.