M35A 2 versus M54A2 multifuel

[alfa59]

Hi,
Greetings from Belgium (Europe). I have currently a M35A2 with the whistler turbo but I am also interested in the M54A2 multifuel as I was told it has servo steering.
Problem is I have never driven a M54 Multifuel...

Has anybody (driving) experience between the 2 models - what would you prefer and why ?
(wife is pushing if I go for a M54 the M35 has to leave .... (so I want to be sure about the choice to be made)
Does the multifuel engine of the M54A2 makes the same sound as the M35A2 ?

tnx,

Chris (alfa 59)

 

[alfa59]

M35A2 vs M54A2 multifuel

Hi,
Greetings from Belgium (Europe). I have currently a M35A2 with the whistler turbo but I am also interested in the M54A2 multifuel as I was told it has servo steering.
Problem is I have never driven a M54 Multifuel...

Has anybody (driving) experience between the 2 models - what would you prefer and why ?
(wife is pushing if I go for a M54 the M35 has to leave .... (so I want to be sure about the choice to be made)
Does the multifuel engine of the M54A2 makes the same sound as the M35A2 ?

tnx,

Chris (alfa 59)

 

[Westech]

well the M35 your top speed is around 55 MPH and the M54 is around 52 (most say around 45-50) because the trans is not the over drive unit. The 5 ton will be a lot slower off the line and top speed will be lower. Now for the good, the M54 will have power steering, the brakes feel and work much much better. If need to be towed there are air lines in the front so you can hook it up to the tow truck and you will have brakes. I love my M813 (5 ton with a cummins) but still miss the Deuce from time to time. I would take a 5 ton over a deuce but it would be nice to have both.

 

[drgreg]

Two trucks or one truck and a wife? Tough question. We would have to see pictures and a financial statement on the wife.
Choosing one truck is hard, as Westech pointed out, they both have good qualities.
Good Luck.

 

[Chevytruck]

Wouldn't a 5 ton Use more fuel than a M35A2??

 

[Westech]

there about the same.. you can "tune" the engine to get a little better MPG so your right in line with the Deuce in stock form. Now I had my Deuce up to around 10 -12 MPG. I don't think you will get that with a 5 ton but I would say around 8 is a good number.

 

[alfa59]

Dr Greg,
Just showed my wife your reply ! She couldn't stop laughing. Good points
Is indeed hard as keeping the Deuce and buy the M54 would be the ideal world.
Anybody knows if the sound of the M54 Multifuel is similar as the M35A2?

regards

Chris (alfa59)

 

[Chevytruck]

I wouldn't know but doesn't the 5 ton have the exhaust pipe behind the cab?

 

[rizzo]

I wouldn't know but doesn't the 5 ton have the exhaust pipe behind the cab?

no, the gasser might

 

[vtdeucedriver]

Same turbo, same sound but just remember that there are also the quiet ones and then you will not hear it. My M52A2 with the non whistle turbo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn5fLV0W5I4

 

[vtdeucedriver]

going by

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3fSTdP_1G8

 

[area52]

I have both but the M54A2 is not running now. I am going with the 5 ton over the M35A2 for the following reasons:

power steering, hauls and tows more, longer bed ( for my rockcrawler to fit in), I can fit bigger tires on it and go faster if I need to.

Everybody has a deuce, not everyone has a 5 ton!

 

[Chevytruck]

isn't there a top speed difference?

after a little reading

the 5 ton is significantly slower than the M35a2

 

[FormerNewMVGuy]

Well my question is, Is the muiltifuel engine the same in a duece as a five ton muiltifuel? what are the difference's?

 

[Recovry4x4]

I'm strong enough to steer a deuce but not strong enough to sling on brake drums. Had both, now sticking to the little ones.

 

[Chevytruck]

I'm strong enough to steer a deuce but not strong enough to slingon brake drums. Had both, now sticking to the little ones.

slingon brake drums?

 

[Recovry4x4]

Missed the space bar. I can't lift them as easy as I once could.

 

[Scrounger]

I have driven both the M35A2 and the M54A2. Of the two I prefer the 5 ton over the deuce for several reasons, power steering, larger and more powerful brakes, 14 foot bed as apposed to the 12 foot bed, more powerful engine, and a transfer case that doesn’t seem to have the Sprague “issues” and I can’t explain why but I find them easier to drive. Now the deuce is supposed to have a top speed of 56mph, the M54 is 53mph. I don’t see that as much of a difference. My M54A2 will pull hills without a loss of speed.
Now for the downside, I only get around 6 and a half mpg. The deuce will get more. Another thing about the 5 tons is when it come time to service them things that can be done by man handling on the deuce will have to be done with tools on a 5 ton. While one can pull a transmission from a deuce with lumber and come-a-long, I wouldn’t even think of pulling a 5 ton transmission without a transmission jack. Another almost necessary tool is a dual jack for pulling the wheels when servicing the bearings.
As far as the turbo sound, the M54’s I’ve been around don’t whistle like the C model turbo on the deuce.
The M54A2 is a bigger truck and you may have different licensing requirements to drive one. However there aren’t that many of them on the road.

 

[vtdeucedriver]

Scrounger, Your 5ton is like mine, quiet and I seem to like that. Tho still loud, I can still hollar enough to talk to the other guy in the cab. That being said, I still like my deuce for those "smaller" jobs. But I would take a 5 ton over a deuce, I love mine. Wanting things bigger isnt just for the bedroom.

 

[alfa59]

Hi boys,

A big thank you to all of you for the info, I will "sleep" over it another week and then decide
keep them rolling !!

regards,

Chris (alfa59)