M52A2 Questions

[cs641]

Looking to get an M52A2. I see some at the auction sites that have had all the fluids drained. Is that indicative of a higher problem or is that the equivalent of being pickled? Localish dealer has a few in a similar situation that have been surplussed out but not brought back to life yet.

Do these have heat? Are the soft tops available? All I have been able to find her the steel hardtop.

The brake system, as I understand it it’s hydraulic on the tractor and has the ability for air to the trailer?

 

[VPed]

Most of the time, it is to “pickle” them as you call it. Most do not have heat but some do. Soft tops were readily available several years back when I had a soft top on my deuce but I have not needed one since I installed a hard top. Those parts are the same between those 5-tons and the deuces. The brakes are a single circuit, air-assisted power hydraulic, providing air for the trailer.

 

[98G]

Looking to get an M52A2. I see some at the auction sites that have had all the fluids drained. Is that indicative of a higher problem or is that the equivalent of being pickled? Localish dealer has a few in a similar situation that have been surplussed out but not brought back to life yet.

Do these have heat? Are the soft tops available? All I have been able to find her the steel hardtop.

The brake system, as I understand it it’s hydraulic on the tractor and has the ability for air to the trailer?

The hard tops are generally preferred. You'd probably be able to find someone willing to trade, with cash your way.

 

[NDT]

Site sponsor Eastern Surplus has the tops.

 

[cs641]

Most of the time, it is to “pickle” them as you call it. Most do not have heat but some do. Soft tops were readily available several years back when I had a soft top on my deuce but I have not needed one since I installed a hard top. Those parts are the same between those 5-tons and the deuces. The brakes are a single circuit, air-assisted power hydraulic, providing air for the trailer.

Copy that.

I’m guessing, if there was something seriously mechanically wrong with the truck, they would not go through that trouble of draining all the fluids?

 

[NDT]

Copy that.

I’m guessing, if there was something seriously mechanically wrong with the truck, they would not go through that trouble of draining all the fluids?

Some DRMO sites (surplus yard) made the turn in units drain the fluids so they didn’t have to, expecting that the trucks would get cut up.

 

[BKubu]

As you have surmised, the truck is probably fine. But, I'd either make sure they get it running or you get a good deal on the truck because you would be taking a risk. At a minimum, I'd insist on being able to make sure the engine is free. The others who have stated that the soft top is the same on the M44 and M809/M39 series are correct, but note that an M939 series is a 5 ton and those soft tops WILL NOT fit.

Regarding how robust those engines are, a friend (some of you know him, too) named John Winslow (RIP) once told me a story of him buying an M52A2 from a logger after the logger beat the piss out of the truck and left it sitting in the woods for about 15 years. John went out with batteries, checked the fluids, and fired it up. He, then, drove it home.

 

[98G]

Copy that.

I’m guessing, if there was something seriously mechanically wrong with the truck, they would not go through that trouble of draining all the fluids?

Don't bet on it. The safe presumption is that anything not seen running doesn't run.

 

[cs641]

Don't bet on it. The safe presumption is that anything not seen running doesn't run.

That’s what I’m afraid of lol

 

[fuzzytoaster]

Those trucks have set a looooong time even though the red X's look relatively fresh. Expect them not to run and be a project before they (if they) ever see the road. Time is the enemy here and lack of fluids didn't help the situation.