M809

[Blue2actual]

Not that I am adding anything useful to the forum but wanted to share my experience today with an 809.

Today at Fort Knox I had to sign for an old school 809 truck with 2 flat tires that was on the books still. It had not run since August 2009. I pulled up a newer 939 and hooked up the slave cables. I let it charge for about 20 minutes and gave it a shot. Wouldnt you know it, the thing fired right up. It spit and sputtered for about 20 seconds and then ran like a spotted ape! I couldnt believe the ol' girl still had it in her. I took it over to the heavy wheel shop and dropped it off for services. I will be using her to help move items getting ready to be shipped down to Fort Benning when the armor school moves. Just thought I would share. That's a helluva truck!

 

[papabear]

These things just never give up...at least they still have that "can do" American Spirit!!!!

 

[KsM715]

Take care of her, She'll be somebodys new baby someday.

Edit: just for fun, stuff something unusual in some unusual places, see what we can find when it gets surplused out.

 

[Jimma]

The truck has spirit and guts. The new stuff will never last the way the old ones did.

 

[73m819]

what 809 was it, a 813, 814 cargo, 818 tractor ????

 

[MyothersanM1]

Hoo-Ah!These trucks take a lickin' but keep on tickin'. As a former tanker who trained in the hallowed halls of Ft. Knox, It's sad to see the Armor Training Center move to Benning. However, it warms my heart to know the vintage iron will be performing up to task during the move.

 

[papercu]

old school 809 truck

No one else thinks calling a M809 "old school" is funny? I don't feel that old. Wayne

 

[EMD567]

My 814 fired right up after sitting for over 3 years. Checked everything over, and then drove her 800 miles home. An 800 series might be slow, thirsty and a bone jarring ride, but by god it will get the job done.

 

[emr]

The truck has spirit and guts. The new stuff will never last the way the old ones did.

As much as I love the trucks we have, it is more than possible that is not true. one simple reason is the new ones are designed with a zero rebuild in mind, so they will go on like B 52s actually, now u could say well sure, but they need a rebuild, WELL so did ours, just that our rebuild programs were/are ancient tech and were not able to take on new tech parts, it never was in there design....and well our redbuilds did not last as long as the originals anyway, the new trucks rebuild program will last at least as long as the original, our trucks are special for sure, but they are dinosaurs..