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M812

mangus580

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Trying to make the truck appear as legal as possible... [:)] I can imagine what it will be used for, that it will be overweight from time to time :banghead: so it would be best to avoid an overwidth issue....

The plan is to narrow up the existing bed, and keep the 'roll-off' setup. I am just trying to decide which would be best between the choices RDD mentions. I honestly think the 100 duals will provide more flotation on the rear, and therefore make the most sense, but I think that sacrifices ground clearence, not that in its normal intended purpose should really matter much...
 

mangus580

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oh... and by the way bruce keeps 'begging' for the truck, I guess I will have to assume its a decent deal :hop:




BTW... did i mention that it has only about 3000 miles on it? Soldier A decided it needed to run hot, REAL hot, and overheated it, seizing it... :banghead:
 

BKubu

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I think $4000 is a fair deal. To be honest, I'd rather spend $6500 for one that I could drive around that is turn-key, but I would bet that you'll end up with a nice truck for less than that...even after you figure your time into the equation. The kicker is that the $6500 deal is off of the table...at least for now. The dealer told me he could revisit the issue with his govt contact. I am not sure how he does it, but he can buy directly from the govt...bypassing GL and GSA altogether...but he has to buy in bulk.

I would be interested in the truck, if you don't purchase it. That has more to do with the fact that I would never consider paying $10K+ for an overwidth bridge truck.

I'd be curious to hear how you plan to reduce the width of the bed. I, myself, like things to be original, but I can totally understand that there are often designs that can be improved upon (see Bjorn's truck) or situations that require a modification (overwidth issue).
 

Recovry4x4

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I love the 812 bridge truck. They are just as cool as they get but for bridge trucks, it still comes in second for me. I love the beds on the M328/ M821 variants better. Not as useful but just massive. I would love to have even a gasser if I could just get it here. The ultimate would be the M328A1 with the Mack ENDT673. Woohoo! Santa! I've been good! Can I have a bridge truck this year? My little tractor would fit nicely in the bed!
Kenny
 

mangus580

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While I havent looked real close at one in person, I think that it would be really easy to narrow the bed up basically by squishing everything together. I gather from my research that the only reason it is that wide is to accomdate the bridge sections... [:)] Basically the game plan is to narrow up the rear beam and bring the rollers into the proper width . If the A frame has to be narrowed up as well, that can be done too. Then its down to the front rollers, and the walkways. Honestly, I think it will be quite simpler than it sounds. My friend that will be buying the truck has done things like build his own cab for a farm tractor (cant tell the difference from a factory!!). When he takes his time making something, he does a GREAT job. He is the one that helped me with the dump on my deuce. I almost think that my dump may have been harder than the bridge truck project will be, as I had to make existing civvy stuff fit the deuce. The bridge truck is more of taking the existing design and making it smaller...

I will do my best to photo document the project, but I have this habit of saying that and never doing a good job.... :banghead:
 

M1075

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I've got it. Mike will perfect the method of reducing the overall width and Bruce will get us another line on a dozen M812s for cheap. You better start getting in line for this one!
 

mangus580

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No Problem!!! I am in the money making business... [:)] you guys buy your bridge trucks, bring em up here to NY, and we can do the 'conversion' for you... [^] for a fee of course... :deal:


Seriously... I will be willing to share what we learn, and double seriously, I am sure my buddy would be willing (with my help of course) to convert trucks for $...
 

mangus580

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ummm... thats a given!! :hop: think the plan will be to tow it home with a towbar behind my deuce.... The 5 tons had glad hands on the front as well for towing them? So I can make a short set of hoses to connect to my trailer connections? Do I need to use both? or can I just use the service brake? How will a 5 ton tow behind a deuce? Should Soldier B ride in the towed truck just in case?
 

Desert Rat

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At this rate soldier B is probably regretting signing up........................................... :banghead: :lol: :smilewinkgrin: :roll:
 

mangus580

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[^] [^] [^] This is where I get to be soldier A :hop: :hop: :hop:


Soldier B would be the new owner of the truck... I dont think it will be any problem for him at all... :roll:



Although... there could be that one turn... :freaked:





Having traveled the route a few times recently... it shouldnt be a big deal. It will be on main State roads, and can only think of a few spots that might be tough... like a stop light at the top of a hill... :banghead: other than that it should a nice slow easy drive.... [thumbzup]





I love the Emoticons at this place... can ya tell? :jumpin: :jumpin: :jumpin: :yeah:
 

Desert Rat

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Not really. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :blush: :burger: :burger: :confused: :cool: :cry: :devil: :eyes: :eyes: :freaked: :freaked: :freaked: :hop: :hop: [:)] [2cents] [2cents] [8] :alien: [:(!] [^] :banghead: :banghead: :boxer: :deal: :deal: :deal: :deal: :deal: :deal: [dito] [dito] [dito] [thumbzup] [thumbzup] [complaining] :idea: :jumpin: :jumpin: :lol: :mad: :nono: :redface: :roll: :rolleyes: :sad: :scool: :scool: :scool: :shakehead: :shocked: :skull: :smhair: :smhair: :) :) :smile: :smilewinkgrin: :smilewinkgrin: :smurf: :smurf: :smurf: :smurf: :smurf: :p :tongue: :turn: ;-) ;-) :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:
 

mangus580

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[dito] [dito] [dito] [dito] [dito] [dito] [dito] [dito] [dito] [dito] [dito] [dito] [dito]


so anyway....



any feedback on my braking theory?
 

Recovry4x4

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Need both air lines. One to actuate the brakes and the other to charge the 5tons system. I would have soldier B along. I've not towed a 5 ton but the power steering might have some reistance on the self steer. Other than that, shouldn't be too bad. I've towed 25,000# with my tractor before. Took a few miles to get up to speed.
 

mangus580

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hehe I have had about 17,000# or so behind mine... I agree, it does take a while. My monster load of wood I had (see pics on my gallery I have posted elsewhere) shocked me. I took expressway with it, and I almost think it went faster on the way home, loaded, than on the way there empty....
 
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