Wow, some of you guys are pretty critical to someone asking a few questions.
I can see why it must feel that way.
Let me add my $.02.
I've been surfing this forum hard for 5 years.......... and about every 30-90 days, someone new shows up and says "I want to use a military vehicle (and 98% of the time it's a deuce or 5 ton) in multiple ways in which it was totally not designed... can I do this, what will it cost, etc.".
Those multiple ways include but are not limited to the following desires:
Speed
Comfort
Fuel mileage
Now, originally the vehicles were designed to be used in NONE of those ways.... i.e quickly, comfortably or economically.
And every 30-90 days, the answers are about the same as you've received:
Much faster than about 60 is a risk to other motorists, wildlife and yourself.
Be prepared for big $$$ and basically re-engineering the vehicle.
After being in the classic car hobby for 20 years, I liken this to the guy who shows up to a cruise night in a Sixties car with all modern drivetrain, wiring, HVAC, etc. Not really sure why he bought a 40 year old car when he actually wanted a new Honda. Don't get me wrong, upgrades are fine-I made the cardinal sin of using electronic ignition instead of points in my Hemi Road Runner. But there's a point where upgrades end and "I should have bought a used BMW M3" begin. Know what I mean?
Ultimately, you can re-engineer ANYTHING to meet most any goal...... but is it worth it?
To me, a lifted F450 would meet your goals better and honestly be cheaper. Army trucks are cheap to obtain, but once you decide you want to re-engineer them and have any modicum of reliability, you are committing to an epic commitment of cash.
Since the only people here who know what shape their truck is in are people who were managing the upkeep of that truck in the service, it's safe to say none of us truly know what shape our trucks are in. I'd say anyone who thinks finding some rebuild tags on components or records in the glove box constitutes knowing the condition of their vehicle is a fool or a liar. Maybe both.
Ultimately, you want reliability?
Buy the truck.
Rebuild the engine.. a FULL rebuild, not a gasket overhaul.
Rebuild the trans, including a new clutch.
Rebuild the transfer.
Rebuild all 3 axles.
Replace all bearings, brakes line, hoses, etc.
Replace all the wiring
Otherwise, it's a time bomb. Only question is how long the fuse is on your time bomb.
And ultimately, at the end of the day, when you've spent the ungodly sum to do all this, you've still got a compromise vehicle which was designed to do
this and you've re-engineered/modified it to do
that.
I am not saying you shouldn't do it-and if you did, I'd love to see the pics and hear the stories and learn from your work. I just wouldn't do it myself-I'd buy an F450 (more accurately, a Dodge 4500-I'm a Mopar guy
).