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Mikey likes it... 57 Reo M108...

mikey

mikey

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Well, almost two years ago I bid on my first deuce and accidentally won two. Now, I accidentally bought an M108 wrecker... I'm NOT addicted, everybody needs a wrecker, right?

I wanted to stick to a MF engine and was comfortable with the deuce and half. I didn't want to worry about Class B endorsements or CDL's and I'm still getting comfortable with working on a deuce, so I didn't want to have to learn about a whole new truck. So, the M108 was the perfect truck.

The hydraulics work great, but leak a bit. The engine is a Continental MF, non turbo. It has NO power at all, but the fuel filters are old and the FDC is not bypassed. I have JT's spin on kits, which I have yet to install, and I'll bypass the FDC soon. The body is not in horrible shape, but needs a lot of prep work and new paint. There is a horrible metal on metal grinding from the front when turning right and both axle boots are shot (wheel bearings? Hub? I'll find out soon), absolutely no lights or low air buzzer. Needs new rubber (going up to super singles) glass, windshield wiper arms, mud flaps and the radiator leaks. Let the fun begin!!!

Thank you JT for a fine truck at a fair price. It IS a project and will probably take a few hundred hours between body and mechanical work, but it's going to be a solid truck when it's done.

According to JT, this is also a pretty unique M108. Only two were developed as prototypes with dual circuit air over hydraulic brakes and the remote reservoirs in the cab. The other M108 prototype was destroyed. I'm awaiting more details on the history of the truck from JT.

Mikey
 

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mikey

mikey

Active member
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Lake Como, PA
Katahdin said:
How does one "accidentally buy" a M108 wrecker?
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That's exactly how my GF reacted....

Recovry4x4 said:
They are a particularly useful truck if I must say so.
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I have been following the deuce bed crane thread for a while. I needed something to move around 250G totes of WMO. I've shopped around and looked at the options. Finally I decided that with the M108 I can do that and so much more.

I have a project in mind :D

I'll show you next year.

Mikey
 
Stretch44875

Stretch44875

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Does it have the reinforced frame underneath? Was thinking one of JT's was a M35 with a M108 bed on it.

Looks good, handy truck.
 
mikey

mikey

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Stretch44875 said:
Does it have the reinforced frame underneath? Was thinking one of JT's was a M35 with a M108 bed on it.

Looks good, handy truck.
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He has another m108 in the yard.

I will double check but I'm pretty sure mine has the reinforced frame. I recovered it, snapped a few pictures, did a quick walk around and parked it. I have yet to start going through it or working on it and only get to visit it on weekends.

Mikey
 
Stretch44875

Stretch44875

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Another easy way to tell is the rear axle springs will have a large overload bar, similar to the 5 ton wreckers.
 
Danger Ranger

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Ok, let me get this straight. You bought an awesome m108, and then found out it was very unique, and may have been a prototype truck, (for use with a new sys.), and now you are gonna put super singles on it? My question is why raise the height, and COG of a top-heavy wrecker, and take away some of the truck's originality.

I don't want you to take this the wrong way, I just have to ask is all.

Cant wait to see it done, and looking good. good luck.
 
mikey

mikey

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Lake Como, PA
Danger Ranger said:
Ok, let me get this straight. You bought an awesome m108, and then found out it was very unique, and may have been a prototype truck, (for use with a new sys.), and now you are gonna put super singles on it? My question is why raise the height, and COG of a top-heavy wrecker, and take away some of the truck's originality.

I don't want you to take this the wrong way, I just have to ask is all.

Cant wait to see it done, and looking good. good luck.
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No offense taken!

Snow....

I'm moving this fall to NE PA, where my deuces currently reside. This area is in a snow belt and has winters that would make Minnesota proud. Because I get free WMO, the M108 has a reliable brake system and the area is so rural, it'll be my daily driver for everything local. My deuces with NDT's are horrible in the snow. I've priced out a full set of chains and they are half as much as a full set of Mich XML 395's. Also, I'm not fond of the idea of constantly changing the chains in between black and white pavement. When I think of changing chains I remember changing a flat tire on my F150 last winter in the snow at -7F. Never again.

I don't think COG is an issue. I expected the M108 to be top heavy, but the recovery was a 2 hour drive, including some trails to the LZ, and it felt fine. Never once did it feel top heavy. There are many wreckers on larger tires, so I am confident she'll be fine.

Mikey
 
Recovry4x4

Recovry4x4

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Yikes, M108 as a daily driver. I like mine and everything but it's no where near as nimble as a cargo truck. Never thought I would call any deuce nimble.
 
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