My axle fell off on the way home!

[dburt]

Is that little dogbone issue what NASA calls 'an anomaly'?

Welcome to the site, some of the members have over-charged testostrone syndrome which makes them lash out at times at others on the site. You just have to consider the source and blow it off.
We have all been young and full of ourselves at one time in our lives. When I was young I thought I was God's special gift to the world, and I didn't hesitate to let anyone who would listen know about it. Then I grew older and a little wiser, and realized there is alot of truth to the old saying that it is sometimes better to sit there with your mouth shut and be thought stupid rather then opening your mouth and removing all doubt.
Some of our member need to grow up, and hopefully will get wiser and a bit kinder and more diplomatic as they age. But even some of the more vocal and occasionally rude members have lots of good info and help to offer.
Kinda like a family- sometimes you can't stand your siblings or parents or cousins, but let anyone else attack your family members and you get your dander up in a hurry.

And when you get that dogbone worked on, please take pics of the process and give us a good narrative of what transpires so we can all 'go to school' on your experience!

The learning curve is steep, sometimes painful and expensive- but then again so is most of life!

 

[silverstate55]

Alabamafrog, welcome aboard! Just make sure you use one of those 5-tons to tow your recoveries out with, and you'll be just fine. In fact, I remember reading about one member who added a gooseneck hitch to the rear of his 5-ton cargo truck, which might be an easier option for you.

As they say, crap happens, at least you are fairly prepared to deal with those problems....you've been through enough already with that SuperDuty of yours. Now you can give her a break and use an appropriate tow vehicle in one of your 5-tons.

The great thing about these vehicles is that you can do almost all (or all, if you prefer) of the work on them yourself with mostly basic hand tools; a few specialized tools are required, but most of these are also applicable to use on other similar commercial vehicles and so you may already have them. Plus you have a HUGE resource here on SS, from free downloadable TMs to free & helpful advice from those who know.

Keep us updated!

 

[kastein]

This is actually the tamest forum I'm still on... I left a couple others because they were too tame for me and I decided it'd be best for all involved if I simply faded away rather than ending up banned

I can think of a few sites that sell those dogbones if you are looking for them. On the other hand you could probably pick up as many as you need on the classifieds here from the guys who have bobbed their truck and no longer need them.

 

[TACTICAL6]

I thought this forum was to help educate members, not humiliate them and run them off ???

 

[Recovry4x4]

I thought this forum was to help educate members, not humiliate them and run them off ???

Sometimes the means to the end takes a different path. Anyone watch Seinfeld? Remember the soup nazzi? (purposely spelled wrong for big brother) We have that type here but not peddling soup, peddling wisdom and experience.

 

[BKubu]

Just to speak out to defend those who have pointed out the negatives...imagine what might happen if no one did so. This guy explained that he made two unsafe moves...first driving a truck out that he knew nothing about (both in operation and because of its maintenance history). Second, he hauled a 23,000 pound truck on a trailer that was not rated for that and with a truck that is not rated to tow that kind of weight. A few guys might have given it to him a bit hard, but I'd rather have people tell me the truth than blow smoke up my a$$. Also, those who read this thread might think, yeah, I can haul a truck like that with my trailer and pick up and I can drive a truck out (maybe they would know to check the dogbones out, but that might be it...not a lot of other maintenance checks were mentioned here). A lot goes into driving and maintaining these vehicles and all of it is in the name of safety and reliability. I have owned dozens of trucks and have been in this hobby since the late 90s and I definitely am still learning. There are many, many guys on this list who know more than me and I try to learn from them, while relaying some of the information that I have learned. I do not blame 'FROG. He did not know any better, but we need people to critique us or else we can't move our knowledge base forward. Seriously, guys, would everyone have preferred that the list simply congratulate him on buying some nice trucks and saying that we are happy that he is home safely? I definitely do congratulate him and I am happy that he is home safely...but more needs to be said.

Anyway, welcome to the list, 'FROG. I have owned dozens of M939 series trucks and would be happy to help you. Just send me a PM with any questions. Good luck!

 

[docfarmall]

By the time i read your lenghty post "ABOUT US ALL " driving minivan and living in apartments i figured id just let you no that was stupid I as do many others here dont even own a mini van and I as do many or most others live in a house .We as a group are the best bunch of misfits this side of the pond WE will all help each other if someone needs help. But we dont want "OUR" trucks to be taken away because someone was or caused a serious incedent if your not sure about something ask these guys and gals will help or advise you at the drop of a hat . Heck ive even been known to help out or advise some to . My phones are always on call.

 

[alabamafrog]

If I admit that I messed up and promise not to do it again can we move past the trailering of the dumper and focus a little more on the driving of the flatbed? After all there were no issues with the hauling of the dumper, dumb luck, good equipment, or whatever you chose to call it I made the very short and very slow moving trip safely and will promise not to do it again, especially if I can get the flatbed safe and operational and install a good GN hitch on it.


All of the dogbones look tight and good, I think it was a combination of the rubber being old and brittle and the truck being locked in 6x6 while turning sharp on dry pavement. I am assuming that when it is in 4 low then it automatically locks in? I asked about this at the lot and was told the switch on the dash controls 6x6, but it seems to me like it must be automated when shifted up into low range. Anyways, seems like all my problems started when it would not engage in high range? I also noticed the button on the shifter does not seem to do anything. Also after I got it home and parked and I screwed the manual button on the fuel pump out so that it would shut off I then noticed that the batteries were not simply dead from sitting but were unhooked, so I'm guessing I had no electrical power the whole time. Well except for the puff of smoke and burning smell coming from the fuel gauge when the jump start vehicle was hooked up.


I just can't believe that all that holds those dogbone on is rubber, seems like there should be a rigid fail safe mechanism of some kind. I liked the ideas I saw from one of the previous useful posts, looks a lot like what I was thinking of doing. For now I have a come-a-long holding the dogbone on so that I could move the truck to a safe parking spot. I will most likely do the drill and tap and put a plate over it method on all of them before driving it again.
Thanks for all the help, both nice and rude, help is help.

 

[charlietango]

great attitude right there....

Im guessing (sorry forget who said it) that GL may have been roughing this thing up a bit, those dog bones aren't that weak. Ive run my deuce many times on pavement and the dog bones hold up just fine. The 6wd should not be a factor in my mind. the rear are always active and the dog's are getting worked just as hard on a tight turn wether the front is engaged or not... right? Also you can run low range or high range at normal 4x6, and that switch engages the front lock in either range. So its not automatic

 

[alabamafrog]

So whats the air shift noise you hear when shifting from high to low doing?



Guess I went into this blind to the ways of GL auctions but it looks to me like things like the T-case is broken and there is no high range or the batteries are unhooked and a gauge on the dash is fried, or the brakes are jacked open and an air line is broken off or the dogbones are rotted and the axles may fall off in 5 miles or so, or this thing is not safe to drive and must be hauled off, would be mentioned in the description of the item for sale. I have bought many many items including trucks and tractors and just about everything in online auctions over the years and have never seen such misleading or incomplete descriptions as these, this would not be tolerated very long in the real world, I find it hard to believe that with all the liability issues that this has not been a major issue for the GL folks. I thought that maybe I just got real unlucky with my trucks but from the sound of things it is more common for them to be a basket case than a good reliable vehicle. Can you imagine the negative feedback and canceled bids if these were eBay auctions. Not to mention the 10% buyers premium.
I know in the end its my fault, buyer beware and all that, but this was a hard lesson learned about government auctions and the sate of the equipment.
I appreciate all you folks to the point honesty, wish I had of gotten some of that up front.

 

[drgreg]

CT, I think you are incorrect. The transfer case does lock-in when shifted into low range. This is not a deuce. The radial tires also make a huge difference, they do not scrub like NDCC's. There is a massive amount of pressure on the axles when turning on dry pavement, in any range.

 

[charlietango]

yea they lock the fronts when the low is engaged automatically just re-referenced the manual....otherwise in high you can choose to lock them, am I right with that?


I also run larger supers on my deuce not NDCC's .. I think what we are talking about here is..wether there would be any more or less stress on the dogs in 6x6 low as in 4x6 high... I can't see that... either way the dogs are torquing on a tight turn

i have been doing some reading on these trucks as I have been trying to decide between a 900 and an 800.. This peaks my interest... sometimes less is more

 

[kastein]

GL is known for providing descriptions best described as "a glorious work of fiction" based on their cursory inspection, so I'm not too surprised, it was gonna happen eventually. People have even showed up for their prebid inspection, seen the truck running and in decent condition, then come back for it after winning it to find that it had been forklifted, multiple driveshafts bent, etc and been given the "tough luck" explanation by GL before.

GL is not government, but expect Government Intelligence when dealing with them. Caveat emptor.

 

[drgreg]

Did GL list it as a new truck?
He got a truck that cost $70,000, 20 to 30 years ago, for a fraction of the price.
Lack of research, lack of preview.
I bought my M923 from GL. No body told me any false information. I spent 4 1/2 hours, 2 men, on the lot going over the truck. No problems.

 

[SgtDave12]

Welcome aboard Alabama. There is plenty of useful information on this site so stick with it

.

 

[swbradley1]

Guess I went into this blind to the ways of GL auctions but it looks to me like things like the T-case is broken and there is no high range or the batteries are unhooked and a gauge on the dash is fried, or the brakes are jacked open and an air line is broken off or the dogbones are rotted and the axles may fall off in 5 miles or so, or this thing is not safe to drive and must be hauled off, would be mentioned in the description of the item for sale. I have bought many many items including trucks and tractors and just about everything in online auctions over the years and have never seen such misleading or incomplete descriptions as these, this would not be tolerated very long in the real world, I find it hard to believe that with all the liability issues that this has not been a major issue for the GL folks. I thought that maybe I just got real unlucky with my trucks but from the sound of things it is more common for them to be a basket case than a good reliable vehicle. Can you imagine the negative feedback and canceled bids if these were eBay auctions. Not to mention the 10% buyers premium.
I know in the end its my fault, buyer beware and all that, but this was a hard lesson learned about government auctions and the sate of the equipment.
I appreciate all you folks to the point honesty, wish I had of gotten some of that up front.

Two things:

1. I'll stop bugging you when you switch to a tractor that's New Holland blue and not green in your avatar.
2. You learned a valuable lesson already about GL.

 

[saddamsnightmare]

February 12th, 2012.

Alabamafrog:

Remember, these trucks were built for off road use in tactical situations. Generally during their operational life the MPH works out to 22 to 25 MPH. Yes, all four tires in the rear are driving, but due to no interaxle differntial, these trucks hate sharp turns on pavements, just watch your rear view mirrors to figure out how much lateral displacement occurs. On my truck it is the rear axle that gets dragged sideways.
NEVER trust GL, they are given the trucks by Uncle to sell, and Uncle gets chump change after the sale, so basically they are often the worst pieces of junk in a unit sent in for sale....
And yes, download the inspection pamplet on here for a deuce, it will blow your mind how much HAS to be inspected before the truck can move in normal operations. Five and ten tons aren't all that much different on pre-trip inspections.
NOW that you've taken a beating on trailering and operations, you are now in a better position to utilize the knowledge base on here, even if some of these puppies are opinionated.... THEY are looking out for the good of all of us. ANd no, Uncle is not liable for the condition of the trucks, the Romans had a term "CAveat Emptor", buyer beware! Gotta love those Romans. IF you want to buy a good truck, hunt up one of the members on here, or cough more money and go to Eastern Equipment, either way it costs more, but might be in better shape. It is 50 or 40 years old though....

If a farm tractor fails at fifty, no biggie, if a deuce fails at 50 and kills someone, biggie.... That's why those of us who operate these trucks are supposed to have better sense then the GI's who used to operate and beat the hades out of them... My deuce was in two, probably three wars, and she showed it when I bought her from one of thye members on here....
You will need to hunt up all of the manuals, some big jacks and bigger jack stands, and begin the tear down and rebuild. Once you've taken her to the frame and redone everything, you'll have no money in your bank account but considerable pride in your truck.

 

[Tow4]

Alabamafrog,


All of us without exception, have at one time or another, done something that was probably not a good idea. Most of us did not post pictures of it on the internet!

Now, with all that said.... Welcome to the site. Here you will find the answer to every question, (if you can find the magic word when you search for something) and members that will go out of their way to help you.

Take advantage of the knowledge and assistance .

Good Luck

 

[alabamafrog]

Two things:

1. I'll stop bugging you when you switch to a tractor that's New Holland blue and not green in your avatar.
2. You learned a valuable lesson already about GL.

Nope, sorry, only green for me!
My tractors;
1939 JD L, (not running,yet)
1940 JD B slantdash, (not running,yet)
1946ish JD A slantdash (not running,yet)
1947 JD A,
1948ish JD A,
1951 JD MT,
1956 JD 60,
2000 JD 4700 4x4 hst with loader and hoe

***My Tractor Pics***

And yes I have learned many valuable lessons so far about MVs and hope to learn many more, but hopefully not the hard way.
Looks like it may get as expensive and time consuming and maybe as addictive as the antique tractors.
All I need is another expensive time consuming hobby and forum, hope the wife don't find out!

 

[swbradley1]

When we got the NH we traded in an Oliver and two English made Massey's.