• Steel Soldiers now has a few new forums, read more about it at: New Munitions Forums!

  • Microsoft MSN, Live, Hotmail, Outlook email users may not be receiving emails. We are working to resolve this issue. Please add support@steelsoldiers.com to your trusted contacts.

My Bobbed / Lifted Deuce Build In Pictures

MrM4

Member
136
21
18
Location
Wall, South Dakota
(You can read this some post at the link below and the pictures show up so you dont have to click the links.)
http://1919a4.com/showthread.php?40197-Bobbed-m35-Duece-and-1-2/page2&highlight=m35a2

I couple months back a stumbled across a few pictures of a bobbed M35a2 on the net, with in seconds I knew my check book was going to suffer due to me clicking the link. So I started looking for a truck and after about 10 weeks of night time work, alot of swearing, and alot of nights of reading up on the site at 2:00 AM the Bobber is up and rolling. I documented the build and here are some pictures.
The truck started out as a M109A3, according to the paperwork in the truck the thing had been used by a Chopper support unit. I struck a deal with a local guy who had it and I managed to trade the box back to him. ( Its now headed to another member on the forum. ) Also included was a M105 with Racks.


The hardest part of the whole job was getting the rear axle out of the thing.





Chopping the frame was easy, measure, measure and measure then cut. I wanted my bumperetts to sit perfectly so I could keep them and still have my tailgate hang strait down, which it does.




I used the M105 Springs for my rear axle. I had Inland Truck Parts stretch my driveshaft. They did a good job but their bill was about $100 over the quote so we had a few heated words, in the end they made it right and honored the quote.



I had the local CNC shop run me a 9inch lift kit. I started in the back end with it when I reinstalled the rear axle. Kind of a funny looking think but fun to drive around a little. I managed to find some bolts threw Fastenal that were supposed to be super strong stuff used on Ag equipment to mount up the trailer springs to the truck, pricey but the extra strength makes me feel better.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg158/MrM4/M35A3/IMG_4338.jpg





Finally I got the front end on, its amazing how heavy the front 1/2 of the truck is. Im waiting on the UPS guy to bring my new Steering arm made by Steve6x6x6. ( I'm using a temp I built to drive around the ranch for now)



The Wife had a hand in the build as well, my Drivers seat was shot so she re did the whole thing in a new Digital Camo.



As Im writing this all out I see that I don't really have much for pictures of the lift kit install or hub flip but basically it is a 9 inch drop block kit with lateral bracing much like the Blackrock Idea. Installed with Grade 8 Bolts and then some of the bracing is welded in addition to Bolted. I've got a good friend who is professional welder that help advise on the project. I will check the camera for more pictures of that part

I used an adaptor plate on HEMMTT Rims and had a local shop make me a set of plates out of 1/2 steel I don't know the exact grade but it was explained to me as twice as strong as A36. Total cost per plate was around $130. I managed to tear a gasket so I had about a week of down tiem between the front and rear tires but Clinton out in PA help me out with and couple extras and I finally could get the truck leveled out and. In the mean time my wife and I set the trailer frame and a 4 inch tall chunk of tubing on the frame and then installed box on the truck After alittle starting fluid and a match we managed to get the new XZL 16.00-20 mounted up at alittle over 520lbs. Per tire it was a chore just getting them on.



.

After alittle rattle can to hold me over until next spring when the weather warm enough to paint and she was ready for the first test drive.


After 10 weeks of work here is the Before and After.

Before

After





I just wanted to extend a Thank You to everyone who has answer questions and refered me to the info I need.
 
Last edited:

DBLDUECE77

New member
41
0
0
Location
North Idaho
I love your truck i am in the process of bobbing mine and building my lift now,although mine wont be as extreme as yours im thinking 4" and 14.00x20. I may havequestions for you soon agian your truck turned out nice!
 

MrM4

Member
136
21
18
Location
Wall, South Dakota
I was thinking dual Pintal mounts in the front corners of the box, with all the stress that M66 rings can cause and the fact that they only hold one gun I have decided to look for other options. I have a 1910 maxim sitting in the shop as a parts kit right now, I thought it would be fun to have another mount for it maybe twords the rear of the truck. Its a shame Dummys are as expensive as they, there are some great ones out there but for that kind of money I could buy a good part of a parts kit to the real thing. But ofcourse you cant drive with the real thing(s) attached, no matter how much "wow" facture it would add.
 

MrM4

Member
136
21
18
Location
Wall, South Dakota
Heres a picture of the .30 browning mounted up, I am still working on the can holder for the mount but its starting to take shape. I wanted a lighter mount that was easy to take off so with 4 bolts I can remove it. The truck is never driven with the gun mounted ofcourse, this mount is more for a "pull up to the firing line and shoot" type use.


 
Last edited:

sickmoparfreak

New member
26
0
1
Location
Gaffney SC
Glad to see this one. I'm in the process of building one by stacking frames, and the finished product will be very close visually. Great looking build!
 

MrM4

Member
136
21
18
Location
Wall, South Dakota
Ive had to put this toy on hold for a while because life has been busy. Now I have a chance to work on it again. I pulled the box off and raised the frame a bit to level out the truck, big handling improvement. I will be lowering the box about 5 inches, this should make the truck more stable by lowering the center of gravity. My 105 frame will be stacked on the deuce frame and attached with spring loaded bolts to allow flex. I adjusted my steering box alittle after checking EVERY thing else to determine why I was getting wobble at 40mph. That has been fixed.

Next is install shocks front and back and anti wrap bars for the rear axle. Hopefully paint it Tan with a black frame and linex or rino the floor in the cab by the end of summer.

 
Last edited:
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website like our supporting vendors. Their ads help keep Steel Soldiers going. Please consider disabling your ad blockers for the site. Thanks!

I've Disabled AdBlock
No Thanks