New guy from Arizona

[Adam Brice]

Hi guys, I'm new here and just wanted to say hello. I just purchased a 1970 AM General
M109a3 that has been cut down to resemble a cargo bed, kinda a crappy job, but oh well. I will be putting 2-500 gallon water tanks on the back to haul water to my home, as we are in an area that's hit and miss on wells, and no city water available out where I'm at.
I just rebuilt the air pack, changed the master cylinder, air filter, oil change and all 3 fuel filters, and fixed the in tank fuel pump.
This is my first deuce!
Having some noise coming from front drums, but its been sitting for a while, so I'll pull them and see what I see.
Fuel filter cans had likely NEVER been drained, super rusty, but I got them cleaned out pretty nice

 

[cattlerepairman]

Can't see the actual detail of the cut-down job but I dig the looks with the cargo bed and the wheelwell cut outs from the van box. Unique and looks more stylish than the regular bed. Is it open in the back or did they redneck a tail gate? By the sounds of it you have done some much needed maintenance, very good. Yes, pull the front drums....in fact, ideally, you'd get eyes on all six brake cylinders, hard and soft lines of your single circuit brake system. You will be heavy when full, so a brake line busting should not be part of your experience! I highly recommend a remote brake fluid reservoir ($35 in parts when you get it from places such as Summit or even locally). Two advantages: Unlike with the reservoir under the floor, you will SEE when brake fluid leaks because the reservoir level drops and if the leak is small, the reservoir will keep the master cylinder full until you come to a stop (or maybe even until you get home).
I hope she'll be good to you on those water hauls! Put her to work!

 

[SCM35A2]

Welcome to the site, good looking truck!

 

[Adam Brice]

Welcome to the site, good looking truck!

Thank you!

 

[Adam Brice]

Can't see the actual detail of the cut-down job but I dig the looks with the cargo bed and the wheelwell cut outs from the van box. Unique and looks more stylish than the regular bed. Is it open in the back or did they redneck a tail gate? By the sounds of it you have done some much needed maintenance, very good. Yes, pull the front drums....in fact, ideally, you'd get eyes on all six brake cylinders, hard and soft lines of your single circuit brake system. You will be heavy when full, so a brake line busting should not be part of your experience! I highly recommend a remote brake fluid reservoir ($35 in parts when you get it from places such as Summit or even locally). Two advantages: Unlike with the reservoir under the floor, you will SEE when brake fluid leaks because the reservoir level drops and if the leak is small, the reservoir will keep the master cylinder full until you come to a stop (or maybe even until you get home).
I hope she'll be good to you on those water hauls! Put her to work!

Hi, Cattle. Whoever cut the box down literally just went all the way around with a sawzall, it appears, including the horizontal cut right across the rear doors. Technically I now have 2 barn door style gates now, but each only has 1 worn out hinge, so I'll have to do something else there.
I did check out a 6 pack of new wheel cylinders, and some new shoes as well, but I guess I don't need to start buying more parts before I know if I need them! I just figured if I'm pulling a 200 pound tire, and a 100 pound drum, I may as well put new parts in while I'm there!
Currently in the process of building a 50x60 metal shop, I don't even have concrete at the moment to place a jack on.....

 

[Adam Brice]

Can't see the actual detail of the cut-down job but I dig the looks with the cargo bed and the wheelwell cut outs from the van box. Unique and looks more stylish than the regular bed. Is it open in the back or did they redneck a tail gate? By the sounds of it you have done some much needed maintenance, very good. Yes, pull the front drums....in fact, ideally, you'd get eyes on all six brake cylinders, hard and soft lines of your single circuit brake system. You will be heavy when full, so a brake line busting should not be part of your experience! I highly recommend a remote brake fluid reservoir ($35 in parts when you get it from places such as Summit or even locally). Two advantages: Unlike with the reservoir under the floor, you will SEE when brake fluid leaks because the reservoir level drops and if the leak is small, the reservoir will keep the master cylinder full until you come to a stop (or maybe even until you get home).
I hope she'll be good to you on those water hauls! Put her to work!

 

[G744]

One of the best tacticals ever, done in an age when engineering and testing was first-rate.

Peruse the TM's here on the site, build confidence in the truck & yourself, and let it do the jobs it is capable of.

These rigs are a bargain, you'd spend $ with a lot of zeros to get a civilian truck as usable.

Dennis

 

[cattlerepairman]

Hi, Cattle. Whoever cut the box down literally just went all the way around with a sawzall, it appears, including the horizontal cut right across the rear doors. Technically I now have 2 barn door style gates now, but each only has 1 worn out hinge, so I'll have to do something else there.

Just....awesome. I don't think I would ever have thought of doing this to an M109.


Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

 

[18operator]

Welcome from Ohio! That cut van body makes an eye turner with the wheel wells for a cargo bed. Some new heavy duty hinges on the "tailgate" and it'll be like brand new. Enjoy your truck!

 

[M35A2-AZ]

Welcome to the site!

 

[Adam Brice]

Welcome from Ohio! That cut van body makes an eye turner with the wheel wells for a cargo bed. Some new heavy duty hinges on the "tailgate" and it'll be like brand new. Enjoy your truck!

Thank you

 

[frank8003]

Just take care of Her and She will do you well. Write back often.
Change the oil, It is only 5 gallons.

 

[ToddJK]

Hi guys, I'm new here and just wanted to say hello. I just purchased a 1970 AM General
M109a3 that has been cut down to resemble a cargo bed, kinda a crappy job, but oh well. I will be putting 2-500 gallon water tanks on the back to haul water to my home, as we are in an area that's hit and miss on wells, and no city water available out where I'm at.
I just rebuilt the air pack, changed the master cylinder, air filter, oil change and all 3 fuel filters, and fixed the in tank fuel pump.
This is my first deuce!
Having some noise coming from front drums, but its been sitting for a while, so I'll pull them and see what I see.
Fuel filter cans had likely NEVER been drained, super rusty, but I got them cleaned out pretty nice

Welcome to the site and I dig the truck bud! She looks different and I can admire that. Keep us posted as you tinker with it more, I'd love to see it when it's all finished and ready for duty!

 

[Adam Brice]

Just take care of Her and She will server you well. Write back often.
Change the oil, It is only 5 gallons.

Yes sir. I did an oil change as well. 5.5 gallons.

 

[Adam Brice]

Welcome to the site and I dig the truck bud! She looks different and I can admire that. Keep us posted as you tinker with it more, I'd love to see it when it's all finished and ready for duty!

Thank you, Sir.

 

[Mullaney]

Hi guys, I'm new here and just wanted to say hello. I just purchased a 1970 AM General
M109a3 that has been cut down to resemble a cargo bed, kinda a crappy job, but oh well. I will be putting 2-500 gallon water tanks on the back to haul water to my home, as we are in an area that's hit and miss on wells, and no city water available out where I'm at.
I just rebuilt the air pack, changed the master cylinder, air filter, oil change and all 3 fuel filters, and fixed the in tank fuel pump.
This is my first deuce!
Having some noise coming from front drums, but its been sitting for a while, so I'll pull them and see what I see.
Fuel filter cans had likely NEVER been drained, super rusty, but I got them cleaned out pretty nice

.
Congratulations on your New-To-You truck Adam!
Welcome to the outfit too.

I think that bed is going to be okay. Yeah, it may need some cleanup possibly but I definitely like the wheel cutouts. It makes you different and that isn't a bad thing. If it bugs you a lot, there is always somebody trying to sell or maybe even give one away. Just have to keep your eyes open for the opportunity.

About those water tanks... I seem to remember, water is 8.33 pounds per gallon. That would be about 4200# of weight if you fill it as full as it will go. If memory serves me, a M109a3 is a 2 1/2 Ton Truck. I'm not sure that two 500 gallon tanks should be on that truck. In theory, on the highway - it could work - but that much weight can be scary on that (basically) Deuce frame with Deuce brakes.

 

[cattlerepairman]

I think the OP mentioned 2 x 500 gallons, so about 9000 Ibs including tanks etc.

If recall the data plate correctly, it is listing 10,000 lbs on-highway. Highway in the military sense is any solid-ish road surface, such as a gravel road.
5000 lbs off-road, which in the military sense means a dozer pushed the trees aside and you follow right behind, along a very miserable path.

Having said that, as mentioned before, if the plan is to haul or tow any such weight on-highway, in high range and at....speed... (as much as can be achieved in a loaded Deuce), the sphincter tends to clench the seat cushion less tightly when the brakes were gone through (as the OP said he was) and are properly adjusted as well.

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

 

[ToddJK]

I think the OP mentioned 2 x 500 gallons, so about 9000 Ibs including tanks etc.

If recall the data plate correctly, it is listing 10,000 lbs on-highway. Highway in the military sense is any solid-ish road surface, such as a gravel road.
5000 lbs off-road, which in the military sense means a dozer pushed the trees aside and you follow right behind, along a very miserable path.

Having said that, as mentioned before, if the plan is to haul or tow any such weight on-highway, in high range and at....speed... (as much as can be achieved in a loaded Deuce), the sphincter tends to clench the seat cushion less tightly when the brakes were gone through (as the OP said he was) and are properly adjusted as well.

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk

.
Congratulations on your New-To-You truck Adam!
Welcome to the outfit too.

I think that bed is going to be okay. Yeah, it may need some cleanup possibly but I definitely like the wheel cutouts. It makes you different and that isn't a bad thing. If it bugs you a lot, there is always somebody trying to sell or maybe even give one away. Just have to keep your eyes open for the opportunity.

About those water tanks... I seem to remember, water is 8.33 pounds per gallon. That would be about 4200# of weight if you fill it as full as it will go. If memory serves me, a M109a3 is a 2 1/2 Ton Truck. I'm not sure that two 500 gallon tanks should be on that truck. In theory, on the highway - it could work - but that much weight can be scary on that (basically) Deuce frame with Deuce brakes.

Why not just use a water buffalo trailer or convert a cargo trailer over with a water tank?
One tank on the truck and the other on the trailer....

 

[Adam Brice]

.
Congratulations on your New-To-You truck Adam!
Welcome to the outfit too.

I think that bed is going to be okay. Yeah, it may need some cleanup possibly but I definitely like the wheel cutouts. It makes you different and that isn't a bad thing. If it bugs you a lot, there is always somebody trying to sell or maybe even give one away. Just have to keep your eyes open for the opportunity.

About those water tanks... I seem to remember, water is 8.33 pounds per gallon. That would be about 4200# of weight if you fill it as full as it will go. If memory serves me, a M109a3 is a 2 1/2 Ton Truck. I'm not sure that two 500 gallon tanks should be on that truck. In theory, on the highway - it could work - but that much weight can be scary on that (basically) Deuce frame with Deuce brakes.

Duly noted, but I think I'll be ok. I only need to go about 3 miles, all paved roads, and the speed limit between here and there is 35mph

 

[Adam Brice]

Why not just use a water buffalo trailer or convert a cargo trailer over with a water tank?
One tank on the truck and the other on the trailer....

I actually have a military trailer that would haul a 500 gallon tank, but the deuce is hard enough to maneuver itself. Kinda limited on space.