New LMTV Owner

[JeremyCummings]

Greetings and Salutations,

I’m working on the logistics for getting a 1998 1078 over to the mainland from Hawaii (Oahu). My EUC got approved in 2 days when I was expecting weeks of processing time, so I need to haul ass and get this thing moved. Current plan is to get some batteries in it on island, drop off at port on Oahu, then pickup at LA or San Diego. From there, it’s ~300 miles to 29 Palms Marine Corps base, which has an auto hobby shop (I’m also considering the hobby shop at JBPHH, but not sure how much time will be required and lodging on island is expensive). This all assumes that the gate guards don’t care that it doesn’t have plates. Once at the shop, I’m planning an oil change, hub gear oil change, and maybe a transmission flush, prior to driving it the rest of the way to Albuquerque.

Questions for you guys:

-Is this a bad plan? Should I just spend the coin and have it trucked home from port? Conversely, should I just risk driving it home as-is? My current plan seems like a decent middle ground, but hoping to benefit from your experience. The ad states that the engine runs (when jumped) and the video of it running sounds great. No visible leaks, but “the hydraulic system is weak”. Ad is still up on govplanet if you want to point out anything you see that’s off.

-If my plan does seem sound, what else should I bring parts for and consider doing/replacing while at the shop? Any weird tools required? Troubleshooting tips/threads for the air/hydraulic system?

If there’s an existing thread covering “so you bought an LMTV, now what”, or anything other resources, tips, etc. you think are pertinent, please point me in that direction.

Also, if there are any LMTV owners on here in the Albuquerque area, let me know if you want to link up-

This has been a dream of mine for years and years, and it’s finally starting to come together. Looking forward to being a part of this community. Thanks gents-

 

[Keith Knight]

So much we don’t know about the truck. Does it run?

 

[JeremyCummings]

So much we don’t know about the truck. Does it run?

Yessir- when jumped. Plan is to put batteries in it on-island.

 

[Keith Knight]

So if it runs, drives, brakes properly then focus on the legal driving aspects like blinkers, brake lights wipers, fluids full, tires are in good shape and holding air. (From personal experience no tires older than 10 years) etc. It trans flush can wait till your home. Drive on none interstate road and drive slow.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Tires...... They will likely be extremely dangerous.

 

[NDT]

Are you planning on flying over there and doing everything yourself?
There are several threads on here about shops that can prep FMTVs for the ride on Matson.

 

[swiss]

I would truck it home. There is alot that can go wrong rushing things, and road tripping with an untested and unfamilar vehicle. The extra shipping costs are minimal compared to what could go wrong.

Do it right.

 

[JeremyCummings]

Are you planning on flying over there and doing everything yourself?
There are several threads on here about shops that can prep FMTVs for the ride on Matson.

That’s the plan as of now- my wife works in the airline industry so flights are pretty low-cost. Spend an afternoon getting batteries into it and driving it ~20 miles to the port.

 

[JeremyCummings]

I would truck it home. There is alot that can go wrong rushing things, and road tripping with an untested and unfamilar vehicle. The extra shipping costs are minimal compared to what could go wrong.

Do it right.

Yep, I hear you. Already going to cost a lot for fuel, trucking it is a marginal cost over that and eliminates the risk.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

That truck is nearly 30 years old. I barely made it home in my 2008 back in 2021 when it was *only* 17 years old.

How knowledgeable are you in the platform? How experienced of a mechanic are you?

I flew to TX from OR and had a whole lot of tooling sent ahead of me. Made it but was lucky. Several things I have found after the fact that could have cost me a lot of time and money and eventually did but after I made it home.

 

[NDT]

That’s the plan as of now- my wife works in the airline industry so flights are pretty low-cost. Spend an afternoon getting batteries into it and driving it ~20 miles to the port.

How cool is that! Sounds like an adventure. Carefully review the Matson rules, I think no dripping leaks and no mud. Remember most of these trucks blow the cab latch and air over hyd pumps with the first use, resulting in dripping leaks. Bring kits for these.

 

[AKPacker]

Agree with the others above, I would not plan on driving any significant distance unless you have the tools and time to thoroughly go through and refurbish critical parts of the truck. I drove mine home but only after spending about a week going through the truck and replacing tires, fluids, filters, lighting, and installing Ecohubs. And that was on a barely used 2008 truck.

 

[Ronmar]

"uh-uh... I know what you are thinking, did he fire 6 shots or only 5"...

So, You feelin lucky?