Based on my research, I am in the beginning planning stages to address driveline concerns. Do the MTV 6x6s have the same frequency of driveline concerns/issues as the LMTV 4x4s? Im wondering if I should move them up the list or keep them mid list. What I need to do is a 10-mile run to warm up the diff oil for an oil change...
From everything I've read on SS about vibration issues on these trucks, I would not take a chance on driving it with out having them checked and balance. You could drive the truck hundreds or thousands of mile and be okay or you could drive 10 miles down the road and something breaks. It's a tossup.
When I got my M1083A1 (Myrtle) one of the first things I did was remove all three drive shafts and had them checked and balanced. Of course mine had visual damage to 2 of the 3 shafts which appeared to be from a forklift. I would have pulled them even if they didn't show damage. After reading the problems that many SS members have reported with drive train vibration and damage that occurred from that, it was a no brainer for me. Why take the chance when your going to have to do them sooner or later...better, sooner
The two damaged shafts needed rebuilt, all needed new universal joints, and all three differently needed balancing. The guy who did them said that they were never balanced, ever. Oh yeah, get new universal joints and take them with you when you take the shafts to get balanced. They balance the shafts with the joints on the shafts.
Also, in line with the vibration issues, balance your wheel/tires. My tires were shot/junk. I replaced the tires, which wasn't that bad for me, just time consuming and heavy! I made sure that the hardware on the bead locks were 180 degrees out from the CTIS wheel valve and I use ceramic tire/wheel balancing beads inside the tires. They work great...at least in my opinion.
After getting the drive shafts put back on along with the wheels/tires I took Myrtle for a drive. Got it to 56 mph and I was extremely happy with the results. I could not feel any vibration at all (I probably shot myself in the foot for saying that) at least I couldn't from my fat a--. The only thing I found that the trans was shifting a little hard from 3rd to 4th, but that's another story.
Nice truck and good luck.
Tom.