Hi all,
I’ve been lurking around here for a bit, but this is my first post. Anyhow, I just bought my first Deuce. It’s a 1969 Kaiser M35A2. I picked it up from Alfa Heaven, and will be flying up there on September 16th to complete the deal. I believe it was Tom’s enthusiasm about this particular truck that really sold me.
I’ve always been interested in these trucks, but until recently never realized how reasonable they are. It seems like you get a lot of truck for your dollar. I can hardly believe that I will own one soon.
I have checked into a few shipping options with the best quote so far coming in at $2800. Unless I can find something significantly better, my plan is to drive the truck home. I did purchase a round trip plane ticket in case something comes up at the last minute. Tom has said the truck is completely road worthy, and should make the trip just fine. He is servicing it before I pick it up. However, we all know that anything can happen. I plan on carrying an assortment of tools, bulbs, miscellaneous spares and cell phone. I’m not concerned with the conditions of the travel (slow, noisy and rough). I’m looking at that as an adventure. It’s more the major roadside failures that make me a little apprehensive.
I’ve taken the week off of work for this adventure. The current trip plan has me heading south on I-39 out of Wisconsin and picking up I-55 in Illinois to Freeburg (near St. Louis) where I will have a layover at my cousins place. That should get me the first 550 miles. My cousin has an excavation company and will help me go over the truck before the remainder of the trip. If there are any issues with the trip at that point, it’s also a good bail out for me because I can leave the truck there if needed. The remainder of the trip is a 1000 mile leg to Cocoa, FL. I’ll take the back roads out of Freeburg to I-57 south, pickup I-24 in Southern Illinois to Chattanooga, then I-75 south through Georgia, pickup I-10 east in North Florida to I-95 South in Jacksonville, and then straight down I-95 to the house.
I should be leaving Alfa Heaven mid afternoon on Saturday, and plan on going as far as I can that day. I’ll probably sleep in the cab at a truck stop along the way, and then head the rest of the way to my cousin’s on Sunday. I plan on leaving there early Monday morning if all goes well. Then it’s just up to how far I feel like driving in a day.
I know this is probably crazy to some
(it is to most of my friends), but I’m looking to it as a once in a lifetime adventure to drive a Deuce 1500 miles across the US.
I’m sure there will be more to come, and I welcome any tips/advice that you all may have.
Chris
I’ve been lurking around here for a bit, but this is my first post. Anyhow, I just bought my first Deuce. It’s a 1969 Kaiser M35A2. I picked it up from Alfa Heaven, and will be flying up there on September 16th to complete the deal. I believe it was Tom’s enthusiasm about this particular truck that really sold me.
I’ve always been interested in these trucks, but until recently never realized how reasonable they are. It seems like you get a lot of truck for your dollar. I can hardly believe that I will own one soon.
I have checked into a few shipping options with the best quote so far coming in at $2800. Unless I can find something significantly better, my plan is to drive the truck home. I did purchase a round trip plane ticket in case something comes up at the last minute. Tom has said the truck is completely road worthy, and should make the trip just fine. He is servicing it before I pick it up. However, we all know that anything can happen. I plan on carrying an assortment of tools, bulbs, miscellaneous spares and cell phone. I’m not concerned with the conditions of the travel (slow, noisy and rough). I’m looking at that as an adventure. It’s more the major roadside failures that make me a little apprehensive.
I’ve taken the week off of work for this adventure. The current trip plan has me heading south on I-39 out of Wisconsin and picking up I-55 in Illinois to Freeburg (near St. Louis) where I will have a layover at my cousins place. That should get me the first 550 miles. My cousin has an excavation company and will help me go over the truck before the remainder of the trip. If there are any issues with the trip at that point, it’s also a good bail out for me because I can leave the truck there if needed. The remainder of the trip is a 1000 mile leg to Cocoa, FL. I’ll take the back roads out of Freeburg to I-57 south, pickup I-24 in Southern Illinois to Chattanooga, then I-75 south through Georgia, pickup I-10 east in North Florida to I-95 South in Jacksonville, and then straight down I-95 to the house.
I should be leaving Alfa Heaven mid afternoon on Saturday, and plan on going as far as I can that day. I’ll probably sleep in the cab at a truck stop along the way, and then head the rest of the way to my cousin’s on Sunday. I plan on leaving there early Monday morning if all goes well. Then it’s just up to how far I feel like driving in a day.
I know this is probably crazy to some
![Shocked :shock: :shock:](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
I’m sure there will be more to come, and I welcome any tips/advice that you all may have.
Chris