One strange Mod and one not strange.

[conductorx]

Has any one seen or heard of some doing a Cab Over Mod for the Deuce?

How hard is it to lengthen the chassis? Prehaps 10 or 12 feet.
Would it make the drive shaft to the rear crazy?
I see trucks running single tires on wider wheels. How does that work?

Yes I am a complete noobie and I will search through the forums.

Thanks in advance.
Gary

 

[rizzo]

I see trucks running single tires on wider wheels. How does that work?

Yes I am a complete noobie and I will search through the forums.

Thanks in advance.
Gary

I clicked on the search button, then on advanced search. I typed "singles" into the top left box and selected "thread titles only"

I got back several threads that talk about singles

Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite - Search Results

 

[rizzo]

ps good luck with the other stuff

 

[11Echo]

Cabovers, hmm?
A gentleman on this site has done a great job with the truck in the first pic.
I think the second truck was on a site for sale a while back, don't remember for sure.

 

[drgreg]

Cabovers, hmm?
A gentleman on this site has done a great job with the truck in the first pic.
I think the second truck was on a site for sale a while back, don't remember for sure.

He may have meant a COE.

 

[11Echo]

He may have meant a COE.

Yeah, I knew that. In another of his threads he asked about a camper conversion. I thought I'd toss these pics out there!

 

[conductorx]

Really thanks guys yes, I mean COE.

The fascinating thing about the deuce is it is the VW of Military Vehicles. Check out my aviatar

I saw on TV a camper made from an airport fire truck that is all wheel drive, and really cool looking. I am thinking of something similar. But with my own style thrown in.

I appreciate all the good words.
Gary

 

[rchalmers3]

Awesome! It is refreshing to see a newb given help instead of being subject to a fire roasting

Well done gents. Carry on.

Rick

 

[maddawg308]

For information on an interesting COE deuce, do a search for the baby HEMTT truck that Jones is building in CA. Been an inspiration for all of us....

 

[conductorx]

I found the Jones post where he added a HEMMT cab to the deuce. All I can say is awesome!!

That would be perfect for what I have in mind. Now I'll spend my weekend off reading all of his posts. Thanks much everyone.

Gary

 

[LanceRobson]

The easiest way to make a deuce into a cab-over-engine truck is to run it at about 55 MPH into a bridge abutment.

Seriously, given how close to the max axle weight capacity the front axle is already, the combination of a cab, the extra mechanical linkages and the supports right over it would require a lot of structural and suspension work. Could you even take something like that on the road?

Lance

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

As with any mod project, one must ask WHY???

 

[OPCOM]

do it to a 5T.. but anyway consider the space that will be consumed by the engine tunnel and the heat to be rejected there. You will have great visibility but also be right up front in case of any accident.

 

[rchalmers3]

What about all the cheap forward cabs (COE's) from Japan? Shoot, I see '90's Isuzu's, Mitsubishi's, and Nissan trucks on Craigslist from time to time in the $2500 range. The trucks may have blown motors or bad trannys, but who cares!

So there you go. And if anyone says COE is unsafe, be sure not to mention it to the millions of truck delivery drivers all over the world.

Rick

 

[conductorx]

What about all the cheap forward cabs (COE's) from Japan? Shoot, I see '90's Isuzu's, Mitsubishi's, and Nissan trucks on Craigslist from time to time in the $2500 range. The trucks may have blown motors or bad trannys, but who cares!

So there you go. And if anyone says COE is unsafe, be sure not to mention it to the millions of truck delivery drivers all over the world.

Rick

That is a really good idea too. I really like Jones, baby HEMMT. I haven't ruled out keeping the Military cab and just incorporating it into the camper addition. I see in the SPECs that the M36 is a long wheel base version, 26ft. long.

That is an idea too.

I know exactly ZIP about MVs except what I have read here over the last few days. That and growing up, I remember riding through Ft. Knox to pick up my Dad after work. Many times a Tank, tracked APC or Deuce would follow us on thier way to the tank wash or the motor pool.

Thanks everyone,
Gary

 

[rchalmers3]

I just posted a photo of a military COE here: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-...3620-dual-front-axles-deuce-3.html#post490835 Look for Post #23.

Also, your idea on keeping the cab is good. You can copy motorhome design: Install a hard top, then cut in a walk through and install swiveling captains chairs, for the ultimate land yacht. You can install a bed above the cab that folds out of the way for driving comfort and walking through.

Rick

 

[wreckerman893]

If I were to try this it would be with an A3 deuce....already has an automatic (with cable shifter) so mechanical transmission linkage would not be needed. You could prob adapt the fuel pedal to work with a cable too.
I would use a commerical cab (Peterbuilt or Kenworth) since cabovers are cheap used.
If you used a sleeper cab you would have a built in bunk. Some of the later model cabovers actually had walk in sleepers but they may be hard to find. And they would take up more room.
Steering would prob be easy since you can use universal joints to make turns with.
Cabovers without power steering are a beotch to steer and your field of vision sucks.
I was an over-the-road trucker for many years and I hated flat faced trucks....under the best of circumstances they ride like an oxcart.....be careful what you wish for.

 

[conductorx]

All good help guys I appreciate it very much. I am seriously thinking of getting a deuce and drive it around some to test the idea. Then go to singles. My next step would be to lenghten the frame and see how much camper space it will give me. If I need more space then I need to weigh the options of COE or stock.

If I keep it stock it will be easily recognized as an ex-military truck and I really like that idea.

I also like the HEMMT wheel conversion I saw by donkdonk. I am curious as to who makes the tire in the attached photo? Are they quieter on the highway than the stock bi-directional tires?

Thanks again everyone,
Gary

 

[Mark2X2]

Gary,
Have you ever driven or road in a cab over truck? Back in the day, I drove one of those miserable bastards down the road. The only good thing about them was visabilty.

 

[conductorx]

Gary,
Have you ever driven or road in a cab over truck? Back in the day, I drove one of those miserable bastards down the road. The only good thing about them was visabilty.

Yes, after high school I spent six months on the road working for Lion Moving and Storage in a Cab Over International. yes the ride was bouncy. The difference I will have if I go that route is that the cab and the rest of the vehicle will be all one piece and it won't have that tippy feeling you normally get. More like a bread truck instead.

None of my plans are cast in stone of course. To go COE will add 6 months to a year onto the project.

Thanks again,
Gary