Questions from a deuce newbie

[JT Wood]

Hi Guys,

I joined a few years ago, when i was considering buying a deuce to pull some equipment. I was talked out of it based on the weight I needed to tow.

Nonetheless, I still can't shake the craving to own a gigantic military truck. Seeing that my towing needs are being met by a medium duty international truck, I am coming to the point where I am considering getting a deuce for fun. Not likely to ever really do any work, I might wheel off road a few times a year, and maybe drive it to work occasionally or go for sunday afternoon drives, and have an excuse to hang out in the shop with my boy. He is almost old enough to actually care about this type of thing.

I has a few questions though before I get too far ahead of myself.

1.Anybody know if they are hard to import to canada? Being a former military vehicle, does anyone know about this?
2. Is a deuce the best platform for what I want to do? I'm hoping to drive it more than I fix it.
3.Are parts hard to get?

Any suggestions?

thanks

 

[Karl kostman]

JT Wood I can answer questions 2 and 3 for you.
The Deuce like all older Military vehicles has its required maintenance it very well documented in the TMs and all the procedures are covered very well. If the Maintenance is kept up and the oil changed on a somewhat regular basis I have fount the Deuce to be an extremely reliable truck and it gets great fuel mileage also. A stock truck running #2 Diesel fuel will get you around 10 to 11 mpg at 52 mph which is turning the tach right on 2200 RPM, which is the highest RPM my truck ever sees! On the #3 there are parts all over the net for the Deuce finding parts in either a phone call or the click of a few buttons away and generally you will have a choice of NOS (new old stock) Used or reproduction parts and 90% of the parts for the Deuce are very reasonable, new in the can engines are still popping up once in awhile for under 3K. The radiator is a little high priced but you can get a good one for around 1K.
Good luck and keep us posted on how your search goes!

Karl

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

A belated WELCOME ABOARD and glad to see you come out of the shadows.

Best wishes on your joining the MV Motor Pool.

John
San Angelo, Texas, USA

 

[71DeuceAK]

Go for it! I almost bought one a few months ago, it would have been my first vehicle, no joke!

 

[ageregunner]

I love my deuce and use it exactly as you want to, plus display it in parades. It is a straight forward truck to work on and the manuals are a must. It is a real hoot to drive, and will put a smile on your face that will never go away. My advise is.............
Go for it!!!

 

[M543A2]

I do not remember what kind of loads you were talked out of pulling. We really like the deuce on the 18 ton Ferree trailer we have. The trailer has air brakes on it which really help stopping. It also has maxi chambers on one axle so if any kind of failure happens with the truck brakes/air supply the rig will stop anyway. We stopped the one ton pickup truck on a trailer game and went to this for the loads we haul which are farm equipment, tractors, a bulldozer, etc. We have not yet gone to the 18 ton maximum, biggest is probably around 22,000 pounds. We have never felt our deuce does not have enough power for this. I never felt safe with a pickup ahead of a large trailer like I see so often on the roads. In my opinion a pickup truck just does not have the weight to safely handle the trailers and loads I see people doing if things get out of hand. We also pull this trailer with our five tons.

 

[cattlerepairman]

1.Anybody know if they are hard to import to canada? Being a former military vehicle, does anyone know about this?

Truck has to have a title. Do not even consider a US truck with bill olf sale only! Due to age it is exempt from most of the Registrar of Imported Vehicles restrictions. Read up on the RIV requirements to be certain. You pay HST on import and receive a stamped form from customs to take to the safety inspection station and for licencing purposes in Canada. You need to pre-select the port of EXPORT in the US and send copies (verify whether they need the original!) of the title at least 72h ahead of you showing up with the truck for a formal export inspection. Contact info is on the web. Truck cannot show military markings upon import into Canada (tape off or spray over with rubber spray so you can peel off later). If driving the truck for import, arrange insurance and sort out the issue of how to get licence plates beforehand...can you get temporary tags in the US state you buy it (easiest option)? If you need tags from Canada, some provinces are less complicated than others when it comes to obtaining temporary plates.

Generally, self-import is straightforward when you mind the little issues listed above.


You can mitigate the need for repairs somewhat by buying a truck that is in excellent shape and has had axles and brakes gone through completely and recently. This involves all axle seals and bearings, dog bone ends, brakes, brake cylinders and brake lines, master cylinder in A1 condition. You do not want any funky drive train stuff (such as transmission popping out of 5th or transfer case popping out of "high" when letting off the fuel while driving). There is info on this site about how to check out a new-to-you Deuce.

 

[SCSG-G4]

JT Wood,
There are also Canadian made deuces available, they just don't pop up quite as often. In that case, importation would not be required! There should be several threads on moving vehicles between Canada and the US, both ways. Find them, read, and you should be on track to purchase in either country.

 

[cattlerepairman]

JT Wood,
There are also Canadian made deuces available, they just don't pop up quite as often.

Stay away from the Canadian MLVW "Deuce" - the DND sold them branded as "irrepairable" and they will show up as such when you try to get plates for them. You will only be able to use them off road. A shame. Yes, there may be grey avenues around that, involving export and re-import or otherwise "becoming a US Deuce", but I would stay away from this.

 

[JT Wood]

Ok, I had another question, I ws looking at eastern surplus's website yesterday evening and I was wondering about a 800 series truck over the deuce?

Is there a reason to choose one over the other? the 800 series looks to have a 250 cummins, and a 5 spd is this a better overall engine? I'm not too concerned about performance, I just want reliability.

I also saw a 1972 kaiser (deuce) on the local classifieds, he claims it is an m35a1 multifuel engine I was under the impression that a '72 would be an m35a2 truck. this is the link. hes about 600 miles away, so I can't just pop in and look. http://www.kijiji.ca/v-heavy-trucks...ck/1176580428?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true



I was also looking at a local m135 gas truck. It's cheap, $3k but the engine needs to be reassembled. Obviously I can't test drive it or verify any of it's operation. http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/...ck/1187533523?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true


Is a m135 a good platform to build on?

Sorry for the basic questions, but I just want to make sure I get off on the right foot. It looks like the USA has the most options for clean low hour trucks. I'd save headaches by buying local, but I might have more long term headaches if I get a truck that has been neglected.


ANybody have any dealings with eastern surplus? are they reputable? thanks again

 

[JT Wood]

I had typed out a reply this morning, but I neglected to press send
My questions were regarding an 800 series MV instead of a deuce. After some research I think an m814 might be more hassle and expense.

Now Locally within 600 miles of home I can find 2 trucks that are possible.

Ill link to both.


http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/calgary/1956-gmc-6x6-m135-military-truck/1187533523

This is a non running m135 gas truck. Can anyone tell me if this is a good platform to work with? Apparently its complete and works well, except the head gaskets need to be redone.
Are parts available for these old guys?


the second is a 72 m35a1. I was under the impression that by 1972 they were all a2's is that right? it has the multifuel engine. apparently it was rebuilt 300 hours ago.


Or should I buy one from eastern surplus or something and import it?

thanks!