Site unseen; "engine doesn't start"

[kgorman]

I have been reading for a few days now and have read the "so you want a deuce doc.." I am thinking of getting a M35A2 from a local GL in order to save some cash vs 100dollarman's stock. I am out West. I don't need a great looking truck, I just want it to work reasonably well. We are handy and can fix most things at the shop. I plan to use the truck at our shop for various duties and some fun. At some point I want to super single it with A3 wheels.

A local GL says "engine doesn't start. Buyer loads". So what does this mean in GL speak?

"Just likely needs batteries.."
"Engine is toast.."
"Who knows, good luck.."

If it's the first case, then I might just buy it sight unseen since it's likely to be pretty cheap.

One more question, Anyone ever win these things for around $500? I see recent past auctions are all around $1500+. The starting bid is $150.

 

[kgorman]

Oh, I just found this Government Liquidation/DRMO/GSA - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite. Let me read up more...

 

[gimpyrobb]

Anything from option "a" to a hole in the block. They haven't sold for $500 for many years. Even if you go and make sure its in "ok" shape, they still drive the trucks around after you win sometimes. Someone could wreck it. ****, GL even has moved trucks to different states after auctions are over. If you hope it will be easy, well it COULD be, but maybe not.

 

[gimpyrobb]

That is a good place to start. Welcome to the site, maybe someone out there could offer assistance.

 

[velociT]

Does not run could be anything from no batteries, to bad head gasket/motor.


If it says doesn't run, I wouldn't expect to throw batteries in it and drive away.

 

[maddawg308]

Scrap value of a deuce is around $1300 or so. If you get for less than that you are doing good, regardless of running condition. However, if you bid on a truck that says "doesn't run", I'd plan on getting a towing company to haul it home for you.

To be honest, I wouldn't bid on anything I haven't seen with my own eyes. If you bid sight unseen and get a non-rolling pile of rusted parts, you have noone to blame but yourself.

 

[TexAndy]

You can get $600+ for a front and a rear axle pair, easily. I hope you have friends willing to help tear it apart, tho.

If nothing else, a good looking deuce is worthwhile as a parts truck. If/when you finally do get a good runner, that big old pile of parts is going to save you alot of money.

I don't want to give you unrealistic expectations, but in my limited experience, 9 times out of 10, a GL truck just needs new batteries... to get it moving. It may need a little more to get it to stop, reliably. Some have stuck wheel cylinders. Some have brake lines that need to be bled. Those two issues you can probably solve in the GL lot in very little time.

Get a feel for the GL employees at that location. In some locations, the GL people will let you come work on your stuff even before your EUC comes back. Within reason. In some locations, they will not let you near the merchandise without an escort. And in some locations you can't even get into the yard without an appointment!

Step 1 should be to get some intel. First ask around here about the base you plan on recovering the vehicle out of. Ask about the site manager and yard manager. Ask about how they operate and how busy they are.

Then call the site. Work with the GL people on site. See how busy they are and if they're ok with you trying to get it off the lot under it's own power and failing that, calling a tow/haul guy to come get it that same day.

If that's no good, plan on two days to get it off the lot. Day 1 will be your attempt to drive it out under it's own power. Day two will be the tow guy's chance to make a buck.

DON'T sign the paperwork on the first day unless you're sure you're going to be able to get it out of the GL lot that day. Once you sign for it, it's yours and they don't want it in their yard.

 

[wreckerman893]

Not to rain on your parade but deuces seem to sell for more out west....supply and demand.

There are more Army bases back here and that is where a lot of Nat Guard and Reserve trucks are being sold out of.

You may be better off with a private selller.

Good luck and welcome to the madness.

 

[Seth_O]

I bought mine via GL from HAFB w/o personally previewing it. I got lucky, it just needed one new wheel cylinder. Having done that, I would NEVER do it again for something as large as a truck.

Since I knew the wheel cylinder was bad, and didn't know about anything else I had the truck towed off base to somewhere I could work on it. Without question that was the right choice. The $200 was a lot to stomach, but the peace of mind and knowing it was safe was absolutely the right thing to do. GL would not permit me to do a once-over on the truck before driving it off the lot, i.e. anything could have happened between the lot and it's destination. I learned a couple of valuable lessons from my first deuce buying/GL experience:

1) PREVIEW the truck before you buy - I got a GREAT deal, but it certainly could have gone differently
2) TOW the truck off the base, even if it's advertised as "Starts and Runs" (which mine was) that certainly doesn't mean stops or steers. There's just too much risk involved for yourself and anyone else on the road. A 13k lbs missile is a bad, bad thing.

Good luck. I am in Nor Cal and could potentially preview at Herlong or French Camp in the near future as I am looking to get a few things myself.

 

[nmwildman013]

I just bought one off the NG base here in New Mexico. Paid $2950 with GL premium. I didn't get a chance to preview it and just trusted to luck. In my case it was a major score with the truck being in fantastic condition with only needing minor work to drive it home. Knowing what I do about these trucks I would never take that chance again. I would do whatever it takes to preview it and make arrangements to have it towed if needed. Shop around. I got quotes from $600 to $250 for a 50 mile tow. One thing that does go wrong is that the bottom plates on the fuel pump fall off and it won't build fuel pressure. I have seen that a bunch of times. That was all that was wrong with mine. Pulled the pump, put the plates back on, staked it and she started right up. Drove it the 50 miles and no problems but be prepared for just about anything if you plan to try to drive it home.

 

[x-ray]

According to one GL rep where I ave bought a deuce; they hop in the truck and try to start it. If it doesn't start its listed that way and they dont invest any more time or resources to fix or figure it out. As others say anything from batteries to engine hydraullic pump could be suspect, but it many cases a good preview may help narrow down the culprit. Some GL reps have been kind enough to try and jump trucks at a preview to see if it will start.

Best bet is to call the site GL rep and try to get a good preview - possibly bring a more experienced SS member to look a it too. Best of luck.