So the MTVR adventure begins

[aw113sgte]

Well tonight my govplanet truck arrived! Came from Georgia and arrived in WI today.
Drop off went okay, since it is way colder here (17f) I was a little worried. I tried to install an ether bottle but there were these two hoses in the way and one shattered when trying to move it (what is that little metal thing in front of the ether cylinder?)
Batteries were another concern as it cranked slowly in the auction - I ended up having to connect 3x 12v batteries to get enough power to crank and start. Was stressed because if i couldn't get it running, I would have to use my MTV and tow it - not easy as I would have to have the driver go to a different location for enough room. Also don't have the specific MTVR tow adapters - but mine would work in a pinch.
Plan is to build it into an RV like I did with my MTV-but much fancier and at a slower rate: https://www.steelsoldiers.com/threads/from-fire-truck-to-mtv.216741/

The MTV has been such a nice thing for my family, the wife is very much in support of this new venture. It just happens to be 16 years to the day of our first date, I don't think this was my wife's idea of a fancy evening.

Wife and kids were a great help, carrying equipment, moving vehicles, being supportive.

Initial thoughts on my .2 mile drive.... Turns horribly compared to the MTV. Turning radius is enormous. Trans shifting is much rougher, but I have Transend and eco hubs in the MTV. Holy hell these headlights are horrible. Where is the reverse light? Damn that reverse beeper is loud - might use blackout feature and people will just have to watch out. Looks very cool! Nice to not have to deal with a air over oil system to get to the engine, dual channel ctis is awesome (although I think it has some issues). ABS light was on (wasn't in the auction) but I have the software so I'll get that sorted. Already have a service kit and ac system. When I have some light and time I'll go over in a lot more detail. Was hoping for fun surprises in the under seat compartment but it was empty

 

[fuzzytoaster]

Initial thoughts on my .2 mile drive.... Turns horribly compared to the MTV. Turning radius is enormous. Trans shifting is much rougher, but I have Transend and eco hubs in the MTV. Holy hell these headlights are horrible. Where is the reverse light? Damn that reverse beeper is loud - might use blackout feature and people will just have to watch out. Looks very cool! Nice to not have to deal with a air over oil system to get to the engine, dual channel ctis is awesome (although I think it has some issues). ABS light was on (wasn't in the auction) but I have the software so I'll get that sorted. Already have a service kit and ac system. When I have some light and time I'll go over in a lot more detail. Was hoping for fun surprises in the under seat compartment but it was empty

It makes busting filters free easier.

 

[aw113sgte]

View attachment 937276

It makes busting filters free easier.

You should see my thoughts on a mwe truck "ready for work or play".
This thing is inanimate so it's feelings won't be hurt just areas for improvement!
I'm slightly more gental correcting my kids....slightly.

 

[fuzzytoaster]

You should see my thoughts on a mwe truck "ready for work or play".
This thing is inanimate so it's feelings won't be hurt just areas for improvement!
I'm slightly more gental correcting my kids....slightly.

Oh know, I was there when it was revealed on SS.

You'll like the MTVR once you get your hands on it. I feel it's much more thought out and "traditional" by design. I'm only ahead of you by a mere month when it comes to acquisition of these things. At the end of the day it's a Cat and Allison wrapped up in green paint.

 

[dlynes]

What you considering using or building as your new camper box? 20' shipping container? 12, 14, or 16 feet dry storage box? I havent seen these trucks in person yet but I believe even an 8 feet box would put it over height. I've read the bed is~67" high which would only leave 95” or 7’11’ room to build camper (using 13'6" as max legal height).

 

[aw113sgte]

What you considering using or building as your new camper box? 20' shipping container? 12, 14, or 16 feet dry storage box? I havent seen these trucks in person yet but I believe even an 8 feet box would put it over height. I've read the bed is~67" high which would only leave 95” or 7’11’ room to build camper (using 13'6" as max legal height).

This one, at least for now, I plan on building from scratch. I want cabover and expandable sides. You're correct a shipping container would be too high, it also has more headroom than needed (and I'm 6'4").

 

[aw113sgte]

Had sons birthday party today so didn't have much free time, but I did connect the computer. Saw a lot of codes due to weak batteries, after charging them up most cleared. So far I can talk with CTIS, ECM (copied my config), transmission. I need to see if I can find some software to talk to the Bosch abs, anyone help?
I don't have connection with the TIM, will have to look into that.
Also have a failure on the 3rd locker solenoid (open or short). Hoping it's just not plugged in.



Also found a sheet in the truck, not sure exactly what the maintenance was for?

 

[dlynes]

what program are you using? what cable does it take and what do you connect to? My truck has not been released yet.

 

[aw113sgte]

what program are you using? what cable does it take and what do you connect to? My truck has not been released yet.

Cat ET, Dana CTIS, Allison Doc are what's shown here.

 

[aw113sgte]

Started looking into a few of the issues, found out the solenoid is shorted (#3 corresponds to the front diff) and its the topmost one in the manifold. I did a quick search and don't see many of these availible...it looks like a regular automation component so hopefully there is some cross compatibility. The actuators are really nice that they have a manual test/override. Any helpful solutions?



Found out with the TIM isn't working. I'd like to have this feature so if anyone has a known-good one let me know.


Found out my ether actuator is seized as well, going to see if I can order this part number.



Found a present in the truck, some nice triangles!


And as a bonus, the wife and toys. She is extremely supportive and absolutely loves camping in the MTV.

 

[dlynes]

what are your thoughts on aerodynamics of the structure you build? Instead of building just a rectangle, will improvements improve MPG much?

 

[aw113sgte]

what are your thoughts on aerodynamics of the structure you build? Instead of building just a rectangle, will improvements improve MPG much?

No concern. Probably traveling at 55mph or so, and if I was concerned about mpg....I picked the wrong damn truck.
I'm all about improving mpg where I can, and on my MTV I went with eco hubs to improve mpg and top speed (it was limited to high 50 or so). This one I want to retain the hub reduction gears and keep the torque.
I wouldn't be sad to switch in a 1:1 transfer case though (Oshkosh 5500) but so far I haven't seen it done successfully.

 

[aw113sgte]

Cleaned up the TIM and ensured it was getting power but still not detected so it's fried. Will try to find someone with a working one.
As I'm going through the truck, I'm really impressed with the engineering (well except for the location and weatherproofing of the TIM .

Glad I caught this little guy before he caused some issues.


Looks like my ECM has been replaced at some point. Wonder if they plugged in the correct injector trim codes? May have just taken this ECM from another truck. I'll need to see what they programmed in and pull a valve cover.



Looks like it got some new steering boxes at some point as well, shiny new cotter pins and silicone removed from fittings.


Found these dangling, one was taped up so guessing they may have been for the MK25 winch or cold weather kit?


Found out the FMTV tow adapters can work but not ideal. Pin is 1" and there isn't enough clearance to put a bushing in.

 

[aw113sgte]

Have successfully talked to every computer on the truck to help with any future diagnostics. Some interesting finds are the failure of the solenoid for the front axle locker, this turned out to be a flyback diode(solenoid coil was actually okay) and after taking apart the solenoid valve, seeing the corrosion, I'm just going to re-do the whole manifold to get another 20+years out of it.
Found out the ECM has been replaced with a field replacement, hopefully is more reliable than the ones that initially came on the trucks, this was only done 26 hours - 56 miles ago. I did verify it has been programmed to my truck with the serial, trim codes, fls/fts.

ECM: Cat ET
ABS/ATC: Bendix Acom
Allison transmission: Allison Doc
CTIS: Dana CTIS

So far very happy with the condition of the truck! It's in far better shape than the FMTV I got from MWE and cost 1/3 the price.

 

[dlynes]

congrats happy to hear that! amazing to hear you bought it at 1/3 the cost. what are your plans with the FMTV? With your EUC being approved so quickly, have you previously had one approved?

 

[aw113sgte]

congrats happy to hear that! amazing to hear you bought it at 1/3 the cost. what are your plans with the FMTV? With your EUC being approved so quickly, have you previously had one approved?

I have never done an EUC before. I do think I bought 2 weeks before yours, so maybe yours is imminent?
FMTV is an RV build over the last year or so and we have been having a great time going on weekly trips in it. That's the reason I got the MTVR it's going to be the RV version 2 but the build will take a lot longer so we'll be using the FMTV for quite a while.

 

[BKubu]

My most recent EUC took TWO MONTHS and I've been through the process literally dozens of times. My two prior to that took one week (all with GP).

 

[BKubu]

I should have added that I don't think there is much rhyme or reason to how it works. I thought mine was going to get approved quickly. It did not work oout like that on the most recent truck.

 

[dlynes]

I have never done an EUC before. I do think I bought 2 weeks before yours, so maybe yours is imminent?
FMTV is an RV build over the last year or so and we have been having a great time going on weekly trips in it. That's the reason I got the MTVR it's going to be the RV version 2 but the bill will take a lot longer so we'll be using the FMTV for quite a while.

If you do not mind me asking, will you title the MTVR as a recreational vehicle (RV), not an offroad vehicle? how did you title your FMTV?
Am I crazy trying to troubleshoot mine and drive it home or should play it safe and have it hauled? It's 200 miles away.

 

[dlynes]

My most recent EUC took TWO MONTHS and I've been through the process literally dozens of times. My two prior to that took one week (all with GP).

I am sure like anything, there's a million variables but I've read people suggesting Army are the quickest (days/weeks) while the Navy/Marines tend to take much longer.