Steel Soldiers MV of the month 2020 - July VOTE HERE

[patracy]

First of all, we're changing things up a bit. I'd like to throw a shout out to our newest sponsor Consolidated Press. They are also providing this years winners with decals! If you need decals, magnets, stencils, or anything printing related, please give them a call!



Now, onto the vote! Please vote for MV of the month! Feel free to campaign in this thread, but please keep it here and not via PM.

1. cobra5

2. m715mike

3. TheQuaker

4. Sasquatchak

5. Pheonix77

 

[Phoenix77]

Win or lose, "Sweet Pea" (my daughter's nickname) has been a blessing because my 12 y/o daughter is proud of the 1986 M998; she asked me to drive her to school in it for camo day during Spirit Week (as a 7th grader), she has already asked me to give HMMWV rides for her 13th birthday party, and she is excited about us taking it to the Outer Banks in October.

I bought the HMMWV in rough shape from GovPlanet in March 2019, so it hasn't been a long-term staple of our family, but even approaching the dreaded 13, she's still proud of it.

That's worth every penny spent, every busted knuckle, all the cursing under my breath, all the cursing not under my breath, and the initial disapproving looks from my wife.

Personally, I think that's one of the core reasons for owning an MV; be different and make family memories.

 

[Nitrodiver]

2m715Mike’s truck. I have seen this truck in person. It is absolutely complete, down to the extra tank/hose fittings still in the tool boxes! It’s rare to find a MV that hasn’t been molested in some way by previous owners, as you all know. Likewise, any type of tank truck that has gone this long without modifications deserves to be on display. This one Is as complete as I have seen in a long time! For these reasons it gets my vote.

 

[m715mike]

Yikes! An awesome M38, a great looking Deuce and one heck of a 5-ton earning its keep! And if that wasn’t enough, there’s a HMMWVs with a kid! This is some steep competition!!!

Folks, don’t overlook the lil’ ol’ M810 water truck!

Wes helped me recover this truck two months ago on a day that the weather man was calling for a nasty storm. The weather man got it right for once. Right before we could get the water truck loaded on Wes’ trailer, the sky opened and it poured!

The downpour lasted over an hour. Then it was back to work.

Now for the ironic part, after the heaviest downpour I’d seen in a while, the only dry place within a 50 mile radius was the inside of the water tank on the M810!

 

[Tracer]

I'm kind of stuck between two old trucks. Heck, one is older than me, or PB, so it's real old. Quaker, how about sharing some pics and some stories about that sweet old truck you entered. Especially some interior and under the hood shots. And Mike, how about some interior and engine compartment pics of that nice M810. And does it have the gas engine pump on the rear deck?

 

[m715mike]

I'm kind of stuck between two old trucks. Heck, one is older than me, or PB, so it's real old. Quaker, how about sharing some pics and some stories about that sweet old truck you entered. Especially some interior and under the hood shots. And Mike, how about some interior and engine compartment pics of that nice M810. And does it have the gas engine pump on the rear deck?

Tracer, what can I say, you do have good taste! I am fond of the Deuce!

Oh yes, the story and more pictures of the M810 are forthcoming as the voting continues. And, yes, it does have the gas engine pump. While I’ve got you waiting in suspense, here’s a teaser >>>

 

[18operator]

This will be a tough vote. Some really nice machines here!

 

[Migginsbros]

We are curious about more campaigning for these nice MV this month. The die is not yet cast.

 

[m715mike]

We are curious about more campaigning for these nice MV this month. The die is not yet cast.

Challenge accepted!

I bought the M810 from a friend of mine, and he kept it under cover in a shed. Here is a picture of the M810 in my buddy’s shed before I bought it. As you can tell by the dust, the heavy rain did it some good.

 

[Sasquatchak]

From when i did the pre purchase inspection on my 923a2 "Betty The Boop". I think it might of been the betty boop stickers that really sold me on it or maybe it was the overall good condition.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[m715mike]

the overall good condition.

That’s no lie! You have one good looking truck, Sir!

 

[Sasquatchak]

Thanks. Yours is too and will be hard to beat.

The wife says im good looking dont know if i believe her.

Pics of retrieving it after getting it plated and insurance. Quick pre trip inspection and drove it home 50 miles or so. Parked in front of the house which has about double the square footage of the truck bed.

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[TheQuaker]

OK. By request, here's the story so far of my Deuce...

First off, I originally thought she was a 1953 REO. But just this evening, after doing some digging to prepare for this posting, I discovered she is actually a 1952 REO!!! So even another year older and more unusual than I originally thought.

She is full of surprises already!

I first saw her in April, 2019 when I was looking for my first MV. I didn't look closely at her or really consider her at the time as I had decided on purchasing a 900 series truck that my Dad could easily drive and use on the farm.

But even as I enjoyed the 923, I found I still wanted something a little more "basic" and "less civilized" than my 5-Ton. Something that I would enjoy much more as a hobby truck than as a work truck. In other words...a Deuce.

So I made a trip back up over this past winter to see what interesting options were on the lot for me and she was still there, looking sad and forgotten. Covered in lichens, missing a headlight, snow-destroyed cargo cover, badly peeling paint...

But I took a good look at her this time, liked what I saw, realized she only had minor surface rust despite the terrible condition of her paint, no major body damage, 11 basically brand-new T-Hawks, and just got a good feeling about her. The final decision was made for me when I looked inside the cab and realized her age and that she was actually built at the REO plant in Lansing, MI. As a child, I had lived within spitting distance of the complex where she was built. Connection made. There was no question I would be back to retrieve her once better weather arrived and the weekend before July 4th I brought her to her new home.

How I found her sitting in March:

Now at her new home on the farm with her big sister:

Just a nice, clean, straight truck:

She is currently LDT powered with a D turbo (she runs very good):

:

Cab is in great shape (minus seat covers/cushions, of course):

 

[TheQuaker]

A few more interesting things about my girl...

Remains of the rear exhaust hanger from her days as a gasser:

The rear and intermediate axles are the original Timken axles while the front axle is a replacement post-Timken/Rockwell merger Rockwell Standard axle. Data tags are still attached:


Hinged mud flaps:

Hood art only an old Deuce could create and only FMV owners will appreciate:

Factory OD paint visible:

 

[m715mike]

@TheQuaker, that’s awesome! Thanks for posting the info on and pictures of your Deuce! My Deuce is a REO also, but that’s a conversation for another time and thread. What documentation do you have that shows it’s a 1952 model?

Here’s a picture of my Deuce hanging out with the M810 water truck.

 

[TheQuaker]

@m715mike

Great looking lineup of trucks! I especially like your 810! I love my 923 but there is just something about the look of the old, narrow-cab trucks that is more visually appealing compared to the newer models.

I am pretty sure she is a 1952 based on the registration number information resources posted here on SS. I found her listed as a 1952 in the information from Carnac. But we know that info can be incorrect sometimes.

The M35A2 dataplate serial number added to her at some point has a different non-early Deuce serial, as was often done when they were upgraded, and I cannot find that serial number or anything similar to it in the later Deuce serial information. So no cross-over information help there.

I have not had time to start scraping the frame to try to find the factory stampings. I will advise when I finally can confirm her deep, dark secrets.

But in the end, whether she is a 1952 or 1953 doesn't really matter, at least to me. I have a connection to her regardless, she's definitely an old girl and I'm looking forward to spending a lot of enjoyable time with her and putting my own touches on her.

 

[Tracer]

Quaker, those hinged mud flaps are a giveaway that this is an early truck, I think 1951 was the first year. The speedo is in MPH & KM/H with 42,618 on the odometer. This is a later model speedo, and 42,616 are a fair amount of miles. I would like to see how many miles were on the original speedo, original speedos are in MPH only. This speedo makes me wonder if your truck saw service over seas? Also your truck has an earlier dash, with the oil pressure B/T the tach & speedo. There are all kinds of neat stuff on these early trucks. Also your frame ID will be on the left side behind your left front tire. It looks like your truck has had a number of coats of paint, so if you can't see the number, you may want to use paint remover, rather than a sander, so you don't damage the serial number. PS Also go easy on the hood paint removal, you may find your trucks original markings from 1952, and that would be awesome.

 

[Tracer]

@TheQuaker, that’s awesome! Thanks for posting the info on and pictures of your Deuce! My Deuce is a REO also, but that’s a conversation for another time and thread. What documentation do you have that shows it’s a 1952 model?

Here’s a picture of my Deuce hanging out with the M810 water truck.

View attachment 806423

Mike, I spied an M810 last year on GP in Michigan. The truck didn't run, but was complete and clean right down to the seat upholstery. The only ugly spot was the right side front fender and bumper. Several very nice entrants this month, and one hard decision.

 

[TheQuaker]

@Tracer
Thanks for the info.
I assumed when I first really looked at her that with the mud flaps, early dash gauge arrangement and the supporting production year info stamped on the dataplate she was a very early truck.
I have been dealing with an unfortunate family issue pretty much since I got the truck to the farm a couple of weeks ago so I have had almost ZERO time to start digging any deeper into her history. Maybe later this week or next weekend I'll get back to it.
I thought the same about the speedo as it is a mph/kph non-original unit. No telling if the miles are anywhere near accurate.
I know from the data plate on the LDT the motor is an '83 build and has a rebuild tag on it from '86.
Luckily most of the paint is very scaled and will come off easily with a putty knife, no sanding or abrasion required. The paint on the front left frame is quite bad and does not look like it will take very much to find the s/n.
I will be on the lookout for any original hood numbers when I get to removing the paint on the hood but I am not very confident being able to find anything but I may be surprised...
She apparently was a radio truck as well at some point so I have a few items that came with her (speaker, handset, cords) I will be putting up for grabs eventually as I have no interest in comms gear.

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[SCM35A2]

Voted, best of luck to you all!!