Swapping Parts Help

[frontiersman]

I am working with FMJ on buying one of his trucks, but i want it configured a little different than he bougt them. Ok, he has 3 really nice. clean M109 vans that are turbo deisal and run strong. He is getting 3 M35A2s with winches, hardtops, and turbos. What I want is an M35 with a winch, heater, hardtop, turnbo engine, and the shop van. Questions: Would it be simpler to put the winch on the shop truck, or to swap beds? What is the cost of a complete winch for an M35? We are just trying to get our ducks reigned in some before he gets the lateset M35s home. Any input will be appreciated.

 

[cranetruck]

If you have the lifting devices (crane, jacks etc), swapping beds would be easier IMHO.
Figure $500 to $1,000 for a complete winch with drive shaft, control linkages and pto....

 

[clinto]

I'm with Cranetruck, I'd rather swap beds than do a winch install.

A winch install however, would only require an engine hoist for the heavy lifting.

Either one is completely possible, lots of people here have done both.

 

[Recovry4x4]

As far as time is concerned, the winch elswappo would be more time consuming. The bed swap only requires removal of 10 bolts and 2 harnesses. If you put the shop van body on the cargo, you will need to add a harness for the van. What you end up with is an M35A2 with a van body on the back and an M109A3 with a cargo bed. With all that said, I'd take the time to swap the winch so that I could keep my M109A3 looking like an M109A3. As Clinto pointed out, no heavy lifting stuff required for a winch swap. If time were a crushing issue, I would swap over all the winch stuff on the front and install the PTO shaft and shifter at my leisure when I got home. Then again, I'm kind of anal when it comes to matching numbers and body configurations. Hardtop swap, piece of cake. Heater install, PITA.

 

[ida34]

But your not anal on having a yellow truck? I agree with Kenny. Keep the bed with the proper truck and just swap out the winches. Not as easy but keeping the trucks right is always nice.

 

[citizensoldier]

Swap the beds.. IMHO.. On my M109 the only difference in the wiring is a power lead that goes from the battery box to a outside breaker on the 109 body. You could make one in about 20 minutes. The winch is a pain in the butt to swap. Draining oil, shiming the PTO, extention bolts, linkage, bla, bla, Rent a crane or 10,000 lb Sky track and lift it up back the other truck under it. 10 bolts and your done. I think a van body weighs 4K..
Take pictures!..

 

[frontiersman]

Thanks all for the input. I am not a anal purist (no offense), and what I am am going to do with the truck is make an ultimate camper, so matching numbers doesnt matter. After FMJ gets his other trucks home, we will decide what to do. Meanwhile I am still in planning to get my M1028 home LOL!

 

[citizensoldier]

Is that a Alpha Heaven truck? ..Maybe fly up and drive it home if it is.

 

[Recovry4x4]

But your not anal on having a yellow truck?

Funny Chuck! I'll get to it eventually! I can assure you the numbers match and the data plate is original.