• Steel Soldiers now has a few new forums, read more about it at: New Munitions Forums!

  • Microsoft MSN, Live, Hotmail, Outlook email users may not be receiving emails. We are working to resolve this issue. Please add support@steelsoldiers.com to your trusted contacts.

The Adventures of Zor

Quetzal

New member
6
0
0
Location
Middle of Nowhere / AZ
I got it in my head I wanted a big weird truck to build a house on. I have a couple friends who have m35s and gave me the rundown.

Bad:
1) Loud
2) Slow
3) Smells like diesel
4) Breaks a lot

Good:
1) Runs on whatever
2) Cheap
3) Usually cheap and easy to fix
4) Looks ****ing awesome

I decided the good outweighed the bad, bought this guy for $3500 south of San Diego (where I was living at the time) and brought it home.

13709987_10105072788393292_8263014271590518525_n.jpg

I piled all of my belongings into the back, grabbed my puppy and took along my good friend and experienced Driver of Big Old Weird Stuff, Ed.

14717174_10105397144526002_3380583643962197038_n.jpg

He taught me to double clutch and how to get going again without rolling backwards if you stall on a hill. He let e drive in the easier areas, and took on the wild city traffic and short highway bursts as needed.

15232304_10105536888183592_3178944067109408698_n.jpg

We drove for 4 days on the dirt and byways between southern California and Southern Arizona

14705896_10105397140668732_3133161410947750622_n.jpg 14606424_10105397141477112_2197979292087974497_n.jpg 14729270_10105397140613842_7179996310221347673_n.jpg
14717254_10105397140958152_3799575341419534532_n.jpg 14716307_10105397141033002_82562925362468794_n.jpg 14731279_10105397139915242_6528662546898234691_n.jpg

Camping out in the open air on my loft bed in the back.

14650099_10105397142085892_3624821484466880864_n.jpg

One of my front tires was wearing unevenly and quickly, so we swapped it with one of the rear duals. It hasn't had this issue since, although I swear it looks a little toe-in when I stare at it from the front. . .

14681597_10105397138253572_370924131530490682_n.jpg 14671214_10105397143917222_5798188417335959900_n.jpg

Things start getting greener as we near our destination.

14724441_10105397144331392_8151185487343769009_n.jpg 14724346_10105397144421212_1088348657170662823_n.jpg 14702453_10105397144456142_8778021307194686420_n.jpg

At last we have arrived to the place where I grew up.

14702507_10105397145099852_3977356558846341361_n.jpg

I mentioned buying the truck to my sister and she laughs. "Don't you remember when we were kids? Dad would talk about driving deuces in the army and how he always dreamed of making one into a go-anywhere camper?" Holy ****, I do remember. I had forgotten and somehow thought I came up with this on my own. Good job planting the seed, dad. So now you are totally going to help me build this right?

Yup. :)
 

Guyfang

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
16,764
24,068
113
Location
Burgkunstadt, Germany
Young Lady, you will do, to ride the river with. Thats living the dream. Every once in awhile, you need to let loose. And you picked a winner. Nothing is more fun then buzzing around in a M-35. It the vehicle I learned to drive a stick in. I drove from one side of Germany to the other, from Bad Tolz, to Bremerhaven. It's the only truck that never left me standing on the street corner. Yeah, the brakes are not for the faint of heart, sometimes. But still, you CAN drive it with no breaks!. Thank you for this look into your road trip. Keep on truckin!

Guy Wiltfang
 

Quetzal

New member
6
0
0
Location
Middle of Nowhere / AZ
My truck is notably running like **** on arrival. Before leaving I did six SIX radiator flushes on my truck, it still looks like rust water.

The motor has a weird hiccup/hesitation. My dad shows me how to crack each injector and watch for changes in the exhaust. We both agree there doesn't seem to be an obvious cylinder not doing its share, despite how it sounds.

We do the FDC bypass.

15241192_10105509945012922_8994648559572358452_n.jpg

I talk LowTech into coming to visit. I like working with him (and my dad for the same reason) because he'll tell me what needs doing and maybe even how to do it, but doesn't just do it for me. He hands me a print out from the manual. "Adjust your valves."

15621968_10105622399687852_7471317902493194956_n.jpg 15589987_10105622399692842_5945140769708464783_n.jpg

I adjusted the valves and changed the fuel filters. It sound a lot better, but still not 100%. I get side tracked trying to fix my flame heater pump, but am never able to get it to work. The spark plug sparks, but the pump seems to be rotating the wrong way and sucking air no matter what we do. Oh well, back to throwing gasoline on the air intake.

15220027_10105525546168082_5265553000304889015_n.jpg

We weld up the very obvious exhaust leak and I add in a muffler. I haven't welded since college art classes and it shows.

14479719_10105299511054262_7579524624284415162_n.jpg 14522967_10105299509946482_5874068454414801949_n.jpg 14479743_10105299510086202_603465818355603808_n.jpg15541510_10105594329361012_3957764028397561096_n.jpg

LowTech stays on for a while helping out. We have a white Christmas and take his truck out for a drive in the snowy mountains.

15727314_10105637739536672_8375364134899881860_n.jpg15698305_10105639533541472_6297860554348356634_n.jpg15726527_10105639533546462_1987851414436549056_n.jpg
 

gimpyrobb

dumpsterlandingfromorbit!
27,786
755
113
Location
Cincy Ohio
The flame heater is a source of trouble for lots of folks. I would delete it if I were you. First thing I would recommend is to pull your injectors and have them tested/adjusted(when i pulled mine they were WAY off). It made a huge improvement in mpg.

Also, you can clean your cooling system with cascade dishwasher soap. Lots of info on the net if you don't believe me.
 
Last edited:

silverstate55

Unemployable
2,075
872
113
Location
UT
The flame heater is a source of trouble for lots of folks. I would delete it if I were you. First thing I would recommend is to pull your injectors and have them tested/adjusted(when i pulled mine they were WAY off). It made a huge improvement in mpg.

Also, you can clean your cooling system with cascade dishwasher soap. Lots of info on the net if you don't believe me.
Anything GR says is worth its weight in gold. Literally.

When you add the Cascade, go run the engine hard for awhile to get it good and warm, then flush it out....your best bet for coolant is the green, LOW-SILICATE type; chain stores like Auto Zone and O'Reilly usually don't carry it, you'll have to go somewhere like NAPA or Tractor Supply to get it.

After bypassing your FDC, it's a good idea to turn your fuel rate down, using the screw with the 2 locknuts under the tin cover between the FDC & hydraulic head. There are plenty of GR-approved threads on the proper way to do this.

(Hey Chris, how's my verbage now? rofl)
 

gimpyrobb

dumpsterlandingfromorbit!
27,786
755
113
Location
Cincy Ohio
Sh1t man I just try to help where I can. I'm no grammer nazi and I don't believe I have all the answers. Its good to know I've helped others as I've received so much help here myself.
 

Guyfang

Moderator
Staff member
Moderator
16,764
24,068
113
Location
Burgkunstadt, Germany
Gimp,

Thats what SS is all about. Or my take on it anyway. Sometimes, when I open up a thread, I am astounded by how many smart people there are in the forum, and how freely they give of time and wisdom.
 
Top