September 13th, 2009.
On my M35A2 "Saddam's Nightmare" built in 1971 by Kaiser Jeep, several things pointed to the 1989/1990 rebuild date. 1. Data Plate hand stamped, with no builder data
(E.. "Kaiser Jeep" on it); 2. rebuild tags on most major components of the drive train.;3. 686A Tan everywhere on the vehicle, except for some reason the dashboard , cab back wall, floorboards and inside the doors. (The presence of Desert Tan everywhere that is inaccessible normally unless the assembly was dissassembled to paint) which indicates a depot rebuild versus an in field repaint. 4. CARC 686A tan everywhere weathered as it should be after 18 years use ( I bought the truck in the fall of 2007 from BullDog Mack 13);
21 or 22 K on speedo, with mechanical wear on truck's drive components being consistent with that mileage); 5. unit using truck was involved in Desert Storm/Desert Shield operations in Kuwait & Iraq at that time, and usually the frontline trucks (today) are not the ones that can't take the beating of heavy use (hanger queens and older trucks).
Interesting enough, the engine mfrs plate is heavily weathered, and the cast date for the block is about two to three weeks before the truck was built and accepted for service, I know the engines that go back in are usually the first rebuilt at hand, but knowing also the demands for new line haul trucks in 1971 in Vietnam, few new spares were sent over unless the truck was really badly needed (See D. Doyle's item on Multifuel Engine life of 10000 miles in 'nam) and most beaters were sent out country for rebuild. This may well be the original engine, as it is normally aspirated 465LD, not turbo'd, so it got back a very similar engine to what it had upon rebuild, if not the exact engine.
Most 1971 Kaiser Jeep M35A2's I have seen, tended to get the turbo engines in later rebuid's, and this truck has, except for seatbelts and a springer seat, none of the items usually found in later (1990s) rebuilds.
Just my .02 worth of thoughts,
but on here you will find information unobtainable anywhere else (Kudos to D. Doyle and the Great Carnac).
Cheers,
Kyle F. McGrogan
