What have you done to your 5 ton this week?

[JohnnyBM931A2]

Yeah it is perhaps a bit bizarre, but not really. In my case, it is actually less expensive for me to drive this 5 ton than it was to drive my previous daily driver (a 7 or 8mpg 66 Ford Fairlane that required premium gas.) Diesel is cheaper than 93 octane gas, and I seem to be getting 8-10mpg, so the 5 ton is a more economical choice

Plus you can't beat the cool factor

 

[71DeuceAK]

That's the best part, the "cool" factor and why I would be driving a M923 every day! But on the flip side of things, if I had to go with a civillian car it'd be something small like a Geo Metro...except I might be living on an iffy dirt road that doesn't get plowed when it snows unless I take the initiative...so in reality I'd need a 4wd pickup or a Subaru or something.

I've also thought of a M35A2 as a daily driver, since I could run alternative fuel. But IMO the 5 ton wins out! Can fit a lot of firewood in a M923, put a good size plow on, and be really recognizable: What are you driving? 5 ton army truck LOL. Or look for the house with the army truck in front LOL...

 

[JohnnyBM931A2]

That's the best part, the "cool" factor and why I would be driving a M923 every day! But on the flip side of things, if I had to go with a civillian car it'd be something small like a Geo Metro...except I might be living on an iffy dirt road that doesn't get plowed when it snows unless I take the initiative...so in reality I'd need a 4wd pickup or a Subaru or something.

I've also thought of a M35A2 as a daily driver, since I could run alternative fuel. But IMO the 5 ton wins out! Can fit a lot of firewood in a M923, put a good size plow on, and be really recognizable: What are you driving? 5 ton army truck LOL. Or look for the house with the army truck in front LOL...

I think you need to buy a 5 ton dude....

 

[71DeuceAK]

Thanks for the encouragement! Granted, I'm 17 and here in AK you'd need the CDL for the 22,000 lbs gross weight and air brakes...and the earliest here you can get a CDL is 19. So best case scenario would be acquiring one for extremely cheap, and then having it sit in the driveway for a couple years. Not that that's a bad thing either though; I'd get a chance to learn more about the truck, hands-on, not just immersing myself in posts here.

So I'm not even seriously looking for one just yet, but I may when/if I possibly move into a house on 6 acres in August while going to college, I'll have the space! I may end up with a '71 Deuce in June, but if not I may just bide my time and look for a 5 ton later on. But I know of a couple potential other sources for a Deuce in the meantime I may investigate further in the next few months.

I'd better shut up for now before I completely hijack this thread, but feel free to PM me if you want to discuss further...I enjoy discussing the feasibility aspects of this...

 

[simp5782]

got to work on the new 83' 923. the picture says it all. I will say the handy fuel pump I bought from Harbor freight helps with draining. Just not crazy about the 1 ft of alligator clips you hook to a battery. lucky its not unleaded and sparks.

 

[srodocker]

Thats something I will need to do. Whats your plans on cleaning it now? Pulling the bottom plug and doing a good rinse? Keeping it on the truck is a lot easier in my book.

 

[simp5782]

Yea i just drop the plug and use my hose thru the fuel hole at high pressure. Run it for awhile. I have a pump pumping the water back into a 55gal barrell to be filtered out and drained. I got it cleaned all out. I also have a swiffer duster i fixed a wash cloth or shop rag to to run around inside of it for hard to reach places. Then 911 additive with the first fuel

 

[mdemars03]

Went offroading on Friday with VPed. We went on an offroad turkey run. It was to donate toys for the local child crisis center.

 

[JohnnyBM931A2]

Thanks for the encouragement! Granted, I'm 17 and here in AK you'd need the CDL for the 22,000 lbs gross weight and air brakes...and the earliest here you can get a CDL is 19. So best case scenario would be acquiring one for extremely cheap, and then having it sit in the driveway for a couple years. Not that that's a bad thing either though; I'd get a chance to learn more about the truck, hands-on, not just immersing myself in posts here.

So I'm not even seriously looking for one just yet, but I may when/if I possibly move into a house on 6 acres in August while going to college, I'll have the space! I may end up with a '71 Deuce in June, but if not I may just bide my time and look for a 5 ton later on. But I know of a couple potential other sources for a Deuce in the meantime I may investigate further in the next few months.

I'd better shut up for now before I completely hijack this thread, but feel free to PM me if you want to discuss further...I enjoy discussing the feasibility aspects of this...

I'll say one final thing while we are on the subject.. I think you should buy a deuce for now, then pick up a 5 ton when you reach 19. Problem solved

 

[71DeuceAK]

@simp5782, nice, two of them now? Keeping the original '84 as well?

@mdemars03, looks like fun!

@JohnnyBM931A2; LOL. Agreed. "Problem solved".

 

[simp5782]

Ive got both mine up. Im gonna go for broke on that 985a4 coming up on wednesday.

 

[71DeuceAK]

"both up" meaning?
985A4? This an expand-o-van like a M934?

 

[simp5782]

This 83 im doin and my 84 on super singles. Got em both in the classifieds. Ive.got a 934 that will be here Wednesday too. Dunno what I'm gonna do with that 12ft tall thing

 

[simp5782]

M985a4 is a hemtt with c15 cat

 

[tobyS]

Simp 5782 Park it in your drive. Your wife and neighbors will love it just as much as you do.

 

[simp5782]

Ive got 2 m923s in my drive. May have to hide it in the garage since it will fit. It will need a home soon too

 

[71DeuceAK]

Good luck, hope they find a good home! Preferably to another SS member!

 

[MyothersanM1]

It was actually a couple of weeks ago, but I installed a VIC-1 system in my truck. I bought it all on eBay. The headphones cool as they may be will not work with the system. However, my CVC helmets will. I have also sourced some nice h-161 headphones.


I fabricated the AM-1780 and C-2298 control box mounting plates from stock 1/4" aluminum angle and sheet. I painted them to match their respective mounting locations.

 

[MyothersanM1]

I mounted the AM-1780 with the large angle between the seats above the cab tub rear lip.


The flat control box plates were mounted using loop clamps to the rear cab top support bows. I used two CX-4723 4 ft. cables to connect the control boxes to the 1780.


The power cable ran down behind the co-driver seat and through the existing pass through holes with a grommet in the right rear floor. I installed some large grommets in all the hole for uniformity and to quell the OCD.


All the cables were dressed up with loop clamps were needed. I found it easier to to the majority of the install with the cab top removed.

 

[MyothersanM1]

On Friday, I removed the driver's side window to replace the bottom lift channel. The channel was nearly rusted through. It pretty much fell apart when I was removing the window. It was a simple rebuild and much worth the effort rather than buying a whole new window. Unfortunately the rusty lift channel damaged the outer weatherstrip during removal. I have ordered a new weatherstrip for my next quick project.

While in the door, I replaced both the front and rear window slide channels.