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Are you thinking of trying to collect all original tires for the rig in the long run, but just use a set of appropriate-sized tires in the short term?
In other words, an interim tire of similar stature like a radial XL or similar?
I know that finding original tires for MV's that are "one-off's" can be a challenge...I think Jeff Ski saved the original tires from his M706 Commando, and runs either bridge truck tires or something else of appropriate size instead.
Yeah, I'd like to find NOS tires for the truck. They are low profile and designed to run at only 30 psi on the highway.
The XM757 weighs about 4,000 lb less than the other 5-ton tractors (M52, M818 and the FMTV tractor M108.
My cranetruck weighs more than the XM757! Lots of aluminum on this vehicle, even the wheels.
Bjorn, I can't take it any longer! Have you been able to start that BEAST yet? Also, I noticed that HUGE grin on the pic of you pouring oil in (any bigger and your lips will rip!) Sorry to be so impatient! Wish I could be there to hear that baby fire up for the first time since who knows when.
Yeah man, love that thing, it's really built!
I'm looking forward to it too...put two batteries in it today, but need to scounge up some battery terminals and cables. The fuel lines had been cut when the two tanks were removed so there is still a bit of work to sort it out. The air filter canister was open when I checked it out in Oklahoma and it needs to be inspected with mice in mind...
I asked about the 5th wheel height above ground in a different thread. Here is the reason, the images below show where my new fifth wheel came from (an M52) and it was attached without the tall spacer on that truck. I presume that the spacer keeps the construction relatively flawless on the xm757 by not drilling into the flange of the frame, but what about the height, how important is it?
The manual shows the height on my M275A2 as 52 1/4". With the M447 attached, looks like the truck could stand to be a couple of inches higher. Have you given any consideration to what type of trailer you might get? Also, are the tabs still on the outside of the frame like the one pictured?
Yes, Kenny, the tabs are still there. The frame is 44 inches above ground and the 5th wheel is about 11 inches at the center, so with the spacer shown in the picture above, the total should end up at about 60 inches above ground (with the 5th wheel level).
Don't know about any trailer at this time... maybe the missile trailer was higher than normal trailers.
Lifted the dromedary platform off the 8x8 today for easy access to fuel lines and also to remove a pto drive shaft, which had been used for the bed mounted winch.
The mounts for the pillow blocks for this drive shaft had been welded to the frame! The flange, no less. Horror! I ground them off and hope the heat treatment hasn't been too upset because of that big no no.
Working on battery cables. On this truck there are waterproof connectors between the engine compartment and the cab where the batteries are located....
Devin, too much trailer for me at this time, would need to take some tractor trailer driving lessons and get a CDL too, I would think.
The 8x8 alone will keep me busy for a while. BTW the authentic trailer for the XM757 is the Pershing missile trailer.
Found the image below in my store of pictures. Devin's daughter Shannon and my nephew Connor during Devin's visit to Ventura several weeks ago. The cranetruck is in the background to the right.