Duece or 5 ton.......

[DavidVT]

Considering an M35A2/A3 or 5ton.

No really good reason, just looking for something big and durable to tinker on (and perhaps to have for a backup rig when the econoboxes can't get out of the snowy driveway). Absolutely no financial justification, really little more that a big toy.

Nuts or what? Post mid-life crisis maybe...

 

[czechsonofagun]

Here is a JP Magazine write up on it.

 

[JakeBrake]

Ah memories! Great trucks!

I drove a deuce as part of my job as a radio technician in the USMC in the early 1960's
I drove a deuce with a GRM shelter (Ground Radio Maintenance) mounted on the back. Usually, it had a snorkel and an exhaust extension (for amphibious landings) which made for great sound. It had a winch built into the front bumper and there was usually a roll of concertina wire on the front bumper. The deuce I drove had a gas engine with tremendous torque. It was almost impossible to stall. The deuce had 5 speeds. You normally started in second, unless you had been in reverse, then you started in first. In third gear you would travel at the same speed as marching men. Forty MPH felt like 100 MPH in a modern truck. Often, a trailer mounted 30KW diesel generator set was attached to the deuce.

I never drove a 5 ton. Only trained truck drivers were allowed to drive the 5 tons. I don't think they are much different from the deuces.

We had radios mounted on specially equipped jeeps. The jeeps were 4X4, but they were overloaded with all the radio equipment. Of course the best place for the radios is on top of the highest hill in the area. Often we would have to tow the radio jeeps to the top of the hill with a deuce.

Personally, I would love to have one. The downside is that I would have to widen the lanes on my property because a deuce is much wider than a pickup.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Great!!! Go for it!!! :thumbsup: IMO...I would go with the 2 1/2-ton.

Check out eastern surplus: M35 For Sale. Deuces for Sale Turbo Diesel, Army Trucks, Logging, Heavy Trucks, Off-Road Big Trucks, Four Wheel Drive, Parts, Truck Parts, M35 parts, M35A2 parts, Deuce and a half parts, Reo parts, 5 ton parts, M900 parts, military vehicles for sale,

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Oh, and it would be good for off road hauling...

 

[QRTRHRS]

Bobbed duece with super singles!

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I just showed my Dad some of the trucks. Now he wants one.

 

[Taylortractornut]

The 2.5's mainly had Continental Multi fuel diesels, and the 5 tons Ive dealt with as pull out trucks used a 290 Cummins. I bought a few of these for motors and sold the rest to a friend s pullout fleet.

 

[IC Smoke]

Government Surplus Auctions at Government Liquidation
check your state and or any youre willing to travel to.

also check out www.steelsoldiers.com for any info on your potential deuce or 5 ton.

I currently have a 62 Dodge M37 It is a blast!:thumbsup:

Ian

 

[DavidVT]

Thx everyone for their input!

 

[Piston]

I say UNIMOG all the way! :thumbsup:

 

[RTalma]

Having driven both deuce and a half and 5 tons in the Army, I recommend you look for a five ton. The power steering is the major, huge and worthwhile difference. Yes, the deuce has manual steering. A rut in the road will take the wheel where it wants. Also, the deuce design did not really change, but there are several 5 ton varients that generally improved over time. Finally, where ever you buy, look for one with a heater. They were optional kits and not on all trucks. Have fun.

 

[westcliffe01]

Is this true for the M35A3 with the cat engine ? I thought they were thoroughly modernized with exception of the bodywork. They have been selling for around $7k with very low miles and the super single tires and auto inflation system.

Having driven both deuce and a half and 5 tons in the Army, I recommend you look for a five ton. The power steering is the major, huge and worthwhile difference. Yes, the deuce has manual steering. A rut in the road will take the wheel where it wants. Also, the deuce design did not really change, but there are several 5 ton varients that generally improved over time. Finally, where ever you buy, look for one with a heater. They were optional kits and not on all trucks. Have fun.

 

[RTalma]

I can't speak to the rebuilt versions having never driven or maintained them. Worth checking as I think I heard the rebuilds included power steering and auto trannies with the super singles. I think only a relatively small number got rebuilt due to cost being 2/3rds of a new truck.

 

[JB4310]

If you really want one my brothers got one for sale, he lives in southern vermont. I know he'd let it go cheap. he had it for sale a few months ago, not 100% sure he still has it but he said there wasn't alot of interest back then so I'm guessing he still has it.

His is a 50's GMC 2.5 ton10X10, he put a fisher plow on it and I think he had chains as well. I also think his had the winch, also he has another parts truck.

His has a dump body though, the parts truck is a reg 6X6 troop carrier. he said he has not started it in ~5 years.


I had the same era GMC (M135 I believe) All three of these came from our towns highway dept. his 2 were bought a few years before I got mine. I was after them to sell me the last one which was a 6X6 troop carrier for years. then when I least expected it they called me and asked if I wanted to bid on it.

Long storey short I got the thing for $650. in 1984, they thought it was only good for parts but the thing was perfect condition with like 12,000 miles on it, just hadn't been run in years, the cable on the winch had never been uncoiled!. Sadly I sold it to another brother and he wrecked the tranny by putting ATF in it when it required 90WT even though it was an 8 speed auto.

JB.

 

[JB4310]

Some of this is coming back to me now, I use to belong to a military vehicle collectors club (MVCC) From what I remember I think the true deuce and a halfs were from WW2, the CCKW. I guess they call all 2.5 tons that name now.

My dream military vehicles were the WW2 half track, the DUKW (or duck) also though not american the British ferret scout car. Volvo had a very cool command car as well.

Ferret armoured car - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

JB.

 

[scoutcub]

I also drove the 2.5 and the 5 ton in the USMC in the 70's-80's. I really liked the 5 tons more, but most of them are the 250 or 290 cummins, so pure diesel. The M35's did have the mulitfuel, but the PS would be a big issue.
Don't know anything about the rebuilds.
I'm "kinda" looking around for 5 ton 6X6 Dump, for farm work. (stumps/logs/rocks/dirt, etc) Would love to have a winch, would definitely come in handy.
I've heard the super singles get loaded up pretty quick in mud and lose traction quicker, (although they look tough) whereas the standard military tires have great traction. Just what I heard, tho......

Good Luck!

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Oh, and one question: Do you need a CDL for one of those (if it's for personal use)???

 

[rtimgray]

Without knowing all the rules in every state, I'll make a generalization on the CDL question: I think (with the possible exception of California) that you don't have to have a CDL for a 2 1/2 ton, but you do for a 5 ton. I can't guarantee that, I think that's what I've picked up off of the Steel Soldiers forum (great source of information for the M35 series and other trucks). I would always check with your local sources and not trust a knucklehead on the internet.

Having said that, I bought an M35 2 1/2 ton a couple years ago and I love it. I installed a hydraulic dump bed on it for extra versatility. The lack of power steering could be an issue if you were going to be doing a lot of manuevering in a tight area. In my case, I just don't drive it THAT much, and if you do, you can get the Air-O-Matic kits for anywhere between $1000-$2000.

Most of the deuces can be had for anywhere between $2000-$4000 on the low end to as much as you want to pay for one that is fixed up. I think that the 5-tons run a bit more than that.

If you got some spare change laying around, I think that they are a fun investement.

Good luck and take care.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Without knowing all the rules in every state, I'll make a generalization on the CDL question: I think (with the possible exception of California) that you don't have to have a CDL for a 2 1/2 ton, but you do for a 5 ton. I can't guarantee that, I think that's what I've picked up off of the Steel Soldiers forum (great source of information for the M35 series and other trucks). I would always check with your local sources and not trust a knucklehead on the internet.

Thanks! :thumbsup: