Military-Vehicles: Re: [MV] Deuce-and-a halfs
Re: [MV] Deuce-and-a halfs
cliff dahl (wrcc@rapidcity.com)
Tue, 26 Aug 1997 22:07:49 -0600
Steve:
Thought I would respond to your comments about "inexpensive 6X6's". Here
in South Dakota, I have attended many government surplus auctions where
6X6's have been sold. The normal vehicle found at these sales are GMC M211
with an ocassional M135 and an M35 once in a while. Most if not all of
these vehicles have been used by fire departments, have been painted either
white or yellow, have many modifications made to them ( boxes cut, dashes
punched full of holes, anything and everything welded on to any and every
body part that you can think of) and usually have carried water tanks
ranging from 500 to over 1000 gallons. The vast majority of these trucks
have no brakes, transmissions out (automatics) poor interior, dented
fenders, major holes in the cargo bed, poor tires,no side boards or tarps,
but usually have fair to good engines. Yes it is true that these trucks
will sell for as little as $150.00 although they have gone as high as
$800-900. Most times at these auctions, there are notes saying what is
suppose to be wrong with the vehicles, although we know this is not always
accurate. Another problem at these auctions is that there are never any
batteries in them, so you can't hear them run or see them drive.
The vehicles that are surplus from the military installations in this area
are turned in to DRMO and are available to other organizations such as fire
departments, state, county and city government along with indian
reservations. By the time they hit the auctions for the civilian market
the paint is 3 or 4 layers thick along with the other problems I described
above.
Ocassionally, a fresh military vehicle hits the civilian auctions, but the
price it brings is a long way from that $150.00. Now please don't
get the idea that I am condemming the purchase of these inexpensive 6x6's.
I have purchased 2 of these trucks at government auctions. The first one I
got for 320.00 (1952 M211) and everything worked great( untill transmission
went out after 4 months) had factory hard top and no dents (lots of stuff
welded on body and cargo bed). The next one I purchased for 225.00 (1952
M211 although title from the State of S.D. indicates M135) runs great,
body and cargo bed great shape, but transmission only works in low gear and
reverse. Both trucks are painted yellow and had water tanks installed in
cargo bed. There are good deals out there still, as I found a new, in the
crate, complete engine for one of these trucks from the fire dept that had
the first truck. The fire dept sold me the engine for 200.00. At
present, I am installing the new engine along with a rebuilt transmission
in the first truck and am planning on repainting next summer,along with
rebuilding transmision on 2nd truck. These vehicles are truely awesome,
great to drive down the street (yes I have one of them licensed and insured
with no hassle from either the state or the insurance company. I also have
my halftrack licensed and insured and drive it on the street) and get a lot
of looks and questions. I can't wait to get the OD and stars back on them.
Regards,
Cliff Dahl
Rapid City, SD
wrcc@rapidcity.com
1942 M2A1
1952 M211 (2)
1952 M38A1
M105
> Ben,
>
> At 07:21 AM 8/21/97 U, you wrote:
>
> >It almost makes me sick to go to Gov't auctions and see these trucks
> selling for
> >as low as $150 for scrap. My hat's off to the guys that can and do keep
these
> >beasts alive!
>
> Ok, Ben, you've got my attention: $150. What's the catch? If they're
so
> inexpensive to purchase, why do other 6x owners complain of cost? Is it
> maintenance costs? Why are they so high?
>
> I'm sure this purchase figure has intrigued many of us. I've got plenty
of
> room to park one (5 acres), but little cash. $150 I could come up with.
> what are the pitfalls?
>
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