[MV] Duece 1/2
R. C. Orpe (sgtorpe@sierranet.net)
Tue, 17 Feb 1998 09:15:18 -0800
The 2 1/2 ton series pretty much started with the gasoline powered CCKW, =
made by GM to name one, good reliable trucks that were simple to repair =
and maintain. The 2 1/2 ton refers to the weight the vehicle can carry =
off road. Alot of the military vehicles are rated at twice offroad for =
on highway carry.
The Korean era saw the GMC M211 dual rear wheel and the M134 single =
rears. Pretty good trucks except for the automatic trans which tends to =
be a bit cranky. The 134s starred in the first Rambo movie.
The end of the 50s saw the M35 series style built by a number of =
manufacturers including Kaiser-Jeep ( which became AM-general ). The =
series started with a Reo gasoline motor.The multifuel (diesel ) engine =
eventually replaced the Reo in production. The trans also has an =
overdrive 5th gear and a strange shifting pattern, fourth is where 5th =
should be. The LD series engine is not turbo charged, smokes alot, and =
tends to be a bit of a slug. The LDT engines (note the "T") are =
turbocharged and are generally more powerful. Keep in mind with diesels, =
that they are very expensive if you don't do the work yourself.
I opted for a deuce with an LDT-465-1D engine. I figured I could go =
farther faster and carry more shXX , uh crap than I could with my M37. =
It turns out you get more miles per gallon fuel also. It was a Desert =
Storm roach that I had to do alot of work to, to get it and keep it =
operational. But then I was averaging about 15000 miles a year. I once =
had to tow my M-62 ( 36000 lb ) wrecker home and that included 5 miles =
of 8 % grade.=20
I had turned up the pump for more power. When we had to move trailer =
mounted 3K gen sets about 30 miles my Lt. would hit the freeway on ramp =
and punch it, leaving me struggling in a cloud of black smoke in the =
HMMWV trying to get up to speed. It would take me 15 miles to close up. =
Tell me he wasn't enjoying himself !=20
Pound for pound the M35 is an amazing truck. Rugged, reliable and =
capable of far more than their commercial equivalent. Mine surprised me =
as to how well it did in the snow, problem is if you get stuck no one =
else can get that far back in to get you !
Well that's my opinion, and come to think of it, WHAT THE HELL DO I =
KNOW !
Randy Orpe=00=00
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