M35A1 as a tow vehichle

I was looming thru CL for a sub $3000 truck and found a Duce and a 1/2 in my area. Now if I can convince my wife its a good idea, would it be a good idea?. I'm not looking to use it as a DD, just basic hauling / towing.

Thanks

I've always wanted one. There's a guy at the Rolex every year that camps in the back of his.

http://www.100dollarman.com/trucks.html

:)

I'm pretty sure they have a top speed of 55 mph max... Might not be great for highway towing...

Yup, sure make good Rolex 24 accessories.

Holds many kegs and peoples.

I do believe they have that top speed problem though.

Last note is 6WD is pretty tough to get stuck with.

DILYSI Dave wrote: http://www.100dollarman.com/trucks.html :)

Bobbed deuce....LOVE!

SillyImportRacer wrote: I was looming thru CL for a sub $3000 truck and found a Duce and a 1/2 in my area. Now if I can convince my wife its a good idea, would it be a good idea?

No, that would be a freakin great idea.

Remember, its big, parts are big and heavy. Maintenance is a constant requirement. Max speed 50 mph, without a trailer. Braking, well hope like hell no one is in front of you for a few hundred feet. Loud, have to wear ear protection. Licensing requirement, check with your state, depending on licensing requirements you may not be able to tow anything. I think there might be a better selection out there for your tow vehicle than an ex military 2 1/2 ton truck. My two cents worth, oh but the way, I owned one..

DILYSI Dave wrote: http://www.100dollarman.com/trucks.html :)

Thanks, thats about what I was going to spend when I replace the Cavalier. I wonder if it will fit in the parking garage.

I've always wanted an original curved-cab Power Wagon. Tow vehicle or not.

davidjs wrote: I'm pretty sure they have a top speed of 55 mph max... Might not be great for highway towing...

That's with the stock 38" tires. Put 44" tires on it and you get another 15% (10mph or so) out of it. Plus 100% more awesomeness.

JThw8 wrote:

DILYSI Dave wrote: http://www.100dollarman.com/trucks.html :)

Bobbed deuce....LOVE!

+1

Wally wrote:

DILYSI Dave wrote: http://www.100dollarman.com/trucks.html :)

Thanks, thats about what I was going to spend when I replace the Cavalier. I wonder if it will fit in the parking garage.

It might take some effort the first time. Every time after that should be fine...

Of note - they do have soft tops and fold down windshields. The same things that let them be packed tighter into transport ships lets them fit better in parking garages.

Swap in a cummins I-6 and you'll be in business.

Want parts? Check Boyce's website (the link provided) and see how it compares to their prices. If anything you could flip it at that low price.

JThw8 wrote:

DILYSI Dave wrote: http://www.100dollarman.com/trucks.html :)

Bobbed deuce....LOVE!

OK, that thing is made of the highest-grade pwnage I've seen in quite some time.

M715 for me please -

It's sort of tempting to get the ambulance body version of the 715 and make the worlds coolest 4x4 RV.

I'm in the guard and I've spent a lot of time driving and wrenching on these (I'm a diesel tech). They are fun to drive; I actually prefer driving them compared to the bigger trucks. However, they are beastly. No power steering. Brakes are marginal. Poor heat. Terrible mileage. Vibrates E36 M3 loose. Parts can be expensive unless you have a parts truck. Sitting kills tires.

The plus side is that they're simple, and will have relatively low mileage for the drivetrain. It will always start, and it shifts surprisingly quick.

I've never had to tow with one, but I can't imagine it would be great since it's so slow to begin with. Pintle hook only unless you fab up some other hitch.

DILYSI Dave wrote: M715 for me please - It's sort of tempting to get the ambulance body version of the 715 and make the worlds coolest 4x4 RV.

I know a guy who swapped a Cummins 4BT into one of those... It is a beast. Makes a Hummer H1 look like a Miata...

I love the idea of a 2 1/2... but as a toy, not as soemthing useful. It will pass nothing except a gas station... For long distance trips, the trailer you pull will be for fuel.... Even swapping in a I-6 Cummins will only get you so much as that will not change the fact it is a big heavy truck with very low gearing.

My father bought a deuce last year. It is in fact a beast, almost more tractor than truck. The thing is BIG, loud, slow, and did I metion BIG? The bed is so tall that loading anything into it by hand is a joke.

For a more practical but equally Rambo-riffic tow solution, check out a M1010 CUCV. Basically a Blazer or work-bodied pickup with a honking diesel.

Of course swapping to a Cummins or other modern diesel would increase the awsome.

But what I really want (no practical purpose, just an itch.) is one of these...an M422-A1 Mighty Mite. I have no idea what the engine is from or if it's worth keeping. It's like a Manx with a bad attitude and gun mounts.

Want more? http://www.armyjeeps.net/vehicle1.htm

anyone of those would surely piss off a lot of people in the work parking lot

My idea would be to get a late model 1-ton diesel 4x4 at an insurance auction, and swap all of the late model goodness into the M715.

The fire department that I work for used to have a pair of M37 soft tops that were used as brush trucks. Both were sold fairly cheap, but I had no space. I always wondered what one would be like with a set of highway friendly gears and tires.

Woody wrote: The fire department that I work for used to have a pair of M37 soft tops that were used as brush trucks. Both were sold fairly cheap, but I had no space. I always wondered what one would be like with a set of highway friendly gears and tires.

My '52 rode quite well. 45 MPH top speed means you don't go anywhere quick! A V-8 conversion and disk brakes makes for a nice daily driver.

Also drove a Deuce a few times....despite lack of power steering, it steered pretty easy (especially after a grease job!) Shifted nice too. Small cars are hard to see sometimes....that crunching noise might be one that got a case of the stupids.