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Project M35A2 Duece and a half


Tractor

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Last night with the help of Mike I drove home what I hope turns out to be a good project to replace my old Toyota 4x4 that I've ran the snot out of and have some good times.

 

For those who don't know them its a 1965 US Army M35A2 "Duece and a half" 2.5 Ton 6x6 cargo truck. This one is in very good shape and was rebuilt in 1991-92. The worst paint repairs will be on the cab roof and front window area, but thats normal and still not bad.

 

My old Toyota still doesn't want to leave the job and today backing the M105A trailer that came with it into a spot next to my barn I forgot about the ground being a bit wet and soft over there and got the M35A2 stuck. My wife hopped into my Toyota and pulled it right out.

Wet field grass is always a pain and especially since this truck has the 11x20 highway tires.

 

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f185/EWhytsell/M35A2/DPP_0001.jpg

 

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f185/EWhytsell/M35A2/DPP_0003.jpg

 

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f185/EWhytsell/M35A2/DPP_0002.jpg

 

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f185/EWhytsell/M35A2/DPP_0004.jpg

 

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f185/EWhytsell/M35A2/DPP_0005.jpg

 

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f185/EWhytsell/M35A2/DPP_0007.jpg

 

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f185/EWhytsell/M35A2/DPP_0006.jpg

Edited by Tractor
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Engine is an LDS 465 Multi fuel turbo. Driving these things suck pretty bad, but doing it puts a huge smile on anyones face. Max cruising speed stock is 48MPH. I had it up to <> 55, but thats just under the red line and I hear you don't wanna run them that fast much as the engines just weren't designed for it and won't last long.

 

Its got like 3,000 miles since its complete rebuild though.

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Yeah gears are 6.72. There are lots of gear sets out there, you just have to know where to look. The trouble is that they are around 14,000lbs with a 120-140HP engine that was spec'd out before modern highways for the military who doesn't really need fast cargo trucks. Even if you could run at 70 you'd need to replace the wheels with a more common size and get tires that can run 70 without exploding and its very hard to find wheels that fit the 2.5 ton rockwell axle. Most people either weld some wheels together hillbilly style or buy the army HEMMIT wheels that have been custom made by one of a few shops in the country that do it so $$$.
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I'm not sure which way I'll go with the color. I plan to remove the hard top and windshield assembly this week to begin repairing the rust damage.

 

I'll probably dig into the trucks history and see if I can find anything interesting to base a restoration off of before I decide what paint scheme to do. The truck also came with a binder containing its rebuild work orders from 1991 so I know whats been done. I lightly sanded the front bumper today and found IARNG 248 ASB on it. This coincides with its papers and the govliquidation.com records I've found and I think means Iowa Army National Guard 248th Aviation Support Battalion. That is the group it was with when it was removed from service and auctioned. Will be interesting to see what else turns.

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The breaks on them are usually single circuit air assisted hydraulics which is very old and not real safe. I may update the breaks to at least dual circuit or since they do work very well I could just make sure I keep a close watch on them for leaks and be careful. Still one wheel cylinder failure and I'm gonna be hitting a ditch or pushing a bunch of cars to stop.

 

I lucked out on this one as its got all the cold weather gear installed and some extras, ie hard top, block heater, cab heat, propane start system. Single rear tires instead of the usual duals, and the engines data plate says its an LDS 465-1A instead of the usual LD 465 so at some point they swapped in the more powerful 5 ton engine so a whopping 175HP/425tq for me.

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