Thanks for the comments. It is a great truck.
It is a fun project and I work on it most every week. For as you all know, there is a list a mile long of little things I still need/want to do.
I have camped with it twice so far and both experiences were excellent. The biggest problem I had was trying to get some piece and quiet due to all the people who come "to see the big green army truck".
IMO, the only three main drawbacks to using Deuce-and-a-half's as a expedition vehicle are:
1. Low road speed. The 2 1/2 tons have a MAX speed of 55 in the M35A2 config. If you take and swap them to super-singles, the speed can increase to about 60 mph.
True, but the trip is half the adventure. Why do you really need to go much faster? This is a heavy duty big truck that's geared low to go pretty much where ever you need to go.
2. Bad fuel mileage. The multi-fuel engines can be used to "evade" this problem a bit by running lower quality fuels are by mixing in a little cheaper "fuels" like some gasoline, alcohol, etc...
Its a old (1970), big truck. It fuel mileage is a problem with you, then you will either have to go with a smaller vehicle, or buy a brand new big truck ($$$$$$$).
I would never run anything but clear diesel in my truck. Running anything else is not as good for the engine as things like gasoline don't lubricate the fuel injectors. Dumping used oil just helps gum up the system and the money that you could have used to buy diesel is spent on new fuel filters every month or so.
3. NO creature comforts. These trucks are LOUD. You could dyna-mat it to make it quieter. The M35A3 type trucks are better. They already have super-singles, an Allison Automatic, better engine, quieter, CTIS.
Besides these things (and they can be worked around), these trucks can be alot of fun.
Creature comforts are in the eye of the user. I find it comfortable to drive and have added several mods to the truck to make it even more comfortable. Yes the truck is loud, but that's how they made it. I have installed a muffler on the exhaust which has reduced the noise by about 2/3rds. Others have installed noise dampening insulation around the cab which helps reduce it further.
The Canadian versions of the trucks (MLVW's) run with detroil desiel engines and allison automatic transmissions, which make the truck quieter and easier to drive. Moving the rv/camper box onto an MLVW truck/chassis is always an option in the future.
Though I like the "noise" of the turbo charger. Nothing can beat putting your foot down and hearing the sound of that big turbo kick in.
That thing is awesome! I love all the comments about the zombie apocalypse! Very simple, effective interior, I'm guessing he doesn't plan on seeing much highway with this beast!
Well someone has to be ready for the when the zombies take over. If you are prepared for the zombie apocalypse, you are ready for practically anything!
Why would you say that about highway use? The truck drives just fine on the highway. I think some people are just a little bit too spoiled when it comes to driving around in their AC cooled, leather lined, AM/FM/CD surround sound stereo system wired vehicles. If our men and women in uniform can spend hours on end driving these trucks every day, then it can't be that bad.
Lots of pictures of the truck on the website if anyone is interested:
http://www.militarytrucks.ca/rv_project.htm
