back woods
Observer
It can only handle a little extra fuel with the stock turbo and non intercooled.
Red's deuce camper project
- Thread starter red EOD veteran
- Start date
red EOD veteran
Adventurer
The frame on these trucks are the standard commercial medium and heavy duty design. Straight frame rails that are 34 inches wide. So swapping bodies or drive trains is about as simple as it gets.
Even with the DT466 stock it's still an increase of 50 hp and 220+ ft/lbs of torque, nearly double what I had.
Even with the DT466 stock it's still an increase of 50 hp and 220+ ft/lbs of torque, nearly double what I had.
buckwilk
Observer
deuce/must
After the Overland Expo in May I went north to Prescott Az. North of town is Gunsite, Col. Coopers firearms training ranch. (Cooper has since passed.) There was a 5 ton with the must mounted from Idaho in the rv park. The guys in the $200,000 diesel pushers were all gaga over this rig. Never had a chance to talk to the owner, would have liked to.
After the Overland Expo in May I went north to Prescott Az. North of town is Gunsite, Col. Coopers firearms training ranch. (Cooper has since passed.) There was a 5 ton with the must mounted from Idaho in the rv park. The guys in the $200,000 diesel pushers were all gaga over this rig. Never had a chance to talk to the owner, would have liked to.
red EOD veteran
Adventurer
Eh, I've never been too concerned about neighbors opinions. US was founded as a free country, people do what they like, I do what I like.
I ended up parting out the deuce, made more money than I had into it. Did the math and it would cost me much more to build the deuce exactly how I wanted than it would be to go with a 5 ton. Got my hands on an old M51 dump truck (similar wheelbase to a deuce). I'm either going to pull the dump bed off and pick up the box from a m109, or flip the truck and buy a M820 or m934.
I ended up parting out the deuce, made more money than I had into it. Did the math and it would cost me much more to build the deuce exactly how I wanted than it would be to go with a 5 ton. Got my hands on an old M51 dump truck (similar wheelbase to a deuce). I'm either going to pull the dump bed off and pick up the box from a m109, or flip the truck and buy a M820 or m934.
piratexpress1369a
Explorer
Any pics of the m51
red EOD veteran
Adventurer
Bought it for cheap. Body is in better shape than the picture shows, they used a dark brown primer on the dump bed. In need of batteries, cab top, starter, tires, and a paint job. Has the more powerful multifuel engine and 5 speed manual, power steering, stronger brakes, and a 20k winch up front. I'll be towing it to a nearby lot to work on it within the next few weeks. Figure I'll make it fully operational, list it for sale about a month. If it doesn't sell, then I'll pull the dump bed off, swap in the DT466, and a transfercase from the newer m939 series 5 ton trucks since their tcase has a .74:1 high range giving the truck a better overdrive ratio.
Picture of the M816 wrecker I picked up as well. Way too useful of a vehicle to pass up, and can be used to make some extra money on the side.
Picture of the M816 wrecker I picked up as well. Way too useful of a vehicle to pass up, and can be used to make some extra money on the side.
piratexpress1369a
Explorer
That's awesome
onemanarmy
Explorer
How far along did you get on the motor/trans swap before you decided to part it out?
When you had to tow the Deuce with your pickup, how did you stop it? That's my biggest issue ( I have a M109) if I ever break down....they aren't hard to get rolling, but without the engine running, I'm not sure if the brakes would work at all.
What years did the 5 ton come with the 5 speed?
I really want a crane/wrecker truck now...how much are they going for out your way?
red EOD veteran
Adventurer
The military wreckers are incredibly versatile and useful. I spent $5300 for mine when I bought it from a friend, we got it running about a week before that. This one needed quite a bit of work and still has more to come. He replaced the fuel lines, filter, rebuilt the primer pump, bought new brake lines while he owned it. I've repacked the wheel bearings, replaced 1 wheel cylinder and all seals on all 6 hubs. Replaced the PTO shaft that powers the crane, got the transmission PTO working again for the front winch, added a coolant filter and changed coolant, change trans fluid, removed part of the front winch cable (needs replacement), replaced the brake master cylinder, upgraded to the 395x85x20" tires (47" tall), and swapped out the seats.
I need to repaint the truck, fix some rust on the cab hard top, change the rest of the fluids, and that should be it. A wrecker in great shape out here sells quickly at 15-20,000.
The older 5 tons such as the m39 series (Vietnam era, like my M51 dump truck) and the M809 series (my m816 for example) have the 5 speed manual transmission. 1950's-1980's have the manual. The newer M939 series has a auto transmission and air brakes.
I called it quits on the deuce after the stock engine and transmission were out of the truck. Between the planned power upgrades for the DT466, a new clutch, a replacement transmission, power steering parts, a backup brake system..... I was looking at about $8,000 to get the truck how I wanted. Going to a 5 ton is cheaper for me, at the expense of more weight (13,700 for my deuce compared to roughly 20,000 pounds for the 5 ton) and lower fuel economy because of that weight.
From experience I don't recommend using a pickup to tow your m109 back if you have problems. The brakes in the deuce work without air, but you have no power assist once the air is gone. I was standing on the brake pedal to get it to stop. With your location there are many people on steel soldiers there that can tow you if necessary.
I need to repaint the truck, fix some rust on the cab hard top, change the rest of the fluids, and that should be it. A wrecker in great shape out here sells quickly at 15-20,000.
The older 5 tons such as the m39 series (Vietnam era, like my M51 dump truck) and the M809 series (my m816 for example) have the 5 speed manual transmission. 1950's-1980's have the manual. The newer M939 series has a auto transmission and air brakes.
I called it quits on the deuce after the stock engine and transmission were out of the truck. Between the planned power upgrades for the DT466, a new clutch, a replacement transmission, power steering parts, a backup brake system..... I was looking at about $8,000 to get the truck how I wanted. Going to a 5 ton is cheaper for me, at the expense of more weight (13,700 for my deuce compared to roughly 20,000 pounds for the 5 ton) and lower fuel economy because of that weight.
From experience I don't recommend using a pickup to tow your m109 back if you have problems. The brakes in the deuce work without air, but you have no power assist once the air is gone. I was standing on the brake pedal to get it to stop. With your location there are many people on steel soldiers there that can tow you if necessary.