Anyone familiar with vintage military trucks, I'm thinking about an M-37

[General of Darkness]

I've always thought these trucks were cool as heck and with the economy the way it is, cash is king, and you can get one now in good shape for about 5K.

Also I do like the Kaiser M715 which replaced it, so any thoughts etc would be appreciated.

This is basically what I'm looking at.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1084/767469119_493d35153e.jpg?v=0

[Book]

...with the economy the way it is, cash is king, and you can get one now in good shape for about 5K....



http://image.4wheeloffroad.com/f/usmc_94toyota/8281282+w450+h338+cr0+re1+ar1/1994-toyota-pickup-colorado-mudd.jpg

With the economy the way it is going to be for a very long time, parts availability and blending in seems like a better plan.

:)

[General of Darkness]

Book this would be for fun, not to mention I already have 4x4 diesel. I wonder how that Toyota would run on cooking oil when fuel ran out. Back at ya sweetie. ;D

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/122/dodge31806.jpg

[mightymanx]

I have a M109A3 not vintage compared to the kaiser you want.

Have you thought about a bobbed duce they are cheap and you get the contenental multifuler engine, plus rockwell axles are hard to beat.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=432461&stc=1&d=1238394052

Don't be scared they have the same footprint as a F150 in the bobbed configuration a M35 stock is the same as a F350 longbed.

[skid]

I have a M109A3 not vintage compared to the kaiser you want.

Have you thought about a bobbed duce they are cheap and you get the contenental multifuler engine, plus rockwell axles are hard to beat.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=432461&stc=1&d=1238394052

Don't be scared they have the same footprint as a F150 in the bobbed configuration a M35 stock is the same as a F350 longbed.




I could use one of those around my place.

[skid]

Book this would be for fun, not to mention I already have 4x4 diesel. I wonder how that Toyota would run on cooking oil when fuel ran out. Back at ya sweetie. ;D

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/122/dodge31806.jpg


I got one just like that in silver. Haven't had a chance to try it on cooking oil yet :D

[hoarder]

http://gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/gsaauctions/

http://www.govliquidation.com/

[LuckyStrike]

Book this would be for fun, not to mention I already have 4x4 diesel. I wonder how that Toyota would run on cooking oil when fuel ran out. Back at ya sweetie. ;D

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/122/dodge31806.jpg


;D

http://img.myconfinedspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/dodge-pussy.jpg

I vote for the Yota or a Hardbody

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg4bBPlWzT8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uc4Ksz3nHM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfZDtC9kjVk&feature=channel

[skid]

Book this would be for fun, not to mention I already have 4x4 diesel. I wonder how that Toyota would run on cooking oil when fuel ran out. Back at ya sweetie. ;D

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/122/dodge31806.jpg


;D

http://img.myconfinedspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/dodge-pussy.jpg

I vote for the Yota or a Hardbody

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg4bBPlWzT8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Uc4Ksz3nHM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfZDtC9kjVk&feature=channel




They don't make a Toyota that pulls like a Cummins powered Dodge...

[Awoke]

I have a M109A3 not vintage compared to the kaiser you want.

Have you thought about a bobbed duce they are cheap and you get the contenental multifuler engine, plus rockwell axles are hard to beat.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=432461&stc=1&d=1238394052

Don't be scared they have the same footprint as a F150 in the bobbed configuration a M35 stock is the same as a F350 longbed.




I really like the look of that Bobbed Deuce. Where could a noob learn about all sorts of military vehicles like that?

I'd like something like that deuce, but smaller....

[Book]

I already have 4x4 diesel.



Gee...one vehicle isn't enough. What a country...lol.

:D

[LuckyStrike]

They don't make a Toyota that pulls like a Cummins powered Dodge...


Nor do they make a Dodge that pulls like the new 765 ft lbs Dmax either, what is your point? For a SHTF vehicle I don't want something that drinks gas and the odds of hauling a fifth wheel post SHTF is low, I would imagine you want something that is extremely reliable above all else.

[skid]

They don't make a Toyota that pulls like a Cummins powered Dodge...


Nor do they make a Dodge that pulls like the new 765 ft lbs Dmax either, what is your point? For a SHTF vehicle I don't want something that drinks gas and the odds of hauling a fifth wheel post SHTF is low, I would imagine you want something that is extremely reliable above all else.


My point is if you need a 1 ton diesel, you wouldn't want a Toyota. And many of us don't just haul 5th wheels with our trucks. Mine pulls heavy trailers regularly (with ease I might add) and my modded Dodge gets better mileage than a gas half ton easily.

Also, look up heavily modded diesels, and the only ones untouched internally are Cummins. Duramaxes require new rods and head studs at a minimum. Fords, well, I wouldn't bother except with their new design that just came out.

[old steel]

I know those multi fuel engines were built to run on just about anything but the truth is they don't run worth a damn on anything which is why they were dropped.

Stick with something popular and reliable many more parts out there for you to scavenge when the need arises.

[SHTF2010]

Stick with something popular and reliable many more parts out there for you to scavenge when the need arises .


+1

buy something old WITHOUT electronic/computer crap on the engine ( EMP proof ? )

[Fortyone]

They don't make a Toyota that pulls like a Cummins powered Dodge...


Nor do they make a Dodge that pulls like the new 765 ft lbs Dmax either, what is your point? For a SHTF vehicle I don't want something that drinks gas and the odds of hauling a fifth wheel post SHTF is low, I would imagine you want something that is extremely reliable above all else.



Any of the newer PCM controlled diesels is a no-no for SHTF. General made a good choice.Jap trucks arent that popular outside of urban centers either,good luck finding a water pump in stock for a Toyota or Nissan in central Wyoming on a Sunday.
You dont want to be concerned with fuel consumption or availability either, an old 80's or 70's Big Three product , or old Military unit,IMO is the only way to go for SHTF.I wont buy a diesel for SHTF .Im not planning on pulling a 30 ft, trailer across the country.

[mightymanx]

I have a M109A3 not vintage compared to the kaiser you want.

Have you thought about a bobbed duce they are cheap and you get the Continental multifuler engine, plus rockwell axles are hard to beat.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=432461&stc=1&d=1238394052

Don't be scared they have the same footprint as a F150 in the bobbed configuration a M35 stock is the same as a F350 longbed.

For the record my 109 got 10mpg on my 3200 mile road trip which is not bad for a 14000 pound truck. I don't have problems with the multifueler if you have any common sense driving and minor mechanical ability if you don't have the ability to maintain your stuff your self you should never own anything starting with vintage or classic in my opinion.




I really like the look of that Bobbed Deuce. Where could a noob learn about all sorts of military vehicles like that?

I'd like something like that deuce, but smaller....


I frequent Steel soldiers that is the GSUS of military vehicles.

The bobber is made from a Duce with the back Axel dropped off and the suspension and bed of the Duce trailer.

M35 costs around 1000-2500 depending on where you buy it and condition I usually see runners for 1500.
the Trailers are 300ish you sell the back rockwell for 500-1000 to 4X4 people. and then you get the HMMT wheels and tires for about 500 this allows you to do 60 all day long. The bed is slightly larger than a standard 8' pickup bed and the whole truck while looking massive Don't be scared they have the same footprint as a F150.

A bobber in a regular parking space for size comparison.
http://images.craigslist.org/3md3p63l75Y65W15S1a5jd2ecabadfd611920.jpg

My M109 which is a box van duce is the same size as my Ram 2500 4x4 extcab longbed.

I got 10mpg on my 3200 mile trip from Alabama to Washington via lots of other places. Not bad for a 14000 pound truck with the frontal area of a house.

I have had no problems with the reliability probably because i am not a 19 year old E-1 maintaining or driving it like a 19year old. I do posses better than average mechanical ability so working on this stuff does not come difficult. I feel that mechanical ability is a must of you own anything with modified, custom, vintage or classic in the title. I am upgrading the turbo on mine currently for a more modern hx35 which should help out the flatspots in shifting and improve fuel efficiency.

[skid]

EMP risk on modern vehicles is highly overstated. Almost all cars will still run...

http://www.survivalblog.com/2010/08/emp_attack_and_solar_storms_a.html

The summary of the tests conclude that traffic light controllers will begin to malfunction following exposure to EMP fields as low as a few kV/m, thereby causing traffic congestion.

For automobiles, approximately 10% of the vehicles on the road will stop, at least temporarily, thereby possibly triggering accidents, as well as congestion, at field levels above 25 kV/m. For vehicles that were turned off during the testing, none suffered serious effects and were able to be started.

Of the trucks that were not running during EMP exposure, none were subsequently affected during the test. Thirteen of the 18 trucks exhibited a response while running. Most seriously, three of the truck motors stopped. Two could be restarted immediately, but one required towing to a garage for repair. The other 10 trucks that responded exhibited relatively minor temporary responses that did not require driver intervention to correct. Five of the 18 trucks tested did not exhibit any anomalous response up to field strengths of approximately 50 kV/m.

In regards to the airline industry, “Although commercial aircraft have proven EM protection against naturally occurring EM environments [such as lightning], we cannot confirm safety of flight following [severe or hostile] EMP exposure. Moreover, if the complex air traffic control system is damaged by EMP, restoration of full services could take months or longer.”

In conclusion, you have a very good chance that should an EMP or severe solar storm occur while you are driving home from work, you will be able to make it home as long as you are careful to avoid collisions. Once home, however, is an entirely different story!

[Fortyone]

EMP is not a concern of mine for PCM controlled vehicles. CAN YOU FIX IT if it breaks on the side of the road without a proprietary scan tool? (not a code reader),NO you cant.

[skid]

EMP is not a concern of mine for PCM controlled vehicles. CAN YOU FIX IT if it breaks on the side of the road without a proprietary scan tool? (not a code reader),NO you cant.


I haven't had a modern vehicle ever leave me on the side of a road due to PCM related issues. PCM cars are extremely reliable, less so are pre-computer ones even if they are maintained properly (older cars require all kinds of extra maintenance for the points ignition, carburator adjustments, etc.). Ever drive a points equipped car/truck through a deep puddle???

I've done ground up restorations, engine/transmission/differential/carburator/distributor overhauls/etc. personally on several vehicles and have an excellent grasp of what it takes to keep cars running. It's regular maintenance and replace parts once they get old (before they break) if you have an older vehicle. Things like water pumps, U joints, belts/hoses, clutches, etc.

Most modern cars can go 100K miles reliably before requiring any kind of major service besides regular oil changes/etc. The likelihood of some sort of vehicular breakdown would be highly unlikely in a SHTF situation, since I doubt you would drive much anyways. A real SHTF vehicle would be a horse....

[hoarder]

Most modern cars can go 100K miles reliably before requiring any kind of major service besides regular oil changes/etc.
This is true, but....when they wear out, they're throw-away. I like my maintenance free EFI and electronic ignitions after having dozens of points ignition/carburated trucks. Most of them I bought with over 100,000 miles, drove them a few years and sold at a profit. In a SHTF situation, I wouldn't be planning to drive 100,000 miles, I would want something as simple as possible.
I've bought several new Toyotas, they really last. But their reputation was built on 1985 models that are still running, not 2005 models that are still running.
A new Tundra has a plastic intake manifold. There is no dipstick or even dipstick tube for the auto transmission. I would rather maintain an old Ford or Chevy or military vehichle when they get old.

[Mouse]

CUCV military vehicles meet almost all shtf requirements. Tough as nails, reliable, easy to maintain, diesel with no computers, heavy duty 4*4, mostly all stock GM parts except for some of the electrical 24v stuff, which can be converted to 12v if needed. Also looks like a heap of crap so not too likely to be stolen. No frills, nothing to break, nothing to drain the battery, impervious to EMP.

[Fortyone]

EMP is not a concern of mine for PCM controlled vehicles. CAN YOU FIX IT if it breaks on the side of the road without a proprietary scan tool? (not a code reader),NO you cant.


I haven't had a modern vehicle ever leave me on the side of a road due to PCM related issues. PCM cars are extremely reliable, less so are pre-computer ones even if they are maintained properly (older cars require all kinds of extra maintenance for the points ignition, carburator adjustments, etc.). Ever drive a points equipped car/truck through a deep puddle???

I've done ground up restorations, engine/transmission/differential/carburator/distributor overhauls/etc. personally on several vehicles and have an excellent grasp of what it takes to keep cars running. It's regular maintenance and replace parts once they get old (before they break) if you have an older vehicle. Things like water pumps, U joints, belts/hoses, clutches, etc.

Most modern cars can go 100K miles reliably before requiring any kind of major service besides regular oil changes/etc. The likelihood of some sort of vehicular breakdown would be highly unlikely in a SHTF situation, since I doubt you would drive much anyways. A real SHTF vehicle would be a horse....





You dont need Points either, a 70s GM HEI or Ford or Dodge electronic ignition is extremely reliable,and if failure occurs, can be replaced as a unit in minutes on the side of the road.My company has a fleet of trucks and they fail with major issues, diesel lift pumps on Dodges would be very time consuming to replace.along with GM Duramax injector issues. These vehicles simply cannot be repaired in the field without special tools.Im not saying go back to the stone age, but at least use the intermediate versions with easy to repair, modern designs. Many vehicles today have as many as 25 different "modules" controlling everything from the engine to the radio, any one of these can cause a failure.Ive watched a Russian Immigrant rebuild his alternator on the side of the road with hand tools in -10 degree weather.The car was a 90s Mercury Cougar, Modern vehicles have this common Item controlled by a module and is usually inaccessible to remove.