From: Julian Burke (julianb@esper.com)
Date: Thu Nov 07 2002 - 18:34:51 PST
QUESTION: What exactly is done to a truck during a Depot Rebuild? Is there
a fixed
list of things rebuild/replaced or is it just checked over real well and
necessary repairs made? I have found several M35s lately that were Depot
(or
Arsenal) rebuilt in the late 80s and was curious as to how comprehensive the
rebuild really is.
ANSWER: Yes, There is a fixed list of things to do. Let's go back a step
further. Few people know about this but there are rebuild facilities around
the country. Letterkenny comes to mind as well as many others but that's
not important for now. Each facility "specializes" in a particular type of
vehicle and is capable of complete restoration/rebuild. Everyone knows that
military vehicles are costly from new. Let's say a branch of the gov't (say
Army or whatever) has 1739 military M-1009 Blazers that have been used
beyond service limits and are sitting mothballed at a site(s). (they may
not all be together but are regionally located) They know the acquisition
cost new is $15,000 each and they need to replace these Blazers because they
are needed. The gov't actually solicits and shops around these depots for
what they would charge per unit to "rebuild" these 1009's. Let's say one
particular depot says $9816.13 per unit for all 1739 of them. They gov't
reasons that it will save over $5000 per unit and will have a servicable
vehicle that will give "new" performance as well as look new. Interesting
point here is that the gov't "owns" the facilities in the first place but
creates competition within itself! This however, is seldom done for "old"
vehicles that are being phased out as most vehicles are figured to last 12
years in service, 8 years for cheaper vehicles so most rebuilds will not be
for 20 year old vehicles. I remember when this was done with older M35
series vehicles but were actually sent back to AM General. Tom Murray who
is a surplus dealer always has guages for sale in quanity because they come
from a rebuild facility who replace all of the wear parts routinely.
The next step after the rebuild facility starts receiving the vehicles
is to start with stripping and prepping them for "upfitting" with all new
parts. The M35's were given a completely new drive train and the rears were
rebuilt. All new wiring (always upgraded) and other upgrade features.
Before assembly, bodies, frames are dipped, stripped, inspected and all body
work done or replaced to serve as new. Pretty much everything is replaced
with new and all new lighting. All new tires, batteries and everything to
make it look as new. I have a Toole (Utah) M-1009 rebuilt Blazer that is a
nice one that went through this process. There are more factors in this
process but this should give a good idea of what occurs when new expensive
vehicles are needed. Much is dependant on what the new cost of a vehicle
is.
Your info NUT, Julian Burke
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