From: chance wolf (chance_wolf@shaw.ca)
Date: Sun Nov 09 2003 - 19:36:19 PST
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael P. Maynard" <mmaynard@rochester.rr.com>
To: "Military Vehicles Mailing List" <mil-veh@mil-veh.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2003 6:57 PM
Subject: [MV] OMG, what have I done! (bought a M35A2)
> 1. Is this truck a turbo? USAinfo says its an LD465, but the pic
> appears to be a turbo.
Easiest way to tell the turbo from the non-turbo is look at the exhaust
stack. Large diameter stack is the Turbo. The one in the pic looks like
the thinner stack to me, which would indicate non-Turbo
(naturally-aspirated.)
> 2. Air operated front drive?
Some have a lever which kicks in the front axle, some don't. Yours does.
> 4. What kind of things should I look for when picking up a truck from
> the mil base? I am planning on taking a trailer with me, but would
> prefer to drive it home.
Tire pressure, tightness of wheel nuts, obvious stuff like fluid levels and
tightness of battery terminals etc. Also have a good look through the
engine compartment to make sure nobody's borrowed stuff or left lines
disconnected. Sometimes I've seen the air valves left open at the rear of
the truck (trailer connections), so if it doesn't build up air when you
start it - that's probably why. Should drain the water out of the air tanks
too.
> 6. It appears that it has the water powered personnel heater under the
> hood, but I don't see the duct and controls in the cab... any ideas?
It's been disconnected. From the pic of the engine compartment, where the
hoses should be connected to the top of the heater box - there are none.
Looks like the controls are still there, as I think I can just make them out
to the left of the air switch for the front axle. Don't see the diverter or
anything though, so..hmm..
> 7. What can I expect for mileage?
The ones in the film fleet are really good on diesel - far better than I
expected when I first started driving them. Never worked out the actual
numbers though.
> 8. How exactly does the multi fuel system work?
There are several excellent articles on that subject, but I don't have the
URLs handy.
> 9. What is the best/easiest way to run 12v accessories on this truck?
I've run car stereos and the like off of the first (grounded) battery in
series, but wouldn't like to hook up anything which draws a lot of current
that way. You unbalance the charging system and tend to overcharge the
second battery in series. Or so I've found/smelled.
> 10. Any other general tips?
Out of everything I've played with, the deuces require the least amount of
work-per-mile out of pretty much everything. They're just unstoppable. I
just can't think of any recurring headaches at all save the early-type
parking brake setup which never seems to work. Other than that -
indestructible. Well-designed piece of kit. No wonder they stayed in
service so long.
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