Remember when they sold a couple axles to Camo on pirate4x4 back in the day and they were both full of sand? 😂 Hopefully the next generation is running a better business these days.
civilians looking at a deuce and a half or 5-ton for off-roading: "sweet" former military guys remembering 8 hour convoys on rough roads: "never again"
Haha! I remember when civilian Humvees were all the rage. I just laughed. I spent too many days, weeks, months riding around in them to ever want to be in one again
Any military vet like myself over the age of 40, calls these trucks a deuce and a half and a 5 ton. These trucks were everywhere on military bases (especially Army and Marines) during the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
first time I drove a deuce and a half at fort Riley Kansas , I got pulled over by the mp for doing 21mph in a 20 zone on Custer hill. with a warning , I had a very long day , because I drove with the emergency brake on . 1973 . a/ 3/6 .
I feel like I am a lot like him he gets me genuinely excited about the product (even more than I would be otherwise) and honestly I would love to buy one in the future
If your'e a vet and you hear this guy talk he reminds you of your squad leader or the motor pool NCOIC or somebody along those lines. Other people complaining just don't get it.
Drove a 5 ton from Gieblestadt Germany to Tuzla, Bosnia in 1997. 2 days. 14 hour days. 2nd day was with a blown seal, blowing black smoke. By the time we got to Tuzla Main, the power was so low, it could barely get over a speed bump. Dubbed "the Crippled Chicken".
Love this video. I had a military license for all of these models back in the day. Tommy needs to drive an original Deuce and a half M35A2 model with no power steering. Then let him put a deuce and half trailer on the back and have him try to back that trailer into a parking spot without jack knifing the trailer. It would be entertainment at it's best.
ARMSTRONG steering! Pulled alot of trailers and moved many mobile homes with an M35A2. Backing an M105 trailer through a woods with one is an experience I don't care to repeat. I have backed a loaded 4 wheel gravity wagon inside a barn and around a corner in the barn with it. Had a great ground guide. His dad could back two wagons into the barn with a pickup! When I was a mechanic at the state highway I wanted every driver to drive it so they would learn to be moving when turning the wheel. We replaced alot of power steering arms and boxes from drivers sitting still in a loaded truck with a plow on the front and spinning the steering wheel. I put alot of hours on a 1952 M135 with an 11ft tollroad plow and winch plowing towns and parking lots with manual steering! The hydromatic transmission was a godsend in that old GMC.
I like how Tommy is amazed at the price and forgets its military surplus that even brand new barely gets out of its own way and struggles to maintain 55mph. Some of the larger farms up in Idaho switched to using surplus trucks for getting spuds and sugar beets out of the field, screaming for all they are worth for miles to get up to 40mph. Yeah they will go anywhere as long as you have a week to get there.
There were times even with modern MRAPs or Maxxpro's in Afghanistan I was legit concerned the trucks would lose steam while we crested a few passes in RC East. Engines would be screaming. Good times.
In 1989 I drove a deuce and a half down a mountain road in Korea with no breaks! I engine breaked the whole way down...Thought several times that the engine would blow but she held together until I made it to the bottom of the mountain and could pull over. That was a nerve wracking 15 minutes!
The bobbed trucks look great but suck offroad. They are effectively fwd with nearly zero traction in the rear. Fantastic pavement queens and tow rigs but shite offroad.
@@bradbiesecker162 you have to remember we are a species that crops the ears of dogs and chop off bull's balls... we ruin all kinds of perfectly good things. Neutering an incredibly useful truck to make it look like a Tonka toy is certainly within our purview.
@@jameshathaway5117 I understand the desire to do work on a truck but I don't understand a desire to make it shorter, unless you're looking for better gas mileage or a lighter truck, or whatever. What advantage does it give you to bob it? Easier to store, easy to take on the road and get around on roads, etc.
@@bradbiesecker162 it does make one slightly easier to drive but as someone who owns a un-neutered deuce I'd say it has many downsides and few positives. A stock deuce is a very capable truck and you lose about 75% of the capability when you bob it. I can fit a full size van in the bed of my truck and haul it through some pretty nasty terrain. A bobbed deuce has a bed the size of a long bed pickup and can get stuck going up a loose gravel driveway. You lose all the rear suspension articulation, one rear axle worth of traction, a third of the bed space, half the haul weight capacity, and take the weight distribution so far forward it's practically a front wheel drive truck because the back axle has no weight over it. The fuel economy isn't any better. So to answer your question I guess the positives are some people like the looks and it's easier to park and find space for.
I fell in love with this INSTANTLY! I drove 2 1/2 ton trucks in my Mobile TACs days early in my USAF Career back in 1980. I was looking at a F350 Ford initially for my Drag Racing hobby... towing my Buick Grand National to the local track. Count on my being a future customer.
I cant tell you how amazing this business model is!! Im prior service, and getting hauled around in those trucks brings back memories. Diesel fuel, the canvas smell over the bed of the truck. Thats where they packed us in I wish them all the success in the world. They are putting Americans to work, and providing a really cool niche product! When I retire (many years from now), I want to get a bunch of land. One of these to driver around in would be perfect!
You can tell that Dallas is an avid user of HEARING PROTECTION. 😁😜 Reminds me of Ethan (Grind Hard Plumbing Co) which also talks like he constantly has earplugs in and has to speak loud. But seriously: a lot of guys in workshops ignore hearing protection until it is too late. Sorry for this little "rant" but I do watch quite a bit of different RU-vid channels and this is a thing I really noticed lately. ✌️
This is an AWESOME TRUCK !!!! Yay Andrey for buying this! It can go anywhere. It is also big enough to put a custom camper on back that has EVERYTHING you need for travelling in high style (aka Glamping!) For about $15,000 you hire someone to weld a custom camper frame out of 6061 Aluminum Box frame with 3/16th inch thick aluminum sheet on the entire outside and fully sprayed inside and out with Line-X UV resistant version truck bed liner coating in any colour you want. After that frame-build, you and your family can do a multi-Weekend project to outfit the inside with full -40C winter-rated insulation (I would use Rockwool!) and modern camping gear! Put in a combo hot-water Toilet/Shower, Coleman 4-burner propane cooktop, king-size bed up top/front with Ikea Foam mattress (VERY comfortable!). Then add in retractable dining table and seating with cushions. Put in dimmable LED lighting in Red (i.e. to save your nightsight under dark conditions!) and bright white. A nice combo fridge/freezer, hot-water sink and a large fresh water tank and blackwater tank, a well-insulated 5000 watt propane generator, a 3000 watt Li-Ion battery pack with rooftop solar panels for off-grid electricity, two of the 100 lbs propane tanks for fuel storage, multiple electric ceramic space heaters, huge air conditioning unit. Add in Starlink internet, 65 inch OLED TV, small form factor ruggedized industrial Windows 11 computer, playstation/xbox consoles and put in a touchscreen AM/FM/DAB infotainment/navigation system, a combo VHF/Shortwave/CB/FMRS/FPRS radio transceiver console. Put in lots of storage cubbyholes and use every cubic inch of space to store something or for putting in some more camping-comfort items and goods Do all this and you are SET for awesome OFF-ROAD GLAMPING! This could be an AWESOME custom camper project vehicle! V
I know that many people buy vans to customize and turn into RV's because of their size and gas mileage. But if a small footprint and decent MPG's aren't deal breakers, buying and using one of these refurbished military trucks as a platform looks like a lot better option; especially for extended off grid excursions. And as a hedge against the Zombie Apocalypse, these bad boys would roll right over them as if they weren't even there.
with vans you can only go so big, a 10 person family will struggle to live full time even in the largest of vans. plus the wheelbase is going to be so long that the breakover angles are going to be terrible, you can't turn a van into 6x6 or 8x8 as easily as a cabover truck (to fix the breakover angles, without needing massive tyres and lift kit).
I was a screener on Gov. Military surplus good deals for sure . Batt. Electrics switches etc . Lines air oil fuel , convert to 12 v ran great . Check out for your self . M37 weapons carriers great rig . W series on dodge chev ford parts may look the same but won’t run . Use the W prefix at parts store !
I use to have an old 1963 Dodge M37. Boyce was the place to go for parts for it. It was an offroad beast. Also the slowest vehicle I ever owned but one of the funnest to drive. They aren't comfortable to drive for taller people. I got it from someone that was to tall to drive it comfortably!
It's nice to see someone like this refreshing these old military units and offering a heavy duty cheap option versus paying stupid money for a new pickup. I've been pricing out a Ram 5500 or even a Chevy Kodiak 4500 with a dump bed. Or possibly even a rollback flat bed as a possible future investment. I should save the website for these guys instead and get something like this. I could probably get two of these things in two different configurations for less than a new one in one configuration. :)
I have a M923A2 sitting in my driveway right now. I giggle at the guys driving around $80 and $90 grand pickup trucks because I bought mine for $8. It's not fast, but it will go anywhere. The 8.3 Cummins turbo is about the size of an econobox car engine.
I had a 6.2 Diesel 5 ton cube van and it worked just fine for a good number of years , the biggest problem was you had to make sure you bled the water out of the fuel line , in the ole days our yard diesel was not treated with winterizing additive, in the winter I plugged it in every night and it started every morning with no issues.
@FreiherrDinkelacker Exactly! Fewer tires and more crap to break. Also, without a multi-fuel where am I supposed to dispose of my used engine oil? If you're looking to get rid of your A2 I can find room for another.
@@deuceandgunsto me any bobbed deuce is a fuggin tragedy. But I agree and wouldn't trade my multifuel for anything. To be honest my biggest struggle is burning through all the free fuel I get. I'm up to over 700 gallons and had to stop. I have a 5 ton power steering kit I have yet to install. I'm working on a multi position shop crane for it before I attempt moving that steering box anywhere. Between the power steering and the a3 bed it has I will have everything I could want from an a3 anyway.
Totally dig what Boyce is doing with these old workhorses. When the appeal of a 'super truck' like the semi-body on a truck chassis with mega tires comes to functional use, these are the trucks that come to mind. Price isn't all that bad, though running costs for fuel, ehh... It'd be a fun weekend and event toy though!
@@jameshathaway5117pavement queen if you don’t take it anywhere. I’ll make sure if I buy one to send you pictures of me taking it off-road every single day
@@mcnuggetapple they suck offroad. Regardless of if you want to take it out or not it will still suck. They have so little rear axle weight and so much front axle weight that they can barely make it up a grassy hill. They might as well be a front wheel drive truck. Anything that isn't hard packed or is on a decent slope and they are helpless. Might make a decent rock crawler with a shite ton of suspension mods but it will never have the articulation in the back axle that a stock deuce has. Cutting off the back of the frame and putting a modified spring pack on a single rear axle practically neuters these trucks. I would never give up my 12 ft bed and 3rd axle just to make my truck look like a fuggin Tonka toy.
Great video. I think the price difference between what Boyce does and what the “RU-vid mod” scene does comes down to RU-vid modders build lifestyle vehicles. Some have beds and bathrooms or toy haulers. Boyce rebuild trucks basically to be mechanically sound.
I was mobile radar in the USAF, we drove deuces, 5-tons, and HUMVEEs. Having a 4x4 5-ton refreshed with some modern goodies would be cool AF. Even better, a quad cab 4x4 5-ton.
Great on the road but terrible offroad. Basically a front wheel drive truck. I really wish people would quit ruining these beasts to turn them into pavement queen Tonka trucks.
About 15 years ago you could buy these surplus 2.5 and 5 ton trucks in good running condition for $3k to $6k. But back then I couldn't afford one. Now I can afford that price, but they've all been sold off and now you have to pay an arm and a leg for these "restored" ones.
Hehe...I gotta say that truck is a lot cooler than the new Tacoma for a fun RU-vid project/video series :). I like quirky old fun stuff, Matt's Off Road Recovery has done well with this sort of content.
Oooh I can already tell this is going to be a cool series. You guys are going to be off-roading it right?? I'm sure it'll take on the pond course LOL. Just don't get it stuck because that'll be a bear to get unstuck. Maybe spec it with two winches (front and back), lockers, and a Jake Brake (for Andre when he inevitably Ikes it). Cool guys, keep the videos coming!
They will be severely disappointed. Bobbed deuces suck offroad. With no rear weight they might as well be a front wheel drive truck. Then the deuce will get blamed for being sh!t offroad when the problem is the jackoff who keeps neutering them to make them look like Tonka trucks. Bobbed deuces are OK tow rigs and that's about it.
A Ram 1500 up here in Canada is nearly $100k, same for my Ford F150. Its a good thing for me they are not close to me......That would make the cost of fuel a lesser concern. I would love a walk thru in their lot.....
I really could use a work truck on my hill country farm. Dump to haul gravel, harvest timber and haul to the timber yard. A little oil well work too. I have a hellacious hill to drive.
I have an '85 A3 sitting at the top of the hill West of Tumble Weed Ranch... I had it licensed and used it to haul water. Colorado then pulled the title and gave me an off road only title. Colorado passed a new law that civilians can't drive surplus military vehicles on the road - HB20-1170. So it's just been sitting here... I hope you have some plan to get it licensed, I'd sure like to hear how you do that...
15 years back, when I was purchasing surplus military trucks and trailers, M35a2's were bringing under $5k for a super clean truck with good tires. The most expensive M35a3 I witnessed at auction sold for under $6500. Don't believe the odometer on any of these trucks, as they are frequently changed out with no documentation on the previous mileage. All M35a3 trucks were depot rebuilds from M35a1 and a2 trucks. The cab is identical, so you're not getting any more room inside. Hoods were widened so as to allow for additional space for the turbo inter cooler. The M35a3 added the CAT 3116 or 3126 engine with the Allison AT540, 4 speed automatic. A3 trucks also had CTIS, or central tire inflation systems. CTIS is a waste of money as they all leak, and in operation are slow to inflate and deflate. If the truck sat in storage on flat tires, the Michelin radial tires were subject to blow outs. Ask me how I know. There are a few large surplus dealers that buy up the majority of military surplus. This has raised prices on these trucks dramatically.
This is a well-timed video. I’ve been looking at military vehicles from both the US in Europe, as I am no longer traveling solo I have my adventure partner with me occasionally, I will have my young daughter
Man...having a deuce 1/2 to just run around would be amazing with the power steering and a few other of those creature comforts...IF diesel was not so ridiculously over priced.
I love this!! but... Colorado is not going to let you register this for street use :( but certain states with an LLC up there will (cough cough Montana)
Can't wait to see what y'all end up with & of course the price, because I will be in the truck market in the next year to year & a half. And I absolutely hate the trucks they're offering today, way to much crap on them & the prices are just not feasible. So this might be exactly what I'm looking for.
