ton_ami69 said:
As the MLVW trucks are finally seeing public hands, would any of you like to get your hands on any of these trucks? Are they better/worse than the US M35 trucks?
I have a lot of experience with the US M35s and I'll take one of those over an ML any day of the week. The M35A2 is basically bulletproof mechanically, and there are literally thousands of parts around for them both used and new - plus they drive like a big pickup truck as long as you're not forced to do something low-speed like...parallel park...as it has no power steering. Most of the time it's not a problem (and there are after-market add-on power-steering kits available), and for a big six-wheel drive truck, it has a pretty good turning-circle. US trucks are all five-speed manual transmissions with a two-speed transfer case, unless you get the modded/rebuilt ones which have a different looking front end, an Allison automatic, and a Cat diesel (M35A3)
There are several different versions of the US M35 if you're ever out shopping, but the best one to get is the M35A2C, which is the one with the 'dropsides' cargo box (units without the 'C' are fixed-sided.) The "A2" means it has the LDT-465-1C or D turbocharged engine vs. the naturally-aspirated one in the -A1 model trucks (look at the exhaust stack -- larger diameter means the truck is the turbo model), and while I'd say the turbo doesn't give you a great deal more power IMO -- it sure does clean up the exhaust vs. the N/A type. Hard cabs or soft tops are available all over the place (Canada's GMA back east made the last batch of soft tops and cargo covers for the U.S. trucks), as are new seats, wipers, lights, reflectors, seatbelts and everything else. Also, the sheet metal on the U.S. trucks is of superior quality/thickness compared to the Canadian ones, and as long as the trucks haven't been stored for a million years on...Adak...or something, you rarely, rarely see any rust.
One difference some people might care about is that the US trucks are the 10-wheel configuration (duals on the back) vs. the way we do things, but it is possible to single the U.S. trucks up and use ML-type wheels and tires. It's really hard to go wrong with the US trucks. They built that body style with very few changes all the way from 1953 through 1989 or thereabouts, and like the saying goes - "if it ain't broke, don't f- with it."
Another good mod to look for on the U.S. trucks is the air-operated front axle lockout switch on the dash just below the dashpack. Earlier models used a sprag-type system which was supposed to automatically engage the front axle during a slip condition if you were in First or Reverse, but those sprags were troublesome and required adjustment more often than was being done. The air shift allows you to toggle the front axle IN or OUT as desired when you need it. Even the most recent trucks being surplused down south there seem to have a random mix of the sprag and air-switch types when released in large lots, so obviously it wasn't a mandatory mod. Two styles of parking-brake are in use too -- one the common 'over-center' type like in the LS etc., and the other a ratchet-handle type which is invariably seized rock solid.
I love driving those things. There's considerable variation between individual vehicles, and I've been in some of the turbo ones that just fly up hills and just sort of have a level of performance you wouldn't expect from something like that. But I've driven some real pooches too.