Here's a BOV you might consider buying

One thing you can say about the US Army, they don't fool around when it comes to buying overland vehicles!

Saw this, today, over at GovLiquidation.com. They say it starts and runs. If it's mechanically in okay shape, a little bit of TLC and a new paint job might be all you'd need, to have a 6x6 BOV and trailer to survive in, and get you to your BOL.

 

Looks like it would make a good hunting travel trailer as well. All supplies forward, and living accomedations in the trailer ( to be dropped on site.) I'll have to see just where that is in relation to me.

 

We used M109 vans for on-site vehicle repairs in various countries. Good amount of storage under the seats in back, decent fuel economy (considering what it is) and simple to maintain.

Two things to look at prior to purchase - corrosion on the van body, and fluid leaks from the air over hydraulic brake booster. The corrosion isn't too bad to deal with, but the brake boosters were hard to come by 30 years ago...I don't imagine they're more available today.

 

At 1.53 in the video, it appears like the front and rear differentials are open with pieces missing. i doubt they are supposed to look that way. Any clue if these things are street legal?

 

Kellory, while they may at least be missing a cover, I don't thing the trailer needs to have differentials ( unless of course there is a way to hook them up to the drivetrain).

Interesting, if I was closer I might take a look at it.

 

I'm just wondering what was raided from it.

 

As much as I would like to own one and I would really like one reeeeally bad.

If for nothing else, to acquire the 2 1/2 ton Rockwell axles to put under my 1974 K5 Blazer but that opens up a huge expensive project that I would not have the cash to do for awhile.

The reality of owning one of these though, is you are not going to be able to go down to the local parts supplier and purchase parts. It is a specialty vehicle that I would like to own but I have enough trouble keeping the vehicles I currently own on the road.

One thing is for certain, even if a person does all their own wrenching on a rig like this you are gonna need deep pockets if you are going to need to replace parts. If you do not do your wrenching, you better have even deeper pockets to pay somebody to work on it.

Also, this rig will stick out like a sore thumb during a time of crisis and could possibly make you a target, not very inconspicuos at all.

and if you have never owned a vehicle and/or equipment that has a diesel engine, one should be forewarned that anything diesel engine related is going to have quite the sticker shock when you buy parts for that engine.

 

If I lived closer to where this truck was I would seriously consider buying the truck if it checked out mechanically.

If purchased for a decent price, a person could make some cash off this by parting it out.

The stock 2 1/2 ton Rockwell axles alone, if in good useable condition, could bring at least $1000 to those looking for these. As all things, condition of item will dictate the price.

I would imagine there are plenty of useable parts that could be sold off this truck, if you have the time, ability and space to take it apart.

Part the truck out and keep the trailer or sell the trailer and keep the truck. Then of course, if you already have one of these trucks or similiar you have a spare parts vehicle.

Unfortunately, the market is not what it used to be and a lot of folks have turned away from building the Ultimate 4x4 rig with 2 1/2 ton Rockwells, meaning it could take awhile to get rid of them and sell them at an attractive price.

 

Military vehicles for sale, surplus military vehicles for sale – Memphis Equipment

Place of reference for these vehicles, sales of reconditioned vehicles/vehicles needing to be rebuilt and parts.

 

well, right in my front yard, might have to check them out a little more.

 

My best advice is to find someone who has been through the process a few times. A few years ago, I bought an M-101 trailer from a friend of mine. He is a Government Liquidation fan big time- having bought several duce and a halfs and a half dozen trailers over the years.

He would even do the paperwork to get them DOT street legal, and then sell them as used vehicles. He never had a duce sit around for very long; there is a strong market for them.

He had some stories about dragging immobile duces with other duces and such. From rotten tires, to bad engines, or missing gas tanks. Most of all, don't expect help from anyone but the people you bring with you. You really have to be prepared for anything!

 

Yep, for a deuce and a half, I'd definitely have a towing company that specializes in towing big rigs on speed dial!

I've often thought that a bobbed deuce would make quite the nice survival vehicle. Probably not something you'd want to try to hide, if you're in the big city, though! LOL

 

Why hide it? Restore it, and tell folks it is for parades and car shows.

 

Here is an example of one the M109 shop vans as an RV project

.militarytrucks.ca/rv_project.htm

 

Nice work, used to fantasize about doing this. Have now have moved on the tractor trailers , house hold goods moving trailer..

 

very well done.