When I went to Desert Storm I was the recipient of a brand new 5ton..I put about 27,000 miles on it..

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

WoW! That's a lot of miles in a short period of time. Mine came home with 34K miles after 21 years of service.

@IamToopy

4 жыл бұрын

thank you from canada

@ianmangham4570

3 жыл бұрын

@@vitale6633 Wow,that's practically new,you got lucky with that beast.

@josephcox4319

7 ай бұрын

I have to question the mileage gibcasto4724 claims to have put on a 5Ton, I actually was in the middle east and currently own a 5Ton that is a 1990 and it only has 3544.7 miles on it and was rebuilt at Red River in Texas.

I drove the M929 dump truck version for a couple years in Germany. It had smaller tires and duels in the rear. I hauled everything from garbage to troops, explosives and tank ammo to support gunnery's. Loved that truck.

You know your vehicle is serious when it requires a “pre-flight” inspection and a 17’ long torque wrench

@johndowe7003

5 жыл бұрын

i always do one on my m35a2, not as big as the five ton trucks but still scary when you lose brakes, been there done that not great

Definitely a dream truck of mine! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

Cool little tidbit fact : I pulled my 1943 halftrack along side this beautiful beast the other day, and we realized they have the same external door handles which were originally used on 1936 Fords. Nice video

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Truth! YelWing - Thank You! The Scale Fun Fly at Deleo Field is August 17th. I intend to bring THOR for the event. It would be Awesome if your M15A1 Half-Track could join Us!

@yelwing

5 жыл бұрын

Vitale Wilkins I will try to be there

@danskisbees7348

4 жыл бұрын

@@vitale6633 Great information, beautiful truck!

I worked for a diamond drilling outfit as a teenager, we had an AM General 813. I loved driving that truck on the old overgrown mining switchback roads. Put her in 6 wheel, forward crash over some 8" trees at the switch to get enough room to back down to the next switch, back over some more trees, forward... repeat. Really narrow roads, could have one on the tandems hanging out in the air, but I always felt safe in that truck.

@socaljarhead7670

2 ай бұрын

The 813 might have been the best vehicle of any kind ever adopted by the US military. It was supremely reliable.

I have to agree, drove a 5 ton in the service, it's one of the main things I miss and would be awesome to have one. Great video and information!

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Thank You for Your Service!

You got me wanting one of these beasts now!

Drove one of those for 4 years in ft Benning Ga,1986-90 very impressive vechicle

Man I really love 5-ton trucks. I got to drive one once... it was an awesome experience. I own an LMTV today, but would love to have a 5-ton. Great looking truck you have there!

@fredminpin

5 жыл бұрын

I have to agree, drove a 5 ton in the service, it's one of the main things I miss and would be awesome to have one. Great video and information!

I love these kind of trucks! Thank you!

Brought back good memories of driving HQ-35 out in "The Field" at Fort Irwin.

I'm U.S.A retired. To say this is a beast is an understatement. The only way to make it more fun is if it had a manual transmission. I really appreciate you being able to identify what try of military vehicles you own and smart enough to realize what you are dealing with. I've seen several videos where the person who owns the vehicle has no idea whether to call it a Douce and a half or 5 ton. So, thanks again.

@vitale6633

2 жыл бұрын

Thank You for the kind words. Yes - THOR requires respect and patience - or someone gets hurt - usually me

I remember meeting Virgil and Thor on their maiden run up Berdoo Canyon! Great fun seeing that beast on the trail and everyone we came across that day got a kick out of seeing them. It helps that Virgil is a genuinely nice guy.

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Jason and Samantha, Thank You for the kind words and support! Jordan & I had a blast on that trail run. We especially appreciated the universal support and welcoming atmosphere of the Crew and participants.

@timothysingleton6274

3 жыл бұрын

Virgil I’m new to these trucks . With that said I broke the transfer case in the truck we have at work .I could not get the air system for the tires to work anything you can tell me would be helpful . I’m in Victorville .ca would like to meet you someday

He’s right about having to amass a set of new very large tools. I own several of these trucks and two LMTV’s and everything about them is HUGE.

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Yes, everything is a whole other level. I'm running 16x20's over the original 14x20 tires. The wheel tire combo weighs about 490lbs. When I had to swap out a flat the first week I owned the truck, that was quite a learning experience. 20T jack, 6' breaker bar, 1.5" socket...much bigger torque wrench... I learned "respect" very quickly. Hence my quote: "Nothing Happens Quickly in THOR...."

Thanks for sharing your truck!

Thanks for sharing.

Aside from the logistical standpoint. It's a amazing vehicle that will probably last another 40 years.

beautiful rig

Always loved old military trucks. Heck they will last forever.

Very interesting and entertaining 7 min chunk. Thanks!

Excellent video

Hoah love it it brings back memories I was a 63B stationed at fort Irwin.

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Thank You for Your Service!

@bostonbmx6490

5 жыл бұрын

@@vitale6633 you welcome

Beautiful and incredible monster, congrutulations

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Thank You!

Nice! I spent many a day in that truck. Well, a 900 series. Great job.

@vitalewilkins5831

4 жыл бұрын

Thank You - Greatly Appreciated.

I enjoyed this video.

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Thank You! I enjoyed the opportunity to work with Randy and Team at NotARubicon Productions. Great People!

Love those trucks! Semper Fi

Congratulatios! I have an M813, very spatial for me

Great rig! I'll be getting a LMTV in the near future for my ranch and as a recovery/emergency response vehicle for where we live out in rural Oregon. Love this kind of stuff. Luckily for me there is a shop about two hours away that specializes in refurbishing and maintaining them. If you wanna bring Thor up to our ranch in Oregon for some wheeling come join next 4th of July and be in the town parade too! Not joking!

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Thank You Joseph for the Invite. I have relatives in Oregon - maybe we can make this happen!

LOVELY!. I got a 76 5 speed manual 6x6 with super singles KAI-M35A2

Wonderful to see. Liked & Subcribed!!!

That truck is the very definition of Badass, thanks for showing us Thor

Great overview and details. I had a M925A2 (winch variant) which was a love-hate relationship. Working on these things is no joke. Mine fought me tooth and nail on EVERYTHING. So much CARC paint and lock-tite on stuff. But, it was a blast to drive both on-road and off-road. The ride quality is truly world-class TERRIBLE. It's really unfortunate how rough it is, especially off-roading. And as you mentioned, it's a "bull in a China shop..." off-road. Here in Colorado we have a lot of Jeep trails which are narrow and the 5 ton was beating up on trees and making 2-way trails into 1-way trails. It's quite necessary to have a spotter ahead on these mountain trails (use a 2-way radio). Would I get another one? Hell yes! Actually, I'd like to take the MK23 (6x6; 7-ton big bro) for a test ride. :-D

That is sweet one heck off a overlander bug out truck

A beautiful vehicle man..

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Thank You!. It's been my pleasure rehabilitate THOR to reliable operation.

Great explanation.thank you sir..

And the story continues.There are a lot of spare parts for the 900 series trucks and accessories and a lot you can do with them. I have a 1985 M923a1 and liability insurance runs around $250 a Year. Enjoyed your video.

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Thank You fredboat - I totally agree regarding parts availability & support (take a close look at my shirt :) ) - thank you for sharing the additional information!

I remember when we got these in the mid '80s. In my unit, H&S Co., 6th Motor Transport Battalion, USMCR, these replaced Vietnam era M54s, we never got the 800 series. Our first was an M923 10 wheel model painted plain old Forest Green, then the A1s with the "Super Singles" and no CTIS. The best part was the fact they had HEAT! In the Northeast those cold winters sucked in the old M54s.

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Thank You for sharing your experience and Service!

What a magnificent beast.

One of my two MOS while I was in the Marines was Motor Transport. Our class in 1982 got the first of the 923 Series 5 Ton Truck's. It was nice and clean. We all loved to drive it and it rode well. I have been wishing I had one for year's. My other MOS was a M60 Tank Crewman. I was lucky to have had the opportunity to have two MOS. Most people only have one. Semper Fi !! Oorah !!!

@vitale6633

4 жыл бұрын

Thank You for Your Service!

@eddielane9569

4 жыл бұрын

@@vitale6633 thank you very much.

Many a hour behind the wheel of this thing. Fording a river at Ft. Lewis and the water was at foot level. Also did a hill climb with a 600 fuel pod didn't think I was gonna make it.

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing - They are a Beast!

@johnaustin2276

5 жыл бұрын

@@vitale6633 I live in riverside around the corner from a guy that has a couple 5 tons and I think a deuce and half.

I did the same 54” tire swap on my M925A2.

good truck

@vitale6633

3 жыл бұрын

Thank You! :)

Wow, memories, I know the military mechanics tools well!

I have a 1971 XM-811A - manual transmission, N/A Cummins 855, no CTIS. I get 4.2 MPG. It was my daily driver for three years.

Owned a M-35 Reo and that was real work driving that beast. The M-900 series came with automatic transmission because few could drive a stick. The M-35A3 was laid out along the same lines as the Am General but the Army didn't want them. The rebuilt to the A3 cost over $75.000 better spent on a newer truck

@Slim_Slid

4 жыл бұрын

The M35A2-M35A3's were both built by AM General and Kaiser.Several Manufactures made the M35A2,only the two I mentioned made the A3's.The A3's were built from 1993-1999,the Military did have them in Service for a couple of years.The only difference is the Frontends and then they have a 3116 Caterpillar,which made 390 HP,it was also used in the first Variants of the LMTV/MTV 2 1/2/5 Ton Trucks (1994-1998) before using the 305 HP 3126 Caterpillar (1998-2004),they now use the 275 HP C7. The M35A3 and M109A4's also had 1400×20 CTIS Singles had a Allison Automatic.Due to a smaller Transmission,Different Axles,and Different Gear Ratio,they had a limit of 45 MPH and a maximum of 53 MPH.The only real thing decent about them was having Caterpillar Engines,they were much more Powerful than the Multi-Fuels used in the A1 and A2's,and had alot of life expected than the LT/LDT/LDS Engines,while also being much bigger in Displacement.

Great Truck!

hell yeah! my compliments sir

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Thank You Sir! Greatly Appreciated.

Cool ! Nice truck !

@vitale6633

3 жыл бұрын

Thank You, and same to you M1038!

Great six by truck see you on the dirt

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Heading to Glamis next ... :)

I'd buy a torque stick to keep onboard and put your torque wrench in the garage instead of bouncing around. Just a suggestion from a desert field tech. Love the truck!

@vitale6633

3 жыл бұрын

Great suggestion and Thanks for the compliment!

My grandfather drove a truck like this in Korea. He loved it so much that he bought a decommissioned troop carrier after he got back to Canada. He eventually gave it to his 11 kids. They use to have off road parties with it until it broke down deep in the woods where it sits to this day. An almost incomprehensible pile of rust that's half reclaimed by nature. I seen whats left of it for the first time last week.

@frazerchitangi2

Жыл бұрын

Help we have a M927/A with diff issues , need to change them.

Trained on one at Ft Leonardwood, Back in 1995

@bostonbmx6490

5 жыл бұрын

Fort lost in the woods

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Thank You for your Service!

beautiful 👍

Out of all the videos regarding military vehicles, this one actually offers a lot of useful information. What was your cost to purchase this unit?

@applesbighatranch6906

Жыл бұрын

Don't know the answer to that. Just posting to say I love your username! I may borrow that one for conversation.

I had a 67 m935. It only had 10k Miles on it and was a multi fuel engine. Loved it

@jefferymoran286

4 жыл бұрын

The 900 series trucks didn't come in to work service till th Early 80s. in 1967 if you were driving a 5 ton truck with multi fuel engine it had to be an m-54 Kaiser built truck. Most likely it had the continental 465 turbo charged multi fuel. Earlier models had Mack engines. I drove them all, including the 800 series and the mk-48 series as well as the 900 series. Also hauled tanks with the m123s pulling the xm-793 tank trailer. USMC here.

@Slim_Slid

4 жыл бұрын

The M939 5 Ton Trucks weren't made by AM General until 1982,1987 was when they were made by BMY Harsco.1982-1994 is their Timeline.There are three Variants that use the G177/1100×20 Tires (A0),49/1400×20 Tires (A1),and 53/1200×20 CTIS Tires (A2).The A0-A1 use the NHC-250 Cummins being Naturally Aspirated,while the A2 use the 6CTA Cummins being Turbocharged. The M39 5 Ton Trucks were made from 1951-1969.International Harvestor,Mack,Diamond T,Reo,Diamond Reo (Pre-1967/Post-1967),Studebaker,and Kaiser all built them.And it didn't matter what year they were built,there were Variants all together that used three different Engines.Your A0 5 Ton Trucks had a R602 Continental Gasoline,the A1 5 Ton Trucks built by Mack had a EDNT-673 Mack,and the A2 had either a LDT/LDS-465 Multi-Fuel.More of the A2's used the LDS than the Deuce & A Half,and they also had different Turbos,alot of them were C or D,not many being A,and yet the same Turbos were used in complication on the M35A2's and M185/M109A3's.

First actual 6x6 I've seen on KZread. All the rest were 10 by.

This was my truck in Motor T in the Marine Corps. Love this truck and would love to have one. Looking at buying one and was wondering about registration in California. Historic vehicle nice. I new this truck top to bottom and inside out in the Marines.

nice truck!

And you'll be delivering me this fine steed …. next week will suit me Bueno! ;>)

I worked on those while in the Marine Corps Motor T.

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Thank You for Your Service!

Tremendous 🌴

63 B w/ H8 ID. This was what I worked on during Storm and Somalia. 356 Sig Co. TROPO HEAVY!

Nice I have a 923a2 also

Awesome. I'm a wildland fire faller looking to make one of these into a multi-use fire truck. Are the California diesel regs and vehicle age an issue with registration? Thank-you. Ian.

AWESOME TRUCK❤❤❤🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Painted 30 of them in desert storm and drove many in the usmc

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Thank You for Your Service! Tough Times.

@Sprocket-js4nr

4 жыл бұрын

You're not the real Joe Shmuckatelli … the real JS came within a c*nt hair of almost not graduating with me! I know this because my DIs were always telling me about this mysterious Joe who always made us do extra PT!

Did you happen to get any of the Technical Manuals other than the operators manual. They are super easy to work on. I was a 3521 in the Marine Corps.

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

Yes, all the technical manuals are available on the steelsoldiers.com forums. Now, "Easy to Work On" is potentially a matter of Youth :) When the Tire/Wheel combo weighs 490lbs (upgraded to Michelin 16xR20's), for me, things move a bit slowly. Thank You for your Service: MOS 3521 Automotive Maintenance Technician

I like it!!!

The 939 series a re really very nice trucks to drive and work on, if your used to driving a Deuce it like stepping 40 years forward stepping into a 939. I got mine with 1300 miles on the full rebuild pack and drove the truck 600 miles home the next day, it even came with a full fuel tank (90 gal.) the truck has been pretty flawless in the 4 years I have owned it. Mine is running the 855 naturally aspirated Cummins and it does not have CTIS (central tire inflation system) The reason I went the route I did is because I am very familiar with the 855 ci based engines and CTIS although it sounds like a dream come true its very complicated, expensive to maintain and can be problematic which =$$$$$$ This truck is my second most enjoyable truck to drive behind my M977 HEMTT

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

You are correct regarding the complexity of CTIS. Took me 9 months to triage the issues I was having with the system. Hub seals, wheel valves, computer......When it works, it's pretty cool though. When it doesn't, well, it's a bit frustrating.... The 855 Cummins is a beast of a motor in your rig. I think they'll run forever!

@karlk6860

5 жыл бұрын

@@vitale6633 I have avoided CTIS on all my trucks so far but it looks like that may come to an end Vitale, I really want a Mk 23 7 ton LMTVR OshKosh and guess what, you got it only comes with CTIS, I love learning new trucks and new systems but just dont want to have to learn about CTIS! Your truck is an extremely nice looking truck Vitale congrats and they sure are a pleasure to drive arent they!

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

@@karlk6860 There are some great CTIS debug resources both online (Spicer Corp website) and at the steelsoldiers.com forums. In one thread there's a Spicer Engineer contributing and answering questions regarding how the system operates and tips for debug. I'll search for the link and provide it when I find it. If the wheel hub seals leak, the system will flag an error. Usually that's the first place to start - and it's a great opportunity to repack the wheel bearings :)

Nice truck sir

@vitale6633

3 жыл бұрын

Thank You! I appreciate the positive feedback!

Muy bueno!

How did you wire and keep your GPS stable like You did. How did you mount your electronics like you did . Would you do a video

Nice. I would advise acquiring one of the optional 30,000 to 40,000 pound winches that fit this truck. Get this one stuck and big bucks for getting something to pull you out, unless you have a friend with the right equipment, and a good heart.

@vitale6633

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, having equally equipped friends is very beneficial. Since this video was published I've added a pair of Sherpa 25K winches to both the front and rear on custom mounts. While not fully up to what one would want, I'm hoping the 24v Sherpa's have enough pulling capacity combined with a snatch-block to enable self recovery. I chose the electric Sherpa's as I was able to fabricate mounting plates that integrated into the existing bumpers to retain the original look. The military hydraulic winches require extended bumpers. To support the 24v winches I re-installed the four 12v batteries, which is the typical military configuration for this class of truck. Most people run just a pair of 12v batteries for civilian use....

Hell yeah

I do believe if I'm correct the 5 tons is related to off-road load capacity. but on road it can like you said carry a whole lot more.

I NEED ONE!

You should take that rig on Trooper Tyree's October 2022 Great Smoky Mountains Convoy. See HISTORY in MOTION magazine 'Events' listing of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association.

@vitale6633

2 жыл бұрын

Great Suggestion! thanks for mentioning the event. I'll look into it.

Nice. Make it cherry. Paint it brown. Make it your new daily driver.. You can bring back THE groceries(store) in that...

This Truck is incredible. Would love to drive one in Germany. Haha.

With the onboard air have you thought about an air wrench? You may not have enough air but adding another air tank might be worth it

@vitale6633

5 жыл бұрын

These trucks have four air tanks on board: Wet Tank, Emergency Tank, Primary Tank, Secondary Tank. They also have a pair of air connections (aka Glad-hand air connectors) front and rear for Service and Emergency interconnect with other vehicles (Towing or being Towed) to run the spring/air brakes. I have an adapter attached to the Service glad-hand with a standard air hose & coupling which I use to air up the tires of other vehicles when needed. I can attach any standard air tool to that hose as well. Onboard air pressure is 120psi max. So, i guess the answer to your question is Yes :) although I currently do not have any air tools onboard. I'll give it a try this weekend. :)

@jerrymiller8313

5 жыл бұрын

@@vitale6633 I had Garbage trucks years ago and we had a one inch air wrench for changing tires We always used it with shop air but not off the truck air supply pressure was not a problem as both were about the same just not sure what vlume would be required for tire changing other smaller tools for sure no problem

@FkTheGov

2 жыл бұрын

@@vitale6633 The best air tool I've added to my M923A2 is a K3LA locomotive horn.

The 813 was much preferred in the Marine Corps and many were retained well into the early 2000’s. It was from front to rear a much more reliable and simpler vehicle.

Amazing truck! I've got two questions, how much does each tire weights and how many MPG?

@MatthewSmith-to1hz

3 жыл бұрын

1. An ass load 2. You mean GPM ( gallons per mile).

I would love to buy one of these.

@vitalewilkins5831

4 жыл бұрын

GovPlanet.com - Takes a few months for paperwork to process. Good luck in your search

I love it,,how much. Do tires cost?

That's a nice truck! Do you change the wheels yourself or do you always have a helper? I recently bought an M35A3 and have been trying to figure out how to safely pull the wheels off myself (I imagine they have to be about the same weight as the super singles on your truck, ~400 lbs each).

@vitale6633

3 жыл бұрын

Thank You. Yes, I've been able to change the wheels/tires myself with the help of a rolling tire dolly I fabricated. However, if you lay the tire/wheel horizontally on the ground, help is definitely required to upright the assembly. The 16x20's on THOR weight about 490lbs each.

Good dependable truck

Where can you buy these beasts?

Nav system type? I want one like yours.

Impossible to own and drive in the Netherlands. Due to extreme taxes and lack of space. But so cool a truck like this.

@vitale6633

3 жыл бұрын

Thank You and great to hear from the Netherlands! Could be a handy vehicle during the winter though...

You should buy some truck tire bars, they way they are shaped, much easier to put tire on, I wonder if anyone ever upgrades the cab on those, like put a highway tractor cab on it.... I've seen them bobbed and it looks cool, but either a cab with no sleeper or a very short sleeper.... sorry by bars I mean the type guys who do road service for truck tires, sledge too, they have a pointed type they use for breaking beads. Murphy's soap, sorta solid, tire guys here use it for mounting tires that the bead wont sit down, can save you off road if you break a bead, fill up the crack with Murphys and as the tire fills you just scrape it off and put back in pail, really helps with mounting tires too, put a light coat on bead..

@vitale6633

3 жыл бұрын

Good suggestion - I'll look into the tire bars and Murphy's soap. Changing the tires on the split rims (which I've done for all 6 tires) was quite the project. I did one wheel/tire each weekend over 6 weeks. Then I drank a lot of beer :)

Do you know if CA registers HMMWVs as historical vehicles? It seems like CA has something against HMMWVs and won't allow those to be registered but will register larger trucks like your.

For Those Interested: here's a link of THOR participating in the SoCal Steel Soldiers Fall Rally: kzread.info/dash/bejne/rGZ_xatvpq7bYco.html Great People, Great Fun. The lead truck is an Oshkosh 7Ton - A Total Beast! THOR did successfully climb the shales hill after airing down to Sand Mode via CTIS.

Trying to learn as much as I can about these before I win one from WPSN 😂

It would be a "Bull in a china shop" on the streets & highways and in traffic. Off-road is where it was meant to be. I had an '83 Chev K20 which I called my weekender (hauling 2x4s, sheetrock, furniture, and appliances), and for snow emergencies (walking through drifts and around stuck cars). This would be a huge step up. What couldn't I haul, although I'd be first to be called for anyone needing to be moved or pulled out of a ditch.

@vitale6633

3 жыл бұрын

LOL, True! Thanks for watching.

Now that's a fucking TRUCK !!!!

Do you ride 14.00-20 or 16.00-20 ? Nice truck 👍

First stick shift I ever drove. 19 yo in Korea 96’

What type of upgrades did you put on thor???

@vitale6633

2 жыл бұрын

None honestly - simply restoration to original specs. New tires & shocks (huge improvement to ride). Added a boost and EGT gauge. Re-insulated the cab. Only aftermarket upgrade are the 25K, 24v front and rear winches I've added since this video was produced.

I want one with an Air-stream attached to the back

@zmann324

3 жыл бұрын

Google m934