Any texags bought a surplus vehicle from a government auction? I saw a lot of 2 1/2 & 5 ton trucks and humvees last week in Harvey. A 5 ton truck seems like a fun vehicle to have if you have the room for it. Are the auctioned vehicles usually beat up or in decent shape for a civilian toy?
Surplus vehicles from a government auction
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Last: 8 yr ago by WestGalvestonAggie
I went with my buddy to pick up a HMMWV and it was in pretty good shape. He had to shop around for one that was running. It had some issues but the parts a cheap.
They can run the gambit really. I'd be real hesitant to buy one without thoroughly looking it over in person.
That being said, when we turned in some old trucks one of em was a late 80's 5-ton dump truck, but it was completely overhauled in '01, had about 600 miles on it when I got in the cab in '15, and 900 miles on it by the time I got it to the depot. So there are some diamonds out there.
One other thing, if it needs work done, be prepared. Servicing most of the trucks is simple, like working on a big tractor, but due to the sheer size it can be a logistical problem if ya aren't set up for it.
That being said, when we turned in some old trucks one of em was a late 80's 5-ton dump truck, but it was completely overhauled in '01, had about 600 miles on it when I got in the cab in '15, and 900 miles on it by the time I got it to the depot. So there are some diamonds out there.
One other thing, if it needs work done, be prepared. Servicing most of the trucks is simple, like working on a big tractor, but due to the sheer size it can be a logistical problem if ya aren't set up for it.
One of my old units had constant problems with our older tactical vics, they were always deadlined for some reason or another. Might be more trouble than it is worth, though the high back version of the HMMWV is pretty cool though. Basically it's a pick up version of a HMMWV with bench seats on the rail.
I bought a Humvee. It was in decent shape. Pay close attention to the description and pictures.
I wouldn't touch one of my agency's trucks, but the sedans would be an outstanding buy - all highway, scheduled maintenance done.
Texmid said:
I bought a Humvee. It was in decent shape. Pay close attention to the description and pictures.
What'd you do with it?
I kept it for almost two years and then sold it. It just sat in my driveway. Took it elk hunting once and it performed like a beast. Didn't draw last year or this and decided it needed to go.
These bobbed deuces alway look cool. That said, I'm unsubscribing from this thread because it's innocent ideas like these that end up with me making expensive mistakes.
We have converted a bunch of 2.5 and 5 ton units to wildland fire trucks. Frequently had a host of gremlins to sort out at first, but they'd usually work out.
By the time they go too civilian auction other programs have had an advance look/ take on them.
By the time they go too civilian auction other programs have had an advance look/ take on them.
Centerpole90 said:
These bobbed deuces alway look cool. That said, I'm unsubscribing from this thread because it's innocent ideas like these that end up with me making expensive mistakes.
Speaking of, how much longer until CPjr is bawling tires in cotton country?
Come on dude, this bad boy comes with a trailer and everything for $14K
.JPG)
See what I'm up against?????????
*seriously though - target is Christmas. Can't say that the interior will be up to final standards by then, but running/driving by Christmas seems realistic.
*seriously though - target is Christmas. Can't say that the interior will be up to final standards by then, but running/driving by Christmas seems realistic.
Talk to the hand buddy. This midlife crisis is spoken for.
How'd you title it? Seems like last time one of these threads came up all the surplus vehicles were a crap shoot if you could ever street them or not
I got a Texas title and went with Former Military Vehicle plates. That option seemed best for me. I live in Smithville and the cops were not going to mess with me over the plates. Also, they were good for, I think, five years.meggy09 said:
How'd you title it? Seems like last time one of these threads came up all the surplus vehicles were a crap shoot if you could ever street them or not
My brother recently bought a 5 Ton at one of these auctions. It had a new engine & transmission put in it not long before it was sold and had pretty low mileage on them. It looked almost like the brand new trucks we got when I was in the Army in the 90's. He's using it to trailer his bulldozer from jobsite to jobsite now.
That's an LMTV right?
This website is pretty cool:
http://www.planbsupply.com/6x6-expandable-box-trucks
I've spent some time dreaming but they want serious $$$ for their rigs.
http://www.planbsupply.com/6x6-expandable-box-trucks
I've spent some time dreaming but they want serious $$$ for their rigs.
Yeah. Single rear axle.reddog90 said:
That's an LMTV right?
agingcowboy
Joined:
Jun 7, 2015
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Buy it fix it up, bring it to the my ranch, let me enjoy it.
OP,
If you aren't a mechanic or dont enjoy fixing stuff these can get tricky. Ive bought several over the years and was watching todays. 3 times nearly clicked on the ammunition trailers...but after shipping quote couldnt justify. Mobile Pig Blind 2.0 gonna have to wait.
You really want to look at bottom of description and see "Fully Operational" and "Seems to be generally in order". Everything will be a level of dirty you only wish your wife could be.
Life is short, buy some fun ****.
If you aren't a mechanic or dont enjoy fixing stuff these can get tricky. Ive bought several over the years and was watching todays. 3 times nearly clicked on the ammunition trailers...but after shipping quote couldnt justify. Mobile Pig Blind 2.0 gonna have to wait.
You really want to look at bottom of description and see "Fully Operational" and "Seems to be generally in order". Everything will be a level of dirty you only wish your wife could be.
Life is short, buy some fun ****.
PalomaPachanga said:
Buy it fix it up, bring it to the my ranch, let me enjoy it.
Off topic side note.....as in Hondo Paloma Pachanga?
Or other reasoning behind the name?
Unrelated to the location in Hondo, however that is an outstanding place to hunt. I highly recommend it.
We've now gotSalt of the water said:
Ask Loco gringo for pointers. He worked on a couple.
https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/2713711
4 HMMWV's
2 (maybe 3) 5 tons
1 or 2 LMTV's (Stewart & Stevenson)
and 1 MTV (Stewart & Stevenson)
All have been bought through Iron Planet/ Gov Planet (same site). Iron Planet does do a pretty good job with pictures and descriptions.
Military does a pretty good job keeping these rigs going. It is not uncommon to by a 5 ton with a <2 year old Cummins engine in it.
Word of warning, if you are comfortable working on and modifying vehicles then you'll have no issue. You can make non original parts work in most places. If you're not comfortable doing mods but can change parts, "original" parts can be expensive. If you're not comfortable doing much of any vehicle work, parts and labor are even more expensive.
In my oppinon the 5 tons and Stewart & Stevenson vehicle are the most bang for the buck. The HMMWV's have a cool factor, but they are a pain to drive, work on, get parts for, etc. 2.5 tons are almost all gone as far as GOV auctions go.
I forgot to add.
everything military EXCEPT for the HMMWVs are easily titled and registered.
The HMMWVs come with "off-road use only" paperwork and are a pain/expensive/impossible to get titled. Gov planet is now selling the marine variant of the HMMWV (I think) with on road use paperwork, those can be titled.
everything military EXCEPT for the HMMWVs are easily titled and registered.
The HMMWVs come with "off-road use only" paperwork and are a pain/expensive/impossible to get titled. Gov planet is now selling the marine variant of the HMMWV (I think) with on road use paperwork, those can be titled.
jftx04 said:
OP,
Everything will be a level of dirty you only wish your wife could be.
Centerpole90 said:
Talk to the hand buddy. This midlife crisis is spoken for.
After seeing how those were driven in my battalion...i would never buy a vehicle issued to Marine infantry units!
Whatever ya get, there are a few very important steps ya need to take on/before the initial startup.
1. The metallurgy in a lot of the old vehicles wasn't that great. I recommend checking for soft spots. A ball peen hammer works best for this. Lightly tap the surfaces. You'll hear the difference. Good steel has a sharper sound. If its gone soft, it'll be more dull.
2. Thoroughly check all spark plugs. This is often overlooked, and can cause serious issues down the line.
3. Get an exhaust sample. SOP for this was a 55 gallon Hefty bag. Wrap it around the exhaust pipe tightly, and try to get the first few seconds flow for an accurate reading. Tie off the bag as best you can, and take it to your local service shop to have it analyzed. If ya can, try and find a veteran run one, as they are more likely to know how to handle it.
Don't actually do those things.
1. The metallurgy in a lot of the old vehicles wasn't that great. I recommend checking for soft spots. A ball peen hammer works best for this. Lightly tap the surfaces. You'll hear the difference. Good steel has a sharper sound. If its gone soft, it'll be more dull.
2. Thoroughly check all spark plugs. This is often overlooked, and can cause serious issues down the line.
3. Get an exhaust sample. SOP for this was a 55 gallon Hefty bag. Wrap it around the exhaust pipe tightly, and try to get the first few seconds flow for an accurate reading. Tie off the bag as best you can, and take it to your local service shop to have it analyzed. If ya can, try and find a veteran run one, as they are more likely to know how to handle it.
Don't actually do those things.
Any pics of your 5 tons, LMTV or MTVs? I want a 5 ton I just have no idea what the hell i'd do with it until the next hurricane in Houston.
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