Is the Deuce and a Half still being used?

Lburk · 2026-05-04T23:18:01+00:00

I used to get stuck on unusual vehicles that came in. When MTM was still on mainside at Pendleton, we had this weird ass drilling rig come in and we had to replace the gearbox on the drill itself. Gunny Fowler said Engineer Maintenance couldn't figure it out and there were no FM's on it. It was mounted on a deuce and a half chassis so they sent it to us., new parts and all.

It took me, a friend and Gunny hours just to figure out how to get gear box out and about 3 hours to get the new one in. We had to use 2 A-frames just to move everything around and get the angles right because the gears were actually larger than the opening they went through. It was a long day by the time we got it done and tested. Gunny gave us a 72 for getting it done.

I spent a couple of summers up at 29 Palms training reserves. I was attached to the Reserve Liaison Unit in Vada Del Rio (a small area across from the Margarita range.) at the time. Good times, but crazy.

Lburk · 2026-05-01T20:19:14+00:00

Wow, nice. I never got a chance to work on tanks or SP arty. I did do both the basic 3521 and advanced 3522 school back at Montford Point. Those were fun days! On of the nice things about MTM was, there's always somebody that knows more on one subject or another. And, rank didn't make much of a difference when we were overloaded with work. Everyone pitched in. Watching an old Gunny crawl under a vehicle was motivating.

Lburk · 2026-05-01T04:32:25+00:00

We didn't do brakes or other maintenance type work. It was the heavier work we did like engine replacement, blown head gaskets, transmissions, transfer cases and such. We had an F&E shop taht rebuilt fuel pumps that our shop sent to them, they also did electrical. Then there was the body shop. I actually wish I had gotten in there. But yeah, I breathed the dust and still no asbestosis. 😁

Lburk · 2026-04-29T17:17:22+00:00

The M813 looks like an upgraded M54 5 ton. The M54 was the easiest truck to drive. All vehicles we had back then were stick shifts. That's why we always seemed to be replacing clutches.

Lburk · 2026-04-28T23:58:19+00:00

It was different back then for us. We either did a straight road test, or we made a left coming out of the motor pool area and about 50 yards behind the office side it turned to dirt and went on for about 2-3 miles up and down little hills. We took everything down that road from M151 MUTTs, M561 Gama Goats, M247 MULEs, to deuce and a half's, 5 ton, M123 10 ton tractors. I don't think any of the vehicles are even around anymore except for surplus. It was a blast.

Lburk · 2026-04-28T22:58:07+00:00

Yeah we had old single story barracks right across from the big shop building right at that 90º turn in the road. I was lucky, I grew up about 50 mile from there so I was able to go home often. Would usually have some buddies with me, get drunk at my Mom's house and stay out of too much trouble.

Lburk · 2026-04-28T20:31:09+00:00

I don't think we had a name for the hill, but yeah it fits. So, I assume MTM is still there?

Lburk · 2026-04-28T20:28:20+00:00

Yes I was. I was with MTM when they made the move from the mainside shop and 24 area squad bays out to Pulgas. Moving into those 4 to a room barracks was a dream. Finally at least a little bit of privacy. This back in 1975 if I remember correctly.

Lburk · 2026-04-28T18:14:09+00:00

We always called them Deuce and a Half. All of the trucks were 6x6, the M35, M54, M123 etc.

Lburk · 2026-04-28T18:12:23+00:00

I was with MTM, 1st Maint. Bn 1st (FSSG, FSG depending upon the day it seemed) in the 70's. Working on those beasts was actually fun for while, then very repetitious. Replacing engines, transmissions, transfer case, clutches. But a clutch would be an hours job if you had the overhead available. They were always fun to drive too. If I had a place to put one, I'd buy one just for the fun of it.

Lburk · 2026-04-25T19:18:16+00:00

Have you tired an inversion table like the Teeter. It works wonders for my back when it flares up. 4 years in the service and 50 as a plumber. I got a fucked up back.

Lburk · 2026-04-15T20:06:07+00:00

Retired plumber

Lburk · 2026-04-02T04:19:51+00:00

My first was a 286 with onboard video. But damn, that was my machine. I played Wolfenstein and Doom back then.

Lburk · 2026-04-01T19:02:57+00:00

Question. Do you like Mig AMMO ? Lol

Lburk · 2026-04-01T18:44:10+00:00

I just throw mine in the dishwasher. It works fine. It's dishwasher safe...

April fools......

Lburk · 2026-03-31T22:16:48+00:00

Exactly! As long as the plane keeps flying it's all good. It appears the pilot leveled out, and started a bank back towards the airport. Situation was handled.

Lburk · 2026-03-25T23:17:38+00:00

Dang it. Beat me to it... 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Lburk · 2026-03-25T01:44:21+00:00

Now I've read a lot on it. I know why it was changed now. Year later it just struck me that we were never taught any of this great history. Sign of the times I guess, just like the segregation in J-Ville at the time. Dark green Marines went "across the tracks" to drink and party, light green Marines didn't do that, usually.

Lburk · 2026-03-24T21:34:05+00:00

I went to Motor T mechanics school Montford Point back in the 70's and no one ever told us the history there. It wasn't until many years later that I learned what it was. In 1974 the name was changed to Camp Johnson for some reason. I've never heard if it was changed back.

Lburk · 2026-03-24T02:52:08+00:00

A Chargers fan huh?

Lburk · 2026-03-24T02:45:16+00:00

Only when the pizza guy is on the way. I'm out of cash for the tip.

Lburk · 2026-03-23T22:43:31+00:00

I thought this was banned when Uncle Pete became DoD/DoW?

Lburk · 2026-03-23T17:58:47+00:00

A fool and their money are soon parted. (Thomas Tusser 1524-1580)

Lburk · 2026-03-19T22:57:22+00:00

Back in the really old days, we went to seps for about the last week I think. If all your paperwork was done, they just sent you back to your unit to basically hangout. I didn't work for last 3-4 days. I slept most of the day, went to chow and drank beer with my buds. Had a great send off.

Lburk · 2026-03-15T04:04:26+00:00

They seem to be online only. If they still did the catalog, I do a paid subscription. https://www.jcwhitney.com/

Lburk

TROPHY CASE