For those of you who've actually driven Deuce 'n' a Halfs, how is the power for highway use. I understand that they're noisy and can't top 55 or so, but how much will a, say, 12k lb trailer slow you down on mild hills? Thanks.
Chris

none...but the noise will kill you....I've pulled a 3000 gallon water tank and it didn't slow me down, had cruise control too...2x4 propped against the seat....

Yeah, I remember the noise and slow pace would just about lull me to sleep on the highway.
I drove an 818 (same cab, shorter chassis and 5th wheel for regular commercial freight trailers (not sure if the engine was the same)) mostly, and it had plenty of power - used to use the 6 wheel drive and push loaded 915's outta the sand!
Oh, yeah, it had a hand throttle for cruise!

Thanks for the help, guys - I've got a couple more questions, if you've got time.
1. Is the hardtop much quieter than the softtop version?
2. What is the distance between the two rear axles?
3. Is there a big power difference between turbo and non-turbo? I think the rating was only 4 hp difference, right? But is this accurate?
Thanks again!
Chris

I can tell you the hard top definately does NOT make a noticable difference in noise level.

My buddy flat-towed his 96 Dodge 1500 behind his duece (multi-fuel turbo version). He said he could barely tell it was there.

Originally posted by GO 4LO
3. Is there a big power difference between turbo and non-turbo? I think the rating was only 4 hp difference, right? But is this accurate?



There may not be much difference at low altitude, but at higher elevations, the turbo will make a huge difference. Early turbochargers were actually called 'altitude compensators'.

With the torque multiplication of the axle gears, even weak powerless engines will feel somewhat strong. The gearing really helps with pulling heavy loads.
If I were building a deuce, I would go with a Ford 7.3L with a turbo. Should be easy enough to swap in. And it will give you all the power you need.

A Detroit 53 series would also be an excellent engine, especially with their ability to wind up to high rpms.

A Detroit 53 series would also be an excellent engine, especially with their ability to wind up to high rpms.

Talk about friggin loud....I would hate to drive that thing very far at all.

As a tow rig...are you F'N Nutz.
I can see the price being right and all but...

Loud-like you can't believe. REQUIRES hearing protection, Have to scream to have a conversation.

SLOPPY STEERING- wander like a cow, a high CG cow.

MANUAL STEERING- you ain't lived until you've tried to make a 90 degree turn in a duece. And don't try it at more than 3 MPH.

HORRIBLE Brakes - thats why it has a big ass bumper on the front.

UNDER POWERED- It wasn't designed with modern highway driving in mind. It is for transporting equipment over unmaintained roads not comfortable cruising so it won't pull a hill with a load at more than 35MPH. And I mean small central Texas hills, not even real ones.

Technology-designed and not really improved on since the 1950's.
but on the plus side owner maint. is simple. like owning a tractor!

This rant is not based on fuzzy past memories. I was driving one of these turds in July.

i have a couple of them and they are loud as hell, it would be 100% better if you ran the exhaust under the truck and out the back. the noise differance between the hard top and soft top is not much with a exhaust in the stock position. they don't haul the weight as good as you would think, could use more power. i am sure you can turn the pump up and make a shit load more power than the factory 160 hp. i just haven't got around to figuring it out. all the trucks i have had have been multifuel turbos. the brakes are great when the are in good working order, will lock up all ten no problem. the steering is not that bad, really pretty good for no power steering. hell it is not as bad as my old ford without ps. they limit out rpm wise between 58 and 63 depending on the truck. the turbo was put on that motor to cut down the smoke, not to add power. if you can get a later model truck with spring seats it is a much better driver. they get around 8 mpg and the weight doesn't seem to affect the miliage that much. the trailer on the hills would slow you down, but i am sure if the pump was turned up a bit and the multifueling removed from the pump, 250 hp and 900 or so tq would do just fine.

Which 2.5? There are half a dozen to choose from. The best for what you want would be an M35A2. The best bet, if you could find it (Pretty rare) would be one of the A2 's that were modified with the 5 ton engine. They made several, we used to have one in this unit as our maintenance vehicle. It would pull a trailer and a load and still keep with the humvees. Everybody bitches about how loud they are, I've never had a problem with it. Stay away from the A3, it has an auto and half the power of the old A2. It also runs the 3116 Cat. All we have now are A3's, I miss my old A2's pretty bad. As far as fuel mileage, with our A3's, I've drove from here to Baghdad in one, about 375 miles. I refueled three times, but that was for safety. I could have made it on two full tanks, but when we got there it would be less than 1/4 tank. BTW, I'm a light wheel vehicle mechanic, I ride in them all day everyday. :D

most that are coming out for sale in the auctions are m35a2's i get a few c mocels with the drop beds and spring seats. all 160 hp multifuel motors, 465ldt. mike

Originally posted by gunracer1
most that are coming out for sale in the auctions are m35a2's i get a few c mocels with the drop beds and spring seats. all 160 hp multifuel motors, 465ldt. mike

How much? I have been thinking about getting one as a bad-ass tow/recovery/plow rig. I just need to find a place to store it. :(

the prices range from a couple hundred to 3 to 5k at the sales. i have a good running complete m35a2 that needs a clutch that i will sell for 1500. i have all the parts to fix it, just not the time. i am about to quite buying them myself, i am tired of dodging the law when i tow them home. i think it puts me right at 26 or 27k on the little trailer when i haul them. mike