Posted by Paul Cook on Friday, May 23, 2003 at 11:11PM :
In Reply to: care to help educate this ebay seller? "76 Dodge Ex-Mil posted by mike a on Friday, May 23, 2003 at 9:55PM :
Perhaps I can help educate you. The M-885 was used to carry a signal hut. It was distinguished from others in the M-880 series by the tie downs for the hut which are clearly shown in the rear views. The rated capacity was 1 1/4 tons and we called them "five quarters"
The truck on e-bay is missing the military grill guard. The 5/4 had a dual voltage system providing 24v for the signal equipment and 12v for some of the strictly automotive equipment. The first thing done when these were bought surplus was to remove all the 24v system. If I remember correctly, the headlights were connected with the blackout marker lights and those also were 24v. That was not east to change.
It makes me and many of my fellow veterans proud to know that while we served to protect those who did not serve, we also learned a little about trucks that served as well.
I'll leave the transmission for someone else to explain.
"The Land of the Free, Because of the Brave"
Paul F. Cook, Chief Warrant Officer 3, US Army Retired
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