Posted by David Sherman on Friday, June 11, 2004 at 3:49AM :
In Reply to: duce question posted by Bob Cocivi on Thursday, June 10, 2004 at 10:36PM :
You're in the ballpark at $2500. I've seen decent driveable trucks go for as little as $1500 at the DRMO, but $2500 is more typical. With all the basics checked and minor problems fixed a dealer would get $4000. A winch adds about $1000 retail. An air-lock transfer case (rather than the automatic "sprag" type), an air-ride driver's seat, a hard-top cab, and a heater are all desirable extras. All of these things are available from surplus dealers, but of course all cost money. A hard-top cab, in particular, tends to be quite expensive. The rag top is fine, however, if you're in mild weather and don't mind replacing the canvas now and then. A cab canvas costs around $200.
The turboed multifuels are great engines, in my opinion, seriously understressed compared to modern civilian diesels. In good condition, they'll start quickly without glow-plugs or ether at temperatures well below freezing. It's also nice to be able to run on pretty much any liquid fuel, though they don't start so easily running straight gasoline. The LDT465-1C is the most common deuce multifuel. the -1D is the latest and greatest version. There's an LDS465 which is the souped up version normally seen in 5-tons, but occasionally in a deuce. It sucks twice the fuel of an LDT but makes more power. The LD427 is the old non-turboed version and is the notorious smoker. That may be what you have, and if so, you might want to reduce your bid accordingly. A good takeout LDT engine should be available for $1000, maybe less if you have a major salvager of residue trucks nearby. It's possible, but not cheap or simple, to add a turbo to a non-turbo multifuel. Continental, Hercules, and White all made multifuel engines to the same spec. I have not heard that one is better than another.
A 1968 truck was probably delivered with a gas engine and a spicer 3052 tranny. When the multifuel engine was installed, they should have swapped in a 3053 tranny along with it. The difference is that the 3052 has 5th gear direct, whereas the 3053 has an overdrive in 5th. This allows for the slower top speed of the diesel.
I have not heard of any particular problems with sand on desert storm trucks. The only typical problem is a badly-adhered desert camo paint job. They seem to have repainted a lot of equipment very quickly without much prep. The stock truck is supposed to be waterproof to 30" without a fording kit, and to 72" with a fording kid, so if the gearboxes and axle seals can keep out that much water, they should be able to keep out sand. Check the front steering knuckle boots. They are often ripped, and if they've been that way for a while who knows what might be in the front bearings. If they're not ripped, they might rip once you start using the truck. I've had to replace them on all 3 of my trucks shortly after getting them. Boots run about $25 apiece and are quite plentiful. They can be replaced without tearing down the front hub or even removing the tire.
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