Steyr's contribution to US military trucks

[David Dunn]

In my own kind of way to pay tribute to the attributes of nature’s “Fly Squirrels” , I am the proud owner of a Flying Pig, aka, a M1094 LVAD , also called a 5 ton 6x6 dump truck, Low Velocity AirDrop (LVAD)….. all which means it’s a 24,000lb dump truck that the military shoves out the ass end of cargo planes at 500 ft over the ground…. Though it might look like it, I pray it’s not Stewart and Stevenson’s version of the GM crash dummies .



For those unaware, the FMTV (Family Medium Tactical Vehicles) trucks are a direct decendent of the Steyr 12M18 truck.

Until I have it in front of me, I'm not sure what I'll make of it. First thought is to bob it to a 4x4 and mock it up similar to a Special forces " War Pig"

2nd option is to locate a surplus FMTV cab and make up a expedition vehicle..
Of course this is all dependent on that the drivetrain isn't trash... the trans alone could cost more than a nice 712 if it has any prooblems

But, as I said, nothing is set in stone yet.
But it will eventually be on display at the Tankland Museum along with my 2nd Supacat

[audiocontr]

I saw that on ebay! Good for you! How will you get it shipped?

[David Dunn]

I saw that on ebay! Good for you! How will you get it shipped?

"Battleship anchor hauler"

Actually, have a shipper that came within my budgeted amount ( small fortune) and I talked to the seller, and I have arranged with him to furnish some extra tires and rims, plus do servicing and get it started. Much of what he said on the phone fell in line with what the pics indicated. They had brought the truck from a DoD contractor as "for parts" and never did anything with it and decided to sell it. He said looking in under the cab, the engine and trans looked "like new".

The only real down side is I'm paying to ship about 6000lbs of scrap metal in the bed and hydraulics that will probably be removed.
The upper cab supposedly has quite a bit of damage, but if I do the War Pig makeover, I only need the windshield....anyone know of anyone that does autoglass?

If I go the expedition truck route, it is in line for a new cab, plus a camper.

One of the initial things I found about these trucks is that they are suppose to have 2 trailer sockets on the rear, the 12 pin NATO in 24v and a 7 pin civilian socket in 12v.

I threw my bid out there, not expecting to win, as I discounted a lot of money earmarked for shipping. I just hope my intuition hasn't failed me

[milesdzyn]

Dave I'm putting my vote in for the Expedition conversion. Always thought a larger size expedition rig would be nice based off a Tatra or Mann 8x8, Lots of room for all the comforts of home.

Miles

[Jim LaGuardia]

Like this one?

[M Wehrman]

No Jim,Daves' truck has 6 wheels! Geeeessh!
Mark

Still waitng for fallout from Volvo side,,,

[David Dunn]

Miles,
There are several angles I can go on this. I've had plans to convert my Ford F700 into a camper/tow rig because of it's massive HP, auto trans, etc ( I custom ordered it from Ford in '94 as a service truck, overkill!), but this MTV makes it look like a 1/2 ton pickup ! My biggest concern is avoiding a CDL because of the air brakes and 3rd axle, and avoid commercial insurance. I may be able to do it as a RV conversion, and maintain a military exterior appearance. FYI, as a M1078 (4x4) it would have a 12' bed and oal of 253". The M1083 (6x6) has a 14' bed and a oal of 283". So a enclosed cabin similar to a Mog 1300 might be a consideration.

For me, 8x8 Tatras, Mans and others are too big and heavy. The dual trailering sockets on the FMTV makes for a very flexible tow rig

I'll be getting more pics over the weekend and update to it's state of repair

[Jim LaGuardia]

I vote for War Pig config with display machine gun.

[David Dunn]

I vote for War Pig config with display machine gun.

Display?

[19D20]

I vote for War Pig config with display machine gun.

Display?

NFA Weapons in southern kalifornia , sweet !

[mopar]

Here's a cab for you?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FMTV-Cab-Stripp ... 2eb748f67c

[David Dunn]

I'm going to do something that is totally out of charactor for me... wait until I have possesion before I stockpile a load of parts.

[Dreadnought]

Over here in Poland, the Steyr truck is well thought of as a dump truck (very tough) consequently there are many of them on the road. (Three main contenders for dumptruck crown here....Kamaz, Tatra and Steyr) So this same cab has been around a long time....even back in the late 80,s it was being put on ERF trucks in UK, before MAN bought out Steyr trucks and stopped the supply...they later bought out ERF. I see this cab almost every day, on working trucks....old but still working. I suspect it may be a version of this cab that MAN put on Polish Army STAR 6x6 trucks.....now that even STAR are under MAN control.

[David Dunn]

The build may well be determined.
This pic was posted to my thread on SS
If you didn't know what the 6x6 truck in the background was, you might get excited and scream "UBER PINZ"
Well, you could be a little right... the M1093 is the Stewart Stevenson's 6x6 version of the 4x4 M1078, which is the result of their licencing of the Steyr 12M18....
something of the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon

[David Dunn]

Quick glance! Which is the 718 ?

Hint: One is 6 ft longer and 3x the weight

Ah Crap.. when I'm trying to reduce my motorpool... I end up supersizing