hi
A couple of weeks back i asked about the various ways of making a m54 truck, now whilst the Real Model full kit would be the best it is out of my price range, likewise after pricing the cab conversion here in the UK again the cost would be to expensive.

So a trip to the loft to try and find an old scrapped m34 to use as a base for the cab and to find an italeri bigfoot . No luck with the m34 could only find the chassis ,hood and windscreen but i did find an afv m35 i'd forgotten about and as a bonus a set of psp models civilian pattern tyres for a longtom which look very much like the wheels off a 5 tonner.

Ok now ive got the bits i start reading all the threads i can find on m54 builds by all the well known guntruck builders on this site.

Most if not all specify cutting the chassis to shorten it by 3mm/1/8" then i read this one

http://armorama.com/forums/219#51231

which states the italeri wheelbase is correct and that the backend of the top rail should be cut allowing the load bed to be positioned further forward.

Not wanting to cause an arguement between those concerned iam now confused as to which is the correct method.

I do have a drawing from another site of a well known guntruck expert (thescrr.com) that seems to show the top rail ending at the same place as the chassis. If anyone has the front and back drwaing from this site id appreciate a copy as all i get is a red x.

Second question is has anyone just lengthened the chassis of the m35 as well as the cab and thereby saved using 2 kits.
I know that would also involve building a new load bed aswell but i want to do an early version fixed side anyway so wouls need to build 2 new sides for the italeri kit.

Lastly the psp wheels are they any good for use on an m54, as it would again save on buying another set, again i want all civilian tyres.

My idea is not to build a Vietnam gun truck but one from Africa in use i believe by Congo forces.
Heres a couple of pics.





These couple mount twin 37mm mine will probably get a zu-23-2 unless i can scratch the 37mm using possibly a scrap m42 duster for the guns.

Any help would be appreciated.
Peter

Peter,
This truck is M813 no M54.
Miloslav

Hi Miloslav
Iam even more confused as shouldnt the filter thing be on the drivers side fender on the opposite side of the truck to the exhaust for it to be an M813.
The filter looks to be the same as a m813 as it is different to the ones usually seen on a m54 but it is mounted on the right hand fender next to the exhaust as on a m54.
Peter

For us to say what the house gave. What it found is that assemble or this is type between the M54 and M813.

Iam thinking that it could be an upgraded truck.

It appears to be a M54 with M813 style air intake and a muffler on the exhaust. Probably local built from salvage parts. Perhaps a conscious effort to improve air flow on dusty roads and quite the exhaust. Perhaps just pulling from the most convenient parts. Honestly I wouldn't get hung up on the exact military designation. You've got photos that will justify your modeling choices and exclude them from being counted as inaccuracies. Looks like a fun build.

In TM-9-2320-211-10 (year 1977) is this truck as M54A2.

Here's a 1969 Kaiser Jeep M54A2 (according to Olive-drab.com) :


The front grill appears to be flat (just like the "nose"), contrary to the one in Peter's first and second pics...
The large storage bin and the battery boxes beside it (below the cab door) look like those fitted to M809 series trucks ...



Frenchy

I forgot about the grille and battery boxes. Actually if you look at the second photo Frenchy posted, you can see a hole that could be used to mount a left side air intake. So it would be an M813. Maybe with an engine change prompting the relocation of the air cleaner.

Now I forget, was there a program to convert/refurbish M54 trucks to M813 or were those new builds? Frenchy's second photo looks like a refurb. Hard to believe I live in the hometown of AM General trucks and even had family who worked there, but I don't know.

According to the caption, it's a rebuilt M813 :
http://www.easternsurplus.net/5.html

Frenchy

Here are some dimensions for the M813 :



Joe Wallace's M813 walkaround pics

Joe Wallace's 1/35th scale M813


HTH

Frenchy

Ok Frenchy

Now you gone and done it, just when iam getting my head round building a m54 and working out the best way of doing it on the cheap you come along and prove Miloslav was right with his first reply.

So it looks to be an upgraded m813 and not an upgraded m54.

Just kidding Frenchy your help is invaluable and your powers of research is amazing.

So now i need to work out how to do a M813, sorry Miloslav i know you do one but again it is out of my league price wise, not a critisism i just cant justify spending that much on a kit at the moment.

I guess my original questions are now redundant apart from the use of the psp wheels.

Is it just the case of building a m54 cab but with a longer nose.
My next request was going to be for plans which Frenchy has come up trumps again. I remember seeing a walkaround somewhere and there you go again with the links.
Going to have to compare the drwaings and check out the photo links.

Many thanks Frenchy
Peter

You're welcome Peter . On a side note, the Republic of Congo is listed as a M813 user.

In case you need some, you can find TMs for the M813 on the LOGSA website. Just 2 examples :

https://www.logsa.army.mil/etmpdf/files/020000/025000/027277.pdf

https://www.logsa.army.mil/etmpdf/files/020000/025000/027276.pdf

Good luck !

Frenchy

Just checked out Joe's M813, he does some fantastic work, everything is so neat and his cast parts look excellent.

Going to make a start later, give the cab a go and see how it turns out.

Still not sure about sacrificing 2 kits, may just stretch the M35 chassis frame to get the correct wheelbase, or using the psp wheels.

Peter

Here is conversion set & full kit M813
http://realmodel.cz/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=167&category_id=4&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=79

http://realmodel.cz/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=38&category_id=14&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=79

and finished model
http://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l174/bulivyf/M816/

hi
Milo I just placed an order for the M800 line cab and a set of civilian wheels. looking forward to getting the sets any idea on how long it takes for shipping to the UK.
Peter

Peter you receive parcel next week.
Miloslav

Hi Milo
Many thanks
Peter