Great overview. So these rigs have 4x4 with selectable 6x6 as well as some sort of locker setup. Very cool. And a lot more power vs. the M939 (8.3L Cummins)! Awesome.
❗️Whatever you do make sure the battery cover is latched in the back if you plan to stand on it❗️ I was lowering antennas on trucks we had loaded on lowboy trailers in Kuwait. Whoever put the battery cover on last got lazy and only latched it on the front. Needless to say I learned this the hard way. Surgery isn't as fun as it sounds🤕 Other than that, Congrats on your new truck!🎉
They usually aren't missing. Of the six inside front vents, they usually fall in the bottom center one has you can see at 5:56. It's pretty easy to get them out and put them back, just add a very slight bit of lube so they move easier and don't unclip and fall of again. 👌👌👌 It's a comon problem... 😁😁😁
@@mtvrchannel3051 They're a simple design but works, you have to be gentle with them. 😁 Sun exposure does not help to but a bit of cleaning and lube will go long ways! 😉
i believe the allison transmission you can check oil levels via the two arrow buttons depressed at the same time.almost all allisons have this feature.also pressing the mode it may have the economy or custom shift sequence
As someone who worked on these trucks while I was in. Unless it was in an area that was consistently below freezing, The DoD sent out a directive to have them disabled around 2009 for what was officially environmental concerns. However, most commands just removed the ether canister as opposed to flashing to the ECM with instructions to disable it. Point is, most of them are actually disabled. (Im scatterbrained and can't write sentences to save my life.)
I like the MK23,but I want the MK29 or MK31.These trucks are absolutely a beast,I love the Caterpillar.But their prices have me stomped.I just have a M813A1 and M923A2,sold a M817A1.
I always wanted to buy one of these and build it into a super camper to go off grid camping. Seems fun to me. The magical question is how much did this adventure cost?
Very good video.Thanks for doing it. I'm thinking of buying one of these but would like to get a M36 wrecker variant. I don't know if they are being sold though.
tom fair all I can advise is to call around, be straightforward with what the truck is, how much it weighs, and pay for extra coverage because people in the past have underinsured and caught nasty lawsuits when they hit someone
Where would a guy get parts and more overview from mechanic side? Looking to get one and not wanting to destroy something when someone knows the details.
Greg Weller the “rally” we speak of is a swap meet event with friends, and a little off-roading. It’s not like a Baja race as some would think. Private party on these trucks can be north of $30,000
Do you have any video from when you were at the rally? I haven’t seen any videos on Steel Soldiers. Trying to decide between Oshkosh or M1083 6x6. Great video!
If you can afford a 7 Ton MTVR,by all means do it.The M1078-M1088 FMTV is junk,those Trucks have constant errors with Engines,Transmissions,Integral Transfer Cases,Planetary Axles,and Air Actuators.The M1078-M1088 for 1994-1998 were ok with the 7.2L 3116 from Caterpillar but they have Injector and Exhaust Valve issues,it's the same way with the M35A3-M109A4.The FMTV with the 3126/C-7 have numerous Head Gasket and Electrical failures.The Transmissions are also a Electrical nightmare.And then the Air Actuators always seem to slip off or break from the T Bolts that they go to,which is annoying.I have had a few M1078's,one time picked up the M1079,and then had a M1083 and M1084.They were nice trucks,but their Reliability is shit,I highly prefer the M923A2-M944A2,that's just me.
I notice military trucks come with a steering wheel big enough to serve as a shower cover if needed. Have you seen any aftermarket steering wheels for them? I know a spline count may be needed. But you could cut down 2 inches (4 total) and not wear your arms out. And you'd have more room. Guys like me, with big guts, prefer not having the steering wheel wearing a hole in your shirts. Great review otherwise.
Heard you say lockers? I also thought they had axle diff locks, or at least mine sure acts like it does since even with wheels in the air they seem to be in sync.
@@mtvrchannel3051 we just installed a transmission PTO and doing a 16 gpm pump for this new Warn 30,000lb winch. We're doing a new deck and stout subframe for the winch to be mounted ahead of the bed and adding a rounded edge on the back of the bed for wincing equipment into. Have a part number if someone is interested.
@@Slim_Slid i dont remember a mk45, i know of up to the mk 38 but thats it. what is a mk45? mk23,25,27,28,29,30,31,36, 28c, 37 and 38. those are the ones i know
Lol. It's a 7ton truck and it makes 5ton truck looks like child's toy. Yup, I operated all the old-school 5ton truck including the dump trucks. Our unit was also one of first test units with MTVR. You have no idea what these trucks been thru in Iraq and Afghanistan. A 5ton wouldn't last...
Unless you are ordered to fall out of the back of the truck,then you will not fall out from the back of said truck! Unless new orders supersede previous orders.
Cool! What’s the difference, suspension wise, between a 7 ton and a 5 ton? The Rockwell supension looks to be bomb proof with full articulation. Are there torque limits on the power trains of either truck?
cliff wilcox the 5 tons are dated in design, and you can break a shaft occasionally but I always wheeled pretty hard with my M923A2 without any issue, the old 5 tons are very capable and will far outflex an MTVR with it’s full independent suspension, I’d say everything has its weak point but a 5 or 7 ton truck has a safety net with its stock output
MTVRchannel well I’ve been looking at a 5 ton but all the videos I see on TH-cam of them going up steep paved roads and the seem to struggle. Currently new diesel pickups have more torque that a 350 Cummins. I never heard of the 7 tons until I found your site. I know they have Cat 410 hp engines in them so I figured they would climb the steep roads easer. More torque.
@@smokeylovesfire1589 The M812-M820 and M923-M944,M923A1-M945A1 use a NHC-250 Cummins,not the NTC-350,with 240 HP/728 lbs of Torque.And the C-12 Caterpillar that the MTVR MK23-MK45 has is 425 HP.The 6.7L Cummins from Dodge and Nissan is a Torque monster,but you are comparing apples and oranges,these Trucks will triumph and dominate over any Pickup,you have to include the Weight and Gear Ratio of the 5 Ton.A Deuce & A Half will drag any Cummins and Powerstroke.There is even a video on TH-cam of a 7.8L M35A2 versus a 6.7L 2500,and the 2500 launched off first several times trying to pull the Deuce but ended up spinning it's Tires,and then every time the 2 1/2 Ton was put in Gear and Accelerated,it had no issue and the Dodge was losing badly against the 6×6 and couldn't keep on dragging.If a piece of shit Multi-Fuel can do that,imagine what a 5 Ton that is twice the Size and more Power can do.
can you show were the VIN is? I heard that while they were never registered/titled (because govt doesn't have to) these are supposed to have VIN plates/numbers... which Commifornia DMV says they don't so you can't register them.
@@mtvrchannel3051 I mean I really have no use for such a massive truck, but if I could get one at a decent price, maybe straight from Beale AFB which is only 9 miles from me.. why not right? Though to really make one usable in any sort of daily way would be a lot of work and you might be better off just stealing the trans, transfer case, steering, wheels and a couple axles and build your own chassis for it and put an extended Ford cab on it and make it a big 4X4 powered by a Powerstroke 7.3L... That way it'd be smaller, easier to see out of, get far better mileage and be able to go under overpasses. But at that point, what's the point of buying one in the first place eh? :P
@@jaratt85 in a way there is none but also there is for some. most people i know that want them is because they were military trucks and they think owning one is bad ass but you could use it for pulling stuff, and hauling heavy loads but the fuel mileage is bad on the mtvr, i think its 6mpg
@@bergerk20 yeah, going down to a twin turbo powerstroke diesel or a 5.9 Cummins would probably help that a bit but the big thing is they are just so damn heavy. Really, there's no reason to have one as a civilian unless you are towing serious loads or have one for use as a wrecker that has a crane on it.. Just as a regular passenger vehicle, you wouldn't be able to see a Prius in front of you, and while it'd be great to drive up on one "accidentally" it's not legal. damnit.
It has a 425 HP C-12 from Caterpillar,so don't expect very high Fuel Efficiency,espiecally for being 27,000 lbs.The 240 HP 6CT from Cummins in the M923A2-M944A2 alone get up to 7-8 MPG only,and those Trucks only Weigh over 21,000 lbs.
They do sell M977-M985 HEMTT's all the time including the M1070 HET,the MK23-MK45 MTVR are all 6×6,but I have seen some that are 4×4,which I think was just a Prototype.I don't know about the M1075-M1120 PLS though,and I know the MK-48 LVS and MKR-16 are hard enough to come by.
I suppose they had to simplify everything for the delicate geniuses of nowadays , but that fiberglass hood and aluminum bumper has got to go , I'd get a nice piece of I beam for the bumper and find a steel hood from somewhere , but all I know is a military vehicle like that has to have metal and steel for the safety of the soldiers and crew .
Don't underestimate the bumper. Was on the way from Camp Lejeune, enroute to Ft Bragg, and the driver of an MTVR towards the front end of the convoy fell asleep, and that MTVR hit a semi, with a fully loaded 55' box, and ate it for lunch. It destroyed the trailer completely. Food all over the highway. Was unreal the damage the MTVR did to that semi.
Nice video I begged argue with you they've dumb down the trucks.... I'm a farm boy I can operate heavy equipment and held a CDL for 30 years that truck is way too complicated even for me...... and I don't know any teenagers with common sense anymore......... anyway nice truck wish that was my daily driver
That was an excellent overview of the MTVR. You covered all the bases. Thanks a lot.
Great overview. So these rigs have 4x4 with selectable 6x6 as well as some sort of locker setup. Very cool. And a lot more power vs. the M939 (8.3L Cummins)! Awesome.
All MK23-MK45 MTVR's have Lockers on them,all the Trucks from the Seabees and U.S.M.C. have a Locking Front Axle.
❗️Whatever you do make sure the battery cover is latched in the back if
you plan to stand on it❗️
I was lowering antennas on trucks we had loaded on lowboy trailers in
Kuwait. Whoever put the battery cover on last got lazy and only latched
it on the front. Needless to say I learned this the hard way. Surgery
isn't as fun as it sounds🤕
Other than that, Congrats on your new truck!🎉
Snow White i learned that one the hard way as well 😅 thanks for your service!!
First thing motor t guys told us grunts was “my battery box ain’t a f’n step so don’t put your damn feet on it.” Problem averted, lol!
@@sgtpek2621 Yeah first thing I thought when I saw first comment was "WTF were you doing standing on the battery box in the first place"
small correction 5:58 "Soldiers Get a little rough with them" no its Marines being gentle.
🙄
We've made one of these into a 2250 gal tactical tender/wildland attack truck. It's a beautiful piece of engineering.
They usually aren't missing. Of the six inside front vents, they usually fall in the bottom center one has you can see at 5:56. It's pretty easy to get them out and put them back, just add a very slight bit of lube so they move easier and don't unclip and fall of again. 👌👌👌
It's a comon problem... 😁😁😁
I’ve dug a few out, tight little buggars
@@mtvrchannel3051 They're a simple design but works, you have to be gentle with them. 😁
Sun exposure does not help to but a bit of cleaning and lube will go long ways! 😉
2:12 Make sure your volume is up all the way. 😂
i believe the allison transmission you can check oil levels via the two arrow buttons depressed at the same time.almost all allisons have this feature.also pressing the mode it may have the economy or custom shift sequence
highwayman10419 yes, also will give any error codes. Mode button is to activate PTO.
thanks for the info!
Hell ya a channel that just focuses on military vehicles. Currently trying to purchase a mk23. The dream though is to one day get a hemtt
Thanks for tuning in! And good luck, hopefully the recovery is fun
Great video, makes me confident I could probably drive one of these :-D
Piece of piss
Unless you are in a cold climate, I recommend disconnecting the ether injection system. A malfunction will destroy the engine.
How so?
@@dentonracing2320 It could inject ether while you are driving down the road.
As someone who worked on these trucks while I was in. Unless it was in an area that was consistently below freezing, The DoD sent out a directive to have them disabled around 2009 for what was officially environmental concerns. However, most commands just removed the ether canister as opposed to flashing to the ECM with instructions to disable it. Point is, most of them are actually disabled. (Im scatterbrained and can't write sentences to save my life.)
I like the MK23,but I want the MK29 or MK31.These trucks are absolutely a beast,I love the Caterpillar.But their prices have me stomped.I just have a M813A1 and M923A2,sold a M817A1.
Can't go wrong with a faithful 8.3
Interested in one of these for work. How is the turn radius? Can you at least make a right hand turn without getting in the other lane?
Yes I speak from experience
You could play with that dash all day
I miss driving those trucks.
Tell us a story?
I always wanted to buy one of these and build it into a super camper to go off grid camping.
Seems fun to me.
The magical question is how much did this adventure cost?
Initial purchase price or?
@@mtvrchannel3051 how much was the initial price if you can say ?
MTVRchannel the whole project ? If u don’t mind me asking.
Very good video.Thanks for doing it. I'm thinking of buying one of these but would like to get a M36 wrecker variant. I don't know if they are being sold though.
I think you mean the M936A2 Wrecker.
I mean the MK36 wrecker
Thanks for the support, that I know of I haven't seen one surplus'd
I’m in the process of looking at buying a MTVR , can you give me any advice of what I need to look at for.
JO Pars lookup my account on steelsoldiers elijah95 I’ve listed a good bit of issues i found
What about the differentials? Are they open, limited slip, Torsen-like limited slip, manually lockable?
@@hd221813 air lockers
Just having MTVR shipped to me. What can you tell me about insuring it please.
thanks
tom fair all I can advise is to call around, be straightforward with what the truck is, how much it weighs, and pay for extra coverage because people in the past have underinsured and caught nasty lawsuits when they hit someone
Where would a guy get parts and more overview from mechanic side? Looking to get one and not wanting to destroy something when someone knows the details.
Where would you go to purchase one that has not been in a rally? What is a rally? Average price?
Greg Weller the “rally” we speak of is a swap meet event with friends, and a little off-roading. It’s not like a Baja race as some would think. Private party on these trucks can be north of $30,000
Hello. Are you still in Georgia? Would you considering inspecting one?
Do you have any video from when you were at the rally? I haven’t seen any videos on Steel Soldiers. Trying to decide between Oshkosh or M1083 6x6. Great video!
Randy Lynn thank you! I’ve been hunting the videos but I’ve yet to find any. I did some WILD things out there
If you can afford a 7 Ton MTVR,by all means do it.The M1078-M1088 FMTV is junk,those Trucks have constant errors with Engines,Transmissions,Integral Transfer Cases,Planetary Axles,and Air Actuators.The M1078-M1088 for 1994-1998 were ok with the 7.2L 3116 from Caterpillar but they have Injector and Exhaust Valve issues,it's the same way with the M35A3-M109A4.The FMTV with the 3126/C-7 have numerous Head Gasket and Electrical failures.The Transmissions are also a Electrical nightmare.And then the Air Actuators always seem to slip off or break from the T Bolts that they go to,which is annoying.I have had a few M1078's,one time picked up the M1079,and then had a M1083 and M1084.They were nice trucks,but their Reliability is shit,I highly prefer the M923A2-M944A2,that's just me.
Thank you very much. You are my life saver.
Love the the video brother in-law!
Thanks man!
I notice military trucks come with a steering wheel big enough to serve as a shower cover if needed. Have you seen any aftermarket steering wheels for them? I know a spline count may be needed. But you could cut down 2 inches (4 total) and not wear your arms out. And you'd have more room. Guys like me, with big guts, prefer not having the steering wheel wearing a hole in your shirts.
Great review otherwise.
Can you do an overview of that trailer/generator?
Heard you say lockers? I also thought they had axle diff locks, or at least mine sure acts like it does since even with wheels in the air they seem to be in sync.
Not sure if they are true limited slip lockers, but when you engage the axles via the dash it transmits power to an otherwise inert axle
@@mtvrchannel3051 we just installed a transmission PTO and doing a 16 gpm pump for this new Warn 30,000lb winch. We're doing a new deck and stout subframe for the winch to be mounted ahead of the bed and adding a rounded edge on the back of the bed for wincing equipment into.
Have a part number if someone is interested.
yes they have true locking diffs they are just air actuated
All Trucks from the Navy and Marine Corps have Lockers equipped on them.The MK23-MK45 belongs to those two Department of Branches only.
@@Slim_Slid i dont remember a mk45, i know of up to the mk 38 but thats it. what is a mk45? mk23,25,27,28,29,30,31,36, 28c, 37 and 38. those are the ones i know
I didn’t think it was possible to make a 5 ton look wimpy
Lol. It's a 7ton truck and it makes 5ton truck looks like child's toy. Yup, I operated all the old-school 5ton truck including the dump trucks. Our unit was also one of first test units with MTVR. You have no idea what these trucks been thru in Iraq and Afghanistan. A 5ton wouldn't last...
How does one go about buying one of these, and how much do they cost? Thanks!
Hello from Australia. How much for one of these ???
How much did you get it for
Unless you are ordered to fall out of the back of the truck,then you will not fall out from the back of said truck! Unless new orders supersede previous orders.
200K new? what did you buy it for?
I'm sure this is a mistake, but I am considering one of these for purchase.
MTVRs are the second most fun vehicle I’ve ever driven. The LVS was way leas cushy but way more fun
I hated the lvs way louder slower no thanks
Nice logo You are like it
What auction site did you get this off of or did you go to one?
Hunt Guy Govplanet.com
Cool! What’s the difference, suspension wise, between a 7 ton and a 5 ton? The Rockwell supension looks to be bomb proof with full articulation. Are there torque limits on the power trains of either truck?
cliff wilcox the 5 tons are dated in design, and you can break a shaft occasionally but I always wheeled pretty hard with my M923A2 without any issue, the old 5 tons are very capable and will far outflex an MTVR with it’s full independent suspension, I’d say everything has its weak point but a 5 or 7 ton truck has a safety net with its stock output
MTVRchannel well I’ve been looking at a 5 ton but all the videos I see on TH-cam of them going up steep paved roads and the seem to struggle. Currently new diesel pickups have more torque that a 350 Cummins. I never heard of the 7 tons until I found your site. I know they have Cat 410 hp engines in them so I figured they would climb the steep roads easer. More torque.
cliff wilcox I’ve had 5 trucks now, and the 7 ton is the fastest of them all but cheapest and most effective cost of ownership was my M923A2
@@smokeylovesfire1589 The M812-M820 and M923-M944,M923A1-M945A1 use a NHC-250 Cummins,not the NTC-350,with 240 HP/728 lbs of Torque.And the C-12 Caterpillar that the MTVR MK23-MK45 has is 425 HP.The 6.7L Cummins from Dodge and Nissan is a Torque monster,but you are comparing apples and oranges,these Trucks will triumph and dominate over any Pickup,you have to include the Weight and Gear Ratio of the 5 Ton.A Deuce & A Half will drag any Cummins and Powerstroke.There is even a video on TH-cam of a 7.8L M35A2 versus a 6.7L 2500,and the 2500 launched off first several times trying to pull the Deuce but ended up spinning it's Tires,and then every time the 2 1/2 Ton was put in Gear and Accelerated,it had no issue and the Dodge was losing badly against the 6×6 and couldn't keep on dragging.If a piece of shit Multi-Fuel can do that,imagine what a 5 Ton that is twice the Size and more Power can do.
Thanks for the information. Very informative!!
I miss driving these.
Is there a battery isolation switch on that truck ?
I didn't see one.
yes its on the driver side back of cab, above the slave jump
Yes sir as Bergerk20 said
I live in Atlanta Georgia and was wondering if you need a CDL to drive it for personal private use.
It depends, but due to the fact I’m registered for full weight capacity of the truck I obtained my non-commercial CDL to be safe
@@mtvrchannel3051 interesting
How much did you pay
Is the MTVR’s Caterpillar C12 Diesel engine electronically controlled? Does it have an ECU for tuning?
Yes, it is electronically controlled with an ECU
@@mtvrchannel3051 interesting
I used work on the mtvr in the military I was a 3521 in the marine core if any one has questions I can try to answer them
@@anthonysayers6458 sweet
@@anthonysayers6458 can any of these trucks haul the same weight as a road tractor i was thinking about buying one for hauling mobile homes
can you show were the VIN is? I heard that while they were never registered/titled (because govt doesn't have to) these are supposed to have VIN plates/numbers... which Commifornia DMV says they don't so you can't register them.
J.A.Ratt85 these do in fact have vin plates and I know of a couple gents that have successfully registered in Cali.
@@mtvrchannel3051 I mean I really have no use for such a massive truck, but if I could get one at a decent price, maybe straight from Beale AFB which is only 9 miles from me.. why not right? Though to really make one usable in any sort of daily way would be a lot of work and you might be better off just stealing the trans, transfer case, steering, wheels and a couple axles and build your own chassis for it and put an extended Ford cab on it and make it a big 4X4 powered by a Powerstroke 7.3L... That way it'd be smaller, easier to see out of, get far better mileage and be able to go under overpasses. But at that point, what's the point of buying one in the first place eh? :P
@@jaratt85 in a way there is none but also there is for some. most people i know that want them is because they were military trucks and they think owning one is bad ass but you could use it for pulling stuff, and hauling heavy loads but the fuel mileage is bad on the mtvr, i think its 6mpg
@@bergerk20 yeah, going down to a twin turbo powerstroke diesel or a 5.9 Cummins would probably help that a bit but the big thing is they are just so damn heavy. Really, there's no reason to have one as a civilian unless you are towing serious loads or have one for use as a wrecker that has a crane on it.. Just as a regular passenger vehicle, you wouldn't be able to see a Prius in front of you, and while it'd be great to drive up on one "accidentally" it's not legal. damnit.
If anyone has one of these and needs repairs made let me know you can find me on Facebook
What is the M.P.G. You have experienced? Their website says 300 mile range for 78 gallons. Less than 4 mpg seems low.
jdm1066 5.7 mpg averaged across the country coming home weighing it @ 53,000 with a trailer and gama goat
It has a 425 HP C-12 from Caterpillar,so don't expect very high Fuel Efficiency,espiecally for being 27,000 lbs.The 240 HP 6CT from Cummins in the M923A2-M944A2 alone get up to 7-8 MPG only,and those Trucks only Weigh over 21,000 lbs.
@@mtvrchannel3051 Has anyone bobbed one of these and cut the bed down to 10 feet yet?
Desearía la traducción a español. Gracias
Do they sell the 8x8 ones yet?
Apocalyptic Bone-Daddy not that I’m aware of currently
i was just looking and they had a hemit on there but idk who will pay 52k for it
They do sell M977-M985 HEMTT's all the time including the M1070 HET,the MK23-MK45 MTVR are all 6×6,but I have seen some that are 4×4,which I think was just a Prototype.I don't know about the M1075-M1120 PLS though,and I know the MK-48 LVS and MKR-16 are hard enough to come by.
Ah yes, the good old 7-ton. It's not a bad replacement for the 5-tons
You need a cdl for this don’t you? Or do you have a workaround?
hans I have a CDL, only way around it in my state is register as an RV but it takes away from vehicle value and limits weight you can haul
Where do you get parts for that truck?
online mostly
Mid West Military Trucks
sup Eligh
gorgeous!
I almost grabbed one of these... I really regret not doing it.
They are worth every penny!
How can you be contacted? Email is my preference, Thanks Samuel GOD BLESS AMERICA
What’s your email?
Come to Slovakia or czechia to see us trucks best is tatra a praga v3s
Needs a manual trans to become a classic imo. Lol
Hey, does anybody have an MK23 service manual or something? Great vid, really helped me out a lot.
Patricio Garza they do not exist for public usage, it’s called the IETM CD and it’s classified
I suppose they had to simplify everything for the delicate geniuses of nowadays , but that fiberglass hood and aluminum bumper has got to go , I'd get a nice piece of I beam for the bumper and find a steel hood from somewhere , but all I know is a military vehicle like that has to have metal and steel for the safety of the soldiers and crew .
It now has an MRAP bumper
Don't underestimate the bumper. Was on the way from Camp Lejeune, enroute to Ft Bragg, and the driver of an MTVR towards the front end of the convoy fell asleep, and that MTVR hit a semi, with a fully loaded 55' box, and ate it for lunch. It destroyed the trailer completely. Food all over the highway. Was unreal the damage the MTVR did to that semi.
Nice video I begged argue with you they've dumb down the trucks.... I'm a farm boy I can operate heavy equipment and held a CDL for 30 years that truck is way too complicated even for me...... and I don't know any teenagers with common sense anymore......... anyway nice truck wish that was my daily driver
d Eddie thanks! At first it may be a little intimidating, but within a 5 minute period most should be able to grasp the basics on it
Can you give me that truck
I hit an IED in that thing, lol.
Ah hell! How’d it turn out?
@@mtvrchannel3051 damn tank. Kept rolling. 😂
Thank you for your service, freedom isn’t ever free