The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts HELP! 1952 GMC Duce & A Half 6x6

I am looking at a very nice military truck. It looks to be a Forest Service relic.

It is gas with an automatic transmission that shifts into neutral below 14mph. How deep am I going to have to dig (money wise) to get it fixed or find a replacement (manual or automatic).

Are there really any replacement parts out there? Will I have to drive halfway across the country to get it? Will I be obligated to offer up my first born as payment?

I would expect the motor is a GMC 302 and the transmission is a Hydra-Matic. If I'm correct parts for both are out there. I'd suggest letting the UPS man do most the driving though.

This truck would have had a 4 or 5 speed manual in it originally so the automatic is a swap and maybe the engine as well. Without know what transmission and or engine was swapped in to the truck, knowing if parts are available is impossible.
There are however places that deal exclusively in military trucks and many web sites if you are thinking of purchasing the truck there is plenty of info out there. I would suggest doing some home work and surely there is more info to be had from the guys here. I can’t think of any names off hand but there are a few here on the Bolt whom are big military truck buffs I know that they will be along with more and better knowledge than I.

I am not sure Steve although I know that the Hydra-Matic was in use and now all the military trucks are autos, I am not sure it made it into any Duces
BTW Hello

my grandpa has been the coordinator of his counties civil defence, now call EMA (emergency management agency) since the early 60's and had 5 of the 6X6's. he had them from the 1972ish to the early 90's the only reason he got rid of them was the price of parts. they were all 1953 GMC auto trans, I think either m211 or m135??? anyway there are LOTS of parts out there and the prices arent that bad if you only have one truck. look up the MVPA magazine its a great source. they are great trucks so go for it. shoot me a PM and I can give you some more info.

From looking at the pictures closer...It looks to be a later vintage transmission. We had Allisons with a shifter that looked like this in a couple mid-seventies C60's.

The pictures can be seen at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/imakatzenjammer/sets/72157624102364754/

contact these guys http://www.memphisequipment.com/Default.aspx

That looks like the original GMC engine to me. A 228-302 for sure. I couldn't see any photo of the transmission. The GMC engines were puny on horsepower but VERY reliable, and parts are very easy to get for them. My 2cents. Jim

Thank you all. For now it is going to stay put. If someone wants it, let me know, I'll put them in touch with the owner.

Kevin

Jammer,

That's an M-211 series 2.5-ton truck. The tranny is most likely the original 8-speed Hydromatic which I think is still not too hard to find parts for (some of the others who know more about the early autos can tell you more). The M-211 (and M135's) replaced the WW 2 CCKW trucks and were produced from 1952-1957. The engine is a GMC model 302, 6 cyl, in-line 301.6 cu in, 130 hp gasoline engine.

That one looks pretty solid. Do a search for the military vehicle sites (a few are listed on our own Links Page). That's not as exotic as you might think. Do some more research before you categorically turn it down -- especially if the price is right

Good luck

John