The Motor Pool
M-35 A1
Deuce 1/2
The 2 1/2 ton series pretty much started with the gasoline powered CCKW,
made by GM to name one, good reliable trucks that were simple to repair and maintain. The
2 1/2 ton refers to the weight the vehicle can carry off road. Many of the military
vehicles are rated at twice off road for on highway carry.
The M-35A1 was configured in several fashions and had many uses.
They were used as supply trucks, mess trucks (modified), troop carriers and fire trucks
(530B mounted on an M-35 chassis. They also had a ring mount kit above the passenger
seat to support a .50 caliber machine gun. No armament was provided for this weapon.
The Korean era saw the GMC M211 dual rear wheel and the M134 single rears.
Pretty good trucks except for the automatic transmission, which tends to be a bit cranky.
The 134s starred in the first Rambo movie. The end of the 50s saw the M35 series style
built by a number of manufacturers including Kaiser-Jeep ( which became AM-general ). The
series started with a Reo gasoline motor.The multi-fuel (diesel ) engine eventually
replaced the Reo in production. The transmission also has an overdrive 5th gear and a
strange shifting pattern, fourth is where 5th should be. The LD series engine is not turbo
charged. The LDT engines (note the "T") are turbocharged and are generally more
powerful. Pound for pound the M35 is an amazing truck - rugged and reliable
