M-35 Series (or M44 Series) 2 1/2-ton, 6x6 Trucks (G-742)
These trucks are called the M35-series because the M35 Cargo Truck was the most widely utilized model. Its formal name was the M44-series, named for the bare chassis model. Its standard nomenclature designation is G-742.
Photos and further data about individual models of the M35-series trucks are linked from the table in the next section.
History and Models of the M35-series of 6x6 Trucks
The M35-series of 6x6 Trucks began with the M34, a design developed by Reo for the U.S. military in 1949 and manufactured starting in 1950. The M34 was equipped with 11.00x20 single wheel tires and had wheel wells intruding into the cargo body. The M34 was quickly followed by a new design from Reo, which became the M35, very similar to the M34 but with dual-mounted 9.00x20 tires in the rear and a flat-floor cargo box with folding troop seats. The M35, and its body type variants and improvements, were eventually manufactured by ten different companies through the late 1980s, including these models:
| Model | Nomenclature |
|---|---|
| M34 | Truck, Cargo, 6x6, 2 1/2 Ton, 6x6 w/single rear wheels |
| M35 | Truck, Cargo, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6, with or w/o winch |
| M35C | Truck, Cargo, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6, drop side, with or w/o winch |
| M36 | Truck, Cargo, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6, XLWB, with or w/o winch |
| M44 | Truck, Chassis, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6, with or w/o winch |
| M45 | Truck, Chassis, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6, with or w/o winch |
| M46C | Truck, Chassis, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6, with or w/o winch |
| M47 | Truck, Dump Truck Chassis |
| M48 | Truck, Tractor |
| M49C | Truck, Tank, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6, Fuel Servicing, with or w/o winch |
| M50 | Truck, Tank, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6, Water, 1000 gal., with or w/o winch |
| M57 | Truck Chassis |
| M59 | Truck, Dump |
| M60 | Truck, Wrecker, Light |
| M108 | Truck, Crane, 2 1/2 ton, 6x6 |
| M109 | Truck, Van, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6, Shop, with or w/o winch |
| M132 | Truck, Medical Van |
| M185 | Truck, Van, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6, Shop Repair, w/o winch |
| M275 | Truck, Tractor, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6, w/low mtd 5th wheel, with or w/o winch |
| M292 | Truck, Van, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6, Expansible, w/hydraulic liftgate, w/LD 465 Engine |
| M342 | Truck, Dump, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6, with or w/o winch. Replaces M47, M59, M215 |
| M387 | Truck, Guided Missile Launcher, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6. For Lacrosse Guided Missile, based on M44 chassis. |
| M398 | Truck, Guided Missile Launcher, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6. For Lacrosse Guided Missile, based on M45 chassis. |
| M756 | Truck, Maintenance, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6, Pipeline Construction, with winch |
| M763 | Truck, Maintenance, Telephone |
| M764 | Truck, Maintenance, 2 1/2-ton, 6x6, Earth-boring Machine & Pole Setter, with winch |
Variants with a suffix (e.g. M35A2 or M46A2C) have modifications from an earlier base model (e.g. M35 or M46C), as further explained below.
The length (w/winch) of the M44 Truck, Chassis model was 277 inches. Wheelbase measured from the centerline of the front axle to the centerline of the last rear axle was 178 inches. If measured to the centerline of the rear tandem, the wheelbase is 154 inches. Height to the top of the cab was typically 95-105 inches while ground clearance was 11-12.5 inches and fording approximately 30 inches without a fording kit. The turning radius was 36 feet. Maximum speed of the M35-series trucks is 55 to 60 mph depending on model. Dimensions of M35 models and variants differed depending on the configuration.
Manuals for the M-35 series of trucks were first produced before the modern system of manual numbering was introduced. Some of the original manuals were TM 9-1819A Power Train, Body and Frame (June 1951), or the TM 9-8023-x series (1955-1956). Manuals from the new system will be numbered TM 9-2320-209-xx where the xx represents the maintenance level. All together there are dozens of multi-volume manuals for the series of trucks.
M35 Series Evolution
As the M35-series vehicles evolved, the engine and other aspects of the basic configuration were improved. This table applies to most of the trucks in the M-35 series and will be indicated by their A-level suffix (e.g. A1, A2 or A3).
| M35 | M35A1 | M35A2 | M35A3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Type (6 cyl) | Reo-Continental OA331 Gasoline | LDS-427-2 Multifuel | LDS-465 Multifuel upgraded to LDT-465 turbo | Caterpillar 3116 Diesel |
| Engine Horsepower | 127 | 130 | 140/210 | 225 |
| Transmission | Manual-4 | Manual-5 w/overdrive | Manual-5 w/overdrive | Automatic |
M35-Series Extended Service Program (ESP)
From 1994 to 1999, M35s (and other trucks of the M35/M44 series) were upgraded under the Extended Service Program (ESP). No new trucks were produced, rather existing trucks of the M35-series were completely disassembled and the parts inspected. Reusable parts were rebuilt as required. Trucks were then reassembled using a combination of new and rebuilt parts including completely new components and systems:
- new Caterpillar 3116 diesel engine (meeting 1993 EPA emission standards)
- new Allison 1545 automatic transmission
- new cooling system, reworked axles and transfer case
- new electronically controlled central tire inflation system
- super single radial tires
- air-assist steering
- improved independent circuit air/hydraulic brake system
- three-point seat belts
- new ergonomically designed driver's seat
- electric windshield wipers and washer
- improved heater and defroster system
M35 cargo trucks remanufactured under the Extended Service Program were designated M35A3. Further production was terminated in FY1999, superseded by the FMTV: Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles. ESP was very successful. Overall, the remanufactured vehicles met 95 percent of the performance requirements at 60 percent of the cost of a new FMTV.
