1954 M221

[lpcoating]

Just completed the title paperwork for this 1954 M221. Deal is done, water tanks need to be pulled and then bring home. Found this at my 151 honey hole.

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This truck is very solid and hasn't been hacked.

Guy

[rickf]

M221? Never heard of one. I almost bought a M211 many years ago but decided against it since they have a lot of issues with the automatic transmissions.

[lpcoating]

M221 is the tractor.

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Guy

[Horst]

I was already waiting for the picture as you had mentioned the truck before in another post.

Looks awesome, seems to have survived really well!

Gas engine I would assume?

[lpcoating]

Yes, straight 6 cylinder gas engine.

Guy

[rickf]

Ok, The tractor version of the 211. If it has the automatic give a it a very thorough going over and then read up on all of the quirks on them. There are a lot of things that you take for granted that if you do with these hydromatics that will kill them. As long as you follow all of the rules they last a long time.

[Horst]

more pictures please...

Did you get the trailer (in the background) also?

[lpcoating]

I didn't. At least not yet! It's full of 151 bows, seats, transmission shifter covers, etc. It is in good condition but for some reason there is angle iron welded towards the front tongue support. I'll have to look at it closer.

Guy

[1SGCAV77]

Nice looking truck. Am looking forward to future stories and photos. TJ needs to be challenged. The M211 family was, in my opinion, a far better piece of equipment than the GOAT. Just kidding TJ. My worst experience maintenance wise was the GOER. Yuck. Did not care for the GOER.

My Dad joined the TEXAS National Guard after WWII. The 49th Armored Division had a parade on middle weekend during Annual Training. Me and my twin brother were young tykes, but remember going to the parades. The family photo album had many pictures of those trips to Ft Hood. I recently found pictures of my Dad from Ft. Polk in 1962. The Cuban Missile Crisis. While the Division was at Ft. Polk, they started getting the M35 deuce and M38A1 to replace their aging equipment. Those were good times to be an Army brat. Ft. Polk, a pure paradise.

[1SGCAV77]

Lined up for parade. Early 1950’s.

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M211 most likely.
Tandem axle, dual wheels. There was a dual axle, single wheel model but I don’t remember. Maybe M135 ?

[rickf]

M135 had the single wheels and a different bed that was cutout above the wheels for clearance.

[rickf]

Guy, What has gotten you interested in bigger trucks? You realize this is a deep rabbit hole you are headed down. Once you get one another will be right behind and parts for them are just as proportionately more expensive as the size is to a mutt.

[lpcoating]

I was really drawn to this truck due to the condition and the fact that it appears all original. And I love the look of the body lines.

Guy

[Horst]

fully understand, that's why I had two M35s for a little while.

When I got the first one and shortly after it developed a leaking axle seal (I had it in the rear, you have it the front), I realized that I needed a bigger jack, bigger stands, bigger tools and for the rear wheels that special tool for the wheel lugs. Other than that the work was straightforward like on a jeep. Steelsoldiers was a big help when I had to repair things like the injection pump.

[Hambone]

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I have a M211 that I need to finish.

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