His Business Is Rebuilding M-Series "Military" Trucks

His Business Is Rebuilding M-Series "Military" Trucks TRUCKS Miscellaneous 28-1-32 Got an old M-Series service or military truck that's in need of an overhaul? Charles Talbert probably knows more about repairing and rebuilding than just about anybody around. The Norwood, North Carolina mechanic calls his business M-Series Rebuild and Repower and that's just about all he does. Not familiar with the M-Series service truck? If you don't have one, you may have seen them in use as fire trucks for rural fire prevention districts or in the forestry service. Others were used as wreckers, some as pickups, and some were used by the military as weapons carriers. Talbert says his restoration business started in 1985 when he bought a 1963 Dodge M37B1 to use as a service truck in his grading business. He repowered with a diesel engine, and added better brakes, higher speed ring and pinion gears, and power steering. Talbert says several different manufacturers produced the vehicles according to government specifications. "The original manufacturer was Reo, which made them in the late 1940's. The last ones were produced by AM General in 1987," Talbert says. M-Series truck frames and bodies were generally over-engineered by today's standards and will probably last as long as anyone wants to keep them running, says Talbert. This longevity, however, has caused engines, transmissions and even cab fixtures to become severely outdated, particularly in the oldest of the M-Series trucks. This is the focus of Talbert's business. He can update any of them using new technology. When one of the old trucks comes in to Talbert for updating, it is likely to get a new or rebuilt engine, transmission, transfer case, differentials, conversion to a modern electrical system, all new wiring, power steering, a brake system rebuild, new shocks, new bearings and seals, new hood latches, a new (comfortable) seat with seat belts, and more. You name it, Talbert can probably do it for you. He's just finishing up an M-60 wrecker truck that will be shipped to Honolulu when it's complete. "I have another one from Ontario in to work on as soon as that's done," he says. "A lot of small fire departments, particularly those in rural areas, have older M-Series trucks. I can reprocess these for them, including engine rebuild, new suspension, power steering and brakes, and adding aluminum tanks, pumps and hoses for half the price of buying a new current production 4-wheel drive fire truck," he says. Talbert can also help locate parts and even complete M-Series trucks. "There are a lot that were slated to be scrapped because they couldn't find parts or people to properly service them," he says. "Others sold theirs before they had seen what we can do to update them." If you'd like to see Talbert's work, check his website at www.mseriesrebuild.com. If you'd like more information or a quote, you can send him a message there. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Charles Talbert, owner, M-Series Rebuild & Repower, 4038 Shankle Rd., Norwood, N.C. 28128 (ph 704 474-4683; website: www.mseriesrebuild.com).

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