I’m selling my 1970 AM General M52A2 tractor, which I have extensively upgraded and repaired.
· Engine:
– New air intake hose (the long one within the engine compartment). This was installed 4 years ago.
– New radiator. This was installed 3 years ago.
– Rebuilt the power steering pump 2 years ago. The power steering pump went out 40 miles from home, on a curve, going about 40mph – this will tighten your shorts! Without the power steering pump, it was about three times harder to steer than my 1953 M35 gasser. I was headed to Menards to get a load of wood. Having the wood on the back definitely made the trip home easier.
– Rebuilt the turbo 4 years ago – about 1500 miles on the truck since rebuild. The turbo was operating fine, but I didn’t want it to ‘grenade’ or do other damage if worn.
– Purchased the tools used for tightening the belts. These go with the truck.
– Installed a new military alternator last year about this time.
o I’m done with military alternators due to being too expensive. I’ve started using 24v civilian alternators and they work great. It does take a little to fabricate a mount but well worth it.
o I have two military alternator cores and some parts for rebuilding them, including a new regulator. I just have not had the time to do this. These to go with the truck. If you have the spare time and capability, can save a ton of money if you want to stay with the military alternator.
– Installed spin on filter adapters in summer of 2023 (oil and fuel – a total of 5). UPDATE (4/12/2025) Changed oil and put on new filters. I put on the primary fuel filter too but did not change the secondary fuel filters (these were new just before winter with not a lot of miles). I will include two new secondary fuel filters.
– Installed new O-rings within the fuel pump.
– Installed aftermarket coolant heater. This works great when the temperature is going to be below 20°F.
· Installed a muffler to quiet down the beast. I installed the muffler 5 years ago and it works great.
· New front wiring harness. I installed this 3 years ago.
· A new manual flasher box that I built, installed 2 years ago. – I’ve built 4 so far, installing 3, and they are great. This was built correctly, not just cobbed together. I have another in my M35 that works great too. The solid-state units are too damn susceptible to static and other failures. I’ve had them go out in all my military vehicles. Like the alternators, I’m done wasting money.
· I installed the military diesel fired heater system about 4 years ago. I had a custom exhaust pipe made that goes out of the driver side, just behind the step. The heater itself failed late last winter, so I purchased another and installed it. This thing works great and will keep you nice and toasty on even the coldest days. If time allowed, I would repair the unit that failed – not much to them. I don’t have the time. It too will go with the truck.
· Completely rebuilt the fenders. I did this along with all the other body work 5 years ago.
o When I rebuilt them, I undercoated them with bed liner.
· Installed a new air regulator this year.
· Painted the dash.
· Installed air ride seats; I believe they are from a HEMTT. The ride is so much nicer than the horrible original seats.
o Both were new when installed about 5 years ago.
o Seat belt goes over both shoulders, like a racing seat belt.
o I broke off the air valve knob on the passenger side when installing them – never go around to replacing it.
· Performed some repairs to the cab section – nothing major.
· The truck came with a rotting hard top when I purchased it – the sliding window was seized and partially rotted.
o Hard tops come in two sections – the top and back wrap around. The top of the hardtop was in good shape, it was the wrap around that was bad.
o Removed the sheeting from the wrap around frame and installed new sheeting, tack welding it back in.
o Installed a new plexiglass window in the frame for the sliding window – the frame itself was in good condition.
o All work was completed about 5 years ago. Still waterproof and in great condition.
· Brakes & Air
o New air pressure governor – installed July 2024.
o New air pack – installed July 2024.
o Manual air tank drain – installed July 2024
o Flushed brake system with Dot 5 brake fluid – July 2024
o New master cylinder – installed in the summer of 2023.
o Air tanks removed and cleaned out – summer of 2023.
o New front wheel cylinders – installed in the summer of 2022.
o New front wheel hoses – installed in the summer of 2022.
o Installed new remote brake fluid reservoir – summer of 2023.
o I remember installing at least two rear axle wheel cylinders. I don’t remember exactly when though.
· Two new aftermarket headlights – vast improvement over military.
· Built and installed massive bed, removing the 5th wheel. You could haul a tank on this bed.
o Installed new ‘treated’ deck boards July 2024
§ I used regular lumber the first time, thinking if I paint it all would be good.
o The deck was painted with Pittsburgh deck refinishing paint – nonslip.
§ I still need to install the back metal strap to pull the boards down even – haven’t had the time.
o Installed a tow hitch that has supports going back to the frame. Done right and solid.
o Bed has a hidden ladder for access.
· Installed new front-end bearings, seals, and knuckle boots 5 years ago. When doing it, I thoroughly cleaned out the housing and repacked it with grease.
· New driver side fuel sending unit summer 2023.
o New main fuel pump (in tank) within the driver side fuel tank. This was done in 2022.
o Installed a new transfer pump the summer of 2022 (transferring from the passenger side to the driver side). I’ve also installed a check valve to allow the fuel heater to pull off the same line. Works great.
· Rebuilt the rear wiring harness in winter of 2023:
o Used the same cannon connectors – pulled apart, cleaned, removed old solder, resoldered wires, and re-installed to OEM minus the blackout lights – did not add wire for these.
o Instead of just putting the harness back in the same spot, exposed to the elements, put the harness in conduit, from front to back, before installing new military connectors. There are junction boxes under the bed, directing conduit to the lights on both sides – this was done correctly, not a gobble of wires.
· New front turn signal lights/marker lights – one installed summer of 2023 and the other this summer.
· Battery box has been rebuilt. New connectors installed and done right.
· New wire from battery box to starter.
· Installed a 12v brake controller.
· Made and installed a controller to operate 12v lights and turn signals for a trailer
o Everything is contained within an outdoor electrical panel located on the main rails of the bed, drivers’ side, between the duals – protection with easy access.
o The system uses cheap 24v relays, wired into the electrical system, to send 12v (lights, brakes, and turn signal) to the trailer plug when any of these items are activated on the truck.
o The box is organized and fused. If a relay were to fail, they are in relay sockets and are easy to change out. This was done right and far less expensive than the ‘converters’ you see for sale.
o All wiring, except the 12v ground, which I forgot to install when putting in the conduit, is in conduit.
· Installed a 30amp buck transformer to convert 24 to 12v. Wiring for this is conduit up to entering the cab.
· Installed tires new 5 years ago – this included new flaps and innertubes. I would say the tires are at 65% to 70%. Note – about a week after installing the new tires, I was backing up next to metal and put a large gash in the front passenger tire. I’ve put many, many miles on the tire since doing this.
· Painted the entire truck with black bed liner about 5 years ago. Last summer, I decided to paint the front section with green paint – I didn’t like the solid black. Bed liner was the best decision I could have made. Whenever I scratch it or there is a rust spot that needs to be fixed, just spray with rattle can of bed liner and problem is repaired.
· Differentials, transfer case, and transmission were drained and refilled with 80w90 mixed with Lucas Oil. This was done in the summer of 2022.
Now I need to cover what is wrong with the truck as it sits.
– Mechanically, I would drive the truck anywhere in the United States today without hesitation. To my knowledge, there is no engine, transmission, transfer case, brake, or any other major issues.
– I cracked the driver side door window about four years ago right after having a new one installed. I’ve refused to put in another – no particular reason.
– While the parking brake still works, it is getting worn. I have a new liner kit but have not had the time to install it. This will come with the truck.
– Update 4/12/2025: I tightened the air compressor belts and the noise is now gone. This confirmed it was just a loose belt.
– I have a slow air bleed. Has been there for years and never affected anything. Not a priority to me.
– The driver side wiper motor is weak; not holding wipers up out of the way. The motor works fine when turned on so it hasn’t been a priority.
If I think of anything else, I will add it.
I have numerous spare parts that will come with the truck – some were listed in the information above. This includes the long toolboxes, which are used but in great condition. These are perfect for putting down each side of the truck. Please note that they need to be cleaned out and painted both inside and out. I have not found any significant issues with them other than not having the keys (nothing a locksmith can’t handle)
The truck will start right up and run without issue (I just started it at 37°F without issue). I change the oil every year or 1,000 miles with Mobil Delvac 15w-40. I’ve been doing this since owning the truck – I’m an oil change fanatic! UPDATE 4/12/2025. I just changed the oil as outline above. Our local Walmart was out of 5-gallon buckets of Mobil, so I used Rotella 15W-40. This too is an excellent oil.
I’ve given an honest and thorough review of the truck. You are DEFINITELY not getting a piece of junk that you will need to sink thousands of dollars into. This is a solid truck that had many decades of life left in it, if you take care of it. In my opinion, maintenance is the key! This being said, the truck is 55 years old and I cannot warranty it in any way; there is no warranty of any kind with this truck or the parts I will supply.
UPDATE: I’ve added two videos on YouTube. One video shows a cold start and the other is a walk around of the truck with the engine running. Video 1: https://youtu.be/MbBHroJVIu8 Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8U6yd_GrEM8?feature=share
Price: $13,500
More info: Click here to see original eBay auction and get more information (Affiliate link)
Seller's other items: rcflyer70
