http://www.idahomotorpool.com/ has stuff. I have been there a few times, know people that bought stuff there.

With fuel prices X military is out of the question for me. My 72 FJ-40 would get 25 mpg, seen 18 mpg in high range 4x4 so I'm fixing it. Sheet metal welding will be my new skill to learn.

 

For general field gear, there are many places.
My favorites are Charley’s Surplus, and Swiss Link.

 

Those are good. I like Coleman's Surplus and Varusteleka also.

 

Hessen Antique, Sportsman's Guide, Keep Shooting and Maine Military Supply are some of the ones I use.

 

Since you are in Wa, can't help.
Now, if you were in Michigan... I know a couple.
Sorry

 

Well I wouldn't mind s drive down that far for some realy good stuff if it was worth the drive.

 

Wow. It’s been a rough day. From the title I thought you were looking for a new mother in law. Was going to give you the bad news tha until death do you part…… Your stuck with her as long as you keep the wife. Sorry to sidetrack the thread.

 

Even if your wife dies you are still stuck with the in laws.

 

I like what these people are up to

Boyce Equipment | Military Trucks | Utah

We sell military trucks which are the m series 2.5 ton, 5 ton, 800 series, 900 series. We also sell the 1 1/4 pickups and the 3/4 ton M37.

www.boyceequipment.com

 

Are they pricy? Their vehicles look extremely pricy.

 

I'd start locally first.
Call / Visit these guys in Seattle. They should know of something closer.


Federal Army and Navy Surplus
2112 First Ave, Seattle, WA, 98121
Belltown • 206-443-1818
Mon–Sat 9:30am–6pm <br> Sun 11am–5pm

 

Idaho Motorpool is closing its doors this year. I bought my hmmwv there. Even “turn key“ ready you will likely have small things to fix. They are not designed to be as reliable as a modern car. The trade off is that they can go more places. My M1123 gets about 12mpg. Swiss link is also good to go. I used to live a few minutes from them before the fire and have purchased way too much stuff from them.

Sportsmansguide is problematic. I bought a few things as Mil Surp NOS but found Out they are cheap imitations. Then they deleted my review. So I am done with them.

 

Idaho Motorpool is closing its doors this year.

Sounds like a business opportunity.

OP-Check CL (Olympic Peninsula) There is a guy up around Port Angeles that posts hmmwvs, trailers, etc from time to time. There is usually a Deuce and a half, 6x6 or two in the general Seattle area listings as well.

 

Anyone know what the mark up is on surplus vehicles?

 

OP, I’ve found several off Craigslist, FB marketplace, ect. Most will need work, but I’ve fixed about everything under the sun as it is, so learning something new wasn’t an issue. Most of the trucks I’ve played with, M35A2’s, are fairly easy, other than heavy parts, to work on. A good place for info is the steelsoldiers website. Occasionally the members even part with some. I have sold everyone I have bought and fixed up with the exception of 1…14k of fun that burns anything flammable and gets about 10mpg…the vehicle cost is about the smallest expense of the whole adventure…lol

 

Im gonna be the black sheep here and say that big millitary vehicles suck for survival. Not efficient at all.

If you want to get out in the woods with a gas powered vehicle id reccomend and ATV with extra gas cans- the location you are reaching will have your provisions so you arent going to be living long term out of your vehicle therefor you dont need to actually bring much gear foe the jouney. Just fuel, maybe a bit of fuel and bundle your family up.

If you are moving a whole family then a quad isnt going to cut it- get a UTV with a bed and youll have way more offroad capability for the price you pay. Youll be able to actually use narrow trails and wont draw nearly the attention to yourself as a giant millitary truck. Its also a heck of alot easier to get one of these unstuck.

.02

 

 

OK, so for 'General Field / Camp skak', we've had good success with these guys: Mountain Gear Surplus Sales ...Got several Huge Camo nets, and a 16 x 16 'squad' Tent, and a few assorted Pelican cases they had - All Good stuff, as-described, no issues.

Also, good experiences with these folks for some ECWCS stuff Military Outerwear & Cold Weather Gear ..and there was some Other 'camp stuff', Tarps or Wool blankies, maybe Been awhile, but All Good, as I recall..

Lastly, not 'Mil-surp' stuff, per-se, but was hunting down some large Prisms for a 'periscope' project, and these guys Way-beat 'Edmunds' prices: https://www.surplusshed.com/ Fwiw..

Fwiw..
jd

 

Check out steelsoldiers. It's a great resource for ex military vehicle ownership. Classifieds too.

 

Secondlifetruck.com
There's a heading there for military trucks. Mostly 2.5 and 5 tons but sometimes a hummer or 2 or maybe a gamma goat here and there.

 

I own a M35a2 its fun but its always being serviced on....by me. Think tractor or piece of Eqp rather than a vehicle, plus at 6-8 MPG or worse its not very friendly at the pump, waste oil and other fuels can be burnt threw it but at a cost of up keep on the fuel filters and service work. My Deuce has 6.72 gearing, great for pulling a load, helps when you need to go slow in the woods, but bad for overall driving which is 99% of what I do with it.

Me ( and I am ) I would skip the .Gov vehicles and look at 3/4 and 1 ton trucks with mechanical pump diesel motors aka Cummins, idi in Fords ( 6.9 and 7.3 ) or even a 6.2 in GM ( not the same power as the others but always run ). Think gearing to, 4.56's in CUCVs might work great in the woods, but kill your mileage on road, 3.55's, 3.07s those are more highways gears.
5spds with a decent 30% overdive instead of 4th gear being a direct gear. All these things add up and give you a fuel range in 18-24 MPG and can offer a stone cold reliable platform to get you just about anywhere and fuel can be found from heating oil to waste oil.

I am welder/fitter, I work on HD Eqp, have all my life. I am currently working on a 78 F-250 with a 4bt swap, with 3.55 Dana 70 rear ( Detroit Locked ) and 60 front ( open for now ), ZF5spd and a divorced 205 T-case. When done I expect to have a truck that can run on filtered waste oil mixed with clean fuel, and can get 20-24MPG, can start and run under any conditions and not let me down. Simple Mech fuel pump only thing that needs power is the starter after that requires no power to run.

We ( me ) are new here, but I am not new to this way of life, been living with this mind set for 30 plus years.

 

was so close and temped to buy a Humvee for a rebuild

Dont.