The M135 is a 2 1/2
ton truck made by General Motors Corporation (GMC). Also referred
to as a "Deuce-and-a-half". While in came in several
different variations, the most common was the cargo version.
You could hold a dozen troops in the back, or could fill it
with equipment/supplies. Other variations included a double
wheeled version (M211), a dump truck, crane, shop truck, kitchen
truck, tow truck (recovering vehicle), fuel truck, water truck,
and many others. The M135 platform was one of the most versatile
made, letting the military install pretty much whatever type
of equipment on it that they needed.
Powering
this truck was a GMC 270 gas engine. While not anywhere as powerful
as the engines in the 2 1/2 ton army trucks of today, it did
the job. All Canadian models of the truck had a 5 speed hydromatic
transmission (2 high gears, 2 low gears and a reverse). Which
was one of the very first automatic transmissions available
at the time. This made it much easier for just about anyone
to jump in and drive it away. Also included on some models was
a PTO (power take off) which either powered a winch located
on the front bumper, or a large list of different pieces of
equipment installed on/in the back of the truck.
As stated before,
there is a long list of different models of the 2 1/2 ton GMC
M135 truck. Here is a short list:
M133 - Kitchen Truck
M135 - Standard configuration
truck. Also Hiab version.
M211 - Double rear
wheels w/ standard bed box
M215 - Dump truck
M216/217 - Fuel Truck
M220 - Shop Truck
M221 - Tractor-trailer
Truck
M222 - Water Truck
Most
of these trucks were quickly picked up by companies or farmers
when put up for auction. They needed service vehicles, or large
truck capable of working out in the field, and the M135 was
perfectly suited for the job. Many can still be found today
in the back of farmers fields or junkyards. Waiting for someone
to rescue them before finally being cut up for scrap metal.
Most people avoid these trucks as they have been stripped down
to their bare frame, or have been so heavy modified by their
original owners that restoration is much too costly. Others
avoid them due to their size. Big truck aren't for everyone,
but they are more special as very few people these days take
the time to restore them, especially in Canada.
***More
detailed information about this vehicle and others on the site
will be added in time***
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Powering
this truck was a GMC 270 gas engine. While not anywhere as powerful
as the engines in the 2 1/2 ton army trucks of today, it did
the job. All Canadian models of the truck had a 5 speed hydromatic
transmission (2 high gears, 2 low gears and a reverse). Which
was one of the very first automatic transmissions available
at the time. This made it much easier for just about anyone
to jump in and drive it away. Also included on some models was
a PTO (power take off) which either powered a winch located
on the front bumper, or a large list of different pieces of
equipment installed on/in the back of the truck..JPG)
Most
of these trucks were quickly picked up by companies or farmers
when put up for auction. They needed service vehicles, or large
truck capable of working out in the field, and the M135 was
perfectly suited for the job. Many can still be found today
in the back of farmers fields or junkyards. Waiting for someone
to rescue them before finally being cut up for scrap metal.
Most people avoid these trucks as they have been stripped down
to their bare frame, or have been so heavy modified by their
original owners that restoration is much too costly. Others
avoid them due to their size. Big truck aren't for everyone,
but they are more special as very few people these days take
the time to restore them, especially in Canada.
