8 days, 2000 miles, LMTV overlanding

[@stratocrewzr]

Please, Please, Please keep doing these. Very thorough and much appreciated. Just bought my dream, M1087A1 Expansible today. Already have taken copious amounts of notes.

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

That’s great I’m happy for you! I’d love to do more Lmtv videos, but until next summer I can’t do much filming with it as my work load has increased and seasons have changed. I’ve been kicking around the idea of other build videos for the houses I build but I don’t know how my audience will respond.

[@stratocrewzr]

@@jeffcobuilds2660 If you do both you'll widen your audience of course. Show the similarities as well. I really like to see the latest technologies and materials being used. I like the best of the best quality. Then perhaps show a more affordable alternative. That would easily grow your audience. Looking forward to next time!

[@lithtweezie1]

You have a hell of a LMTV and I appreciate your sharing the good, bad and ugly of your build. Stay healthy and strong.

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

Thank you much, appreciate it, you as well.

[@mitch60mccoy]

Well done, sir. I'm researching LMTVs in preparation of a buildout. I love the way you organized the content in this video. So well done and very helpful. Thanks for sharing the knowledge!

[@wilemelliott]

same here. I was thinking about the same thing as far as putting all the tankage below the floor of the "box" whether it came on the truck or if I started with a boxless frame. Nice to see that my gut feeling about "ballast" has been confrimed. Now I just have to scrape together the scratch and get started.

[@milesoroads]

While I'm building a bus I watched the whole thing. Most I was pretty aware of I didn't think about the shower pan. Add it to my list. Awesome vid,keep up great content.

[@FamilyManMoving]

Thanks for the info. An LMTV is one of those projects I'd love to tackle with the kids, if I had time. So it's nice to live vicariously through people like you. Enjoy.

[@flaviusbarker9388]

I have an lmtv but no kids. If you have the funds to build one, man make the time. your kids will be grown and moved in no time. Time is priceless.

[@RussFryman]

Great Show Man. Really appreciate the effort you put into these. Found you the other day and you're on the list of favorites already.

[@francisguibord7917]

Thanks for sharing these super helpful tips.

[@scotty3114]

I enjoyed your notes on what to look for on these trucks. Thank you.

[@9everclimb]

I wish I had found your channel sooner. I'm a truck driver too and own a couple FMTV'S.

[@mehrdadmorabbi6743]

That was great Jeff. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

You bet!

[@markwarren515]

Another great video and thanks for the advice. I will definitely keep that in mind

[@marcusbeck4656]

Thank you for the insight… Appreciate the heads up on possible problems that may be encountered during trips.

[@elgoogsucks9005]

Wow, that was awesome! Thanks for the detailed breakdown of all the good and bad.

[@bobv7753]

Hi Jeffco, I'm just discovering your channel & excellent content. I'm a bit on a different vehicle type but seriously considered getting an LMTV for an overland mod. You've done excellent work with your project & appreciate the detailed commentary. I'm in the process of modifying a 1976 710k Pinzgaurer for overland. Much smaller vehicle but it will be just basically just for me & maybe a guest. Again can't compare the two vehicles but can certainly appreciate the vehicle age factor. Funny how you mention 20 years as old. I'm pushing 47 years old on mine. Love the vehicle but learning how to deal with age related failures. Great having a good support network for sure. Keep going & thanks for taking us along!!! Best.....Bob V

[@USMCMCG]

Fantastic video. Shopping for a LMTV and noodling what the build is going to be right now. Subscribed

[@schaded]

Great video! As a former tugboat captain, I can relate to fixing equipment on the go and having the right spares to get you back on your own. Great advice at the end too.

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

Thanks 👍

[@denvercyclist]

Thanks for the amazing knowledge. As a local Colorado and I would tell you to gear up so that you can do i-70 at a normal highway speed. One of the things that discourages me from buying one of these or even a Unimog is the danger of having to travel at such low speeds on the highway.

[@SI-lg2vp]

Great information on your experience.

[@squeekyclean6377]

Thanks for making this video. I am researching building one. Sharing your experience is really valuable

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

Thanks for joining!

[@bryanford1139]

Great, great advice bro. All of it! well done

[@traxoffgrid]

Glad you made it home safely

[@dflood316]

Awesome video,. Thanks for the great tips!

[@TJackSurvival]

I’d love to see B roll footage of all of the stuff you’re talking about. And a walk through.

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

Great looking rig. Thanks for sharing your wonderful family adventures was that a wolf just walking by? Very true we are putting 100 gallons in our rig. Weight is a big concern, for our custom box on a E450 box van chassis. Glad you were able to use your brain to work through problems that you can and the wisdom to know when you need assistance. Hey you should make a t-shirt . Almost everyone I'm watching says there will be 2nd and 3rd builds to get the rig that truly works for them. You made a great point about keeping the center of gravity low in the chassis. Again awesome video thanks for sharing. Looking forward to more adventures.

[@svwhippoorwill3599]

Thanks for the video and sharing your experiences. I'm still waiting for the paperwork to clear on mine.

[@ethanturner5567]

Great subject, awesome content! Thanks!

[@urgentcareguy3]

Something I forgot to mention. Most of us were never taught why coolant pumps fail. It is typically due to small particles floating around in the coolant system because the system was never flushed. These particles chew up the seals on the pump. The pump has to have some weeping for the seals to work properly. A small amount of weeping is a good. If you have not done so, you must flush the system w ith chemical agent. Not just water. Mine M1088 MTV is a 98 too. You will get a lot of crap out. Trust me. Use Thoro-Flush. It is the best. Go to the Gates Company videos on KZbin if you need more info.

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

Good information thanks

[@luiscruz-no3ib]

What about and auxiliary power unit they used on semi trucks they have ac and heater they keep the batteries charge also they keep the eng cooland hot for cold start and they run on diesel

[@nonplayablecharacter006]

Great video, I'm a new viewer of the channel. I'm always looking for new fmtv overlanders to watch.

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@nonplayablecharacter006]

Any plans on going to the great western fmtv roundup in Washington state next year?

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

I would love to go next year!

[@jeffnicholls8846]

Love your truck, you did a great job

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

Thanks

[@danielf.6059]

What a great build! 👍🏻 I'm going to add some more panels on Big Bootie Judy. I enjoy driving mine.

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

Hell ya! They are fun to drive

[@urgentcareguy3]

Dump the OEM CTIS controller and get the Arduino one. See steel soldiers. Comes from Italy from a nice guy "Plasa". You can adjust it to whatever you want. The water pump sucks on these. Half thinking of looking for an electric one. What you planned on doing to get your 24 volts is pretty much what I planned on for such an event OR run the 400 amp 24 volt alternator off the gen engine. Speed sensor is a known issue. When you break down, immediately put the word out on Steel Soldiers. You would be surprised how many people may be close to you. Concur with Sean. Turn up the engine to 290 hp. Lots of on the 307s. I have a set in my garage too.

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

Thank you very much for the advice I’ll look into those options

[@joelfuller4677]

Man, great info and tips!

[@richarddunlap1165]

Jeffco great vidio tons of good info i'm building my lmtv now. and an going to follow a few of your sugestions . If you decide to go with a diff. chassie on your next bild and want to part with your 3:07's let me know . I'm in Va and have mostly flat ground around here . Keep up with the informative post great job and be safe Rich Dunlap

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

Thanks Rich I’ll keep that in mind

[@markmagee8896]

Super video! Great detail. I’m on the fence between building out an LMTV 1079 or an Isuzu NPR 4x4 w 6.0l gas engine. You mentioned your next build you might not do an LMTV, what chassis would you choose if not an LMTV.

[@yanobou]

Love getting the “shit happens” view so can better prepare and build my knowledge toolkit.

[@aernan]

Factory fuel is 6-8 mpg. If you drive it at 45-47 you will get that 8 mpg on road. Do the gears. Faster everywhere no downsides. The tires are the limiter of speed. Better balance means faster speeds. Overall noticeably better fuel economy.

[@davidgagne4373]

I think your mileage is great for the weight. Love the build progress, thank you for the video update. When it comes to gears and hills, I don't think you would like going up in gears unless you have gone up in HP (the timing and fuel advance "mod"). IMO the best middle ground is to go up on tire size to 16.00 20s with the fuel bump. You can get a couple more mph top speed, and get more comfortable 60 mph cruise rpm. Let me know what your thoughts are, I know a couple guys out there have done it and enjoyed it. Plus, bigger tires look 👌.

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

Thanks for the thought. Being that my tires are almost new and I already own gears and a locker I will probably try the 307s. My truck has had the fuel screw turned out to increase power some and I’ve installed a pyrometer to keep an eye on egts. I guess I’m just feeling lazy in the “let’s tear apart the differentials department”!

[@davidgagne4373]

@@jeffcobuilds2660 if you are already advanced on fuel and have the CTIS high pressure mod, the high speed gears should be awesome for your truck. Definitely measure EGTs. If they ever get too high you can look at propane injection, or just let out of the throttle. Have you switched your transmission to transmission fluid from 15w-40 already?

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

@@davidgagne4373 My egts stay in the 750-950 range under most driving if I hit a long 6-10percent grade it will pull 1000 or even try to bump 1100. I have blown up my share of engines so I throw the cards and let out to maintain no more than 950 on a hard climb. I have not switched the trans to atf yet mostly because I take most stuff I read on the internet with a grain of salt. I know there’s a lot of very smart people out there doing this stuff but also a lot who just talk about it. But I have considered it just never made it a priority, too busy building the rest. Sounds like your confident it helps too!

[@davidgagne4373]

@@jeffcobuilds2660 I'm confident the higher the load you have the more ATF makes a difference. From an engineering perspective 15w-40 does not have the sheer resistance and long term thermal capabilities that Allison ATF does have. It is my opinion that the slow speed shifting (putting around town) is marginally better after the swap and the biggest difference is lock up "feel" and overall temp on long pulls. Most of the "parade" users of the LMTV do not need to do the swap and is more cost effective in the long run to keep engine oil in there.

[@EmilderGraue]

Thanks for the great Video, Hope this is not the last one

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

No many more to come!

[@aa999xyz]

what about a soft sided version? Same truck frame twith smaller tires and wheels?ent of living quarters one side folded down for the children and other could be adults? Using expanded metal frames that could fold in half would save on overall height?

[@CurtisDrew1]

I converted an 89 gas Class A RV to 12 valve non computerized diesel and an Allison 5 speed. I regeared my rearend to 3:07's an installed a limited slip. I bumped the 5.9 Cummins up to 400hp+ so it went from 7 MPG to 14 MPH with these mods, but I'm only 16.5 K lbs. 70 mph only requires 1700 rpm. And it has a more aerodynamic sloped front nose than that flat nose like the LM you have. I suggest you regear it because you have plenty of gears to pick from for slow going uphill stuff. (Don't you have a transfer case?) All my hoses belts, bearings and electrical systems have been either replaced or rebuilt. Yet I still carry a spare alternator, voltage regulator, starter water pump, fuel shut off valves and fuel pumps. Just because I'm an adventure guy who flat tows an expedition grade towed. My tool box is quite rig extensive and I have a 15 gallon air tank & air compressor to run my air tools and air over hydraulic tools. I use my tools more on other people rigs than my own. But its a pay it forward deal for me. If you can afford to have the spare parts get them because, like you said you're driving and old truck, and things are going to break or just quit. Looks like a great adventure. We'll be in Estes Park July 7th and Monument a few days after. Love the mountains, but we live in North Central Texas because my wife grew up in Chicago and doesn't want to live in snow anymore.😊 Fun video, and sounds like you handled the bumps like a prepared Pro.

[@ryanwalsh9255]

Do you have a part number on the voltage regulator you replaced? I’d like to have an extra in my parts bin as well.

[@neftalydotcom]

2800 is where a Diesel should live! Coolant pump was def just dried up.

[@austinmay7125]

Keep posting brother

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

I know I need more content when I’m not building overlander!

[@loft306]

Just a word of warning don’t tilt the cab with the doors open you can warp the cab and it’s not fixable.

[@besamjohn]

Great video! I thought that rock crawler was full sized in the first picture 😂 I'd look into converting your battery back to 24v. Your engine will help out more if your not having to buck convert to 12v.

[@jaydittmer1438]

Thanks for posting your video tons of good information. I am building my own LMTV off-road camper. One of my concerns is acquiring insurance. Was it a challenge for you and what company did you use.

[@dieselboy9996]

Really enjoyed your video. I want to build an LMTV and go to Baja. My father did a motor home conversion on a Volvo VNL630 years ago and pulled a 37ft Teton 5th wheel with it and went through similar experiences. Where would you recommend buying an LMTV these days?

[@mudbayoverland4050]

"T" in your original sensor and high pressure sensor and put them on a toggle ;)

[@HelicoolsHelipad]

Pretty dang aggressive 2000 mile start. It looks like your were up near my neck of the woods but I guess it may have been Montana, with the picks you took. Anyway, scored another sub.

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

Thanks Dave, I’ve been watching and subscribed to your channel for months glad to see an LMTV legend here on KZbin subscribe! 👍

[@xterrainhawaii]

Great video Jeff. What part of CO are you in? Trying to convince my wife we should go this route.

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

Northwestern Co.

[@Rossithailand]

I like you videos great truck , did you ever think about slide out wall ?

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

No only because I wanted something that sealed very tight and was reliable in winter camping situations.

[@bigwavemax]

Jeffco, Do you have any LMTV updates? hopefully you didnt sell it!

[@shiftpod136]

Maybe try a more efficient AC?.... We are working with one called MIDEA12,000 BTU with remote control... it runs full blast on 500 watts at 110AC.

[@davidwardlow721]

Talk about breaking in the truck. Excellent job. Yes I agree in these simple setups are user "friendly " As long as to take the time to learn them. I've seen a lot of m1078 gvw come in at 22177lbs.+- without the box. So I was thinking how do you build a box, build systems, and interiors all the while keeping under the 25k-26k lbs for non commercial truck license?

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

Thanks, and I was surprised too, to be at 25,000 I thought for sure it would be more but I guess you can only cram so much stuff in a 12 or 15’ box!

[@davidwardlow721]

@@jeffcobuilds2660 That helps to know that. I've been looking on govplanet and see most end up in the 20k-30k range. Would not want to spend that and then not be able to drive it after build out

[@MrBigtaf]

I was going to mention @fastidious restomods for your CofG issue but I see he’s already been here! He put his water tanks at chassis level and I’m not sure but may have added a 2nd fuel tank on opposite side, also storage bins down the sides would give you more room in the habitat and also lower CofG 👍🏼

[@SeanFillner]

I think the main issue with Jeffs truck is not the COG but the blown shocks rather. We had swaying problems like mad until we changed out to functioning shocks...

[@ariadventuresi]

Thanks

[@DevenRichards-mc2bx]

Thanks bro

[@Psychayella]

Hi Jeff- awesome video and content! Question- have you heard of Acela Trucks out of Montana- if so, are they worth it? They refurbish LMTV’s and cost @ $100k, completely rebuilt frame up restoration. Hunter RMV out of Nevada uses them for their off road rv’s. Expensive yes, but they look great. Keep up the great content🤙

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

I have heard of them, I would imagine at 100k they are a great choice if you can muster up the costs for one!

[@chriss6154]

About how much did ya pay and where did you get it. Like in general notnspecific if you dont want. Like an auction or your neighbor etc

[@TinS0lder]

I see your Blackfoot Hat. That's nice. I'm from Montana. You do know what these trucks were used for right? We would roll up in fallujah on our normal patrols and the command vehicle, your vehicle, would tell us the current roe and instructions. If a person was firing at us obviously that was fare game. If a person, child or woman picked up a gun, we dropped them as well. We normally aimed at the face, its the best lights out so no one got hurt. The armored version of the LMTV is where you wanted to be , because the Humvees didn't have shit for armor, granted a IED would kill you in either truck, but the lmtv had some more lift. How's everything in Colorado?

[@JimmytNoob25]

No wonder I got back pain while driving in the sand in NTC, the damn truck was probably inflating the tires by itself X0

[@TheDogsBox]

Not sure you will give it away.. but what chassis will you be using for your next build? I am trying to decide for myself. A Steyr is what I want, but I fear not being able to source parts when I need them.

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

I will be building a 05 GMC Topkick next time around!

[@OttoMatieque]

about the gear ratio question... I am wondering the same thing. Is there any other options for getting higher ratio for the highway while preserving low-end power? Is there a dual range transfer case that is compatible with this tranny or something like that?

[@mrb9642]

Did you have any problems registering or titling your LMTV in Colorado? Did you buy at auction?

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

No I bought it private party and it was already plated in Nebraska so it was simple only requiring a vin inspection.

[@iAmMarchal]

Hi Jeffco! Do you have an email or way I can get a hold of you. Just got a couple of questions. I’m in CO too.

[@luiscruz-no3ib]

Nobody or there's a 2 speed rear diff make that will exchange for yours then you will get the best of two

[@thejunky1908]

that chunk out of bozeman was totally avoidable.

[@christopherbradley5575]

An LMTV broke down??? Say it aint so!! Get used to it, Buddy. My advice; Buy a bigger tool box and don't stray to far from home with that thing.

[@jameswaters313]

Boats handle seas better with weight. Best offshore boats are heavy.

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

That makes sense I suppose. 👍

[@dvanomaly420]

"would have used less water if I was conservative" But I thought liberals are supposed to be more concerned for the environment? J/K great video

[@someguydino6770]

this video is almost 40 full minutes of just a guy's face....ah youtube...

[@reubenj.cogburn8546]

I just cannot get past the 'look' of the truck. I guess it's not for everyone. The thing reminds me of a European garbage truck.

[@danpoczynek]

Just a few comments. (1) I'm building a LMTV to get away from people not go to national parks. for that I will take my fithwheel. (2) In my option I want as close to 200 gal of fresh water 25 gal water just for the shower and recycle the water for the shower. (3) hi speed gears and Jake brake is the only way to go (4) anyone who goes out on the road with out tools deserves to be stranded ...when I travel ( even on my Harley) I bring every thing you can imagine and most of the time I don't really care to much about weight. I cant stand body sway that in why my rig is a 6x6 not a 4x4

[@jeffcobuilds2660]

Just a few comments... 1)Thats Great! I agree getting away from everything is very important but sometimes having destination is ok too.. in this case a national park. However I am curious why you would have both an expedition truck as well as a 5th wheel, I chose to build my RV for all scenario's rather than buy a 5th wheel for the easy travel. Just my opinion. 2)200 gallons would be great if you have the space and weight capacity for that. youexhaust brake? tools are very important and a necessity to a successful trip. 5) I hope your planning you weight distribution well because I promise you if you've got thousands of pounds above frame height and a high profile you too will experience body sway even with your extra axle. Good luck to you and your build!

[@melissaconnett5183]

Jeffco haters will always hate keep up the positive vibes!

[@danpoczynek]

@@melissaconnett5183 Your funny lady I don't hate jeffico I would not be subscribed to his channel, I'm agreeing with just about everything he said in his video if you had an I Q higher the 3 you would see that. but by the time you get around reading this I will have unsubscribed him....

[@melissaconnett5183]

@@danpoczynek bye!