XM708 dumptruck

[CGarbee]

I've started work on some new webpages for my site that will document the XM708 dumptruck that I just purchased. I still have a long way to go with them and the XM, but here is the URL:
http://www.garbee.net/~cabell/dumptruck/xm708index.htm


(I figure that it is easier for me to just put the link to the "new" section of my site than to overload Gordon's server...).

Enjoy.

[Gsmith]

Good deal! I think I'm a bit jealous.

[Warren Watt]

Xm708

Isn't that the same platform that Dodge factory offered with a wrecker body mounted on it? Something about the wheelbase being different? I need to go back to the books and see.
At any rate, great score Cabel. Looking forward to seeing the progress.

[CGarbee]

I think that they have the same wheelbase, but that the wrecker did not get the overload springs. I know that the dumptruck was the only version to get the hydroboost brakes from the factory.
I have the specifications for both and will have to look at the ones for the wrecker a bit more closely to be sure of things. I'll post them on my website. I already posted the specifications for the dump.
Interesting tidbit, the specifications where not removed from the federal system until 1983...
I am going to have fun wih this one when it is restored, and will enjoy the journey along the way...

[xm708]

xm708 and xm711

The wrecker is the same wheelbase ands also came with overloads there is a nice picture in the MVM mag if I can find it. I am pretty sure they had a brake booster also. I am still looking for a wrecker. cabell I may have found another xm708 standby for future details.

ed

[CGarbee]

Ed,
I tried to email this to you yesterday, but it wouldn't go through... I've just spent a little bit of time reading the XM711 and XM708
Specifications...

For both of them, the Government furnished the M53B1 Chasis (note
that in the XM708 specification, it reads M35B1-a typo I
suspect...). Note as well the difference in the MS number for
the M53B1 chasis furnished. Wonder if it is a continuation of
the typo or a change in standard to to a difference in the year
that the specifications were written or somesuch...?

XM708:
"Chasis. The chassis shall be a tactical, 3/4 ton, 4X4, M35B1, in
accordance with MS51393-1 and shall be furnished by the
Government to the
contractor for mounting the dump body."

XM711:
"Chassis. The chassis shall be a tactical,3/4 ton, 4X4, M53Bl, in
accordance with MS51390-1 and shall be furnished by the
Govermnent to the contractor for mounting the wrecker body."

Springs, the dumptruck mentions springs in a specific section for
the suspension, the wrecker wraps springs into a section on
chasis modification.

XM708:
"Suspension. The existing rear springs shall be modified by
instalation of new spring leafs and heavy duty booster or
complete new springs shall be installed to provide a suspension
system with components having a rated capacity at least equal to
the load imposed on each member, measured at the ground, with a
3,500 pound payload evenly distributed over the vehicle body load
area plus the portion of the body and hoist supported by the rear
axle. In loaded or unloaded position the bcdy shall not interfere
with chassis components. Dry chassis weight on rear axle is 2,100
pounds."

XM711:
"Provide additional leaf or leaves to each front spring to at
least equel imposed loads, measured at the ground. Provide
additional leaf or leaves and auxillary springs with brackets, to
each rear spring to at least eaquel the imposed loads, measursd
at the ground, when vehicle is in the toad load position."


For the brakes, the dumptruck has a complete section while for
the wrecker no specific reference to the brakes is made.

XM708:
"Brakes. Contractor shall furnish and install a vacuum booster on
the hydraulic brakes. The booster shall be compatible with the
vehicle’s exsting brake system. Vacuum booster shall be hydrovac
kit, and shall be as specified (see 6.3)."
Sec 6.3 is a component list and includes "Bendix Westinghouse
379474 - Brake Vacuum Booster, Hydrovac-Kit."

Interesting to note though as well that the wrecker had chasis
modifications included (and required) as part of the body
mounting specification while the dumptruck did not require them
but allowed them with government approval. Also, since both
specifications have a section on testing before acceptance and
these are specifications, not contracts or "as built"
specifications, it is highly possible that what was delivered in
both cases as production items differed a bit. Comparision of
actual vehicles is the only way to figure out what actually got
fielded... I've only got the one XM708, and only briefly looked at a XM711 when in TN a couple of years ago and didn't know what I wanted to be looking at, so I'm real interested in hearing what others have spotted...

So, you've got a line on another XM708...? Thinking about
trying to purchase it?

Cabell

[xm708]

xm708

hey cabell
cool spec sheets
I am not sure about the other dump I really just want to take pictures and document the find and maybe pass it on to somebody who really wants one I have a friend that is in the Coast Guard and really wants one to restore I probably would let him buy it I already have two and the second one I have no problems messing with as I will never find an original garwood body although I have tracked down two hydraulic pumps and one shaft for the xm708 as long as he still has them. I will dig out the MVM mag and see what else I can dig up. on a side note the Xm708 is still in the government system type in the stock number and there she is pretty cool makes you wonder why the info is still there after so many years though.

ed

[CGarbee]

Well, all I can say as a gov't employee who spends part of his time writing specifications...
We keep the older ones in our system as it is easier to leave them in the file system (especially since we have them on-line now and computer storage is cheap) than to go through them and pull the old stuff out.
When somebody wants to reinvent the wheel, we can always pull the old one out to show them how it was done in the past when it actually worked...
When somebody asks "how did you do it", we can pull out the files and show them...

Anyway, I pulled them off the DOD website... Surprised me that they didn't officially cancel them until the mid eightees... Also interesting to note that the specification for the M53B1 chasis is not online...nor is the specification for a M37 or M37B1...

I did notice last night that my tailgate fits tight enough to hold water... (had some heavy rain the last few days...)


Anyway, take lots of photos and document that "new" XM708 and send them on to me and I'll put up a page on the website so that we can refer to it in the future, especially if you find somebody to restore it...

[xm708]

xm708

thanks cabell
once I find that beast I will get some pictures. My buddy in western Vermont has one maybe I can convince him to pull it out and take some pics of it.

talk to you soon.

ed