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M54 (truck)

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Truck, Cargo, 5 Ton, 6×6, M54
REFORGER 1991, M54 Truck unloading
M54 cargo truck during Exercise Reforger, 1991
Type Heavy Truck
Place of origin United States United States
Production history
Manufacturer AM General, Kaiser
Variants M54A1, M54A2, M54A1C, M54A2C
Specifications
Mass 19,460 lb (8,830 kg)
Length 298 3⁄4 in (7,588 mm)
Width 9797 in (2,464 mm)
Height 116 in (2,946 mm)
Engine Continental gas or multi-fuel, Mack diesel
205 horsepower (153 kW) @ 2100 rpm
Operational
range
 gasoline: 312 mi
diesel: 390 mi
Maximum speed gasoline: 59 mph
diesel: 52 mph

The M54 Truck, officially designated Truck, Cargo, 5 Ton 6×6 M54, is a heavy cargo truck developed by, and deployed primarily with, the United States Armed Forces. The vehicle is a member of the M39 series of trucks. It is rated for five-ton cargo loads, cross-country, and ten-ton cargo loads, highway, making it a heavy truck. The basic M54 is fitted with a Continental gasoline engine, whereas variants had different engines (see below).

The vehicle is approximately 25 feet long and weighs approximately 10 tons when empty.

The M54 was the primary heavy truck of the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine[1] forces during the Vietnam War. It was used to haul cargo, and was also modified to serve as a gun truck by adding armor and various weapons, including double, or Quadmount .50 caliber machine guns. The truck was also used by the U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force, and was deployed by ARVN forces in Vietnam as well.

Although most noted for its extensive use in Vietnam, the rugged, reliable M54 continues to serve in armed forces around the world to the present day.

Design and development[]

The M39 (a.k.a.G744) series was designed as a 5 ton three axle all wheel drive off road truck to replace World War II era trucks such as 4 and 6 ton 6x6’s built by Brockway, Diamond T, and White. Rushed into production by International Harvester in 1951, soon Kaiser (renamed Kaiser-Jeep in 1963) also became a major manufacturer[lower-alpha 1], with Diamond T and Mack building smaller numbers. The M39 series evolved into the M809 (G908) series[lower-alpha 2] in 1969, which followed, but did not replace, it. The M809 Series was then improved into the M939 Series[lower-alpha 3] in 1983.[2][3][4][5] Although individual components and dimensions may vary, all three series are mechanically very similar.

The M39 series were originally powered by a Continental R6602 gasoline engine, a 602 cubic inch inline 6 developing 224 gross horsepower at 2800 rpm. The -A1 upgrade had a Mack ENDT-673 turbocharged diesel engine with 210 hp. at 2100rpm. The -A2 had a Continental LDS-465-1A Turbo multifuel engine, with 205 hp. at 2600rpm.[lower-alpha 4] Later series have Cummins diesel engines. All M39s (excluding M139C/D/F) had a Spicer 5-speed manual transmission, 2-speed (plus forward and reverse) transfer case, and Timken axles with the same gear ratio, as did M809s as built. This drivetrain, designed for the Continental’s 2800rpm. governed speed, was poorly suited for the multifuel and diesel’s lower operating ranges. The M939 series automatic transmissions have addressed this issue.[6][7][8][9][10]

The M39 series[lower-alpha 5] were built on chassis with three wheelbases, and designed with single or dual rear tires. The M39 chassis, namesake of the series, was a single rear tire model, few were built. Virtually all trucks were built on dual rear tire chassis, the M40 long(179”/206”) wheelbase[lower-alpha 6], used in the basic M54, the M61 short(167”/194”) wheelbase, used in semi tractors and dump trucks, and the M63 extra long(215”/242”) wheelbase, used in the M55. There was also an oversize M139 chassis for extreme service.[11][12][13]

Variants[]

Cargo variants[]

There were two main variants of the cargo truck, the standard M54 with a 14’ long flatbed cargo body and the M55 model on an extra long wheelbase with a 20’ body. The M54 was modified to serve as a dropside cargo vehicle as well, these being designated M54A1C and M54A2C.[14][15][16][17] Service variations existed as well, notable was the tall intake on the air cleaner of M54s deployed by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Tractor and Wrecker variants[]

Only one semi tractor model was developed, the M52. The first model wrecker was the M62, succeeded by the M543, with a different boom. The M246, with a XL wheelbase, was a wrecker/tractor, with a fifth wheel mounted behind the boom, for towing semi trailers.[18][15][19][20]

Construction variants[]

M39 series trucks were used widely in construction, often for river bridging, and a number of specialized construction variants were developed. The M51 dump truck was developed for general construction work, while the M139, M328, and M748 were used to deliver large sections of bridging material.[21][15][22][23]

Expansible vans[]

The M291 Expansible van, on an XL wheelbase with a slide out section on each side, had a large working floor area and was used in communication roles. Some had hydraulic lift gates. [24][25][26]

Chassis cabs[]

In addition to standardized models, bare chassis cabs were produced for specialty bodies. Possibly the most extreme were the M139C, D, and F, with heavier front axles and lower gear ratios, used for missile launchers.[27][28]

Model number by Series[]

Type wheelbase M39 series[29] M809 series[30] M939 series[31][lower-alpha 7]
Cargo (14’) long M54 M813 M923/925
Cargo (20’) extra long M55 M814 M927/928
Dump short M51 M817 M929/930
Semi Tractor short M52, M818 M931/932
Wrecker long M62, M543 M817 M929/930
Van, Expansible extra long M291 M820 M934
File:M54dropside.jpg

A USMC M54 (dropside) truck in Lebanon, 1983.

Operators[]

Notes[]

  1. ↑ Successor AM General built all M809s.
  2. ↑ With a longer hood and Cummins NH250 engine.
  3. ↑ Early M939s were rebuilds of M809 vehicles, suffix –A2 are new production with later model Cummins engine. All have a larger cab and hood
  4. ↑ The same engine used in some M35 series 2 1/2 ton trucks.
  5. ↑ Note that both chassis and trucks are numbered in the same series.
  6. ↑ Wheelbase measurements are centerline of front axle to (centerline of tandem/centerline of rear axle) in inches.
  7. ↑ M939 series may have without/with winch model numbers.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ↑ Gilbert, E.; Gilbert, O.; Anderson, D. (2006). The US Marine Corps in the Vietnam War: III Marine Amphibious Force, 1965–75. Osprey Publishing. p. 35. ISBN 1-84176-987-8. 
  2. ↑ Crismon, Fred W. (1998). Modern U.S. Military Vehicles. MBI Publishing. pp. 91–97. ISBN 0-7603-0526-9. 
  3. ↑ Department of the Army (1985). Operators Manual FM-9-2320-260-10. Government Printing Office. pp. 1–11. 
  4. ↑ Department of the Army (2004). Operators Manual FM-9-2320-272-10. Government Printing Office. pp. 1–9. 
  5. ↑ Doyle, David (2003). Standard catalog of U.S. Military Vehicles. Kraus Publications. pp. 178, 192, 200–203. ISBN 0-87349-508-X. 
  6. ↑ Crismon (1998), p. 91-97.
  7. ↑ Department of the Army (1989). Operator’s Manual FM-9-2320-211-10. Government Printing Office. pp. 1–6. 
  8. ↑ Department of the Army (1982). Technical Manual FM-9-2320-211-20. Government Printing Office. p. 1-4, 1-5. 
  9. ↑ Department of the Army (2004), p. 1-9.
  10. ↑ Doyle (2003), p. 179-182, 192, 200-203.
  11. ↑ Department of the Army (1982), p. 1-5.
  12. ↑ Doyle (2003), p. 188.
  13. ↑ "Standard Military Vehicle: Characteristic Data Sheets". Combined Arms Research Library. 9 March 2010. pp. Part 3: 3-10 Part 4: 9-10, 13-16, 21-24. http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/cdm/compoundobject/collection/p4013coll11/id/879. Retrieved 6 June 2013. 
  14. ↑ Department of the Army (1989), p. ii, iv, 1-2.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Department of the Army (1982), p. 1-1.
  16. ↑ Doyle (2003), p. 182.
  17. ↑ Data Sheets pp. Pt.3: 33-36
  18. ↑ Department of the Army (1989), p. ii, iii, 1v, v, 1-2, 1-3.
  19. ↑ Doyle (2003), p. 184-185.
  20. ↑ Data Sheets pp. Pt.3: 31-32 Pt.4: 11-12, 25-26
  21. ↑ Department of the Army (1989), p. ii, iii, iv, 1-2, 1-3.
  22. ↑ Doyle (2003), p. 182-186, 188.
  23. ↑ Data Sheets pp. Pt.3: 21-22, 29-30
  24. ↑ Department of the Army (1989), p. 1-3.
  25. ↑ Department of the Army (1982), p. ii, v, 1-1.
  26. ↑ Doyle (2003), p. 185.
  27. ↑ Doyle (2003), p. 187-188.
  28. ↑ Data Sheets pp. Pt.3: 23-24
  29. ↑ Department of the Army (1989), p. 1-2, 1-3.
  30. ↑ Department of the Army (1985), p. 1-1.
  31. ↑ Department of the Army (2004), p. 1-1.

US Army TM-2320-211-10

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