REO Manufaturer's Serial Number Location??

[Gbuckbee]

So, according to David Doyle's recent article,.....if my truck doesn't have the REO <or> 'Lansing built Truck', serial number, perhaps it is another brand which used reo engines????
He says Lansing built trucks have the frame rail serial number, but does not say where the Southbend trucks have their serial numbers, which apparently begin with a 'M'.

Who built M-34's, just REO, or did Studebaker, Curtiss-Wright, Utica-Bend, etc., etc., build them also, and where do the 'Southbend' built trucks have their numbers ///

Does anybody know???

Gib

[Joe Gopan]

The M-34's were built during the Studebaker/REO era, earlier engines were Reo Gold Comet OA-331. After that the Identical Continental 331 was installed.

[Joe Gopan]

Many of the M-34's were surplus by the early 60's, replaced by Gas M-35's and the early Multifuels. Many surplus REOs of that era went thru DRMO in non running condition, those that were in good shape ended up thru GSA to Civil Defense, Volunteer Fire Departments, and US Forest Service and were driven hard with little PM until they needed money spent and were parked. Not many Gas Job G-742'as out there in GI Issue condition after 50 years. The collectors did not start chasing these until the mid to late 70's.
Nothing sweeter than hearing a US Army Base wake up to the friendly bark of a Gas Job Reo 6X6 being shifted thru the gears back in the 50's-60's.

[ddoyle9570]

So, according to David Doyle's recent article,.....if my truck doesn't have the REO <or> 'Lansing built Truck', serial number, perhaps it is another brand which used reo engines????
He says Lansing built trucks have the frame rail serial number, but does not say where the Southbend trucks have their serial numbers, which apparently begin with a 'M'.

Who built M-34's, just REO, or did Studebaker, Curtiss-Wright, Utica-Bend, etc., etc., build them also, and where do the 'Southbend' built trucks have their numbers ///

Does anybody know???

Gib

Along with Reo, only Studebaker built the M34. The Studebaker serial number is stamped in the frame rail near the shock mount, and yes it starts with "M".

Best,
David
www.DavidDoyleBooks.com

[Gbuckbee]

I have tried everything and I just can't seem to paste an image , so how do you put a picture here?
gib

[Joe Gopan]

David Doyle's "recent article"? Was this in a magazine?

[Gbuckbee]

yup....military vehicles magazine april 2017 issue 187...starts on page 20

[Joe Gopan]

Thanks, my subscription expired years ago. Will chase one down to see what I can learn.

[Gbuckbee]

Engine plate says: "REO Motors Lansing Michigan" and as best as I can make out has an engine serial number of 35025

[Joe Gopan]

REO was the original manufacturer of the 331 Gold Comet engine. It was a good engine in it's day when thousands of REO commercial trucks roamed the roads. The were a hard working durable engine. The Continental version of that same engine could be found in Gold or Blue paint. You could run one on the matt all day.

[Gbuckbee]

Were REO trucks the only ones which used them or were they used by other manufacturers of the M-34???

[Joe Gopan]

It started life as the engine for 40's-50's commercial REO trucks. REO and Studebaker are related and it was a natural for their G-742 Series of 2-1/2 Ton 6X6 trucks.

[Gbuckbee]

Lost my reply...but I don't give up so easy, here we go again........

OK, SO WHY IS IT SO HARD TO GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER TO A DIRECT AND SPECIFIC QUESTION ON THIS LIST - IS THIS INFO SO darn SECRET, that I am not allowed to know the answers.

Come on there are no books or records about this stuff.

This is frustrating as hell, I have what amounts to 12,000 lbs of junk metal in my driveway, unless I can determine what brand truck it is, when it was built, and what serial number it has.

ALL I AM ASKING HERE IS WHAT OTHER BRANDS OF TRUCKS USED THE REO GOLD COMET O-331 ENGINE, did Diamond REO, did AM GENERAL, DID WHITE, DID STUDEBAKER, did Kaiser, did Utica, did Curtiss did Lansing did Kellogg Corn Flakes make the trucks, I don't even know who all the companies were that produced the M-34's are, GMC???, Ford Locomobile,......

DID all M-34's have REO Engines???

[Joe Gopan]

Military application of the REO Gold Comet was in the G-742 Series. The M-34 Used the M-44 Chassis. M-34 was built by REO and Studebaker, during 50-53 era.The M-35 was also built by REO/Studebaker at the beginning and the Army opted for the M-35 in greater numbers. As time passed, no more M-34 Cargo's built but there were many special purpose single wheel gas jobs, such as 530B Airfield Crash Trucks.
The Gas Job G-742s were built by Studebaker, REO, Utica Bend, White, Curtis Wright, and there was another name tucked in there somewhere.
Into the 60's the Army went Multi Fuel and a few more manufacturers names appeared, JEEP, Kaiser Jeep, AM General and possibly a contract in the 70's by Isusu.
Enjoy your truck, it is what it is, and much better if it runs.
There were a lot of mods in the early 50's such as relocating Ex System brackets due to metal fatigue, there were early and late Sprag units on the transfer, and minor fixes and Maintenance tips that were printed in PS Magazines of the period. Best to find the early and later Operators TM for the Gasser. TM-9-819 is best for your early Truck, and it was superseded by TM9-8022 which is also a must.

David Doyle's article in MV is excellent for those wanting a bit of M-34 knowledge, but there is no substitute for hands on US Army experience on the Gas Job Reo.

[Gbuckbee]

So, no I can not enjoy the truck at all, since I can not get the information to get it registered or insured.
Still don't know for sure what brand it is or what year it was made???? (I think it is a reo M-34 circa 1950) - but can't prove it!@?*
No serial numbers or dates found anywhere - very frustrating.
I did find that some of these were designated as NATO M621's, which were 12 volt, and mine was certainly 12 volt at one time, converted later to 24 volts, or perhaps converted to 12 volts then converted back to 24,....who knows for sure.
( ref: Fred W. Crismon's book "U.S. Military Wheeled Vehicles")
gib