In service since 1951, the M35 cargo truck -- also known as the "deuce and a half" -- is a military vehicle that was utilized by the U.S. and other allied nations. The truck has historical significance and has been used to transport personnel and equipment in many important military operations such as the Vietnam War and Operation Iraqi Freedom. While the truck falls into the medium-duty weight class, it has been known to carry up to twice its rated weight in cargo and has formed the basis for a variety of other specialized vehicles like dump trucks and gun trucks.

Dimensions

The M35 cargo truck is 112 inches tall, 96 inches wide, and 277 inches long. The standard cargo bed is 8 feet by 12 feet and the total weight of the truck when empty is approximately 13,000 lb.

Engine

M35's are typically powered by an LDT 465 engine. The LDT 465 is a six-cylinder, 478-cubic-inch, turbocharged engine that is capable of using different types of fuel.

Transmission

The M35 uses a five-speed manual transmission combined with a two-speed transfer case. The transfer case is part of the vehicle's 10-wheel-drive system and uses a drive shaft to connect three axles.

Cargo Capacity

The M35 has a rated cargo capacity of 10,000 pounds when driving on roads. If driving off-road, the cargo capacity of the truck is halved to 5,000 pounds.

Top Speed

The M35 has a top speed of 56 mph and a maximum cruising speed of about 48 mph.

Fuel Economy

With a single 50-gallon fuel tank, the M35 gets 11 mpg when driving on highways and about 8 mpg when driving in cities. This gives the truck roughly a 400- to 500-mile range.