M5h6

[Dave Ball]

There were several area's that the M-5H-6 was "more truck" than the CCKW or the Studebaker US6.
One was the power under the hood and the overall strength of the componets used.
Such as the one piece cast axle housing versus the three piece tube pressed into the center section on the Jimmy and Stude.
The M-5H-6 can haul a much heavery and bulky load cross country and do it in much harsher conditions.
The 24 inch deep beds and the gearing are much deeper and built for some serious loading.
Everything even the tires are bigger on the M-5H-6 when compared to its little sisters the CCKW or US6.
Your are correct about the rear suspension the Hendrickson walking beam had the benifit of lots of articulation and was super duty compared to the CCKW and the US6 the one major advatage was crawling over obstacles and through mud also the M-5H-6 had Thorton lockers so the rears all were driving that means the truck was a true 6x6 not a 4x4 like the CCKW or US6.
After the war the M5 was sought after by the lumber companies and utilities because of its ability to go where the work was with it super duty load carring capability.
The Hendrickson walking beam rears are still in use and are just now starting to get replaced by much more complicated air ride suspension systems.
Google RT340 Hendrickson.
Until you have driven a M-5H-6 on soft ground over hill and dale in double low lock 6x6 you have not trully driven a Binder. These trucks will put a smile on your face a mile wide that stays long after the rumbling engine is shut down you trully have to ride one to enjoy it and yes they will climb and go over terrain thought impassable and leave a Jimmy and Stude long behind looking for an easier way. I have seen this in action and it is a little unnervering at first but then you get used to a 7 ton truck going where its pointed.

[Colin Rush]

Originally Posted by Dave Ball

Google RT340 Hendrickson.

Dave, I remember talking with you about your search for Hendrickson parts at Tower Park. Is the RT-340 the exact model? As in, I could order parts from my local truck spring or axle shop? Or are you saying that it is the current equivalent, but the parts are not interchangeable? I attached two parts lists that I found online.

Originally Posted by Dave Ball

Until you have driven a M-5H-6 on soft ground over hill and dale in double low lock 6x6 you have not trully driven a Binder. These trucks will put a smile on your face a mile wide that stays long after the rumbling engine is shut down you trully have to ride one to enjoy it and yes they will climb and go over terrain thought impassable and leave a Jimmy and Stude long behind looking for an easier way. I have seen this in action and it is a little unnervering at first but then you get used to a 7 ton truck going where its pointed.

When my truck club used an M5 to move trash cans around the Powerland, we always had a ready supply of drivers, and their grins were a mile wide. It is fun to drive. I have never gone faster than 15 MPH, though. I will be glad when mine is road-worthy.

[Dave Ball]

Hi Colin...

Here in town we have a mobile Hendrickson repair person and I had him stop by and look at my M-5H-6 rear suspension.
I have for several years now been collecting NOS parts to rebuild my beams and torque rods and was missing the bushings and bolts for the center pins.
Long story short I had this service person stop by and he showed me the parts he had and we compared them to the NOS parts I had collected and we were both surprised to find some crossed over.
He quoted a price for complete rebuild and showed my the porta power press tools and special pullers and hand tools he uses to work on these rears and I have now been collecting many of these tools as well. Some can be found searching online with google.
I used the RT340 as an example for those that are not familiar with walking beam suspensions it is the same family as the suspension on our M5 trucks and still in production 70+ years later... Amazing.