M211 as a first project
I don't see why you shouldn't have a go at it if you would be willing to have a go at a C60L or similar. The cab sheet metal unbolts into small enough parts. The cargo bed shouldn't be much heavier than than a long wheelbase CMP. The engine is an inch or two longer than the 216 in the CMPs, probably a bit heavier to allow for the greater displacement, but nowhere near as heavy as the diesel in a more modern 2-1/2 ton or larger. The transmission is a bit of a lump but fairly accessible once the cab is off. The axles are heavy but not seriously heavier than a CMP. I think the M211 wheels should actually be lighter than a 20" CMP wheel, but still a strain.
In other words, if you would have been willing to do a 60cwt CMP I think a deuce and a half is not that much tougher. One significant advantage is that there quite a few more parts sellers for the SMP series than the CMPs. One negative is that a lot of the parts sellers are in the US and subject to export controls so they won't ship to Canada, you may be able to get them to ship to the UPS Store across the line and then bring in "parts for my old truck" (not "my army truck") when you go to pick them up. (Similar phrases should be used when entering the US to pick up the parts to avoid needless grief.)
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27-10-09, 16:42
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