M-Gator

rob love · #1 22-05-23, 20:41

Here is a vehicle you don't see in Canada much, an M-Gator. These were a vehicle John Deere produced by beefing up their commercial gator and adding things like the stretcher rack, blackout lighting, pintle hitch, and rifle brackets. It of course came in a military green. The Cdn military had them in Afghanistan, but on closeout they were sold off or destroyed in theater, depending on their condition and pedigree.

This one was a 2007 model, and appears to have spent most of it's life with the tac hel sqn in Edmonton. It went over to Mali in 2018, and in the past 3 or 4 years, seems to have spent it's last years in service waiting for parts. Since the parts for the M-gators were not nationally procured, it fell onto the units to spend their funds, so if a vehicle was a bit of a luxury, then they may not get fixed until funds become available. That seems to have been the fate of this one.

It showed up on CADC about a week or so ago, and I knew I must have it. I sold the wife on the idea since it will be good for her gardening and yardwork. Bidding did not go high, and once over, I had Superdave pick it up for me. I did a quick 2-1/2 day round trip and it is now home.

I pulled the cargo box off it today so I can start to get a better idea of what it needs. Something else I picked up from Edmonton was 4 MLVW engine stands that I got for a song from CADC....perfect for the cargo box to roll it around.

The list of parts is lengthy, and there were a few jury rig repairs that I will do properly. So for a start it needs batteries, tires, a hazard light switch, 3 fenders (why do they cost 50% more if they are in olive drab), seats, a clutch and belt, paint and decals. If I were to order all that from John Deere, it would end up costing me twice what I paid for the gator, so I'll be scouring the net for some cheaper/aftermarket alternatives. I hope to have it up and running by the end of June.

Robin Craig · #2 23-05-23, 17:15

There have been a number sold off out east here over the last few years but fiscal restraint or poverty or common sense has meant I have avoided going into debt for one as yet but there are on my radar. Pictures attached are from DND of GC surplus sources and are not mine. more to follow. Yes I know there are differences between full milspec and mil used vehicles but in my view if it was used by the CF it is a genuine "military vehicle in my book"

Robin Craig · #3 23-05-23, 17:16

here is the last one

rob love · #4 23-05-23, 18:21

The first one was a very nice, low hour example. It went for over $13K if I recall plus taxes. It is a true M-gator.
I did not see the second one come up. It would appear to be a commercial trail gator as opposed to an M-gator. They were also in olive color, but missing things like the front rack, the blackout lighting, and have the extra fenders over the cargo box. etc. I'm not sure if the rear box had dropsides on that model. Supposedly the military models used heavier metal.

I priced out my fenders yesterday on ebay. I am replacing all four. Prices are in US dollars and include free shipping to the border. I thought I would call up the local John Deere dealer and see if the Cdn prices were similar (including the appropriate exchange rate of course). They were not even close. For example, one of the fenders (right front, p/n AM126880) is $379 USD on ebay shipped to the border. My local dealer lists it at $699 Cdn. With the exchange rate, it should be around $511. Needless to say I'll be ordering all of them from ebay in the US.

maple_leaf_eh · #5 24-05-23, 08:09

There were at least two Afghanistan casualties c. '07 or '08 involving a Gator. They were doing a too-predictable admin run and got blown up. If I can find the men's names, I'll post them here.

Ed Storey · #6 24-05-23, 12:08

M-Gators were a pretty common sight in Afghanistan with some configured and being used well beyond what they were designed for.

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