IMS-PLUS does NOT sell military
vehicles, parts or accessories.
"Buy brand new military jeeps from $49.95, still in original
shipping crates"
For those of you who have seen an advertisement similar to this one or have heard
something like this from a friend, let me start by saying that IT IS NOT TRUE!!!
We here at IMS-PLUS feel compelled to create this section due to the overwhelming number
of request that we receive requesting information on military vehicles. The days of the
"cheap" military vehicle are a thing of the past. In the mid 1970's the U.S.
Department of Transportation ruled that the military jeep was not road worthy and imposed
rules regarding the sale of them. After many years of trying to prevent jeeps that were
being sold by the Department of Defense from being licensed for road use, the DOD and DOT
have created a policy that virtually renders all military jeeps useless before they can be
removed from military installations by civilians.
The system goes something like this:
The DOD offers a lot or lots of jeeps for sale (Usually somewhere between 5-75 jeeps per
lot.) that for all practical purposes are in good working order, usually with less than
15,000 miles on them. These are offered for sale to the general public via a sealed bid
auction. Now comes the fun part.......The jeeps are sold, at anywhere between $75.00 and
$1500.00 each. But, before the purchaser can remove them from the military installation he
has to do the following: "DEMIL by mutilation (make unfit for intended purpose) by
melting, cutting, tearing, crushing, neutralizing, Etc." This is currently done
by convict laborers, hired by the DOD at the purchasers expense, who will then precede to
remove all parts from the vehicle at the request of the purchaser, once all the parts have
been removed the body is removed from the frame. The body and the frame are both then cut
into four pieces with a cutting torch in the shape of an "X" while at the same
time being sure that at least 3/4" of metal is removed during the cutting process.
Next the pieces of the body and frame, that were cut by the torch, are driven over by a
bulldozer (or something similar) so as to crush what is left of them. Finally, both axles
are cut with a torch on both sides of the differential, which the purchaser does not own.
Now the purchaser has his jeep to do with as he pleases, but he must leave the
differentials with the DOD, as well as the gas tank, oil pan, and radiator; since those
items contain hazardous materials and cannot be removed without a hazardous materials
handlers license.
Still interested in military vehicles? After having been in the military surplus business
for close to 15 years, those of us here at IMS-PLUS have seen our share of vehicles
offered for sale by the DOD ranging from cars to HUMVEE's to Deuce and a halves, mules,
M151's, and everything in between. (NOTE: If it has armor it is not sold by the DOD any
longer.) Of all the vehicles we have seen for sale very few of them could be considered
that would be close to road ready. It is our opinion that if one is not an expert mechanic
and/or does not have access to a body shop, purchasing an vehicle from the DOD is more
trouble than it is worth. Despite the fate that jeeps sold today face, there are 1000's of
them out in circulation. One who is interested in purchasing a military vehicle should
feel fortunate if they can find one in running condition for less than $2500.00. In our
experience the "only" place for military vehicles, parts, and accessories is
through the:
Military Vehicles Magazine
P.O. Box 1748
Union, NJ 07083
FAX (908) 686-6015
OR Visit their web site at:
Military Vehicles
Magazine On-Line
This magazine is published six times a year at a subscription rate of $18.00/yr. and is
loaded with ads for business that sell parts, accessories and vehicles. The magazine also
features excellent pictures, feature articles, and a classified section where individuals
and business advertise their vehicles that are for sale. As a general rule of thumb one
can expect to pay:
M151 or Willys Jeep - $2000.00 to $15,000.00+
Unimog - $4000.00 and up.
CUCV - $3500.00 and up.
MULE - $2000.00 and up.
DEUCE - $5000.00 and up.
Ferret - $9000.00 and up.
5-Ton - $5000.00 and up.
Gama Goat - $2500.00 and up.
Half track - $15,000.00 and up.
HUMVEE - $30,000.00 and up.
M-37 - $4,000.00 and up.
Mighty-Mite - $2000.00 and up.
Sherman or Patton Tanks - $35,000.00 and up.
Now please do not take us wrong, there still are "deals" out there to be
had, but for the most part no matter where you shop, the days of the cheap jeep (or, for
that matter any military vehicle) are gone.
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