SUBSCRIBEJun 172001
I sold this truck to another collector in Ohio in May of 2006. I hope he will be able to devote more time to restoring it than I could! I think this goat will clean up really nicely. A few days later, I replaced it with a 1964 M38A1 Jeep.
Pictures
This batch of pictures was taken at the RV storage yard where I orignally kept the Goat.
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Front right corner. The trailer is not visible. 6/17/01 |
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This right side view shows all three axles. 6/17/01 |
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The driver’s compartment. It’s hard to get in and out of the truck, but it’s fairly comfortable after you manage to squirm in through the window. 6/17/01 |
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Right front side, with engine access cover open. The cover is spring-loaded, and is a lot easier to open than you would think. 6/17/01 |
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Left side of engine. The alternator is missing. I knew that when I bought it, and I already have a replacement for it… but I’ll need to order another bracket to install it. 6/17/01 |
This next batch of pictures was taken in late 2005, after the Goat had been sitting in my field for a couple of years. The local rodents really made a mess of the insides by packing the hull with sticks and thistles. It took a couple of hours just to clear out the stuff packed around the fan so that I could start the truck, and then several more hours of work with hands, vacuum cleaner and pressure washer to get most (but not all!) of the rest of the junk out. Luckily, they didn’t chew up too many wires. Grr. Well, even after sitting for a couple years, the engine started up right away after I put in fresh batteries.
Here are a few more pictures that I took on 11/20/05 after cleaning most of the rat nest out of the truck.
Here are some pictures of the old radio installation holes in the cargo carrier, taken on 5/17/06:
I sold my truck to another collector on 5/16/06. Here are pictures of it leaving for its new home in Ohio on 5/19/06:
Specifications
These specifications come from TM 9-2320-242-34, dated April, 1970, and from my truck’s dataplates.
General Specifications
| Name | M561 1.25-Ton 6×6 Gama Goat |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Consolidated Diesel Electric Corporation (CONDEC) |
| Year | 1970 |
Weights
| Curb weight | 7,300 lbs. |
|---|---|
| Payload | 2,900 lbs. |
| Gross weight | 10,200 lbs. |
| Front axle GVW | 2,745 lbs. |
| Center axle GVW | 3,900 lbs. |
| Rear axle GVW | 3,555 lbs. |
Dimensions
| Length | 226.6 in. |
|---|---|
| Width | 83.80 in. |
| Height (GVW) | 90.80 in. |
| Reducible height (GVW) | 65.00 in. |
| Tread | 72.00 in. |
| Ground clearance | 15.00 in. |
| Pintle height | 22 in. |
Engine
| Make | Detroit Diesel |
|---|---|
| Series | 3-53 |
| Type | Liquid cooled, vertical in-line, two cycle, three cylinder diesel |
| Displacement | 159.3 cubic in. |
| Horsepower | 103 HP at 2,800 RPM |
| Torque | 217 lbs-ft. at 1,500 RPM |
| Firing order | 1-3-2 |
Transmission
| Type | Manual shift |
|---|---|
| Speeds | Four forward, one reverse |
| Synchromesh shift | 2nd, 3rd, 4th gears |
| 1st gear ratio | 7.06:1 |
| 2nd gear ratio | 3.58:1 |
| 3rd gear ratio | 1.71:1 |
| 4th gear ratio | 1.00:1 |
| Reverse gear ratio | 6.78:1 |
| Lubricant capacity | 5.5 pints |
Transfer
| Ranges | High – low |
|---|---|
| High ratio | 1:1 |
| Low ratio | 1.79:1 |
| Torque rating | 2,500 lbs-ft. |
| Lubricant capacity | 4.5 pints |
Differentials (front, center & rear)
| Type | Dual pack limited slip |
|---|---|
| Ratio | 5.57:1 |
| Lubricant capacity | 4 pints |
Electrical System
| Voltage | 24 VDC |
|---|---|
| Amperage | 60 A |
| Battery type | 6TN, 12 V, 100 AH |
| Battery quantity | two, series connected |
| Alternator | 24 VAC 60A |
Fuel System
| Capacity | 40 gallons (2 tanks, 20 gallons each) |
|---|---|
| Recommended fuel | Diesel VV-F-800 Jet MIL-J-5624 CITE MIL-F-45121A |
Cooling System
| Capacity | 19 quarts |
|---|---|
| Normal operating temperature | 160-200°F |
| Normal operating pressure | 7-14 PSI (MAX) |
Steering System
| Type | Mechanical front and rear, simultaneously operated |
|---|---|
| Steering ratio | 24:1 |
| Turning radius | 29 feet |
Suspension
| Front and rear | Independent coil springs at each wheel |
|---|---|
| Center | Single leaf spring and swing axle |
Service Brakes
| Type | Hydraulic, internal expanding, sealed drum Duo-servo master cylinder |
|---|---|
| Air pressurization | 5 PSI |
Bilge Pump
| Type | Electrically operated |
|---|---|
| Rating | 54 GPM at 27.5 volts |
Articulation
| Roll at center axle | +/- 15° |
|---|---|
| Roll at rear axle | +/- 30° |
| Pitch at rear axle | +/- 40° |
| Wall climb (vertical) | 18 in. |
| Angle of approach | 62° |
| Angle of departure | 45° |
| Hump angle | 140° |
Tires
| Type | 11:00×18 NDCC, tubeless, 6 ply rated |
|---|---|
| Highway pressure | 22 PSI |
| Cross-country pressure | 18 PSI |
| Snow pressure | 12 PSI |
Timeline
| 6/17/2001 | My truck arrives from Escanaba, Michigan, on a flat-bed semi-trailer. I unloaded it with my M543A2 5-ton 6×6 wrecker, by lifting the rear end of the truck, having the driver pull his trailer forward until the front wheels of the Goat were near the back edge of the trailer, lowering the back end to the ground, pulling my wrecker around to the side of the trailer, lifting the front end of the Goat, having the driver pull the trailer forward again, and lowering the front end to the ground. It would have been much easier to hire the services of a tilt-bed wrecker, and it even would have been cheaper than the lifting sling I built, but it would have been a lot less fun! Unfortunately, I didn’t find out the delivery date until the last minute, and I wasn’t able to draft somebody to take pictures of the unloading process. The pictures would have been pretty neat. |
| 5/19/2006 | I sold my truck to another collector in Ohio a few days ago, and it left for its new home this morning. I hope he will be able to put more time into restoring it, because I think it will clean up very nicely. I sold it for what I had into it minus the original shipping from Michigan, and I’ve driven it 23 miles while I had it. Those were some expensive miles, huh? |
| 5/23/2006 | Today I bought my replacement for the Gama Goat: a 1964 M38A1 Jeep |
Do you have gama goat m561 for sale if so please call me at 9708198181
No, I sold it in 2006.
I have a gamma goat for sale and also 6 seat cushion covers for a Gamma Goat. Let me know if you are still interested in buying or if you have any suggestions on where to sell.
Hi! I am not interested in buying another Gama Goat at this time. They are fascinating vehicles, but I have too many other projects. The two best places I can think of to find a buyer would be either the Steel Soldiers forum or on eBay, depending on how you would prefer to list it. Good luck!
Thanks you for responding and I will look into posting at your suggested places.
Dear Sir I have a large quanity of new and used parts for M561. Send me your address and I will mail you a list of parts with prices. Thank you Art MVPA 185 CL
I sold this truck in 2006.
i just bought a gg and it is missing a part it sits right above the starter and is red on the end in your pictures what is it ?
Wow, it has been long enough that I don’t remember what that part is. It kind of looks like a pump because of that tubing connected to it. I’m sorry that my memory isn’t better. :(
Sirs,
I am Japanese who has GAMA in Japan.
Help!!
Can not find brake line ferrules.
If somebody knows about that, Help us.
Thank you
Hi! I do not have my M561 any more, and I do not know where to get the ferrules. I hope that you find what you need soon. Good luck!
Greetings. I just wanted to let you know that I have driven that Gama goat but we never got around to swimming it. Aaron sold it last year to a guy in Pennsylvania so it has a new owner. It was a fun machine to drive although it was a bit loud. I have an M151, a HMMWV, and a CUCV myself. I found this site looking up info on what commo to install in my HMMWV.
Thanks for updating me on the Goat! It was a really neat truck, but I just didn’t have the time to devote to it. It sure was fun having it for a while, though. It’s easily the most unusual vehicle I’ve owned.
Yeah, Aaron said he didn’t have the time and ambition to do it up right either. It looked like a real nice unit though other that the bad shock that made the carrier lean a little. I wouldn’t mind having on myself someday but right now I lack the space.
AC8EM by the way.
I am looking for M561 gamma goat for the volunteer work that I do I volunteer for CERT is called community emergency response team and I go places where you get stuck with four-wheel-drive vehicles are used to drive a gamma goat in the army back in the early 80s and I know what they can do for gamma go I can get cargo people volunteers to ride with me and the areas that I go and flooded areas searching for people that’s what I’m looking for I’m find somebody to donate it Could be a great cause turn to donate
after a 100 hour search ive found a replacment for the brakes on a gamma goat
napa.number..UP/ 451-r..raylock brakes chevy c-2500,1988-2000.almost identical only have to trim top of new shoe to fit pyramid spacer on the goat..REMEMBER SHORT BRAKE PAD GOES TO THE REAR LONGER BRAKE PAD GOES TO THE FRONT..
Crusin’ die Autobahn in my M561 Gamma Goat
Initially got off to an inauspicious introduction to the goat, when, during driver’s training, SP4 Nimrod ham-handedly–never drove a stick shift–attempted to shift gears and
completely sheared off the drive shaft (my irate motor pool sergeant wanted to throttle me!). After extensive remedial training following the mishap, I finally gained my licence.
After that, it was a pleasure to drive; operator-level preventative maintenance wasn’t difficult. Unfortunately, maximum convoy speed on the ‘bahn was 45 mph; but, when solo,
it was pedal to the metal 55 mph-plus! At major terrain-challenging FTX/FA range sites such as Hohenfels and Grafenwoehr–rain or snow, this six-wheel drive, heavily laden
RATT rig w/PU-619 in tow–my goat got the job done!
Richard Laird, 65, SSG USAR (Ret.)
HHC, 2/20th FA Bn., 4th I.D.
Wiesbaden Air Base, W. Germany
1978-81