M977 WILL IT START???

Will this 8x8 beast actually start? Join us as we resurrect a legendary Oshkosh M977 HEMTT that’s been sitting for years. From the first turn of the Detroit Diesel to the sketchy journey home, this is the ultimate military truck recovery!

In today’s video, we tackle one of the U.S. Army’s most iconic logistics vehicles: the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT). This 10-ton monster has been abandoned for years, and our goal is simple—get it running, get it road-legal, and drive it across the state to its new home.

What we cover in this episode:
The Resurrection: Troubleshooting the 8V92 TA Detroit Diesel engine and dealing with decades of old fuel.

Technical Deep Dive: Inspecting the 8x8 drive system, Allison transmission, and those massive planetary axles.

Road Prep: Fixing air leaks, checking the massive brakes, and ensuring the 60,000lb "Dragon Wagon" is safe for the highway.

The Journey Home: Testing the limits of this military surplus giant on public roads and highways.

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Assessing the Oshkosh HEMTT
5:32 - Kroil NEEDS TO SPONSOR ME
6:00 - Inspecting the Detroit Diesel Engine
10:30 - Info on Coolant
19:46 - Explaining injectors and fuel rack
35:31 - THE FIRST START (Will it fire?)
40:28 - THE SOUNDS OF FREEDOM!!!
41:39 - servicing the hydra cylinders
43:22 - We had a blow out

For military enthusiasts, technical specs are highly searchable. Add a small "Vehicle Specs" section at the bottom of every description:

Engine: Detroit Diesel 8V92TA (445 hp)

Drive: 8x8 All-Wheel Drive

Weight: ~38,000 lbs empty

Transmission: Allison HT740 4-speed automatic

If you love heavy equipment, military vehicle restorations, or high-stakes road trips, hit that Subscribe button to see the full build!

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