Military vehicle parts and equipment include trucks, cars, emergency vehicles and other equipment built for the armed forces to military specifications. Because usage is estimated, there are always extra parts and equipment, such as military surplus truck parts. Used military equipment frequently becomes available when replaced by newer models. These excess pieces of military vehicle equipment can be purchased by the public through military vehicle parts distributors. Many larger pieces of military vehicle equipment also is available for lease or rental.

Military vehicle parts and equipment fit most civilian tasks. By checking military vehicle parts online sources, your business can identify the types of vehicles and equipment available as well as the leading suppliers. Your business can locate specific military truck parts and other military vehicle parts, with prices and specifications. For a good understanding of military vehicle parts and equipment basics, take the following steps:

1. Search for information about military vehicle parts online.

2. Identify a military vehicle equipment distributor.

3. Determine what military vehicle spare parts are available.

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Search for information about used military equipment online

Suppliers carry surplus and used parts and equipment for a wide array of vehicles. Note that most military vehicle equipment is sold through online auctions. Visit the website of a military vehicle equipment distributor to learn the process and the schedule for upcoming auctions.

I recommend: Start learning the basics at Olive-Drab. It has information about purchasing surplus and used military vehicle equipment, including equipment availability and ongoing auctions. Scan the catalog at Five Star Military Vehicle. It offers jeeps, emergency vehicles, and Humvees for sale.

Locate military vehicle parts suppliers

Whether your company has one military vehicle or a fleet, your shop will need parts. Although most vehicles and much of the equipment matches similar civilian vehicles and devices, military surplus or used parts are usually less expensive. Plan a thorough search because there are dozens of military vehicle parts distributors. Your business will find parts ranging from wiring kits to trailer beds to engines.

I recommend: For a variety of military vehicles, equipment and parts, visit Militaryjeep.com. Its inventory includes surplus jeeps, Humvees and parts for many vehicle makes and models. Need a Navy Seal boat, field ambulance or jeep and trailer? Send your team to Military Vehicle Sales for these and many more options.

Find the military surplus vehicle parts you need

Identify the category of military surplus vehicle parts your firm needs. Then create a strategy to find the military surplus truck parts or other equipment for your business. Some distributors specialize in vehicle types, so if you don't see what your business needs, check other websites.

I recommend: For hard-to-find items, rely on Erik's Military and Industrial Surplus. It carries electrical, brake and engine parts and lots more. Check the inventory at Northwest Military Vehicles. It has parts and accessories for many vehicle types and models, including vintage military trucks and cars.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Several military vehicle parts distributors offer larger military vehicles and equipment for lease. If your company's need is temporary, this is a cost-effective option to purchase.

Used military vehicles are an excellent option for commercial businesses requiring heavy-duty or off-road vehicles. Power line companies, construction contractors and logging companies are a few businesses needing heavy-duty vehicles that are easily maintained with readily available parts, at a price that doesn't break the budget.

Military truck parts are generally readily available. You may have to search harder for little-used parts, and a military vehicle parts distributor can help get you what you need.

Keep these facts in mind when purchasing military vehicle parts and equipment:

1. Military vehicle spare parts will frequently be labeled "New Old Stock," or NOS. This means the parts are new rather than having been pulled off an old vehicle.

2. Most tools you will need to work on a military surplus vehicle are the same ones you would use on your own car. A specific tool will be noted in the vehicle's manual.

3. Military vehicle spare parts labeled "TO" means that the part was a "take-off" or "take-out." The part is available separately. This is normally acceptable, as it is not severely rusted or damaged.

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Consider buying used military vehicles and spare parts by Internet auction or sealed bid

Used military vehicles and used military equipment are frequently sold by auction, either on the Internet or by sealed bid.

I recommend: Government Liquidation holds internet and sealed bid auctions on both used military vehicles and military vehicle equipment. At GovernmentAuctions.org you need to pay a membership fee to get access to thousands of auctions.

Buy military vehicle parts online

Military vehicle parts and equipment are frequently in the hands of citizens, and tracking down what you are looking for off-line can be a real challenge. The perfect answer is a website that gathers information on all military truck parts available, with an uncomplicated means of contacting the sellers.

I recommend: MVPAL is a great resource for locating military vehicle parts available from private individuals. Answer ads posted for military surplus vehicle parts or post your own "want ad" describing what you are looking for. Military Vehicles Magazine is another good place to look for anything from military jeeps to heavy trucks.

Locate used military equipment distributors

Information about used military vehicles for sale from distributors will help you narrow your choices in used military vehicles and military truck parts. Some distributors specialize only in vehicles or parts.

I recommend: Schotts sells only used military vehicles for off-road use. You'll find everything from Hummers on up to 5-ton trucks. Military Truck Parts specializes in transmissions and engines for logistical repair maintenance.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are planning on making several purchases of used military vehicles or military vehicle equipment, ask about volume or wholesale pricing.
• •  Be cautious about bidding on military surplus truck parts or vehicles at an auction. Do your research and ask lots of questions in order to minimize your risk and expenses. Ask business owners with experience in military surplus auctions for their advice.

Using military vehicle parts and equipment makes excellent sense these days. Companies that employ heavy equipment, heavy-duty trucks and similar vehicles have discovered that military vehicle equipment is built to be durable. That makes military vehicle parts and equipment, whether surplus or used, a good buy for businesses in construction, aviation and related industries.

How do you find used military vehicles or military vehicle spare parts for your business? Your staff will find inventories of military vehicle parts online. Many of the larger military vehicle parts distributors have an websites with catalogs of spare, used and military surplus vehicle parts. Another source is to contact military vehicle parts suppliers. If your business is ready to begin using military vehicle parts and equipment, do the following things:

1. Get military vehicle parts and equipment for industrial work.

2. Locate military surplus vehicle parts that fit your need.

3. Contact a military vehicle parts distributor for specific items.

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Take care of tough jobs with military vehicle equipment

Many types of military equipment are made for heavy work. If your business is engaged in hauling loads or working in less-than-favorable conditions, such as sand or mud, surplus or used military equipment might be just what you need. You can usually find what you want in military vehicle equipment distributor inventories posted online.

I recommend: Find military vehicles to use in your business at the Used Military Vehicle Sale website. Search the amazing catalog for vehicles and equipment for both general and special tasks. Put the specialized military surplus vehicles, such as emergency response ambulances, at Army-Technology.com to work for your business It supplies an array of land and air vehicles and replacement parts for them.

Maintain your heavy vehicles with military truck parts

Using surplus or used and reconditioned military vehicles and parts for most civilian purposes is a good business decision. Select a cargo or utility truck, tractor or off-road vehicle to do your 'dirty work.' Stock up on military surplus truck parts to keep your vehicles running. Everything from rebuilt engines to surplus oil filters is available.

I recommend: Check the inventory of military surplus truck parts at Southeastern Equipment. They have more than 25,000 parts in stock. Your staff can find spare or replacement parts for most wheeled and tracked military vehicles at GlobeNet. It carries everything from hoses to ball bearings.

Handle industrial tasks with military vehicle equipment

Use military surplus or used trucks, trailers, construction machinery or cars to fill your industrial needs. Haul heavy cargo, respond to emergencies or work off road with used military vehicles. Your staff can find a military vehicle equipment distributor with almost any piece of equipment your business needs, even aviation equipment and parts.

I recommend: Find heavy military trucks and trailers at Coleman's Military Surplus. Keep them running with the inventory of military surplus truck parts. Clark Trucks also has a variety of surplus cargo and other trucks for sale. It also carries tires and military vehicle spare parts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A word to the wise about using military vehicle parts and equipment: some used equipment has led a hard life. Be sure to get warranty or other performance guarantees before purchasing.

Unless you're working for the government, obtaining military vehicle parts and equipment can be a challenge. The government has established supply chains that help get parts and equipment to government contractors and agencies. If you happen to operate outside these channels, you'll need to understand the industry to obtain the necessary supplies. Even if you're a government contractor or agency, the process can still be confusing at times. However, if you can understand industry terms, this will make the process much more transparent. Knowing key terms will allow you to build a knowledge base to expand your business and improve purchasing efficiencies.

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Depot rebuild

A depot rebuild is the top of the line refurbished military vehicle that's been through a stringent inspection process prior to resale. Other than a new military vehicle, a depot rebuild is the next best thing.

I recommend: For more information on the definition of a depot rebuild, visit the Olive-Drab website.

Export controls on military vehicles and parts

Export controls on military vehicles and parts are the governmental laws that regulate the sale of materials, parts, devices and information related to the military outside the United States.

I recommend: Review the data available from Washington State University for further details on the subject.

Military Vehicle Preservation Association

The Military Vehicle Preservation Association dedicates itself to preserving all forms of military vehicles from various eras. When searching for limited or out of production military parts, this association is an excellent resource.

I recommend: Examine the scope and related information about the Military Vehicle Preservation Association.

Government liquidation auctions

Government liquidation auctions sell excess inventory or out-of-production military vehicles and parts. These auctions provide the best avenues to obtain military vehicles and parts.

I recommend: Evaluate the government liquidation auction definition and resources from Liquidity Services.

High mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle

High mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles or Humvees were the first military vehicle to cross over to be retrofitted for the public sector. The producer of the public sector Humvees or Hummers is General Motors.

I recommend: Visit the U.S. Army website for more information on the high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle or Humvee and its parts and equipment.

New old stock

New old stock is military part and equipment that a company purchased but never used. Often new old stock will still be in its original packaging. Other common terms used in place of new old stock are surplus stock and new unused stock.

I recommend: Assess the definition of new old stock from the Business Dictionary.