1956 Deuce and a Half

I have no clue on valuations, but I'd see what brand it is. I know Studebaker made some, but there may have been other suppliers too.

That's pretty much all I can offer. How does everything look?

The M35 inherited the "Deuce and a half" name from it's predecessor of World War II fame, deservedly so. At first delivered in 1950 as a M34 six-wheel drive designed by REO Motor Car Company. The M35 ten wheel design was added that same year and was produced 1950 to 1988, with the M35A3 produced from 1993-1999. Many modifications were added over the years and these trucks were built by different companies, REO, Kaiser, AM General were some of the American companies. Kia made a South Korean version and Bombardier made the Canadian military version. Maybe your "find" in the woods is a home grown one "Aye".

A good place maybe for you to do some research about 2-1/2's is:

John's Military Trucks & Jeeps

There was a tow truck version built, not sure if your find is one or a civilian after market modification. Might look for a data plate like this picture below.



This 1952 GMC built XM211 was four sale, listed for $6,500. Some info. from this listing:
The M135 is a 2 1/2 ton truck made by General Motors Corporation (GMC). Also referred to as a "Deuce-and-a-half". While it came in several different variations, the most common was the cargo version. You could hold a dozen troops in the back, or could fill it with equipment/supplies. Other variations included a double wheeled version (M211), a dump truck, crane, shop truck, kitchen truck, tow truck (recovering vehicle), fuel truck, water truck, and many others. The M135 platform was one of the most versatile made, letting the military install pretty much whatever type of equipment on it that they needed.

Powering this truck was a GMC 270 gas engine. All Canadian models of the truck had a 5 speed hydromatic transmission (2 high gears, 2 low gears and a reverse). Which was one of the very first automatic transmissions available at the time. This made it much easier for just about anyone to jump in and drive it away. Also included on some models was a PTO (power take off) which either powered a winch located on the front bumper, or a large list of different pieces of equipment installed on/in the back of the truck.

Would bet there is a good parts market too!

A project like this would be valued more in the challenge, accomplishment, and satisfaction than in financial gain. Although many posts have recommended against taking scrap for free and instead charge for scrap removal, I would offer to remove it for free for the entertainment and education one could get from it. That would be my strategy. Good luck.