M109A3 Shelter Conversion

We have started on the top rehab, although in good shape. I am doing a total rehab on it. ALso got the go lights out and took a look at them. Still debating on where I am going to mount them. I have an idea to use an ant mount bracket on upper left corner of shop van, there are mounting holes already from removed equipment, and for the back just above blower vent on a small platform, both locations still allow the 370' rotation of the spot light.
I started to strip the top and work on the rusted spots. A small area on the back will need a patch weldeded in, but a easy fix. The rear window is in good shape and has been removed.

Hello All! Been quiet, something I said?

Need some help, a name came to mind today. I like it but its kind of odd.
Besty Ross

The top rehab has continued and the floating floor was aborted after first ride. Some pics of the work.

Looking good

Word of advice, when doing the electrical double up on the low voltage wiring-
when you figured out what you want to install, - it all changes again once it's done.
Remember there's always room for improvment.

RECONJON said:

The top rehab has continued and the floating floor was aborted after first ride. Some pics of the work.

Click to expand...

I did a floating floor in mine and it stayed put even on really rough roads up in the mountains. What did you put under it?

I used the standard foam paper stuff.

More top rehab tonight. Tomorrow I'm going to assemble it and shoot it again.

Top has been lined with foam floor tiles, head liner and staping installed. Interior of top is painted. Ready to assemble and shoot, hopefully tonight. Racing against Sandy now. Does anyone have a gasket for the top to cab connection? I am trying to come up with a solution on that. I have some flat fubber and was going to cut a piece to fit. A NOS would be better, even a used one in good shape.

If you wan't remove the hardtop again, i would use body work adhesive & sealant. Small plastik washer between to provide a gap, adhesive, ready.

nice work! looks really good!

Can't wait for the finished product.

Looking great!

Hi everyone,
Tough week for weather here,we were not affected as others just south of us, god bless those in need. Sun came out sunday and I painted the top 383 green, I am going to do the brown and black camo pattern after window goes in. Overall I am happy with my work, a lot learned on this one, you may see some of the imperfections in my body work. It is a 41 year old army truck, so no points lost for character.

Hello All,
Its been a busy few weeks, we did a Wounded Warrior fundraiser at the Hartford Gun Club in Nov. A lot of fun, some nice trucks. Quality not quanity event.


I ran into this guy at the gas station near the house, he was headed to a Veterans event down in Enfield. Not often I run into myself at the gas station.
The hard top has been installed and looks pretty good.

I put a protective coating on the rubber roof and painted it 383 Green.

My fabricated extra storage/ ramp. A work in progress, floor will be screwed to side rails and crossmembers, undercoated and painted. When finished this will slide in to the space between the Frame and Box.

Ramp is coming along great, all that is left is to paint green and put down a rubber runner. I moved the trailer hookup tonight in preparation for the ramp slide in.

I like that ramp. I had an idea like that for storage since space on the 109 is a little cramped.

any reason why you went with a ramp instead of a ladder of sorts?

Right now only two reasons for the ramp as opposed to the standard ladder set up. Besides the additional storage.

Max and his Mate Sasha.



Hopefully we will have a half dozen little ones by spring.

neilhendrix said:

Looking good..

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I am in love with that M109 Trailer. It makes my M109A3 & M105A2 w/ S250G look like a toy. What sort of trailer is that mounted to or is it a cut up Deuce?

Weather was nice today so I removed the seats, cleaned, and sanded floor pans. Floor pans were coated with bedliner and interior is masked and ready for 383 Green. What little rust was cleaned up and primed. With weather cooperating I plan to shoot the interior tomorrow in preparation for the heater install this weekend. I could use some advise on this one. I read the posts and there seems to be a split on the cab mounting or fender mounting. I do know that the heater came out of a 5 ton, where do I want this for best performance. I tend to run on the cold side. 160-180 range mostly. Some pics of todays preps.