Recent content by Kalbrman

These M820 Expansible Vans are quite a bit heavier than a civilian version, but that is because they were meant as a tactical vehicle to be driven in very extreme conditions. I'm not sure I would attempt a conversion to make one or both sides slide out. It would take extensive modification to...

Additional instructions In step number 4 of the posting on how to expand the 5-ton van, add the following: Use the small L-shaped square wrench (stored on the inside of the back doors) to unlock each of the side panels by turning the square lock one quarter turn. Each of the side walls has two...

If it's not really needed, the liftgate could probably be removed and would save you several hundred pounds of weight and increase your gas mileage. Does anybody know how much the liftgate and associated equipment weigh?

I'm not real familiar with it, but is it a hydraulic clutch? Maybe the hydraulic line needs air to be bled out.

Some items of advice for conversions and regular maintenance If doing a camper conversion, I would not try to attach anything to the moveable floor or ceiling panels. The mechanism that connects the two of them together would very likely not be able to handle the weight of having anything...

Instructions for expanding the M820 are here: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?73211-M820-What-s-the-story&p=1380416&viewfull=1#post1380416

The sides move out. Then the end panels are folded out and away before the ceiling/floor can be moved. The ceiling and floor are connected together by cables and move together if operating correctly. The floor folds down and the roof swings up. There are three hooks at the top of the sides that...

Instructions for expanding the M820 are here: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?73211-M820-What-s-the-story&p=1380416&viewfull=1#post1380416 It can be done by one person if you're in good shape, but better for two people. The ceiling and floor panels are cabled together so that they...

Instructions for expanding the van are here: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?73211-M820-What-s-the-story&p=1380416&viewfull=1#post1380416 You won't be able to let more light in if you leave one side closed as the ceiling panel folds down and would block the windows on that side...

Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin is between Sparta and Tomah. It was a an important facility when equipment was coming back from the first Gulf War. It would get inspected and fixed before being returned back to the owning units. They went over everything with a fine toothed comb...

I've posted the instructions for expanding the M820 Expansible Van here: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?73211-M820-What-s-the-story&p=1380416&viewfull=1#post1380416

Expanding the M820 Van I'm doing this mostly from memory. I used M820 vans about 30 years ago. 1. Unhook the safety chains that are attached to the sides of the liftgate. 2. Lower the tailgate to the ground and remove ladders. The liftgate is controlled by two levers. One with a red plastic...

I used the M820 in the military. We used them as calibration vans and had massive racks and equipment mounted in them. The racks and equipment weighed several thousand pounds, so I'm sure that's why the M820 with its beefed up frame was used. I don't know if our use is what drove the specs for...

Expanding the M820 Van I'm doing this mostly from memory. I used M820 vans about 30 years ago. 1. Unhook the safety chains that are attached to the sides of the liftgate. 2. Lower the tailgate to the ground and remove ladders. The liftgate is controlled by two levers. One with a red plastic...

How to expand the van. I'm doing this mostly from memory. I used M820 vans about 30 years ago. 1. Unhook the safety chains that are attached to the sides of the liftgate. 2. Lower the tailgate to the ground and remove ladders. The liftgate is controlled by two levers. One with a red plastic...