Steel Soldiers now has a few new forums, read more about it at: New Munitions Forums!
How are your tires holding up and are you happy with the size that you went with?
Tires are holding up great! When I don't use the truck I cover them with the rv covers to protect from dry rot. They are a heavier ply and the radial helps overall with steering. I think they are 10 ply vs the 8 ply with the ndts. The size I'm happy with. I am approx 8500lbs over a m35a2 with the trailer and I can haul consistently at 52 to 55 and pulling hills I do well with. nuts. Larger tires would effect me towing in a negative way especially in the mountains.
I love your truck. If I wasn't so deep in the M725 I'd consider moving up a notch to a duce. Well done sir.
Good on you for finding a new rad. Methinks your rad leak was high up if it only bubbles when the truck is shut off. The rad is easy to repair (and worth repairing, given the prices of NOS or even good takeout ones).
Thank you for the advice. I'll Def have it repaired.
. Keep on trucking brother!Thank you! I am getting smokey out of hibernation and looking into making some changes for this year to the inside.Love your setup and all the work you have done. I recently got my first military vehicle M109A3. Your build has given me some inspiration, can't wait to get to it but a lot happening right now so in a month I will have a lot more time to dedicate to her. Fantastic work and if I have any questions I might pick your brain a little
Yes there has been. Peashooters m109a3 build he re-skinned and insulated whole box and other people did spray foam insulation in their builds. Peashooter also put a heated floor in which helped with Temps above 50 degrees. Read about his build. He did way more manufacturing and design work. Because my box was in such good shape I didn't have to do anything major to mine. I lucked out.
Mdmorgan redid the entire interior with foam. they did some other modifications also. Their thread is probably 6 to 10 years old.
I have used spray foam numerous times in walls of homes, RV 's and toy haulers, cargo trailers, boats and other applications. I can say that I haven't used it in any military vehicles as of yet...that will be forth coming though!
That's some good information, I'm not sure how I will approach really but was more focused on in panel insulation at the moment. Once I get in there I'll figure out what makes the most sense.I have used spray foam numerous times in walls of homes, RV 's and toy haulers, cargo trailers, boats and other applications. I can say that I haven't used it in any military vehicles as of yet...that will be forth coming though!
I agree that once you spray it in, it is a PITA to work with after the fact if you need to do work in between the walls. That is why I try to plan out everything first, like wiring, plumbing, cabling, to go inside the walls, ceiling and even floors before I spray. Sometimes I also run a unused conduit pipe throughout the walls to tap into, in case something does come up in the future.
I have used both, open and closed cell spray foam in the past. I have only used the open cell foam one time and was not happy with results in my application but it does cost less then closed cell foam. Now only use closed cell foam because of it characteristics, and specifications that come from the manufacturing companies. It has been my experience that closed cell foam will not absorb or hold moisture since it is closed cell, and that it is like glue and sticks to almost everything after it expands and cures...wear gloves and long sleeve shirt. It is the best insulation moisture barrier I have found to date.
If you used it and it expands to the outside anywhere, trim it, paint or coat with UV barrier because it does not like long term exposure to UV rays.
Of course if you get any damage to the panels or exterior skin, after installing the foam, then you need to attend to it ASAP so moisture doesn't pool of lay inside the damage area.
Just my 2 cents,
Take care, be safe,
Tom.
