Should I build another MRAP? Need your advice/criticism, please.

[Derrickl112]

Where is the *POPCORN* guy when we need him!

hows this?

personally, i like this one better.

 

[rwbrown72]

Dude said in the ebay listing that the truck would run 60 to 65 mph. I wonder if the lawyers would sue if the treads on those 55 mph max speed rated tires came off and someone died... who would be responsible! I bet the attorney's would pull the ebay add and enter it into evidence as exhibit 1.
I wouldn't drive that top heavy monster at 45! And I have a lot of experience... Imagine someone new to MV's cruising at 2400 RPM and 65 mph! Disaster waiting to happen. All I can say is !

 

[CanonNinja]

hows this?

personally, i like this one better.

there's popcorn there?

 

[Derrickl112]

there's popcorn there?

it took me a wile to find it. at first i thought it was one of those brain teaser pictures, you know the ones where you have to look at it a certain way to see the hidden object? but sure enough i eventually found the popcorn.

 

[scyros35]

You should not build any more of these for sale to the public for use on public roads because to do so is in complete, willful violation of dozens of NHTSA regulations for vehicle completion manufacturers. You really should have your counsel look into this, before you get shut down or slapped with a lawsuit you can't pay. While you are at it, have him check into the fines for operating your utterly non-compliant paint operation which you picture in your ads.

I’m touched by your concern, thank you! But you should spend a little time looking at the Requirements for Manufacturers of Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment Items that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration publishes.

First and foremost, modifying or restoring a vehicle does not mean you are a manufacturing a vehicle or classified as a manufacturer. If it did, everyone who chopped a hot rod, modified a motorcycle, souped up a muscle car, built a homemade camper for their pick up truck or made improvements for their M35A2 would be considered a manufacturer and the list of manufacturers would number in the millions.

Second, the NHTSA does not actually issue type approval certifications for actual manufacturers and does not certify any motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment as complying with applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Instead, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 30115, a “self-certification” process is in place, which requires the manufacturer to certify the vehicle or equipment item as complying with the applicable FMVSS. The NHTSA just issues the safety requirements and guidelines that must be implemented if you are a manufacturer.

Third, the definition of a motor vehicle manufacturer is in its simplest form, a company or individual that manufactures an operational motor vehicle from raw materials and creates a VIN for it. This truck, and the 400+ trucks a year we modify and restore, most of them for the Department of Defense, are not altered significantly enough to be classified as a new vehicle requiring the issue of a new Vehicle Identification Number. If it did, everyone out there who modified or repurposed an existing vehicle would need to be reclassified as a manufacturer of new vehicles.

And lastly, vehicles such as race cars, dirt bikes, or all-terrain vehicles that are not primarily manufactured for on-road use do not qualify as motor vehicles and are therefore not regulated by NHTSA. Instead, such vehicles are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). So someone is giving you bad information.

With regard to a non-compliant paint operation, again I suggest that you check your facts. We spent over $200,000 constructing and certifying one of the largest spray booths in California – a 7,000 square foot free standing building. Whether you are building a small freestanding booth or an entire building, the requirements are the same.

1) Paint booths should be positioned at least 20 feet from other combustible materials; they should also have approved sprinkler equipment as well as being built according to the construction standards required by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OHSA).

2) Paint booths must be constructed with masonry or supported and secured steel or concrete. Aluminum is also considered as an acceptable material for small jobs. The booths should also be designed for convenient and easy cleaning so harmful gases are blown in the direction of the exhaust. OSHA standards document additional guidelines for paint booths.

And,

3) Air exhaust should not be recirculated and should be directed away from the booth's air intakes. Paint booths should be fitted with an electrical ventilation system to rid them of poisonous gases. Each part of the ventilation system must comply with OSHA standards.

Not only do we comply, but I have current certifications from our local AQMD and our Fire Marshall on hand if you ever want to come inspect them.

Even though we only use the new Water Based Base Coats (legally required in California as of June 1, 200 which meet the emissions regulations of California’s two largest air quality management districts, I would never jeopardize my employee’s health never mind my own for the sake of profit.

Sorry for the lecture, but we have legal counsel on staff and I don’t take chances when working for DoD.

 

[jeepzilla47]

Awesome reply!!!! I like the vehicle myself. I find it funny that MV owners are complaining about body panels not being straight!! I don't think my truck has a straight panel on it!!!

 

[swbradley1]

Much like if my truck stopped leaking something, I'd be worried if I looked out and everything on it was straight.



Good explanation on the dimples in the top. That makes even more sense. As for the legal requirements it sounds like you did you homework first.

 

[rwbrown72]

I’m touched by your concern, thank you!

*********************************

He said "Touched" ! Can't wait for the rebuttal and redirect. Where you at NDT?

Pass the popcorn!

 

[A/C Cages]

What to do you use for amor glass or is it fake too?
I had a Hummer H1 uparmored thru a company in Miami and that glass was 2" thick and didnt go up or down. It also had a slight distortion in it. I had to replace that distorted window and they said the glass alone was almost 4 grand. Thats why I was curious is it was real or not.

 

[Chief_919]

What exactly is it you do for the DOD?

I am involved some in contracting on the DOD side, and find it interesting that they have a civilian contractor rebuilding trucks in the manner you indicate in your Ebay ad.

I assume you have a CAGE code? How is the contract structured? I have ome of my units in CA, and depending on how it is structured I may be able to send you some work, as we have some trucks badly in need of paint and are running into headaches getting them done via normal channels.

I am asking here because while all the contracts are public record, it is easier to ask then for me to go digging for all the contracts in your zip code...

 

[scyros35]

I’m touched by your concern, thank you!

*********************************

He said "Touched" ! Can't wait for the rebuttal and redirect. Where you at NDT?

Pass the popcorn!

Ha! That's funny! Thanks for lightening the mood!!

 

[scyros35]

What to do you use for amor glass or is it fake too?
I had a Hummer H1 uparmored thru a company in Miami and that glass was 2" thick and didnt go up or down. It also had a slight distortion in it. I had to replace that distorted window and they said the glass alone was almost 4 grand. Thats why I was curious is it was real or not.

We actually use standard tempered automotive glass for safety. Same glass that we use in the front windshield of all the Deuces and 5-tons that we do.

I thought about offering an option to armor the entire truck, but pretty sure that most people don't have that kind of coin sitting around in their checking accounts Probably be around $45,000 to armor the cab and cargo compartment. And it would add probably 6,000 to 7,000 lbs, so we'd have to do some suspension work.

-Steve

 

[A/C Cages]

$45000 to armor it? Way more then that since its $65000 to armor a H1 and thats not counting the H1 itself. Good thing I didnt have to pay for it. It was part of my work benifits package.

There is a reason most of these armored trucks cost 150 to 200 grand or more. Kevlar isnt cheap. Ive been looking into buying Kevlar fabric and installing it into my bobber as heat, sound, and extra SHTF protection. That was until I saw how much they want for it. lol Back to using lizzard skin. lol

Too bad you are in CA, would love to come see your toys.

 

[Chief_919]

$45000 to armor it? Way more then that since its $65000 to armor a H1 and thats not counting the H1 itself. Good thing I didnt have to pay for it. It was part of my work benifits package.

There is a reason most of these armored trucks cost 150 to 200 grand or more. Kevlar isnt cheap. Ive been looking into buying Kevlar fabric and installing it into my bobber as heat, sound, and extra SHTF protection. That was until I saw how much they want for it. lol Back to using lizzard skin. lol

Too bad you are in CA, would love to come see your toys.

Kevlar isn't cheap, and true armor plate steel is both expensive and hard to get these days due to the demand for it for real MRAP production.

And then you have a whole load of special considerations when it come to drilling, welding and mounting the armor to ensure it retains its protective abilitys. The wrong heat once and it is no longer rated as armor.

One of my Soldiers works for a company that does both MRAP hulls for FPI and does custom armor jobs on vehciles. The skill and certifications needed to properly up-armor something are not light, and not easy to get. Every detail needs to be certified by and engineer anytime a change is made, and extensive inspection of every weld is needed to certify it was done properly.

They have in house training facilities for every welder and they have to recertify very often, and before every big job have to recert for that specific type of work

Unless you start with the proper steel, and follow all those steps, you haven't really armored your truck- just made it really heavy.

 

[A/C Cages]

I have 6'x8'x5/16" L3 armor plating at my shop still, its from a retired Russian Sub. I get weird supplies like this all the time. I built my flatbed from it for my deuce just because it was there and we dropped many large engines onto it. Not once did I get a dent or ding in that flooring. Now that flatbed is sitting on the floor in bay 1 cause the deuce it was on it being bobbed.

I know what you mean about welding it. Its picky and you need to know what you are doing. When we were welding it, we used dry ice to sub the temps down, just to heat them back up. Tip from retired shipyard welder for the Navy. They used to use this process building battleships. But becarefull, if you get too hot the dry ice explodes all over the place. lol Made one heck of a mess.

I use A-517 angle and high carbon expanded metal in my shop all day long making air conditioner cages. Sometimes I wich I used cheap old A-36 mild steels like everyone else. But then I see how easy it is to cut the A-36 and it reminds me why no one has ever broken into my cages. Thats why I dont take shortcuts.

Did you airbag the rear framing to help with the flex problem?

 

[scyros35]

OK - I guess I am REAL glad that I didn't get crazy and offer armor!! Did some in my personal 109 just so I had a little SHTF protection, but just plate steel on a subframe inside the shop body, under the seats and on the inside of the door. Kevlar is way over my head and beyond our expertise for sure!

We actually just seperated the cab from the cargo box and snugged it to 2" inchs of foam rubber. It has about 4 inches to twist either way.

 

[scyros35]

What exactly is it you do for the DOD?

I am involved some in contracting on the DOD side, and find it interesting that they have a civilian contractor rebuilding trucks in the manner you indicate in your Ebay ad.

I assume you have a CAGE code? How is the contract structured? I have ome of my units in CA, and depending on how it is structured I may be able to send you some work, as we have some trucks badly in need of paint and are running into headaches getting them done via normal channels.

I am asking here because while all the contracts are public record, it is easier to ask then for me to go digging for all the contracts in your zip code...

We actually do a few things for Uncle Sam. Our main business on the truck side is the development of several navigation components and a datalogger integrated with GPS for their autonomous vehicle navigation program. We also have a division that builds Multi Channel Power Amplifiers for Man Portable Sat Packs and Remote Infrared Cameras currently being used to watch border crossings in Afg.

And we probably do 300+ trucks a year for DRMO under a buyback program. Part of their FMS program (foreign military sales). These days it is cheaper for DoD to sub the work out, and it actually generates a profit for them. It's done with a sealed bid - and you are bidding on a guaranteed buyback price if you can bring the vehicle up to the published spec.

 

[quickfarms]

Nice truck

It would be a real attention getter at a parade

It would make a nice airsoft truck

 

[wsucougarx]

Porsche 911 next to a MV...must be MRE Depot

 

[123mack]

The yard in the ebay ad is close to MRE Depot. Here's the co-ordinates off google maps. 33.456496,-117.590598 You can see the high voltage electric lines just off to the side. Looks like he has a good many vehicles stored there.