Steel Soldiers MV of the month 2019 - October VOTE HERE!

[patracy]

Please vote for MV of the month! Feel free to campaign in this thread, but please keep it here and not via PM.

1. hndrsonj


2. suzukovich


3. VenomInjected


4. CHIEFSONN


5. Migginsbros


6. 1943ht


7. Tracer


8. Robo McDuff


9. MyothersanM1


10. Elijah95

 

[Migginsbros]

Greetings from overseas.

 

[Tracer]

Picking up the "Iron Mistress" from Victorville, CA. March 2007. Lots of changes to come.

 

[hndrsonj]

Here's how it looked in 2009 when bought sight unseen from a Wisconsin online auction and a link to the 4 year build thread: https://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?147925-Finally-restoring-the-M37

 

[Migginsbros]

This is our UNIMOG 406.145 aircraft tug build in 1975.





Some details of the equipment.

Last week we get an auktion win and now we have the original PTO driven brush sweeper our tug was equipped. A Schmidt VKS 4.1 And a snow plow Schmidt E 3.5.
The 3.5 plows are a little bit bigger than the original 3.2 our UNIMOG was formally equipped with.



We rebuild the hydraulic line routing and connectors and we had to build a pressureless return line to the hydraulic tank to get all funktions off the
snow plow.

 

[Tracer]

Changed the passenger bench seat out for another spring seat at the request of my Navigator (wife). Installed canvas covers on the transmission and transfercase shifters, and converted an APC interior light with dimmer control into a usefull map light. The APC light courtesy of CARNAC on one of his West Coast swings to the Tower Park meet.

 

[mkcoen]

While I certainly like many of this months contestants, having seen the work Jim put into his M37 I can't vote for anything else. The attention to detail is amazing and my only complaint is that it's Navy (just kidding - GO ARMY!)

 

[hndrsonj]

While I certainly like many of this months contestants, having seen the work Jim put into his M37 I can't vote for anything else. The attention to detail is amazing and my only complaint is that it's Navy (just kidding - GO ARMY!)

Thanks! I am currently doing a USMC M38. After that the plan is; since I have so many M37 spare parts (and another truck), I'm going to build a M37 ARMY Gun Truck.

 

[1943ht]

The "African Queen" a 1943 M16A2 MGMC Halftrack recovered from East Africa in 2006 This "Preservation Project" is dedicated to preserving her unique history and combat record as a salute to all those crews who served on her thru 4 conflicts: WWII; Korea; Vietnam; and Africa.

It's not a restoration, it's an ultra rare vehicle preservation of #315 of the original 413 M16's rebuilt for the Korean War. And while I have done multiple restorations the challenge in a preservation project is finding the original equipment and doing all the work without replacing with new old stock or replica parts. You just can't ring up the halftrack parts store in Iowa or Minnesota and order new replacement parts. They are in most cases made of unobtainium.

The other challenge is researching the vehicles history of service etc. The Queen has served in 4 conflicts on 4 continents and is currently configured as she would have been when shipped to the US Army in Korea in 1952 with the exception of her Batwing armor which is being preserved for installation this winter.

 

[SCM35A2]

Voted, best of luck to you all!

 

[VenomInjected]

#3 - VenomInjected

Alright everyone... here she is...

1967 Kaiser-Jeep M-715 5/4-ton



History as best I can tell:
1967-1981 Minot, ND
1981-1996 Fort McCoy, WI
1996-2006 Minnesota Forest/Fire/DNR services
2006-2015 Privately owned in Northern Minnesota
2015 to current: I took ownership and began restoration.


This project started out with a goal of returning the truck to glory, not knowing from 15' away that its been "modernized... but gain modern day reliability and easy spare part sourcing; all while gaining the ability to utilize todays roads at modern speeds. (+55mph)

*The original Dana 60/70 closed knuckle drum axles were replaced by modern Ford Dana 60 Kingpin/Sterling 10.25 axles and upgraded to disc brakes in all 4 corners.

*The original Tornado 230, T98 transmission, and NP200 T=-case was replaced by a Cummmins 5.9L Turbo Diesel, ZF5-5 Speed OD, and NP205.

*The original NP200 T-case parking brake drum was machined and fabricated onto the modern NP205 to still have all OEM style levers in-cab.

*A new modern baffled fuel tank (26 gal GM) and safety relocation were added, power steering, and hydroboosted power brakes from a 2010 GM HD Duramax truck were also added.

Enjoy the journey!

Here it is complete minus the soft-top vs. Day 1 in its fire dept-yellow:


Down to its good bones for powdercoat



Time to add modern power using some 3D-CAD (Mechanical Engineer by trade)

Lets add some modern steering, brakes, fueling and axles!


Time for USMC 24052 Forest Green!


Time to Re-assemble and add new wiring and dash/guages and some floor courtesy night lighting!


Engine fits like a GLOVE!


Finished product and even hauls the M101A2 around nicely!



And of course... a little drive video... Let that turbo sing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBHSAF1Azqo&t=3s

 

[Migginsbros]

This straight 6 cyl. direct diesel injected watercooled mercedes benz M352 engine is good for up to 55miles with 5 passengers(driver included).





The main task is to pull an push on plain surface but you can also have fun in rough terrain.




Migginsbros

 

[Tracer]

I installed the M52A2 air cleaner a few years ago, as I plan to install an LDS engine when my good running LDT engine calls it quits. Two years ago I installed the 10,000 lb. winch and PTO, along with a canvas winch cover from John Tennis.

 

[jeffhuey1n]

Going for a replica or a tribute or maybe a bit of both? 8

 

[bigmike]

Hndrsonj, your restoration is top notch. Attention to detail is incredible. I envy your abilities. My vote hands down.

 

[hndrsonj]

Going for a replica or a tribute or maybe a bit of both? 8

I am leaning towards the Guntruck "Otto". I should have also added before it has the 4:89 gearing and a front disk conversion. Notice every grease zerk is painted yellow...

 

[bigmike]

ADHD or what.

I am leaning towards the Guntruck "Otto". I should have also added before it has the 4:89 gearing and a front disk conversion. Notice every grease zerk is painted yellow...
View attachment 780519View attachment 780520View attachment 780521

 

[8madjack]

Voted, some tough choices but the clean progress pics on venom injected compelled me!

 

[dmetalmiki]

The "African Queen" a 1943 M16A2 MGMC Halftrack recovered from East Africa in 2006 This "Preservation Project" is dedicated to preserving her unique history and combat record as a salute to all those crews who served on her thru 4 conflicts: WWII; Korea; Vietnam; and Africa.

It's not a restoration, it's an ultra rare vehicle preservation of #315 of the original 413 M16's rebuilt for the Korean War. And while I have done multiple restorations the challenge in a preservation project is finding the original equipment and doing all the work without replacing with new old stock or replica parts. You just can't ring up the halftrack parts store in Iowa or Minnesota and order new replacement parts. They are in most cases made of unobtainium.

The other challenge is researching the vehicles history of service etc. The Queen has served in 4 conflicts on 4 continents and is currently configured as she would have been when shipped to the US Army in Korea in 1952 with the exception of her Batwing armor which is being preserved for installation this winter.

Got my vote anyway for sure.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

My twitchin' votin' finger hasn't yet pushed any buttons on this month's ballot.

By the "process of illumination" I'm trying to "shed some light" upon the best choice.

This month's stable has some fine thoroughbreds in it..... Such a tough choice!



So... Candidates, please CONVINCE me who should get my vote, please.