My M113A4 is vehicle #1 made of the A4 family, the most recent domestic production M113. It was the proof of concept and tooling vehicle at the BAE factory and was never in Uncle Sam's hands. It was one of six initial vehicle produced and the only one left intact of that bunch. Three were sent downrange for penetration tests, one ended up a failed hazmat unit, and the other was an modified escape vehicle for astronauts that ziplined off the launch tower into the rear of the vehicle. Truly one of a kind.
The M113
A4 variant is 4' longer with an additional set of road wheels. It has a silver top 6v53TA DDEC putting out 400+ hp and a new generation transmission/cross drive combo. Everything is beefy. Fortunately for this unit, it has yoke steering and all inputs for driving are mechanical. The production A4 models were all digital much like the FMTV so it's simple to repair and will run its heart out. The rubber tracks are quiet.. too quiet. If the Detroit didn't wake the dead it could sneak up on you. It's smooth on pavement too.
I took this unit to the 2021 Steel Soldier Rally and barely made it due to logistical conflicts. I was informed it was driven on close courses and never truly worked hard. Those who know Detroits know they like to be worked. I got TXDOT and the county commission office to issue a parade permit to drive the M113 on the highway for the convoy down to the Museum of the GI and back. I never thought I'd own a M113 none the less be cruising down the highway at 40 mph. Oh was it satisfying.
We had an issue in route where a fuel quick disconnect popped loose but the convoy was quick to recover her.
m715mike can confirm that when she started up during the flat tow his deuce came to an instant stop. Smoke and noise reigned from the exhaust and she was back in action. No further issues all weekend.
Upon return to the BVORR (Brazos Valley Off Road Ranch) we had permission to take it on the Jeep trails. Yes, Jeep trails. I was instructed which obstacles to avoid and which to take. She is 22,000 lbs so it would simply crush smaller obstacles. It didn't hesitate through mud, swamp, dirt, or improvised obstacles like sharp drop pits and broken concrete slabs. There's no forgiveness to it either. It's a metal box on tracks with some shocks but without a combat load it's too light to have much flex in those shocks. It will climb 60 degree surfaces if not more (operator limits). My passengers can testify it's a wild ride and both ear and head pro is required.
The most daunting obstacle was the hill trail that the video camera doesn't portray well. The Polaris couldn't climb it and the angle was too steep for most military 6x6's. When you factor in the crest of the hill, no suspension, "that sinking feeling" when you crest, and having never pushed this machine this hard it was an exhilarating experience like no other I've had in the Green Iron world. Little did I know that both the 42 mile convoy and the off road exercises
were the hardest it has ever been pushed in its life. All in all it's a stellar machine with unique history that I want to share.
It has a date to escort the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (Vietnam Wall replica) as well as a Veterans Day event at a local elementary school. The City of Denton has requested it be parked at the courthouse for November events too. It will be out and about all the time, it even has a chance at on road registration due to the rubber tracks and it's wired for turns signals, etc. A VIC3 system, new optics, and more will be installed to improve the vehicle and its operational capabilities.
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Hill climb video link isn't cooperating. It's on my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbXEwU0DuRWv1W1KJNAgJ6A
. I’ll have to find photos later but had to take the 5th wheel off, swap from g177s to 395s on lmtv wheels. Rebuilt all the wheels and drilled and tapped all the valve stems for a Schrader valve on the back side of the wheel so I could hook up ctis on the back wheels. Bought all new ctis systems for the rear and had to custom make ctis components for the front axle because lmtv wheels are very different than combat wheels.
