What have you done to your FMTV or LMTV today

[Ronmar]

Any concerns about welding weakening the frame? This is a common thing people bring up, but from drilling holes it doesn't seem like the frame is a really high tensile steel.

I am NOT welding on the main chassis frame. I have disconnected the upper 6” secondary frame rail huck bolt joiner plates from the main 8-3/4 chassis frame rail(plates still attached to upper frame will serve as alignment guides). I am converting that upper rail into the floor structure for my habitat build. It will be attached/bolted at the front via a diamond truss where the front crane lift was formerly attached and use captured hydraulic ”springs“ in the rear. I have no concerns whatsoever welding to the new floor frame

 

[MatthewWBailey]

Goodbye Cab grounding issues..
$21

 

[j_boucher]

Had the driveline balanced with some new spicer joints

Per the mech prior to work the front was fine but back was out

 

[MatthewWBailey]

Any concerns about welding weakening the frame? This is a common thing people bring up, but from drilling holes it doesn't seem like the frame is a really high tensile steel.

Pretty good diligence to ask this question always. My SE guys would give me the whole lecture on this. The abridged version is much more palatable: Given the 2 different moduli of the stacked beams, one (lower) prevents the other from seeing the full Ksi. So it's incalculable as shown. If the 6" beam was in free air on its own, the weld may create some martinsites if welded poorly (too much heat) and make it brittle enough to start cracks regardless of loading. But if the heat number is observed, it's still fully rated. I'd be more worried about holes drilled below the centerline of the flange than welding.

 

[MatthewWBailey]

Had the driveline balanced with some new spicer joints

Per the mech prior to work the front was fine but back was out View attachment 928518View attachment 928519

I need to do this

 

[coachgeo]

Goodbye Cab grounding issues..
$21
View attachment 928515

look forward to video and/or write up on this. would be much appreciated

 

[MatthewWBailey]

Had the driveline balanced with some new spicer joints

Per the mech prior to work the front was fine but back was out View attachment 928518View attachment 928519

I took both of mine into the drive shop today. I was relieved to see some of their other jobs, where the driveshafts made these look like toothpicks.

 

[MatthewWBailey]

look forward to video and/or write up on this. would be much appreciated

Rick has a good picture of his mods on this front. IDK what thread it's in.

update: here it is...

A0 Alternator excite wire question- Get Well grounded

now that it is warm... my alternator occasional works LOL. (200 amp Hummer) Will the excite wire get voltage if the alternator ground is not at all or is poorly connected? Knowing that will help me diagnose if it is that or ground (or regulator)

www.steelsoldiers.com

 

[Ronmar]

Left side floor ribs in and welded.

 

[fuzzytoaster]

Repaired, painted, and took this M1089 beauty out for a QT drink. This has been my most challenging job yet due to the complexity up inside the frame and the multiple surfaces. It's a good truck and is for sale soon.

 

[MatthewWBailey]

Another discovery, but already eaten, between the transfer case and trans. Which one of you pricks ate my Cinnamon Bun? That was supposed to be mine.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

I think that's still a current menu item and near as I can tell it was introduced in 2014.

There is likely a date code on the package. It was probably consumed within 1-2 years of production.

 

[MatthewWBailey]

I think that's still a current menu item and near as I can tell it was introduced in 2014.

There is likely a date code on the package. It was probably consumed within 1-2 years of production.

 

[Ronmar]

Hey wait, I want a cinnamon bun!

 

[MatthewWBailey]

Hey wait, I want a cinnamon bun!

That's what I thought, for a brief moment, while under the truck. Then I got punked by somebody.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Ah yes. 42nd week of 2016. Well you know the military was using it!

 

[Ronmar]

All but one center rib and the wheel well half ribs are fit, most of the floor structural welding is complete.

 

[MatthewWBailey]

All but one center rib and the wheel well half ribs are fit, most of the floor structural welding is complete.

View attachment 928726

Is that your shop in the background?

 

[fuzzytoaster]

I had this M1093A1R in the back of my motor pool for a while and a customer inquired about it. Fresh batteries and a PBC (push button controller) and it rolled out of its hole. Minor issues to tend to but a MTV with factory A/C. Egads! I want A/C in my truck now.

 

[GeneralDisorder]

Oh yeah. The factory Red Dot AC system is the killer app for these trucks. That and ceramic window film (tinted or not). A1R's have better cab insulation as well and are quieter than older trucks. Honestly the only models worth looking for at this point - especially with prices having dropped or stayed stagnant in 2024.