Working on the M1078 LMTV

[M813rc]

Can you drill the pockets/bows and put a lock pin in?

Cheers

 

[TNriverjet]

Can you drill the pockets/bows and put a lock pin in?

Cheers

I was thinking of drilling and using a self-tapping bolt, and then realized simplicity should rule for field situations with no tools. Here is an option if it is long enough to go all the way through the bow pocket.

 

[mkcoen]

Can you drill the pockets/bows and put a lock pin in?

I was thinking of drilling and using a self-tapping bolt, and then realized simplicity should rule for field situations with no tools. Here is an option if it is long enough to go all the way through the bow pocket.

I don't like drilling any holes in equipment unless absolutely necessary. Forty years from now someone might be trying to restore it and I'd hate for it to be in the condition Tinwoodsman's MB was in when he started. Either I'll find the factory method of securing them or just use some additional super rope (looks better than a bungee cord). That's what I did this morning and went out for about a 15 mile trip and it seemed to stay in place at 55mph so should work.

 

[mkcoen]

It was about 1/2 way through the trip to pick up the M1082 trailer that I realized the only tire changing equipment I had was a jack. Everything else had been taken out before sending the truck to the AC shop and I had forgotten to reload it. Since my 1st call in an emergency like that was in the co-driver seat (thanks M813rc!) I would have been SOL if we'd have had a flat. I don't want to be in a situation like that again sweating all the way home (plus it was about 108° in the cab that day) about having to change a tire.

Part of the problem is the tool box on the M1078 is way too small to hold what I need. And, mine at least, leaks like the Titanic so anything in there will start rusting immediately. Ideally I would like to find a decent size plastic military container but until that comes along I had to go with Amazon.

Well my plans for tool storage didn't work out as well as I had hoped. My goal was to get everything I need into 2 of these metal storage chests. Once fitted then I'd figure out how to secure them in the bed so they didn't wander off when I wasn't around. Unfortunately I have a LOT of stuff I want to carry with me since I don't have mechanics in a M1028 following along in the Support Trains. While I managed to get most of my tire changing and support equipment (slave cable) packed away my main toolbox was too big to fit so will need to stay outside. As heavy as it is I'll just have to load and unload it before every trip (if I remember). Also the 2 pipes used to help raise the wheel while changing tires (stole that idea from another thread and it works great!) are too long to go in the box so will also be outside. I slid them between the chests so they won't roll around in the bed.

So here is what I have in Chest 1:

Cribbing blocks for the jack : 1 2x10 and 3 4x4s
Jack
Robotool 3/4" impact and sockets
Manual Budd tool set

Chest 2:

Slave cable
LED work light
SAE/MM End Wrench set (wouldn't fit in my regular tool box)
Electrical connector assortment - ends, circuit breakers, fuses, inline fuse set in case I need to add something, jumper clips
Spare Alt belts

My tool box is packed with just about everything imaginable in the event of a breakdown (including multiple sizes of hose clamps in case you've read the whole thread). I'm sure I'll get in a bind somewhere and not have something I would have thought everyone would pack and didn't but will just have to learn from that.

 

[M813rc]

What size military box do you want? Two smaller ones, or one big one? I come across them cheap sometimes, I can grab it/them for you next time I have a close encounter. That's one of those things best acquired nearby, because shipping usually makes the cost unreasonable.

The ones in the picture attached are 33"Lx21"Wx12"H. Most of them are water tight. And they have little wheels at one end!
They stack nicely since they have recesses in the bottom that match up with the ridges in the lid.
I use them in the M185 to haul/store my show stuff for Temple, so you've probably seen some of mine.

And now that you have teased us, what is the trick with the two pipes?

Cheers

 

[mkcoen]

What size military box do you want? Two smaller ones, or one big one? I come across them cheap sometimes, I can grab it/them for you next time I have a close encounter. That's one of those things best acquired nearby, because shipping usually makes the cost unreasonable.


And now that you have teased us, what is the trick with the two pipes?

One of those would probably work but I'd better get 2 if available just in case. I need to make a trip to Lujan's for some pioneer tools. Are these things he might have?

The trick with the pipes is to line up where your wheel needs to be (on the LMTV you have to worry about the CTIS connection) then you stick one pipe through a lug hole on each side of the wheel and the open end of the pipe over the corresponding lug. It helps you to lift the wheel up and slide it in to place. We used these changing all 4 tires on my truck and, outside having a hydraulic wheel lift - which you're not going to have along side the road, it made things considerably easier.

 

[machinist75]

One of those would probably work but I'd better get 2 if available just in case. I need to make a trip to Lujan's for some pioneer tools. Are these things he might have?

The trick with the pipes is to line up where your wheel needs to be (on the LMTV you have to worry about the CTIS connection) then you stick one pipe through a lug hole on each side of the wheel and the open end of the pipe over the corresponding lug. It helps you to lift the wheel up and slide it in to place. We used these changing all 4 tires on my truck and, outside having a hydraulic wheel lift - which you're not going to have along side the road, it made things considerably easier.

Lujan had them what I went out their about 5 months ago. He was running low on the pioneer tools, just kidding.

 

[mkcoen]

He was running low on the pioneer tools, just kidding.

Last time I was there I spent about 30 minutes just digging through the shovels and that was about the 1st 2' of a 6' pile of them. I'm guessing he'll have enough for my next 10 vehicles.

 

[machinist75]

He had a 2 large crates of huge NOS shackles with the pins, not sure what they came off of but they were only $10. I made a made a receiver mount for one and put on my cucv burban clone. I grabbed two but wished I had nabbed some ore.

 

[M813rc]

Yes, Lujan probably has some. And he's down to about 20' of pioneer tools...... in the one pile...

My guy is cheaper on the boxes, but at Lujan's you could pick your own. Sup to you!

Cheers

 

[mkcoen]

Yes, Lujan probably has some. And he's down to about 20' of pioneer tools...... in the one pile...

My guy is cheaper on the boxes, but at Lujan's you could pick your own. Sup to you!

I like cheaper so am happy to go with your guy.

 

[mkcoen]

I just got a line on the straps needed for holding the bows down. They're not exactly what I was expecting. There are buckles on the bows then these straps go into the buckles and slide over the j-hooks and they you can adjust the tightness. Simplicity itself and once I get them on I'll be original and not worrying about a helicopter canopy.

 

[Tinwoodsman]

Looks like a real big improvement. Nice find.

 

[NDT]

I just got a line on the straps needed for holding the bows down. They're not exactly what I was expecting. There are buckles on the bows then these straps go into the buckles and slide over the j-hooks and they you can adjust the tightness. Simplicity itself and once I get them on I'll be original and not worrying about a helicopter canopy.

View attachment 641098

Between those straps and the bed compartments that only hold "some" of the top bow components, I hereby give the Stewart and Stevenson engineer responsible an "F".

 

[Tinwoodsman]

Don't let our illustrious Military Procurement folks off the hook.

 

[mkcoen]

Between those straps and the bed compartments that only hold "some" of the top bow components, I hereby give the Stewart and Stevenson engineer responsible an "F".

There are certainly a lot of things on the LMTV that make you scratch your head and wonder "what were they thinking?" Personally, with as much room under the bed of this thing, I think they could have come up with a bigger tool box, factory placement of some jerry can holders, better way to keep the troop seats in the "up" position, slide down or flip down ladder on the tailgate, etc, etc.

 

[Another Ahab]

Good design in this world, unfortunately, is usually a rarity.

 

[Tinwoodsman]

All you can do it talk to the hand right now.

 

[mkcoen]

I picked up a couple of extra things at Home Depot to throw in the tool box.



Metric allen head sockets in case I need to take the fan blade off in the field, some Gorilla tape both full size and pocket size, a crowbar cause I might need to pry something and my tanker's bar won't fit, a tarp because in Texas, especially this time of year, it's nice to have some shade to work under, and some hand cleaner since working on these trucks can get messy.

Anyone mount a pioneer rack yet? I'll probably go with a full size one and just pull my tools off the deuce.

 

[mkcoen]

I got a little bit of work done this afternoon between raindrops. The truck was missing the Bridge Plate numbers when I got it so I was able to get a set in a bag of goodies I got from my dealer in the parking lot of a HEB grocery store today. I'm sure it looked very suspicious with him handing me a brown paper bag and me giving him some cash. When I got home I added the numbers to the truck and, yes I know it's incorrect, I decided to put the year of the truck on display. I also got my bow hold down straps and a couple of straps that should work for the front of the cargo cover. These aren't for that specific task but should work just fine. It seems like I'm running out of things I need to get for the truck.