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Cab lift and spare tire cylinder replacement

MatthewWBailey

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That was the nuts and bolts part that I needed to really look into. I was going to look at the TMs to see what stroke length would be needed. I figure the cab lift would be easy to do. The spare tire lift may be the tough one.

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As a former automation integrator (ISA CAP) myself I can appreciate the benefits of an actuator where safety is concerned, especially on the cab. I worry about the love crush of death all the time. Its going to need a manual crank bypass thou, which is often overlooked on the design of those units. It's really annoying when the limit switches fail and you cant get it to move.
 

GeneralDisorder

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Needlessly over-complicated IMO and while some of these actuators might be close in terms of performance, they are bulky, expensive, and complex in terms of moving parts. The hydraulics have a straightforward manual override scheme, are simple, and a LOT more powerful.

I guess I just don't see the point in over-complicating the problem. Especially on a vehicle where it's rugged simplicity is one of the primary reasons for owning it. I'm all for complex solutions where they are necessary, but I appreciate simplicity and having seen up close how the A1P2 armored cab lifts operate - I'll take the hydraulics.

As for the love crush of death - there's a support fixture in the TM that is very easy to manufacture. Make it. Use it.
 

GeneralDisorder

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Back to anything can be done. I designed and built a mechanism that pivots my entry stairs approximately 140 degrees using a single actuator. I love a good challenge.
That's awesome. And useful. And speaks to the actuators ability to lift relatively lightweight objects for an application that doesn't already have a tested and implemented and simpler solution. I don't see the value in re-designing the tire carrier unless you are going to move the tire to gain more habitat space. Then knock yourself out. Otherwise it's an over-complicated, make-work solution to a problem that is already solved and hopefully won't get much significant use if you run quality tires and don't do stupid things with the truck. Though you should rotate your spare along with the rest of the tires - assuming it's not a "maypop for temporary use and low speed only".
 

ARYankee

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Needlessly over-complicated IMO and while some of these actuators might be close in terms of performance, they are bulky, expensive, and complex in terms of moving parts. The hydraulics have a straightforward manual override scheme, are simple, and a LOT more powerful.

I guess I just don't see the point in over-complicating the problem. Especially on a vehicle where it's rugged simplicity is one of the primary reasons for owning it. I'm all for complex solutions where they are necessary, but I appreciate simplicity and having seen up close how the A1P2 armored cab lifts operate - I'll take the hydraulics.

As for the love crush of death - there's a support fixture in the TM that is very easy to manufacture. Make it. Use it.
I find it amusing that you are calling LMTVs "rugged simplicity" when in fact they are overly-complicated. You have obviously never owned an M35 or M813. Now that's simplicity and easy to troubleshoot. Finding alternatives to what's on the vehicle now isn't over complicating something unless the term is being used due to ignorance of the unknown.

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ARYankee

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Back to anything can be done. I designed and built a mechanism that pivots my entry stairs approximately 140 degrees using a single actuator. I love a good challenge.
That's a nice setup! I'm definitely going to go in the direction of electric linear actuators.

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Keith Knight

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That's awesome. And useful. And speaks to the actuators ability to lift relatively lightweight objects for an application that doesn't already have a tested and implemented and simpler solution. I don't see the value in re-designing the tire carrier unless you are going to move the tire to gain more habitat space. Then knock yourself out. Otherwise it's an over-complicated, make-work solution to a problem that is already solved and hopefully won't get much significant use if you run quality tires and don't do stupid things with the truck. Though you should rotate your spare along with the rest of the tires - assuming it's not a "maypop for temporary use and low speed only".
Thanks, it can actually lift me up standing on the bottom step. I wanted to have the ability to have the steps up at night and still open the door which spawned the idea of the porch. We can control it from multiple locations inside outside and with a remote control.
 

Keith Knight

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The remote is for when we are in a sketchy area and we want to put the stairs up without revealing where the external switch is located. For me it’s a security thing. Also with WiFi cameras on all 4 sides and with starlink I get notifications of people. Like when you park near downtown Philadelphia so we can go exploring on foot.
 

GeneralDisorder

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I find it amusing that you are calling LMTVs "rugged simplicity" when in fact they are overly-complicated. You have obviously never owned an M35 or M813. Now that's simplicity and easy to troubleshoot. Finding alternatives to what's on the vehicle now isn't over complicating something unless the term is being used due to ignorance of the unknown.
I wrenched on M35's in the Motorpool and was universally ALWAYS required to drive the damn things due to a perpetual lack of enough soldiers that knew how to drive a manual transmission. Well acquainted with those turds as well as 800 and 900 series trucks.

The LMTV's are not over-complicated. They are actually a lot easier to work on and simpler in many respects. They don't have that terrible air over hydraulic braking system. And for what added complexity they do have, you get the ability to do 80 mph without hearing protection. Don't get me wrong - M35's make great parade queens. Love the whistler turbos. For occasional (very slow and very loud) trips down memory lane.
 

Reworked LMTV

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I use both electric linear actuators and hydraulics. Recently I used two linear actuators to control the pivot of an attachment on a cherry picker. I would give the edge to hydraulics for versatility, lift power, and general ruggedness. That being said, you a American or Japanese linear motor would be a nice alternative.
 

Keith Knight

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It all about application in my opinion. When I did the animated robotics, for example the most complicated one I built had 52 different pneumatic actuators in a human form. We mostly used pneumatic because they would run the characters for years with little maintenance and if you had a leak it was just air. Hydraulic on the other hand is what Disney uses in there characters much smoother action but they take proper maintenance with them. Everything has a different application. Not to mention weight and safety.
 

Primussucks

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[QUOTE="GeneralDisorder, post:
As for the love crush of death - there's a support fixture in the TM that is very easy to manufacture. Make it. Use it.[/QUOTE]


I’ve seen the part in the TM. (The can support)
Does anyone happen to have a picture of it in use? I can’t make out how/where it goes. Thanks
 
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MatthewWBailey

Thanks for this site. My truck runs great now!
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The remote is for when we are in a sketchy area and we want to put the stairs up without revealing where the external switch is located. For me it’s a security thing. Also with WiFi cameras on all 4 sides and with starlink I get notifications of people. Like when you park near downtown Philadelphia so we can go exploring on foot.
That's a wise plan. I went to school in west Philly at Drexel U. In my years there I survived 2 attempted car jackings and numerous demands "give me your money" while coming out of the video store. I had my registration tags cut-off half a dozen times, so many I stopped counting. A friend of mine had his car put on blocks and tires stolen outside the pharmacy at 41st and Market while we were inside to get his damn cold medicine. On the rowing team, in 4years, we rowed over 2 dead bodies at different times and had to call the cops after practice.

it's common knowledge that it was safer for men from north Philly to join the army and goto Korea in the 50's than live near Temple University.

You will be tested if you put boots on the ground there.

And the fraternity boys pushed over my snowman on 37th and Baring but I got my rowing team buddies to square that one🤣. That pissed me off more than anything.

Nowadays, if you drive that truck thru there you'll be called a racist.
 

Keith Knight

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That's a wise plan. I went to school in west Philly at Drexel U. In my years there I survived 2 attempted car jackings and numerous demands "give me your money" while coming out of the video store. I had my registration tags cut-off half a dozen times, so many I stopped counting. A friend of mine had his car put on blocks and tires stolen outside the pharmacy at 41st and Market while we were inside to get his damn cold medicine. On the rowing team, in 4years, we rowed over 2 dead bodies at different times and had to call the cops after practice.

it's common knowledge that it was safer for men from north Philly to join the army and goto Korea in the 50's than live near Temple University.

You will be tested if you put boots on the ground there.

And the fraternity boys pushed over my snowman on 37th and Baring but I got my rowing team buddies to square that one🤣. That pissed me off more than anything.

Nowadays, if you drive that truck thru there you'll be called a racist.
It’s sad, we’ve seen it all traveling eastern US for 12 months. We try to find the beauty in everything everywhere we go. Also the truck attacks lots of attention so we also try listening and learning from the locals. There is still lots of good people in the world.
 

MatthewWBailey

Thanks for this site. My truck runs great now!
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It’s sad, we’ve seen it all traveling eastern US for 12 months. We try to find the beauty in everything everywhere we go. Also the truck attacks lots of attention so we also try listening and learning from the locals. There is still lots of good people in the world.
You need to come out to the Uncompahgre National Forest if you like beauty. There's an equal ratio of good people to good cows out here. Stop by and you can help me change my differentials!

E893012C-8B02-495E-AC0B-DA2A27ACE75F.png
 

Keith Knight

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Thank you, I may take you up on that! We are heading west from Florida after the new year and plan to visit every state’s highest point and all the national parks. We are expecting to spend about 2 years non stop exploring western US and Alaska. I’m always looking for some where we can safely stay and do any repairs or maintenance. So far we have hit 31 states high points.
 

MatthewWBailey

Thanks for this site. My truck runs great now!
Steel Soldiers Supporter
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Location
Mesa Colorado
Thank you, I may take you up on that! We are heading west from Florida after the new year and plan to visit every state’s highest point and all the national parks. We are expecting to spend about 2 years non stop exploring western US and Alaska. I’m always looking for some where we can safely stay and do any repairs or maintenance. So far we have hit 31 states high points.
As Richard Dawson said, "Come on Down!". You'll invariably end up passing thru Mesa County via I-70 if you're going west from the continental Divide's high points. Colorados highest point is Mt Elbert which is 89 miles east of us as the crow flies, between Aspen and Breckenridge. Grand Mesa is a national treasure, and not very well known.


Grand Mesa is tailor-made for the LMTV, dirt roads all over the place, 300 lakes, all on a 10k+ flattop mountain. Here's 2 of the lakes we goto 8miles from our place. It's 45 minutes outside of Grand Junction.

Lost Lake:8CF059EC-62B6-447C-AAA8-96C5934B713B.jpeg
My much better half.C82F0254-CB81-4714-BA25-1A2E510BF9E4.jpeg
Mesa Lake #3
F440DBC9-5A9D-42FF-B80F-1979F6BF8303.jpeg
I just paddle around while wifey fishes, which is great up there. It's usually 60F while it's 100 in town.
 
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