m1078 list of mods

[aheilmann68]

After selling my bobbed m923a2 and getting bored, I got lucky on a m1078 out of ft drum. Said it was driven on the lot but was dead due to the cold (-40f). Got it hauled home, warmed it up to 5f and charged the batteries and she hesitated but started. Didnt have that many issues but went through everything and cleaned and lubricated.
This I have done:
All new flitlers and fluids on everything
Fabbed a new turret cover from 3/16" aluminum diamond plate and gas struts
Bed lined the entire cab
Sound deadened the inside and outside of the cab (lizardskin type product)
Installed high speed gears
Fabbed an aluminum roof rack and 50" led brow light as well as rear lights
Removed back up light and replaced with 2 leds
Made a ceiling mounted radio and switch console

 

[aheilmann68]

Also replaced the water pump belt and the alternator belts.
Ill list the cross reference numbers when I get a second

Water pump is a Dayco 17335 or Cat 7E0744
Alternator belts are Napa premium xl 25-9580

 

[Harry Fupa]

That looks really good! A few weeks ago I managed to pick myself up a LMTV at Ft. Drum as well, and I'm about to start the process of changing out all of the fluids and filters. Where did you get your high speed gears?

 

[sigo]

Very cool looking rail around the top of the cab. Nice work, how did you attach the rail?

 

[aheilmann68]

High speed gears came from primier metal buyers, I have an extra set I bought that I intend on selling.
Roof rack is bolted down with nut-serts into the top of the cab, ill try to get better pictures this week.

 

[SIMXVertigo]

What ratio are the gears and how did you attach the light rack to your roof?

 

[Doug Roberts]

I like it ! I hope to get mine moving in that direction real soon

 

[Oxyacetylene]

Did you remove the defroster plenum, or is it missing? It's hard to tell from the photos.

 

[sstephens637]

Whats top speed with the high speed gears? How much are you looking at for those?

 

[turnkey]

Nice rework....just a few things to do to make it a Mad Max special...

 

[aheilmann68]

Gears work great. Now to balance the wheels when running above 55. Gears are 3.07:1. Roof rack Iis bolted to the roof with nutserts. Now looking to put in a pyro and open her up a little. I am not sure what you mean by defroster plenumn. Its open across the windshild. I do need a new speed selector swicth and fan motor assembly. Apparently 3' of chain and a lock can fit inside the squirrel cage. When I pulled it out I thought it was a magic trick. Anyone have a lead on a c for these truck before I start thinking of a plan?

 

[sstephens637]

Ive seen a complete ac system online for $1500 or so. Im thinking ill try to find a compact electric unit instead...

 

[sstephens637]

what does your radio console look like? how did you get it mounted?

 

[turnkey]

Great truck to play with....using a jap truck to copy off of...works great company in Wi. reworked their trucks using a huso model cabover for the comprsion........looks great...

 

[MidnightDuramax]

@ aheilmann68-- Clean your inbox. Its full and I can't PM you.

 

[aheilmann68]

MidnightDuramax. just did

Added a pyro last weekend, plan on setting the valves and resetting/advancing the injectors and turning up the motor this weekend or in the next week once I get some good baseline numbers on egts to see where I am running currently.

I am also hoping to get time this weekend to get a hitch fabbed up once I get my CNC plasma table back from being a parts storage and work bench. I have an idea that utilizes a majority of the easy to access bolts in the back and only requires a few additional holes to be drilled but in convent spots. Ill get some pictures up once I get it made up and mounted.

 

[aheilmann68]

Followed the procedure for the cat 3116 to set valves, adjust injectors and advance them. Turned up the fuel and air ratio and she hauls. 9ulls hills without downshifting which causes egts to climb. Overall its much nicer now to notnhave to work the peddle for power. Building the hitch this week

 

[Oxyacetylene]

Can you post some info on the settings / parameters you are using? I would like to do this to mine or have a certified tech do the work. I also read something about shimming the injectors?

 

[aheilmann68]

Cut a hitch on my plasma table and mounted it up. Got a 6 pin to 7 pin whip and will mount that in as well. Ill likely wire in a brake controller as well. Possibly putting a gooseneck hitch on as well

 

[DrillerSurplus]

Nice work!