M977 HEMTT Acquisition

[Stalwart]

Backing up is simple, lock the steering bar and push the trailer where you want it. If you want to try steering backward you will probably be limited to movements of about 10-15 feet if you are good/lucky.

 

[dk8019]

Stuart, if you lock the steering bar, I assume it just makes one long non-steering straight truck, correct?

 

[Stalwart]

Nope, it still pivots at the lunette, it is only by much greater mass and leverage that the truck just pushes the front trailer tires sideways. It's best to just avoid backing if at all possible.

 

[dk8019]

Stuart, of course! I forgot about the lunette. I'm going to have to snag one of these here someday.

 

[HASSON1911]

For those that change out hydraulic filters and are having problems the housing and filter for the high pressure one that is mounted behind the primary fuel filter is a Pall HH9800 and all associated parts can be referenced to it.

Heres a really good pdf to reference

View attachment 9800-Series-6000-psi.pdf

 

[RDUKW]

What do you call a sharp un-comanded turn at 60 mph in a forwarded controlled vehicle . . . death. What do you call 2 M977's or M985's involved in a rear ender with each other, kiss the crane with your face, then meet your maker.

Not sure about 60 since they top out at 54 . The HEMTT is definitely a better vehicle going down the road but in town or tight areas the mk48 will turn inside the HEMTT

 

[jerry v]

man its coolhttp://www.steelsoldiers.com/images/smilies/popcorn.gif

opcorn:

 

[Stalwart]

Not sure about 60 since they top out at 54 . The HEMTT is definitely a better vehicle going down the road but in town or tight areas the mk48 will turn inside the HEMTT

I was just passing along the word from an eyewitness in the sandbox, he was driving the truck following and witnessed the carnage. He claimed it was typical to raise the governor or disable it entirely. No doubt the Mk48 would be better truck for maneuvering but I wouldn't let my wife run down the highway in one. I have spoken to several soldiers that like the truck as a whole but all said the truck was sometimes unpredictable and dangerous in inexperienced hands.

 

[HASSON1911]

Alright guys I know its been a while since my last post due to school and work but this weekend it was sub 20's and the old girl fired right up within 2sec. which is impressive considering its still number 2 fuel. Anyways after a warm up we went for a 15mi drive to my shop where this weekend ill be fabbing up and AR500 armored grill such as the one posted. no pictures today but will post some before she leaves the shop. One of the other reasons for this post is for guys who own or have driven these trucks, have you or did you in anyway modify the throttle pedal or where your foot rest, for me it feels like my foot is at an uncomfortable 60* angle so im working on ways I can modify where my foot rest to make it more ergonomic for longer drives.

 

[Tornadogt]

When you make the armor are you going to do it by hand or put it on a plasma table?? Either way PLEASE take down your measurements... We all would love to see the results. Thank you.

 

[HASSON1911]

When you make the armor are you going to do it by hand or put it on a plasma table?? Either way PLEASE take down your measurements... We all would love to see the results. Thank you.

By hand with a plasma cutter I wish I had a plasma cam used one in high school and it was awesome, I'm using 3/8 ar500 4x8 (weighing in at roughly 500lbs.) which is coincidentally the exact size of the hemtt shield.

 

[HASSON1911]

So this weekend I was able to cut the steel and get most of it mounted, next weekend ill be doing some cardboard R&D and working on the fins. I got to say to all that will be doing this just realize the sheet it self weighs in at 500 all said and done it'll be closer to 550 to 600. Ill get fin dimensions once the fins are completed.

 

[HASSON1911]

For headlights Im thinking of getting 3 rigid industry lights, a hi in spot light pattern, low in fog pattern, and an amber turn signal. Ill have to fab up a protective box for them and will post pictures later. Any other options feel free to run buy me.

 

[Stalwart]

New Truck-Lite LED headlights . . . low power drain, excellent focusing and high output. I have the older ones and I LOVE them!

 

[JohnnyBM931A2]

New Truck-Lite LED headlights . . . low power drain, excellent focusing and high output. I have the older ones and I LOVE them!

I agree. I LOVE the Truck Lites that I put on my 5 ton recently

 

[JDToumanian]

There was some discussion earlier in this thread about canister engine oil filters vs. spin on... The vast majority of (if not all) 2-cycle Detroit Diesels, all series, had canister filters and so far as I know, there are NO military Detroit Diesel engines with factory spin on filters. The military spin on filters are an adapter kit that was made available, there is a PS Magazine article about it. I ordered a spin on adapter kit for my HEMTT, the advantage for me is not so much convenience as that there are better filter choices available with a spin on... Larger capacity, lower micron rating, more surface area, etc.

Here's some pics of the kit I ordered, it was about $75 from Diesel Pro Power. Note that there are cheaper adapters out there, on eBay and elsewhere, but they are not as well made. Most of them, including one made by Fram, appear to be die-cast pot metal that isn't even machined, as opposed to Diesel Pro Power's which is a machined aluminum sand casting. You don't want this part failing... Buyer beware!

Jon

View attachment 598392

 

[RDUKW]

There was some discussion earlier in this thread about canister engine oil filters vs. spin on... The vast majority of (if not all) 2-cycle Detroit Diesels, all series, had canister filters and so far as I know, there are NO military Detroit Diesel engines with factory spin on filters. The military spin on filters are an adapter kit that was made available, there is a PS Magazine article about it. I ordered a spin on conversion kit for my HEMTT, the advantage for me is not so much convenience as that there are better filter choices available with a spin on... Larger capacity, lower micron rating, more surface area, etc.

Here's some pics of the conversion kit I ordered, it was about $75 from Diesel Pro Power. Note that there are cheaper adapters out there, on eBay and elsewhere, but they are not as well made. Most of them, including one made by Fram, appear to be die-cast pot metal that isn't even machined, as opposed to Diesel Pro Power's which is a machined aluminum sand casting. You don't want this part failing... Buyer beware!

Jon

View attachment 598392

All three of my military 8v92's (lvs, Hemtt and spare) have spin on's from the military

 

[JDToumanian]

All three of my military 8v92's (lvs, Hemtt and spare) have spin on's from the military

Yes, I figured there could be a lot of them out there... I'm bringing both types of filters and the adapter kit so I am prepared either way, since I'm going to service my HEMTT on the side of the road. The spin-ons on your engines should be adapters, there are none factory that I am aware of... Even a DDEC engine I was looking at from a HET still had the canisters. The newer TMs show the canister but mention the possibility of an adapter kit having been installed.

Jon

 

[jerry v]

you are a cooler dude now you have that toy

 

[HASSON1911]

Well, I understand why builds take so long, a simple task can easily eat your whole day up. I have almost all the steel work done I just need to finish the fins and mount them next, school is a real bother when trying to work on the toys haha. I did do some redesigning to try keep the approach angle and also cut the top a little different to keep length down. it saved maybe 8-10in. and yes the shed its going in is really cutting it that close, but its better than sleeping out side right!

All measurements are being taken down and will release in one post when finished.