Questions I have, can you help

[spankybear]

Sorry about the curiosity but it has a hold of me. I have been wondering a few things about the Auctions and one thing on the HMMWV.

First question I have is why are a good number of auction trucks seem to have had the belt(s) cut or removed? I was guessing this this was an anti theft thing but not 100% of the auction HMMWVs have had the belts cut or removed.

It seems as a good number of the lasted HMMWV out of Barstow (Yermo) have had holes in the floor. As if someone took an axe to the floor. I couple of years ago I saw that it seems as someone had taken a hammer to number of windshields. I understand part missing but the damage I see seems to me malice. Just seems strange to see the same damage to a number of HMMWVs.

What is the purpose of the cable that runs along the frame and transfer case? See pic.

 

[Coug]

No idea why the auction company does some of the stupid stuff they do, or if it was the last unit that had the trucks before turning them in stealing parts and leaving the ruined ones in the trucks. Removing belt to take parts from the system would be logical. Cutting/removing for theft prevention doesn't make sense as you can still start and drive the truck until it overheats from no water pump turning (though not having power steering or power brakes would be a detriment, it will still move)
If the windshield is considered armored in any way, it might be an expedited way to destroy it rather than removal. Or could be some yahoo doing donuts in the auction yard threw a bunch of large gravel out and damaged stuff. Not like they get any money from the auction, so what do they care?

Can't find any good answers for that cable, but might be there to help retain parts if there is a catastrophic failure/event, or might be for alignment.
Part number search came up with descriptions like "cable, transfer case safety" and " cable asm, transfer case guide"
not the first time it's been asked about

Part number 12447180 What is this for?

does anyone know what this is for? I am missing it on my tcase so I ordered it because i needed a min order of 20$. not sure what this does or what it is used for.

www.steelsoldiers.com

 

[Mogman]

The Basic did not and I think the A1 trucks also did not have the transfer case cable, to me again it looks like it is to keep the transfer case from getting into the fuel tank in the event there is a rear mount failure.
As far as the belts it is likely folks scavenging parts off of the trucks, windshields are just plain fun to bust

 

[Dieselmeister]

Correct on the cable. That was added to keep the transfer case fron going into the fuel tank during a collision.

When vehicle becomes a parts donor, you take the parts you need out the easiest way. If the belt is in the way, cutting it is the fastest way. Also keeps anyone from trying to drive a defective vehicle.