As for adding ballistic protection,
Look into polycarbonate panels, like they use for 7-11 store windows or some banks. Good stuff but you have to get it thick, still not cheap but better prices than some quality steels and also saves a bunch of weight over steel.
Also you may look into ballistic fiberglass panels, still not super cheap but better cost than plain kevlar fabrics. Molding around corners will be a pain but hey it is what it is.
To truely armor that thing that was created would be way cheaper than a uparmored humvee. Lots of long straight body panels. Humvees have a slew of cuts and bends that need to be made and pillars filled. Also modern Humvee armor is a mix of plates of steel, aluminum, and im not telling. Look at the latest models being produce with all Cat 5 or greater mine protection kits installed plus spacers and add on for EFP ( explosive formed projectile ) defense. The laminated ballistic glass on the Humvee is probably the toughest stuff on it, I have personally seen it defeat small EFP arrays. I have also seen M1 tanks turned into 70ton paperweights from being hit by larger EFPs and platter charges!
Remember there is nothing bullet proof or explosive proof, they are resistant! Find the materials you can live with for your budget and level of protection you are looking for.
Look into polycarbonate panels, like they use for 7-11 store windows or some banks. Good stuff but you have to get it thick, still not cheap but better prices than some quality steels and also saves a bunch of weight over steel.
Also you may look into ballistic fiberglass panels, still not super cheap but better cost than plain kevlar fabrics. Molding around corners will be a pain but hey it is what it is.
To truely armor that thing that was created would be way cheaper than a uparmored humvee. Lots of long straight body panels. Humvees have a slew of cuts and bends that need to be made and pillars filled. Also modern Humvee armor is a mix of plates of steel, aluminum, and im not telling. Look at the latest models being produce with all Cat 5 or greater mine protection kits installed plus spacers and add on for EFP ( explosive formed projectile ) defense. The laminated ballistic glass on the Humvee is probably the toughest stuff on it, I have personally seen it defeat small EFP arrays. I have also seen M1 tanks turned into 70ton paperweights from being hit by larger EFPs and platter charges!
Remember there is nothing bullet proof or explosive proof, they are resistant! Find the materials you can live with for your budget and level of protection you are looking for.