New carrier owner introduction

[Hans Mulder]

Good day,

I'm the proud owner of a 1941 FMC Universal Carrier Mk1 since November. You may remember this one from Ebay sometime ago. It is the one with the T16 rear axle, left hand tiller bar steering, and GM engine and transmission. I'm hoping to be able to rebuild the armour and move the steering back to the right, but it looks like the tiller bars may have to stay. Good thing I'm not a purist... I also have enough spare parts that I may build a tracked trailer as well to look like the Renault UE Chenilette trailer. In any event, I'm glad to have found this forum. I've picked up several books already, but I'm looking for the patterns for the armour plate. If anyone can help, please let me know.

[RichardT10829]

there are patterns about Rick DeBruyen produced a set as did i, the front armour i only have in physical patterns not computerised, i gave a set to Doug Lavoie so perhaps it may be worth contacting him.

if i were you i would keep the surplus track as you will be needing it eventually for the carrier, would seem a shame to waste it on a trailer, but thats just my humble opinion

if you use the search facility on here and type in Armour CAD or Armour dimensions etc etc it will bring up the many discussions we have had on this subject.


welcome to the forums


Richie

[Hans Mulder]

Hi Richie,

The track on the carrier right now is pretty worn out. My spare track is NOS. The worn out track has to be good for something yet, and I've been looking at replacing the pins with 12mm rod to extend the life and use it on a trailer. Anyone else having luck "refurbishing" worn track?

[RichardT10829]

again its another well discussed issue.. i think you may find that there is insufficient meat left on the pin lugs and you may break them during use. my thoughts were to make a threaded bush system which could be replaced

[Hans Mulder]

Right now my priority is to at least get it looking like a carrier again. That would consist of reconstructing the armour. Then comes the controls, then scout around for engine/transmission/axle. And of course my priorities are subject to my wife's priorities: new kitchen floor, etc. Good thing I'm young...it may be many years before it is all finished.

[RichardT10829]

baby steps matey one bit at a time I would probably do what you are doing and start with the armour and leave it as a running tub until the very last minute that way you can drive it in and out of the garage to work on it.

[Hans Mulder]

After a couple years of nothing I decided to mock up the armour with 1/2" plywood to make the frankencarrier look at least something like she is supposed to, for the Hyack parade. Unfortunately I had a tire go on the trailer halfway to the parade, and then a broken bolt on the trailer hub during the tire replacement, so I didn't make the parade. However, for your amusement, here are some before and after pics.

[Harry Moon]

For a quick mock up Hans it looks surprisingly good! maybe not the 5 foot rule, maybe not 10 but certainly at 50 feet!

[gary_bath_jr]

Hey Hans

There is a gentleman on this forum by the name of George Mckenzie, he lives in Northern AB and has created templates for all the armour. If you contact him I am sure he will be more than happy to provide you with measurements, drawings, or something that will help.

Gary

[Hans Mulder]

Right now I have one other carrier to work on, so it will be some time before this one gets the treatment it deserves. As you can tell, there is some extensive cutting and some related mechanical work as well to fit the proper armour (the radiator and seats are about 6 inches farther forward than they should be). Since it runs, I do like to take it out, and now it at least resembles a carrier.

[jeff davis]

Looks Good Hans To bad you Missed the Parade
Jeff

[Hans Mulder]

I did make the parade, just without the trailer and carrier...got some pics of the guys from Western Command.