Australian M816 wrecker build.

[Howard Smith]

Hi all. I am widening my search for anyone that can shed more light on the changes/modifications/spec differences between US Army M816 wreckers and those that the RAEME operated.
I am part way through converting my own M816 over to RAEME specs - lots of fabrication, sourcing of 'down under' lighting and other CES kit.

There were purchase specs, base modifications - to meet Aussie road regs, in-service changes and end-user 'comfort'/job specific/task mods..

Have already had a load of help from various Recy Mechs etc., but would always like to hear from new sources.

Hi to all I have met on other forums..

[Mike Cecil]

G'day Howard,

Welcome to the forum. How's the M816 coming along? We would all welcome some posted images of your progress.

Mike

[Howard Smith]

Hi Mike - trying to upload some pics.

Here is the welding bottles relocation/resize and the trailer board stowage/telescoping beacon post ('T' piece and beacon bases yet to be fab'd) before I removed the hard cab. Soft top awaiting install, however minor hick-up to progress being rot to the compound sections in the cab under the door shuts.

I tried to add multiple pics but kept getting "failed" message.

Will try to get pics of modified rear steps, Holmes gear sub frame, TAC plate holders, Hollebone and spade stowage, transfer lever extension, external lockers, marker lamp guards etc., all things so far fabricated.

I have gotten some lamps from down under - though the cab side turn repeaters are so far illusive.

The paint on the trailer board, board support and the telescoping beacon post is the end colour that you sent me the official paint chip/card of.
Currently, I am doing all the mods and some protective painting as I go, but overall paint will be done later.

[Howard Smith]

Passenger side stop end with rego plate lamp.
Had to resize pic before it would upload..

Need to find source for reproduction Army number plates!

[Ron King]

Sorry I cant tell you about differences on the Aussie M816.
I did do some miles on them at 2 EME services at Homebush who had a few.
I know at the time they were a couple of inches too wide for then Australian rule rules and we had restrictions on driving them over Tom Uglys, Ryde bridges and Parramatta rd during peak hours.
I do remember the front bumper being white and back striped .....I think for the extra width and caution left hand drive painted on the rear.
They were not often used off road as the high wheel loading meant they sunk easily and you spent a great deal of time doing self recovery.
The auto front wheel drive didn't help.
I remember the M816 being extensively used with the Freighter 15 ton dual axle tilt bed trailer and we mostly seemed to get jobs of moving around M113s to save track wear.
Rarely did lift tows as the trailer was nearly always on the back.
Heavy clutch, light steering, cool exhaust noise if siting in passenger seat.
When loaded with a M113 on the trailer splitting the gears on the main gearbox with the transfercase was common climbing steep hills, the synco in the transfercase helping, but the ratios line up between the main box and transfercase was no where ideal.
Ron

[Howard Smith]

Originally Posted by Ron King

........
I know at the time they were a couple of inches too wide for then Australian rule rules and we had restrictions on driving them over Tom Uglys, Ryde bridges and Parramatta rd during peak hours.
I do remember the front bumper being white and back striped .....I think for the extra width and caution left hand drive painted on the rear.
Ron

Thanks Ron - yeah, I have pics of a few wreckers, all with red/white diagonal stripes on the front bumper and "WIDE"... and ..."LOAD" on the outside quarters. I think it's the guards for the body side lamps and or maybe the mirrors!
Can't wait to get it on the road with the CAUTION LHD on the back - gonna get some funny looks/questions.

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Howard Smith

Need to find source for reproduction Army number plates!

The commercial suppliers of stamped Aluminium plates are progressively becoming more reluctant to supply in these "Homeland Security" times, but a REMLR member Rod (aka HotRover) produces some very fine "vinyl on aluminium" versions that look quite good with an accurate font for the numbers and letter.

See His Ebay listings for his AMF plates to suit the period of your truck. The TAC signs he lists are the 6"x6" light vehicle size, but will make the larger truck versions on request.

[john piercey]

Gday Howard,i dont have any useful info to help you with ,but was just wondering if you were an ex-pat aussie now residing in the US or just happen to like the look of the Aussie spec wrecker.
I ask purely out of curiosity .
Cheers John

[Howard Smith]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

The commercial suppliers of stamped Aluminium plates are progressively becoming more reluctant to supply in these "Homeland Security" times,

Hey Tony - yeah it's a shame. In the UK they are now destroying all released vehicle plates too.. "In my day" they came with the truck!

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

but a REMLR member Rod (aka HotRover) produces some very fine "vinyl on aluminium" versions that look quite good with an accurate font for the numbers and letter.

I think it was Rod that I got the TAC plates from. Will probably go the sticky route for the rego plates when my quest for genuine punched ones hits a dead end...
Cheers