Carrier "RestoMod" in Oklahoma

[rossbart]

As the name of the thread implies, this will be a carrier restoration that is a little different than most. I know that some of you will cringe (and that's fine) but please be tolerant and understand that nothing done on this carrier will be permanent or unable to be UNBOLTED and changed should some future owner (or me for that matter) decide to restore as original.

Basically, I plan on making the restoration on everything behind the bulkhead pretty much as original. I think my greatest challenge to that end may be the engine cover as I don't have any dimensions or a carrier to measure from. I have made several appeals on here for help and hopefully someone will be willing to take the time to go do some measurements for me of the side air inlet pieces and the other engine cover items. That would help alot.

However, in front of the bulkhead (since I have absolutely nothing to start with and I really hope not to need actual armored protection) I am planning to fabricate something a bit more sloped and modern looking for the front armor. In addition to just a modern appearance, I am wanting to end up with something with better visibility. I live on about a 4,000 acre farm with lotsa creek bottoms and timber and my family and I enjoy just driving around and watching wildlife, etc. and just want it to be a little more useful to that end.

SO, here are three photos of the cardboard mockup that I am leaning toward right now. The hole in the front is just a hole in the box that I used that my daughter cut (yes, I stole her play box) so disregard that part. This will be formed out of 3/16" plate as well but, again, I will not cut anything on this carrier and whatever I do will be easily changed if someone should ever want to.

I cautiously ask for your feedback. What do you think?

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Ross.
You are doing the right thing...rebuilding for your own enjoyment..
You are not trying to misrepresent your intentions and saving a historic vehicle to boot..
The only thing I question is why you would only cut a tiny little hole to see through in your "Front armour"??
Why not put a couple of decent sized flat windows in the beasty and gasketed Lexan panels would work wonders..see all the wild life on the farm and look good to boot..
And one on each side of the drivers /gunners seat would let you see all over the place..
Looks great..carry on..

[rossbart]

Alex,

Haha.. Thanks for the comments. The little cutout in the front is just a hole that was in the box that I used for the mockup. I should have taped something across it. As mentioned in the text above those pictures, I stole that box from my daughter and that was just a hole she had cut for something.

Actually, the vantage point from my view when sitting in the seats is very good. I can see the ground probably within 10' of the carrier without effort and the field of fiew on the side is almost 180 degrees. I am pondering some plexiglass visors that fold under in that front drop down but will probably just wait until I get it built and see how it works.

The metal is supposed to be in today so I should have some new pics to post within the next few days. We'll see...

Ross

[RichardT10829]

each to they're own as they say... at least it can be reversed as you say speak with Martyn on here if you look at his build thread you will see what he has achieved, plus he has all the patterns.


Richie

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by rossbart

I am wanting to end up with something with better visibility.

Visibility in a carrier is very good as one can actually drive it looking over the top of the front armour with the seat in the up position. Actually, one really needs to be quite small to be able to look through the front slits in the original armour.

Restoring back to original configuration will increase its resale value, if you ever plan to sell it on. Other than that I´d say: hey, it´s your carrier.

- Hanno

[rossbart]

Just a quick update. Finally got metal cut and sitting in place for one side of the front armor from the cardboard mockup. Hopefully I'll get it welded and bolted up this evening and match it on the other side.

Here are some pics. Let me know what you think.

Ross

[BCBlitz]

Hey Ross

Carrier looks great, steel will deflect bullets much better than cardboard, glad you changed that

Seriously keep us informed with your progress always fun to see how others ideas all come together, save the templates someone else might need a pattern down the road for there carrier

[Rob Beale]

We have a farmers cut down carrier here. They cut the front plate, then found that water came in if they crossed creeks.

A suggestion would be to add an angle iron deflector or two on the front plate to stop water washing right up and over the front plate!
Believe me as you get used to driving it, you won't do things at slow speed!

The original carriers had a pair as bullet deflectors, so they won't look out of place.

Rob

[charlie fitton]

maybe add the equivalent of a wire cutter to stop branches or, as in my case, a speeding quad-bike driver from hitting you in the face.

He got hurt much worse.

[rossbart]

Rob & Charles,

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I think adding some kind of deflector on the top edge is a great recommendation and I'll work on that. In addition to shedding water it would also add a bit more strength & rigidity to the front armor section (which is 'just' 1/4" plate)

I now have the left side all welded, smoothed and primed and it should be a relatively easier task of just mirror imaging the right side now. Unfortunately, due to work and a virus I haven't had much time on the carrier.

Hope to make some progress before long and will definitely post some pics.

In the meantime, I wonder if someone could just help me out with one or two measurements (please..) . Can someone let me know how deep and wide the two side air inlet boxes on a mk1 are at the top. I think I can figure out the height and angle from rivet holes in the hull, etc.. But, in particular, I cannot tell how thick it is from photos (which is all I have to go by).

Thanks for the help...

Ross