[Scott Bentley]

Originally Posted by rob love

Scott.
There were two authorized grill modifications. The first was the square frame with the expanded metal which attached directly to the grill. This kept the sticks from puncturing the rad while pushing bush.

The second was the ugly one: A metal frame as big as the entire grill with expanded metal the entire size, headlight holes, and mounted on the bumper.

As to truck modifications, mechanics will always take the cake. My MRT (a MLVW), besides being very well equipped tool wise, featured a full size workbench with 6" vice, ample sleeping space, 12 volt converter for the TV/VCR combo along with the refridgerator, electric boiling vessels (not the APC kind, but the aircraft type), ample heat, even for the Canadian prairies, and half the roof rack was enclosed and an opening into the back of the truck was made. The area was for the dry food supplies......ration packs did not enter into my truck. Nor did sleeping bags. Pillows and sheets were all that was needed to stay warm.

A clean drain pan was kept in the back for "bird bathing". A pot of hot water heated electrically was used for a bird bath (door locked of course) and washing hair. Felt like a million bucks after that, and it saved the long trip to and from the MLBUs. Seemed like you came back from them as dirty as when you left.

Cab of course had bucket seats, and a secondary heater that made parkas unnecessary. A jump seat (foldable) was installed in the middle for the unlucky casualty to ride on.

I saw the truck at the RCA not that long ago, and still in it's modified format. I should get photos of it before it is relegated to the scrap pile in the next few years. Spent a lot of time in that truck.

Although some would be quick to condemn such comforts, but having observed many mechs working in their natural habitat, I have the utmost respect for them. Just a couple months ago I had the pleasure of observing a pair working on a broken down field heater somewhere between Timmins and Moose Factory in some pretty low temps. Over the years i've had many others remark about feeling sorry for Sappers. I always retort by saying thank god i'm not an Army Mechanic.