Carrier "RestoMod" in Oklahoma

rossbart · #1 02-03-09, 16:39

Well, it has been a month or so since I joined the carrier fraternity and have had tons of fun so far working on this little guy. As requested by several on here, I am trying to take some photos along the way to document the restoration. First, here are three photos that show what I started with:

Was about a 32 hour roundtrip to retrieve the carrier from Northwest of Chicago, IL to its new home in Southern Oklahoma. May be the last snow it ever sees...

rossbart · #2 02-03-09, 17:09

The carrier had several mechanical issues but they were all hashed out fairly easily. One water pump was gone, ran like crap (partly due to no ballast resistor to the coil and it overheating @ 12volts in seconds), rebuilt fuel pump and carburetor, etc.. But, it runs very strong now.

The first metalwork was to strip the junk off the rear panel (old fuel tank, etc.). The flat panel behind the rear armor was significantly damaged as was the angle iron at the rear. We sheared and broke a piece of 14 guage mild steel and 1 1/2" angle iron to replace it. Here are some photos of that process:

rossbart · #3 02-03-09, 17:14

As you can see, we already have added the rear armor. It is all fully bolted up now and should not have to come back off any more. We used carriage bolts instead of rivets (as it seems most people do). We have the side armor cut in rough shape though we still have to cut the 5" by 20" section out where it drops down at the bulkhead. We have mocked the side armor up and drilled all of the holes for the basic mounting. Here are a few photos of that:

rossbart · #4 02-03-09, 17:17

Next came the toolplate. Just cut it out of 3/16" inch mild steel and drilled it accordingly. Pretty straightforward. Here are a few pictures of that. I do think it looks pretty clean and sharp.

rossbart · #5 02-03-09, 17:35

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) · #6 02-03-09, 20:59

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 · #7 02-03-09, 22:18

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 · #8 02-03-09, 22:19

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 · #9 02-03-09, 23:20

Quote:

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 · #10 05-03-09, 21:34

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

sapper740 · #11 15-03-09, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by rossbart

Was about a 32 hour roundtrip to retrieve the carrier from Northwest of Chicago, IL to its new home in Southern Oklahoma. May be the last snow it ever sees...

Welcome aboard Ross and congratulations on your purchase. There are a couple of UC owners here in Texas (well, one has a T16) that can probably help you with dimensions for the missing armour and engine covers. Where in south Oklahoma are you? I'm all too familiar with that drive to Illinois, I bought my CMP from a seller in Elk Grove which is just west of Chicago and made the round trip from Corinth, Tx. in 46 hours. We have a very active reenactor community in the states bordering Texas and Oklahoma...are you planning on becoming a reenactor eventually? There is a good event at Ft. Washita every year which should be close to you and we're hoping that Camp Gruber will be resurrected. Half the fun of owning a HMV is restoring it, the other half is kitting it out with all the weapons, radios, and bric-a-brac that would have been carried on board during the war. Good luck on your restoration and hopefully we'll see you and your carrier at an event soon. Derek.

alleramilitaria · #12 15-03-09, 20:48

sapper
spent some time on the phone with kevin, seems like a good guy. he has a open invite to come down and take mesurements when ever he can.

also let me know if we all want to get the matting, im going up there some time to get some and ammo cans, will take the trailer so i can bring back up to 12000lbs.
dave

rossbart · #13 16-03-09, 00:25

Kevin & Jordon,

I will run get some photos & dimensions of the rifle butt plate in a few minutes and holler back. If it is helpful to you, Kevin, I would be glad to box it up and send it to you. As I remember, it is a little rust pitted, but still a good starting place for a refurb or refab.

Derek, I would love to rub shoulders with some comrades. However, I have a feeling that I might be shunned by the restorers as my carrier (obviously) is a bit of a modernized (or bastardized) variant. You'd have to ensure me personal protection...

Thanks,
Ross

PS - Though I have made very little progress for reasons mentioned, I will add a few pics of me and some buds playing aroung on the farm this past weekend.

kevin powles · #14 16-03-09, 01:37

Hi Ross, I have this old butt holder, If you have the plate to copy that would be fantastic, Looks like your carrier alot of fun.

Cheers Kevin.

rossbart · #15 16-03-09, 05:10

Interesting on that buttplate. I see the picture of the bracket on my carrier. That was a picture on ebay from the seller. However, the seller must have removed it before I picked it up because it is not there now. The flat plate, however, is there still.

Attached are a couple of pictures and rough dimensions. However, the plate is of unusual shape. I would be glad to pull it off and send it to you if you need it or want to re-fabricate one off of it.

Just drop me a note with your address.

Thanks,
Ross

rossbart · #16 30-09-09, 16:04

Finally did a little work on the carrier so wanted to share the latest pics. Motivation was my son's high school class wanting to use it as a prop for their homecoming parade float. So, I finished the perimeter metalwork, primed and painted it and then just junked it up a little so it would look like a battle vehile - not freshly painted.

The white eagle is the school logo. Probably cover over it at some point, but it looks pretty cool I have to admit.

I'll post some pictures of the float as soon as I get some.

Next on the agenda:

1. Fabricate up the air inlets & engine covers. I had all of those panels cut last week and have measurements from Jordan. Just need some time.
2. Also, I'm upgrading everything to 12v positive ground (late model electronic ignition) and already have all the parts - again, just need time...
3. Need to do a brake job, replace seals and get tracks tensioned correctly while I have them broken

Thanks,
Ross