Source for up armored armor?

BLK HMMWV · Dec 29, 2017

Sintorion said:
I tend to focus on practicality over coolness. I don't plan on cruising the mean streets of Baghdad and where I live, I really don't need to be bullet proof so I really don't see the value. My days of trying to look cool are long over.

So your saying owning a HMMWV is more practical then a pickup or jeep ??

98G · Dec 29, 2017

CAD - cardboard assisted design. Mock it up with cardboard, trace it and then cut it out of AR500 with a plasma cutter.

NormB · Dec 29, 2017

IF someone were to outfit say, a turbo 6.5 model w/ 12.5k suspension (don’t know later model #’s) with a TEOTWAWKI, RAFOTRE or simple SHTF scenario in mind and you had the time, money, wherewithal to build up a “bulletproof” truck, it would be fairly easy to make cardboard templates for the areas you’d want to shield and find someone who could cut AR500 steel in 3/8 or even 1/2” with a waterjet or laser to your specs. Cut, drill, bolt, repeat. Don’t forget the glass.

While a “fully armored” HMMWV might be more of a maintenance and wear/tear nightmare than usual, but it’s not MY money, not MY time and effort, not MY “dream vehicle”, but hey, let’s say that giant meteor DOES hit tomorrow, or North Korea lobs a nuke on Seattle (or worse, pops one 300 miles over St. Louis and the EMP that follows puts the US back into the stone age), an X-class Coronal Mass Ejection hits us directly, or socialists pull out the long knives (again), or Yellowstone supervolcano goes up, or more... that one forward thinking individual will be a little better off for a little while longer than those of us without up-armored HMMWVs. Just sayin’.

As previously - and somewhat continuously - discussed, to each his own.

[started this about 7AM waiting to get some blood drawn and forgot about it until just now. Then read 98G’s commentary. Great minds and all that]

Skrilex · Dec 29, 2017

NormB said:
IF someone were to outfit say, a turbo 6.5 model w/ 12.5k suspension (don’t know later model #’s) with a TEOTWAWKI, RAFOTRE or simple SHTF scenario in mind and you had the time, money, wherewithal to build up a “bulletproof” truck, it would be fairly easy to make cardboard templates for the areas you’d want to shield and find someone who could cut AR500 steel in 3/8 or even 1/2” with a waterjet or laser to your specs. Cut, drill, bolt, repeat. Don’t forget the glass.

While a “fully armored” HMMWV might be more of a maintenance and wear/tear nightmare than usual, but it’s not MY money, not MY time and effort, not MY “dream vehicle”, but hey, let’s say that giant meteor DOES hit tomorrow, or North Korea lobs a nuke on Seattle (or worse, pops one 300 miles over St. Louis and the EMP that follows puts the US back into the stone age), an X-class Coronal Mass Ejection hits us directly, or socialists pull out the long knives (again), or Yellowstone supervolcano goes up, or more... that one forward thinking individual will be a little better off for a little while longer than those of us without up-armored HMMWVs. Just sayin’.

As previously - and somewhat continuously - discussed, to each his own.

[started this about 7AM waiting to get some blood drawn and forgot about it until just now. Then read 98G’s commentary. Great minds and all that]

We could debate the sanity of that line of thinking, but I doubt it would be helpful to this persons endeavor.

Also, it’s my understanding that the official armor is not capable of stopping rifle bullets anyway. It’s designed for light schrapnel. Is that true? I’m not certain. But I do know that to stop a 308 takes considerable thickness of fancy steel.

98G · Dec 29, 2017

0.25" of AR500 stops standard .308 rounds.

("Standard" = 147gr FMJ @ 2750fps)

desmodromic · Dec 29, 2017

Skrilex said:
We could debate the sanity of that line of thinking, but I doubt it would be helpful to this persons endeavor.

Also, it’s my understanding that the official armor is not capable of stopping rifle bullets anyway. It’s designed for light schrapnel. Is that true? I’m not certain. But I do know that to stop a 308 takes considerable thickness of fancy steel.

Nope, you are referring to the basic "armor" that covers some x doors and footwells, etc that barely stops shrapnel. The armor in the first pic is true armor, and I want a full set for my M1045A2 also!

Bravojmc, I'll take a second set if you can find them!

Bravojmc · Dec 29, 2017

Will definitely let you know what I find. I have my feelers out!

Action · Dec 29, 2017

When I worked at BAE Systems, we had a full door on display. It has the 4" (or so) thick window. The glass was pushed in towards the occupant about 6". I don't recall but think it was a rocket hit. Nothing came into the cab. But I bet there was something left in the seat when the person got out.

Awol · Dec 29, 2017

Bravojmc said:
Jesus I’m not doing it to look cool I’m doing it for originality… If you had a 70 Cuda would you not want it to look like it did when it rolled off the showroom floor…? Has nothing to do about looking cool to me…

Very true, but I also think armored Humvees look incredibly cool! So that's a small reason for me wanting armor lol :mrgreen:

tage · Dec 30, 2017

well. Since it was mentioned twice. Cardboard to get a template, buy a couple sheets of ar500, ar400, ar600. Doesn't matter. plasma cut, and stick weld to get the curve under body plates. bolt to body... or do what they did in 03/04 and just put sandbags everywhere. Should be in the TM on the sandbags.

an up armored hmmwv is going to make you a target in a real SHTF situation. I would rather be rolling around in a bullet proof merc, or passat. maybe that will be my next big purchase... lol not

Bravojmc · Dec 30, 2017

tage said:
well. Since it was mentioned twice. Cardboard to get a template, buy a couple sheets of ar500, ar400, ar600. Doesn't matter. plasma cut, and stick weld to get the curve under body plates. bolt to body... or do what they did in 03/04 and just put sandbags everywhere. Should be in the TM on the sandbags.

an up armored hmmwv is going to make you a target in a real SHTF situation. I would rather be rolling around in a bullet proof merc, or passat. maybe that will be my next big purchase... lol not

thanks everyone for the info. I found a source for armor. I’ll shoot pics when I receive it.

Sergeant21112 · May 17, 2018

All:
I need help locating anyinformation on a Marine Armor Kit (MAK) that was placed on our departments 2003 M1043A. A plate inside the HMMWV indicates the MAK was installed in 2009. Schematics or NSN's would be incredibly helpful! Anything I get from the military isn't the up armor kit and isn't helpful.
Thanks

mdainsd · May 17, 2018

I talked to the curator at the local military museum: All that armor is on the Military Munitions List and is accountable. He indicated that is why it is strictly de-milled and generally sold as scrap. "having it could be an issue". Who knows?

I think that copying it in aluminum might be a good compromise, no where as heavy, easy to work with and wont make the vehicle as cumbersome.

Sergeant21112 · May 17, 2018

Thank you for that information. The vehicle is on loan to us from the DOD and we have the ability to acquire armor or other parts IF I could locate the NSN. I have located a ton of armor NSN's for HMMWV windshields/glass that I can acquire via the 1033 program; unfortunately, its not for the MAK up armor that is on our specific HMMWV. I hope someone online here can get me a source to locate NSN's specifically for the MAK so I can search DOD surplus or schematics to locate a vendor to replace the glass. All the vendors I reached out to said they can make the glass but they would have to heavily modify ($$$) the mounting hardware without knowing the specific demotions of the glass such as thickness. Worse case, we take the vehicle out of service and remove the glass and pray we can locate a vendor who can provide the specific glass shape and size needed to simply drop in and bolt up.

mdainsd · May 17, 2018

Do you know if the NSN are marked on the pieces themselves? I have access to armored Marine HMWVVS of different designs. I could check on them for NSNs if you think they are marked, and those marks haven't been painted over... :-(

Sergeant21112 · May 17, 2018

Great question. We have looked all over and found no NSN's on any glass or structural mounting brackets; however, its worth taking another look. We did have the exterior painted.

Lionel · May 17, 2018

My understanding is that the MAK kits were designed and built by, and at, the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany GA. No NSN or outside manufacturing.

Sergeant21112 · May 17, 2018

Lionel said:
My understanding is that the MAK kits were designed and built by, and at, the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany GA. No NSN or outside manufacturing.

I too have heard the very same; however, after the recommendation to check for NSN's I located a partial NSN and the manufacturer on the glass! http://www.hawkinsglass.com/#home is trying to confirm if they are the manufacturer of the ballistic glass. THIS IS LOOKING VERY PROMISING. Thank you mdainsd for having me look it over with a fine tooth comb! lol

mdainsd · May 17, 2018

Glad to be of service, LOL.

juanprado · May 17, 2018

Sergeant21112 said:
All:
I need help locating anyinformation on a Marine Armor Kit (MAK) that was placed on our departments 2003 M1043A. A plate inside the HMMWV indicates the MAK was installed in 2009. Schematics or NSN's would be incredibly helpful! Anything I get from the military isn't the up armor kit and isn't helpful.
Thanks

View attachment 728509 View attachment 728510 View attachment 728511

See if this helps in your quest?

https://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?170202-TB-9-2510-251-24-HMMWV-Armor-Add-on

Source for up armored armor?

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