M35A2 Cab reinforcing panel for M66 ring mount

[readyman]

I finally found a TM with a picture of the cab reinforcing panel for M66 installations.

Is there someone with this panel installed on the inside back wall of the cab that could tell me the sheet metal thickness? The TM shows a pop rivet installation so I'm guessing it's on the thin side.

 

[Boatcarpenter]

 

[Dieselsmoke]

It's 3/16" on my m35. They aren't just any cheap pop rivets, I had to buy an air riveter as these suckers are the toughest rivets I've ever seen.

 

[ida34]

I know I promised pictures today but my daughter was in a basketball tournament all day. I will get some posted tommarow. She won all games and those pictures took priority.

Chuck

 

[readyman]

Dieselsmoke,
Whoa, 3/16? that'll really rigidize the cab for sure.

ida34
Congrats on the bball game.

 

[rmgill]

What's wrong with the cabs in the first place?

 

[readyman]

rmgill,
When you bolt 575lbs of machine gun/ring mount and ammo to the thin sheet metal... it's too weak to support it.

 

[rmgill]

Ahh, in that case I understand.

 

[Dieselsmoke]

There is also another modification for the cab that replaces or modifies the cab mount at the back of the cab by the parking brake drum. I've seen it up close on one truck but of course did not have the camera with me I'd like to find some good pics of that mount as well. Yes you can definitely feel the flex in the cab before adding the reinforcement plate, especially with a .50 mounted up there.
Anyone have the canvas brass deflector or backrest pad for the mount available? I have a rotten back pad, if there's enough interest I'll see if Pizzoferrato will reproduce them and give him this one for a pattern.

 

[ida34]

Here they are. They run the full length of the back of the cab from Rear door post to rear door post.



A few different panels and alot of pop rivits mixed with some stitch welds. The first pic is of the ubolts they cut instead of unbolting. Incidently, there are holes in the reinforcement panels that are used to access the nuts on the ubolts. They must have been in a hurry. I am going to take them off and weld them back together.

 

[ida34]

Opps to many pics. Here are the rest.

 

[readyman]

ida34,
Thanks a million for the detailed pic's!
Now if I can't find a reinforcing kit, I'll at least be able to fab one up for myself.

Dieselsmoke,
I'm 'in' for the backrest pad and catcher, I have neither, if you can find a pattern and get some made.
Is the rear mount mod like the 2nd last ida34 pic? Is that an extra piece of sheet metal to capture the crossbrace?

 

[ida34]

I would be in for a backrest pad and catcher. Let us know if you can get it going.