protacman Posted December 14, 2005 Share Posted December 14, 2005 I was very fortunate to be the 1st person to show an Acmat in the U.k. These vehicles are a French update of a WW11 Dodge. Rough features; 4.20 Tonne Perkins Diesal 6 cyl 35 miles to the gallon Range on tanks, 1000 miles. 1st built 1960's Still in production Used by several Armies and a current BA vehicle. Many, many versions........ I have owned 9, all ex Irish Defence Forces. I currently own 3. Cost from factory at this time £ 120,000 These are, still, hand built, hence the high cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted December 15, 2005 Share Posted December 15, 2005 You own 3 (!!!!), you have some deeeeeep pockets! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protacman Posted December 15, 2005 Author Share Posted December 15, 2005 very empty pockets :wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joris Posted December 16, 2005 Share Posted December 16, 2005 Lol yeah, indeed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protacman Posted December 17, 2005 Author Share Posted December 17, 2005 This is the version we are going to build this time. This picture was taken during our visit to the factory. Chassis up assembley, look no power tools! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protacman Posted December 22, 2005 Author Share Posted December 22, 2005 This is the donor car. As you can see bought as scrap as were all my Acmats . Bare in mind they saw a very hard service life, over their 20+ years. In fact this one served in Somalia as a Gun Bus. They were armed with a .5 and up to 3 GPMGS, While protecting Food convoys. Remember Blackhawk Down, same time same place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowie Posted December 22, 2005 Share Posted December 22, 2005 look's good, best of luck an be shure to keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protacman Posted December 23, 2005 Author Share Posted December 23, 2005 I'm going to create this version using the origanal troop carrier rear body, shortened, and a modified 2nd cab. Now this has never been done before so don't try this at home. The rear body during dismemberment. The unmodified 2nd cab. Of course I will lose the fuel tanks. But I have a cunning Plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protacman Posted December 24, 2005 Author Share Posted December 24, 2005 If you look at this picture you can see a filler cap over the wheel arch. This is for the 200 litre fresh water tank that is a feature of every truck. It is shaped over the rear diff and between the chassis rails. I'm going to convert this into the Fuel tank. It has been shortened by 2 feet to allow for the cab to sit over it. Manufactured from stainless steel it should do the job well. By the way there is an Acmat on Milweb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protacman Posted December 31, 2005 Author Share Posted December 31, 2005 Christmas is a time, to spend on your hobby................. Starting to cut the Tub. Then we moved to the shed to work on the main job, rebuilding the rolling chassis, Engine and gearbox. All parts basically sound and together but well worn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protacman Posted January 2, 2006 Author Share Posted January 2, 2006 So to the Engine We put the stripped down heart of the beast in place prior to moving the chassis into the work shop. Fitting the starting motor. We decided to spin the Engine with no injectors to clear the bores of any F.O. or water that may have gathered. I had a real fear of Hydrostatic lock. I had stored the Engine in the open and the intake covering was breached. David and myself wondering where all the bits go. All the cans of bits have to go somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protacman Posted January 19, 2006 Author Share Posted January 19, 2006 We installed the rad and extras the compressor and starter are very close Take a look at the hours on this unit,1994, after 23 years service. I am told that this is one year of normal life We then fitted our gearbox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyler Posted January 21, 2006 Share Posted January 21, 2006 Hi, looking at the pic of the dash they obviously liked there placks. Tyler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protacman Posted January 24, 2006 Author Share Posted January 24, 2006 Yes,signs for everything. I'll put up a complete picture when its finished. I'm having trouble with the drive shaft coupling . I had a special made and have brought it back three times now. It appears to be to tight on the splines after the welding process. I put it on as far as possible with a mallet but had to hammer it off. I'm worried about damage to the gearbox. :cry: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protacman Posted February 14, 2006 Author Share Posted February 14, 2006 Ok fixed the drive shaft coupling, lots of filing. Been working on the rear cab section. Also K. bought us a new welder so I have been renewing old skills. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protacman Posted February 19, 2006 Author Share Posted February 19, 2006 Here are some pictures of the work on the second cab. We had to remove the Dash Cut the body to straighten the passenger side wall, keeping the front to rear lines correct. And build a new floor and fire wall We then test fitted the Cab, lots of grunting. and sat in it for the very first time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protacman Posted February 26, 2006 Author Share Posted February 26, 2006 Sand blasting in Ireland............. So i phoned one guy in Dublin (35 miles away) and one in Portloise (25). The Dublin man said he could do the job right away, price being nearly the same so he won. Loaded the gear in my twin wheel trailer and drove up to Dublin (In Ireland it's always up to Dublin). What a Bad person. He greets me with the phrase "thats a very expensive trailer" and "It's a very expensive hobby doing up old cars". Wouldn't confirm his price until we unloaded the bits ie wings tub and bonnet. £400 he requested and possibly more by the time he finished. I reloaded the bits in the Trailer while he went for a walk around his yard. We drove to Portloaise, the nice man there said he'll have them ready by tuesday for the agreed price of £125. The lesson I took from this My gut said P/loaise from the start If you feel like your being ripped off you probably are and as I used to say in the Army " I don't mind them riding me ,I just wish they would kiss me first". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirhc Posted February 26, 2006 Share Posted February 26, 2006 The best kind of sandblasters are the people who are into restoring old stuff themselves. We uses a farmer who has some old trucks etc. If anyone in the East Midlands needs stuff doing I recommend these guys: http://bosworthbros.co.uk/blastcleaning.htm Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polecat paul Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 I had a few bad experiences with sand blasting quotes in the end i brought my own unit and do all my own stuff ,so if anyone in the north wales area needs anything doing give us a shout Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 interesting points. What are the costing for buying/using sandblasting equipment? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protacman Posted February 27, 2006 Author Share Posted February 27, 2006 I got a phone call today , parts done, ready to be collected. Excellent job. Thank you "M+M sandblasting Portloaise". Already back in the Shed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protacman Posted February 28, 2006 Author Share Posted February 28, 2006 Converting the drivers door On the normal roadstar Cab the spare Wheel is mounted on the Door. Why? Bullet protection and to give you somewhere to rest your elbow. So to make this version I have to balance the twin Cabs, in other words build out the front cab the same as the passenger side. This is a big job, for me anyway. This is the door after cutting with a 6" grinder, see how thin it is? I welded in a vertical post to make both doors the same width. I welded on a rear plate to match the section of the rear Cab and bars to define the new shape. I then started to cover the shape with a light skin DON'T LOOK AT THE FLASH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protacman Posted March 22, 2006 Author Share Posted March 22, 2006 The fuel tank conversion This is the water Tank that I am converting to become my new fuel tank I used a hole cutter to open two places for the fuel lines and gauge. We then mounted the Tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protacman Posted March 26, 2006 Author Share Posted March 26, 2006 So with the Tank ready I can now mount the rear body behind the second cab. We decided to use a forklift to place the section onto chassis This is Mick starting the lift. The under side of the body, where the tank is mounted. the tank in position,did we really go under that body? No................. that would be crazy. Lifting in the section. Placing it on. So far this is looking good! very professional. An excellent bluff!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Carefully lowering the final inches (or Centimeters) final positioning to ensure the tank will not be rubbing anywhere. The Highly professional bluffers!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
protacman Posted May 4, 2006 Author Share Posted May 4, 2006 now for pictures of the buck in place I have manufactured complete seats for both sides using origanal parts The fuel tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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