Author Topic: Track armor  (Read 9862 times)

spec4don

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Track armor
« on: December 14, 2010, 06:28:22 PM »
Does anyone have the hole layout for the track armor on an M3? I have drawings of the track armor but no hole layout.

Thanks Don G.
1941 M2A1 not restored
1942 M3 Diamond T Mostly restored
1943 M3A1 Under restoration
1967 M51A2 Tractor
1945 WC 63 needs restoration
1967 M36 Long wheel base duece
1951 M135 GMC Fire truck conversion

spec4don

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Re: Track armor
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2011, 03:59:22 PM »
Been doing a little measuring and it looks like the front track armor on the M3 is the same as on the M2. They are both 48 3/4" by 16" The rear track armor on the M2 is also the same size as the front. The rear track armor on the M3 is 58" and some change.

From a production stand point this makes perfect sense. When they went to the M3 they wanted to keep as many parts in common as possible. Less unique parts and less retooling. Learn more about these wonderful machines everyday.

Don G. 
1941 M2A1 not restored
1942 M3 Diamond T Mostly restored
1943 M3A1 Under restoration
1967 M51A2 Tractor
1945 WC 63 needs restoration
1967 M36 Long wheel base duece
1951 M135 GMC Fire truck conversion

WayOffTrack

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Re: Track armor
« Reply #2 on: March 14, 2013, 07:31:07 AM »
Don,
Did you ever get all the hole locations you needed? I have a set or original m3 track armor, if you need anything let me know. These
have the small holes for the hinges for the troop seat lids.

spec4don

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Re: Track armor
« Reply #3 on: March 14, 2013, 11:30:23 PM »
I bought some repro stuff I'll need to go look and see what need. I may need some pictures of the front section to compare with. My fronts are M2 but should be the same as the m2 rears.

Don G.
1941 M2A1 not restored
1942 M3 Diamond T Mostly restored
1943 M3A1 Under restoration
1967 M51A2 Tractor
1945 WC 63 needs restoration
1967 M36 Long wheel base duece
1951 M135 GMC Fire truck conversion

WayOffTrack

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Re: Track armor
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2013, 06:35:46 AM »
The front pieces of horizontal track armor have a bevel on the front edge where it fits against the armor that mounts at a 45 degree angle
in front of each track. Might watch for that if swapping stuff around, i think it would fit ok without the bevel but not positive.

Halftrack newbie

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Re: Track armor
« Reply #5 on: November 22, 2015, 08:16:29 PM »
Is m3 track armor the same as m16 track armor?

spec4don

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Re: Track armor
« Reply #6 on: November 23, 2015, 10:16:32 AM »
There is one difference, maybe. A friend is converting an M16 to an M3. Found out the track armor is NOT drilled for the seat box lid hinges. He's been drilling but going through drill bits.

Don G.
1941 M2A1 not restored
1942 M3 Diamond T Mostly restored
1943 M3A1 Under restoration
1967 M51A2 Tractor
1945 WC 63 needs restoration
1967 M36 Long wheel base duece
1951 M135 GMC Fire truck conversion

steve1973

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Re: Track armor
« Reply #7 on: November 23, 2015, 11:12:42 AM »
The front pieces of horizontal track armor have a bevel on the front edge where it fits against the armor that mounts at a 45 degree angle
in front of each track. Might watch for that if swapping stuff around, i think it would fit ok without the bevel but not positive.

My original M2 armor horizontal front pieces are not beveled. Only the front 45 degree track armor is on all the halftracks I've owned. One thing Don and I found out is that the front horizontal piece on an M3 is the same size dimensionaly than the rear horizontal piece on the M2. The rear horizontal piece is slightly longer on the M3 where both horizontal pieces on the M2 are the same sizes.

Steve A.

WayOffTrack

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Re: Track armor
« Reply #8 on: November 23, 2015, 11:28:38 AM »
Quote
My original M2 armor horizontal front pieces are not beveled. Only the front 45 degree track armor is on all the halftracks I've owned.

That is correct I was mistaken in my previous post. I do have at least one piece of track armor, has the hole for the fuel tank drain and it has a beveled edge. I'll try and get a picture of it, must be off an m3 although I found it loose somewhere, maybe at Kevin Kronlunds. Thanks for noting that I hate to put out bad info.

« Last Edit: November 23, 2015, 11:30:44 AM by WayOffTrack »

supertrack

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Re: Track armor
« Reply #9 on: November 23, 2015, 03:37:37 PM »

WayOffTrack

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Re: Track armor
« Reply #10 on: November 23, 2015, 07:18:50 PM »
Lol. Funny how much stuff is different here and there. I'm glad to see that i'm beginning to wonder about my memory.

Darth_Kitten

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Re: Track armor
« Reply #11 on: January 27, 2018, 10:59:00 AM »
reviving an old thread here, but does anyone have the hole locations that they can share please? Time to start drilling.

Darth_Kitten

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Re: Track armor
« Reply #12 on: January 28, 2018, 07:27:29 PM »
Well I did my best, and here's what I came up with. Rear vertical and horizontals should be easy enough too. Hopefully will have that completed in the next couple days.

8683jb

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Re: Track armor
« Reply #13 on: January 28, 2018, 07:46:21 PM »
They look great Mark! Nice job!
'42 Autocar M2A1

MVPA member