Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV)

[gpready]

After several PM's about the USMC A2 mods (post HMMWV era) or FAV.... Here are some pics of a static leftover USMC A2 FAV. Don't be mistaken; I don’t claim to be a FAV expert and have only had the pleasure of riding in one back in 1996.
I will say that I have not witnessed two or more FAV's that were exactly alike. Marines are notorious for a lot of things and "hip-pocket modifications" seemed to be one of them. None-the-less, here is one to mirror from if you wish. Those that PM’ed me for mod measurements…I will be answering you in a PM with the specifics.

Fast Attack Vehicle

[Jay Mallari]

Thanks for the fantastic pics Joe. Did this one eventually end up as scrap metal?

Jay

[rickf]

Wow, Detailed pics with measurements! Very nice. Where is that located? I notice all of the pine needles. Looks like what I find at Ft. Dix.

Rick

[gpready]

This truck is still serving. Only as a static cover and concealment prop at the simulation town (combat town or MOUT) located at Camp Lejeune, NC. You can see the sim buildings in the background in one of the photos. Enjoy.

Joe

[Deserttmutt]

forgive me for asking such a silly question but i still have to know it anyway...... what are those chains on the front suspensions for?

-percy-

[gpready]

These were to eliminate complete (droop) articulation of the suspension. In theory.. It was thought to stop the M151 rollovers caused by the complete tuck of the wheels A-frame in a high speed turn.

In today’s world…A lot of 4X4’s use this method to restrict drive train overextending but at its most farthest droop point possible.... such as rock crawling rigs where the normal limiting devices (e.g., sway bars, track bars, leaf spring packs, etc.) are removed. The removal of these would be to allow for the “most possible droop” articulation for ground contact. But at some point it has to stop hence the strap.

Obviously the M151 limiting straps were used as a safety feature to counter (too much droop or in this case wheel tuck) and what is thought to be a flaw in the MUTT design…. .


Joe

[Deserttmutt]

THANKS Joe sure is the same purpose as to what i've seen on an A1 rear suspension assembly before!!
maybe a shorter stroke shock absorber will do the work too

-percy-

[rickf]

Shock absorbers are not designed to be suspension limiters. In normal operation it is not a problem because when the end of the shock is reached it is usually at a slow rate. When you are going fast across rough terrain the rear wheels, and the front, are coming off the ground very quickly. This slams the suspension weight and the spring against the shock and it will pull the shock apart fairly quickly. We used this type of limiter on off road VW buggy's which also had swing arm suspension. We usually used nylon straps though to give a little cushion to the limiter. Street racing V dubs used this along with camber compensator's to limit the suspension both ways.


Rick