Hello every one I have a QT about the suspension upgrade on the Maxx Pro. First Is it being used in Afghanistan?
Second is this variant a special OPS unit or is it for both the Army and Marines units?

Edit: This is a Combat photo! Cool


Equipment testing photos.

That first photo is not a training photo. That was taken in Ghazni Afghanistan with paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne in contact.

It is in common usage in Afghanistan with Army units. I'm not sure the Marines use the Maxx Pro, I was under the impression the Marines are using Cougar CAT 1's, and M-ATV's, where as the Army uses pretty much everything.

Special operations forces seem to use the SOCOM M-ATV, the upgraded RG-31's, and the Panther MRAP (RG-33 variant).

An the 3rd QT-Question is, Is the set up for the front communication disc brake and axle the same for the rear??

Edit: Well that's two QTs' answered! Thanks you sir.

This will give you another idea about who is using what MRAP's these days and in the future.

http://www.peocscss.army.mil/PdMAMS.html

Hay that large tired RG-31 looks really cool and I'm going to scratch build a Husky my self.
As so other builds have, I don't want any resin kits.
I found this photo on here, this is not my work YET!


An now to get any info on the upgraded suspension.

Edit: Oh an in the combat photo at the top, I like that the RWS is mounted on top. I'll be adding that to my build as well.

Say any one knows how many lugs on that wheel??

I'd wait on that Husky. 300 photos with interior can't be wrong.

As for the older Maxx Pro, very few remain, and the ones that do shouldn't even be there. Many have already become artificial reefs.
Yes the suspension units front and rear are very similar.

The MaxxPro PLUS is the one currently being used is it not? The older one with the raised turret platform, is that what you are referring to?

Are they really dumping these things into the ocean as reefs like they did the M60/M113/M551's?

The dual rear wheel Plus is out as well. Due to rollover hazard on the older models, the only ones being currently fielded have the independent suspension.
And yes, they are simply being dumped into ocean. Shame, I'd love to buy one.

What's happening with the Cougars and RG-31Mk5E's?

The Cougar has been phased out of Ft. Carson for some time. My guess would be that it's not a unilateral move. I don't know about the RG31, but SF seems happy with the SOCOM versions of the RG33 and M-ATV.

All "legacy" MRAPs (ie pre-M-ATV vehicles) are to be fitted with Independent Suspension System (ISS) upgrades or otherwise divested. This has been the plan for some time now and you'll see a great many vehicles in the field with them fitted (I would imagine vehicles without ISS have already become less and less common).

Also remember that MRAP is just one program. Not all mine resistant vehicles fall under the MRAP program. The current plan calls for a certain amount of standardization. The Army's MRAP Cougar fleet (which doesn't include the JERRV vehicles managed by Route Clearance Vehicle program office) are going to the Marine Corps or otherwise being divested. What of the Army's MRAP RG-33 fleet isn't being divested entirely is being transferred to the Route Clearance Vehicle family to be retitled as MMPVs and be budgeted in that way. The remaining Army RG-31s, which are also still being used in the MMPV role, will be similar shuffled around. The Army will otherwise focus on retaining MaxxPro Plus and Caiman Plus vehicles as part of their in-storage "brigade packages" of MRAPs. The M-ATV will also remain in broad service, but if the winner of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle turns out to be the L-ATV there could easily be a budget shuffle to see them move into that program to make use of funds appropriated for it rather than worrying about the MRAP program budget.

I also assume that SOCOM will hand on to a variety of vehicles, and the Marine Corps may try to standardize the MaxxPro, Cougar, and M-ATV. I would imagine the USAF and USN would simply divest their vehicles after the withdrawal from Afghanistan or keep some scant few for security cooperation missions. I don't have any hard data on any of that though.

Here's a rear view for you. I can't release any more than this right now.

"TacticalSquirrel" I'm talking about the new version so I can upgrade my Legend kit. 18Bravo that is just what I was looking for, Thank you friend!!!

Okay, well maybe one more if it helps.

Thanks for the photos as they will help get me started.

After looking at the last Image over and over an in the frontal view, I see that there are not only two coils overs on the rear but there looks to be only one up front.

In looking at the frontal view you can see the shin of the aluminum shock rod showing through the blue coil. So when I build the lower A arms of the rear axel, I'm going to have to build the upper middle section of it to hold the dual coil over/shock mounts. An the last photo helps me position the two coil mounts.

Now if I can just get the shape of the front A arms over the rear set and the build up of the differential brake assembly., I know that this has another name I just can't think of it right now.

Edit: Oh and I for got that those are not dics brakes there air air brake drum. An notice the air brake chamber just passed the black muffler.

Ok I see that the name of this configurations is called the (MaxxPro Dash DMX) stated on the Navistar Industry site.
Navistar Defense vehicles page

I've started work on it so once I have of get the lower hull of the body were you will understand my build, I'll post photos.

Edit: I found an image of the front independent suspension which is the Hendrickson Independent Military Suspension.
Image and link.
Hendrickson suspension page



I'm still working on getting an image of the rear suspension set up.

Joe built up the Husky and it was featured in at least one magaizine, it is quite an excellent build.

I thought they still had some of the old MaxxPros at Camp Bullis, but I could be wrong. They tend to have a lot of the older vehicles out there.

Yes they do with these part that I have to rebuild.


Now when it comes to the wheel and tires I'm going with DEF Models M977 XZL sagged wheel and tire kit. I'll replace the wheel faces with the look of the DMX wheel.


See here that the XZL tire is larger and wider that the stock Legend MaxxPro kits tire. An yes I know it looks to be a little to big but I feel once I have the sus build and I do some test fits, It will look just fine.


Now the under belly of the cab (Seen in the first photo is warped and bending thick resin is way harder that thin parts. So I'm going to rebuild that part so I can have the best fit and looks. As on the Dash DMX this section looks no thing like the legend kit part.

Now I'm going to start a new post with all my progress in it.

I can't wait to see what you do with this. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask, I'll provide what I can thou Rob's images are more what you will need and well worth the money.

Take a look at the armor panels on the hull sides, I seem to recall they were different than the older MaxxPros but I could be wrong.

No your right that's why I'm going to rebuild that lower section. I'll have some progress photos up later to tomorrow. The "V" shape of the lower hulls sides that you can see just pasted the now cut off side storage shields, looks flat with armor plate added over it in sections.
An I want that section to look right. Now the full sides of the cab are pretty much the same. An the interior is much the same.

Now when I get to doing the interior I'll ask "QTs" "Questions" about any thing newly added but I don't want to talk about that right now as I'm not there yet. For now it's just the chassis and lower hull that I need to keep in mind.