Armoring a vehicle???

[roach]

One of the things I allow my mind to wander off to as I make various commutes is how I would go about armoring/beefing up the security on a vehicle.  Not bulletproofing, moreso bars/grates over the windows/windshield, adding push bars and hefty bumpers, that sort of thing.

Seems silly in a way, but gas is gonna be expensive for a long time before it's gone and vehicle security may become a serious issue.

Anybody actually done this or have any good links to DIY how-to's?  Figure there's gotta be some tricks.

some here: http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Armored-Truck.html

Pics for inspiration...

[Six Gun Jim]

Waste of time if you don't bulletproof it isn't it roach? It's not like somebody is going to carjack you with a knife.  You can bar windows and put pushbars all around it, hell a rocket barrier if you want, and all it takes to defeat it is a load of buckshot. Go to where a gas station is getting torn down and get the security glass if you want to start. Then get some stainless and sheeting from old appliances and layer it with mild steel sheet and nylon for your doors. When you get the bullet resistance done then the rest of it makes sense. -James 

[pamplemousse]

Did you see the episode of Burn Notice where they try to make their vehicle secure, but on a budget?

I loved the part where they used the yellow pages in the door space.  And I loved that they couldn't cheap out on the glass, had to do that up right.

[roach]

Did you see the episode of Burn Notice where they try to make their vehicle secure, but on a budget?

I loved the part where they used the yellow pages in the door space.  And I loved that they couldn't cheap out on the glass, had to do that up right.

that sounds like a good episode to watch...

[FilterFeeder]

Mobility is your best armour - and you'll have none of that bogged down, out of fuel and covered in tinplate 

[French Frog]

Ah! A Mad Max enthousiast!

[anarchyale]

Why not just buy an armored vehicle?

I waste time daydreaming about owning one of the nicer, more practical vehicles offered for sale on this site.

http://www.armyjeeps.net/armor1.htm

Not as expensive as you might think.

Sometimes they have armored cars for sale (like the ones the banks use), which could be a little more stealthy than driving a tank down the street.

[jmhpolar]

http://www.armyjeeps.net/armor1.htm

Very cool.  It pains me a little to know I could have had one of the Saracens for less than my freaking Saturn. 

[jtollison78]

Did you see the episode of Burn Notice where they try to make their vehicle secure, but on a budget?

I loved the part where they used the yellow pages in the door space.  And I loved that they couldn't cheap out on the glass, had to do that up right.

that sounds like a good episode to watch...

All episodes are good episodes to watch.

Actually, I saw this thread and opened it up just to comment on the phone book method, but I was beaten to the punch.

[GetGoing]

So then, if everyone rolled around in an armored vehicle, then what would be the point.  Can you imagine nothing but Hummer H2's  roaming the highways and crowding the Walmart parking lots?   You can bet there'd be lines at the gas pumps to keep all those beasts rolling from place to place.  And all in the name of safety from bomb blasts and machine guns.  What a wonderful world we would be living in then!

Getgoing

[gnosis]

Or, maybe the best defense is a good offense.

Like the japanese zero in WW-II. Lightly armored because it was designed with a mentality of "we're out there to be fighting the enemy, so we'd better
be taking it to them, and not worry about receiving any bullets".

Granted, some armoring is a good idea, but the photos you posted were insane (and f*ing cool).

I'd say this:

* Armor the tires. At least install some run-flat inserts if you won't do that.
* Armor the driver's side window and door (aluminum panels, kevlar, who knows what)
* Protect the engine somehow. Radiator is very vulnerable. They even sell bullet-proof batteries too.

Then, you'll be okay. Start to focus on the offensive. Use your head, and tactics to escape and evade instead of brute force.