Armored shell kit and associated method of armoring a vehicle

1. A method of fitting a vehicle with protective armor, the vehicle having a cab including an outer body and occupant compartment, the vehicle having a frame, the cab supported on the frame, the method comprising:

installing an armored floor panel to the frame of the vehicle below the occupant compartment;

positioning an armored shell over the outer body of the cab, the armored shell having at least a top section, a rear section, and opposed side sections configured to surround the cab so as to protect the occupant compartment;

the armored floor panel having an area that is larger than an area of a bottom of the cab thereby defining an outer peripheral portion of the armored floor panel that extends peripherally outwardly from the bottom of the cab; and

securing the armored shell directly to the outer peripheral portion of the armored floor panel;

the armored floor panel and armored shell thereby being supported by the vehicle frame.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

removing a windshield from the original cab, the armored shell further including a front section with a bulletproof windshield.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising

removing at least one door from the outer body of the cab, the armored shell having an armored door to define a portion of one of the opposed side sections; and

installing a rear-view mirror to the armored door.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

installing at least one bracket to a front portion of the vehicle, the at least one bracket being configured to support armored material;

wherein securing the armored shell further comprises securing the armored shell to the at least one bracket.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

removing the armored shell from the cab of the vehicle; and

removing the armored floor panel from the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

installing at least one armored panel to a wheel housing proximate the occupant compartment.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

installing a weapon station on the top section of the armored shell.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the armored shell is configured to be spaced from the cab when the armored shell is secured to the outer peripheral portion of the armored floor panel.

9. A kit for fitting a vehicle with protective armor, the vehicle having a cab including an outer body and occupant compartment, the vehicle having a frame, the cab supported on the frame, the kit comprising:

an armored floor panel configured to be installed to the frame of the vehicle below the occupant compartment; and

an armored shell configured to be received over the outer body of the cab, the armored shell having at least a top section, a rear section, and opposed side sections configured to surround the cab so as to protect the occupant compartment;

the armored floor panel having an area that is larger than an area of a bottom of the cab thereby defining an outer peripheral portion of the armored floor panel that extends peripherally outwardly from the bottom of the cab;

the armored shell and the outer peripheral portion of the armored floor panel being directly secured to one another whereby the armored floor panel and armored shell are supported by the vehicle frame.

10. The kit of claim 9 , wherein the top section, the rear section, and the opposed side sections of the armored shell are welded together.

11. The kit of claim 9 , wherein the armored shell further includes a front section with a bulletproof windshield.

12. The kit of claim 9 , further comprising:

at least one mounting bracket configured to be secured to the vehicle and adapted to support armored material.

13. A method of fitting a vehicle with protective armor, the vehicle having a cab including an outer body and occupant compartment, the vehicle having a frame, the cab supported on the frame, the method comprising:

positioning an armored shell over the outer body of the cab, the armored shell having at least a top section, a rear section, and opposed side sections configured to surround the cab so as to protect the occupant compartment;

installing an armored floor panel to the frame of the vehicle below the occupant compartment, the armored floor panel having an area that is larger than an area of a bottom of the cab thereby defining an outer peripheral portion of the armored floor panel that extends peripherally outwardly from the bottom of the cab,

supporting the armored shell with the outer peripheral portion of the armored floor panel via direct securement of the armored shell to the armored floor panel, the armored floor panel and armored shell thereby being supported by the vehicle frame,

operating the vehicle with the armored floor and shell installed,

removing the armored floor and shell from the vehicle, and

operating the vehicle after the armored floor and shell has been removed.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of configuring the armored shell such that when installed on the vehicle the armored shell is spaced away from the vehicle cab outer body.