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CamoDeafie82
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Sep 8, 2019
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I picked up a FILBE pack with suspension and belt, mounted to a DEI 1603 (MOLLE II) frame, which is totally not the correct frame; so I took it apart, turns out it's missing the QD lower straps, the FILBE/1606AC frame, and lower compression straps.... so I ordered off Ebay a 1606AC frame that has the straps needed; for $40 shipped....while I am waiting on the frame to show up off the FEDEX truck in a couple weeks at the latest ; I decided to watch the USMC video on how to fit the FILBE system to the frame, and thought; why not try it on an ALICE frame? Here are the fruits of that result! Split into two posts;
Suspension on the frame; pretty simple; you use the two vertical straps on the back of the FILBE shoulder straps, loop over the frame, feed the lower straps through the shoulder strap slots on the frame if you want to make it stay secure, and then attach the 4 horizontal straps to the frame perimeter; be sure to leave the load lifters/stabilizers unbuckled for this
For the waist/kidney belt; same as Hellcat mod; but wrap the horizontal center strap over the vertical bar; this helps pull the belt further back if you are of a smaller stature. Ideally a dedicated ALICE frame belt would be best here, Fireforce USA offers one, as does Tactical Tailor.
To mount the FILBE pack to the frame/suspension assembly, you simply slide the sleeve over the frame and shoulder yoke pieces, this is the reason to unbuckle the load lifter/load stabilizer straps.
The FILBE yoke has a couple of metal loops on the sides; these are to attach the FILBE pack's "yib-yab" tabs; on the 1606AC frame, these tabs go through the frame tabs, or into the loops if you are mounting the pack for tall torsos.
More next post!
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CamoDeafie82
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Another view of the tab on the metal loop
The FILBE pack has a couple horizontal straps with metal loops for attachment to a frame; You simply thread the webbing through the rings, and tighten as much as possible on the frame perimeter
The FILBE pack has a couple D rings on the lower ends, for use with the shoulder yoke assembly, if the frame breaks. However, unlike the ALICE packs; there are no ladder lock/friction buckles and webbing to mount to the frame. Here, I have threaded the lower straps that came with the FILBE to the D ring, and the frame hole. This works in a fashion.
Since the straps are not original to either the FILBE or the ALICE frame; and the QD straps are absent, I utilized the friction buckles provided on the shoulder straps for such a duty. So nice of the USMC to add backups in case QD fails
I stuffed the pack with my Costco down underquilt and wife's red down bag in the main compartment, USGI Intermediate cold weather mummy bag in the bottom compartment, and the USGI poncho liner in the lid. the pack is absolutely enormous compared to even the Large ALICE. I will post up comparison photos of the ALICE Large if I can find all the parts to the frame.
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Cachersquirrel
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Sep 9, 2019
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Did you order a 1606 or a 1609 frame as in the post. They are different frames for different packs. The 1606 is the USMC FILBE frame and the 1609 is the Army Medium Ruck frame. Both can be used on an ALICE pack, but the 1609 would probably not do well under FILBE pack weights.
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CamoDeafie82
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Sep 9, 2019
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Cachersquirrel said:
Did you order a 1606 or a 1609 frame as in the post. They are different frames for different packs. The 1606 is the USMC FILBE frame and the 1609 is the Army Medium Ruck frame. Both can be used on an ALICE pack, but the 1609 would probably not do well under FILBE pack weights.
My mistake, its the 1606AC/FILBE frame that I'm waiting on
Vrelik
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Sep 10, 2019
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Looks real good. I have wanted to try a FILBE for a while. So far have used the Alice, ILBE Gen2 and Molle II ACU.
In the first picture I'd put the two vertical straps over the horizontal support in the middle section of the frame. That way you have a more stable shoulder straps and well secured while preventing the whole shoulder straps from sliding up. Also, I'd wrap some duct stape on the metal to protect the strap. I used to do that to my Alice frame.
I used the Alice frame for like four years. I don't complain but I wanted to reduce weight and a better way to attach the Molle hip straps.
You see the way most Molle hip belts are attached to LC frames is not the most efficient because only the upper straps take the weight while the two lover straps remain "free" this affects stability with heavy loads and damages the securing straps on the back of the belt.
After some thinking I came up with a way to secure the four straps to the LC2 frame in such a way that weight was distributed evenly and it changed everything.
I ordered a 1606MC for my Alice some time later and that's what I have now.
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CamoDeafie82
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Sep 10, 2019
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Vrelik said:
In the first picture I'd put the two vertical straps over the horizontal support in the middle section of the frame. That way you have a more stable shoulder straps and well secured while preventing the whole shoulder straps from sliding up. Also, I'd wrap some duct stape on the metal to protect the strap. I used to do that to my Alice frame.
The problem is the vertical straps aren't long enough to wrap around both frame top and horizontal bar, a pair of general purpose straps or LC2 shoulder strap pieces would likely be of use to connect the horizontal bar to the webbing slots on the yoke.
Vrelik
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Sep 12, 2019
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CamoDeafie82 said:
The problem is the vertical straps aren't long enough to wrap around both frame top and horizontal bar, a pair of general purpose straps or LC2 shoulder strap pieces would likely be of use to connect the horizontal bar to the webbing slots on the yoke.
I didn't see that. The third picture shows that straps are not that long.
I have an Alice frame with a woodland Molle shoulder straps and the vertical strap to adjust high is long long enough to go all the way down to the base of the frame and up to the buckle. I don't know why the made those straps so short in the FILBE.
Attached is a picture of what I made to the frame to effectively attach the adjustment strap in regular Molle shoulder straps.
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CamoDeafie82
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Sep 12, 2019
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Vrelik said:
I don't know why the made those straps so short in the FILBE.
They're only to wrap around the frame horns on the sides that the FILBE pack bag's tabs attaches to, in two heights; there are no 1.5" wide and long vertical strap like the older MOLLE II shoulder yokes. It does look like the FILBE yoke is more comfortable than the original ALICE straps.. because of the wrap around design and having two locations to pull the load from.
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