Been a while since I came and thought out loud about freakish conversions. Lately I've taken to dreaming up some unusual vehicles, and have recently gained some 4x4 experience with a stock vehicle that is starting to inform what I'd look for in a specialized one.
I've taken a liking to Arctic Trucks (they're a custom shop) and the Jeep Lower 40. I'm thinking of something that isn't for rock crawling, but could keep traction on snow, sand, mud, and leaves while clearing a few small obstacles and keeping a low center of gravity. "Floating" on snow or sand is probably the first consideration.
1. Large tire/weight ratio. Do a search on "Jeep Lower 40". That vehicle is probably well over 4000lb, and has 40" tires. So if the vehicle was a Jeep TJ, in the mid-3000lb range, it could get away with smaller ones, maybe 37" min. If it was a CJ-7 under 3000lb, maybe even 35s.
2. Not a particularly high weight. 4000lb is about the upper limit.
3. A reliable, efficient engine. Preference to Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Hyundai. Not a big fan of Chrysler or Jeep engines. Should not require major mods to fit, ie no V8 in an S10. A 4cyl is actually preferred if the weight can be kept down.
4. Minimal or no lift. Wheel travel isn't a big deal. Ground clearance should be primarily from tire size, and breakover angle is not a major requirement. That was one of the principles of the Jeep Lower 40, as well as the AES Highline conversion for Jeep TJs.
5. Good fuel economy. Yeah, I actually asked for this. Here's what I'm talking about - I can hypermile a 4000lb midsize 5spd 4x4 with a 185hp V6 to nearly 25mpg. If the weight is lower, the body smaller, and the tires larger, 20mpg highway should be doable as long as there aren't any major drags. Unfortunately a traditional Jeep style body is probably a significant drag. Ideal body style would be S-10 Blazer 2dr. Range in the wilderness is part of the reason for efficiency, so I would expect no less than 10-15 on a rough but generally unobstructed trail or field.
6. Minor body modification is an option. So are longer axles to clear the larger tires from the frame, but my state (PA) requires metal fenders for most of the distance. Wheel wells should match wheels.
7. Custom frame is an option. Car unibody on custom frame is an option. This may or may not be a valid weight saving option. Main reason I would consider this would be to put the frame rails farther in to clear the larger tires.
8. Ok, maybe you have a strong argument for abandoning some of these criteria. Speak up. My recent 4x4 experiences were handicapped by relatively unaggressive tires, which I realize make a difference.
The old "get a girlfriend" suggestion isn't available now that I'm happily married.
Would love to hear some ideas.
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Location: The Land of the Ice and Snow..... Alaska
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Id go with Either a Diesel engine for the low end power and fuel economy or a propane FI conversion for the same reasens. But my first choice would be a diesel. The cummons 4bbt would be an excellent engine, lots of torque good fuel economy. Cant beat a Cummons! ANd just so you know Im a chevy guy and I hate dodges lol but one thing they did do right was use the Cummons Diesels, they are an awsome engine! If I were you and I HAD the money ( I dont maby you do lol) I would pick the body you like best and custom build your frame to fit your engine and Body. Keep in mind you will problubly have to do some sort of a lift or some major cutting of your fenders if you planon using a 40 inch tire.
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God Speed Arkansashunter, Ezearln, SwedeSteve, You guys will never be forgotten.
Last edited by AllAlaskan; 03-13-2010 at 02:51 AM.
I'm pretty satisfied with my big hemi, though the large gas tank is a must, for range! LOL! I run 33" tires, and found that a larger footprint helps, in ice and snow. I don't have a lift kit, and never had any trouble with ground clearance. Weight is a factor, though, and my 5000+ lb. truck tends to slip to the side, on a slope. What you are suggesting has been attempted, for years. But I don't think it's been perfected yet! I'd like to see some pics, when you get it ready for the hills!
Have you considered a subaru brat. They have a fairly low center of gravity have a TON of climbing power and with an EJ22 conversion it will put out a lot of horsepower. My buggy on my avatar is from a brat running gear.
Location: The Land of the Ice and Snow..... Alaska
Posts: 4,210
That is a cool lil brat, they have lift kits out there for those Subarues too..... Something I thought would be cool to get a Suby, put a 3 inch lift on it with some bigger nobby tires and take and drop in a STI engine and modify it to where the intercooler isnt hanging and is nicely tucked in and run the air intake up into an airscoop on top....have power and lift.... Those brats look like they would be fun to mess with.
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God Speed Arkansashunter, Ezearln, SwedeSteve, You guys will never be forgotten.
yep they can be used for a lot of purposes check out this one. Pretty amazing that the motor is still just a highly modded EJ22 used in most modern subys.
Id go with Either a Diesel engine for the low end power and fuel economy or a propane FI conversion for the same reasens. But my first choice would be a diesel. The cummons 4bbt would be an excellent engine, lots of torque good fuel economy. Cant beat a Cummons! ANd just so you know Im a chevy guy and I hate dodges lol but one thing they did do right was use the Cummons Diesels, they are an awsome engine! If I were you and I HAD the money ( I dont maby you do lol) I would pick the body you like best and custom build your frame to fit your engine and Body. Keep in mind you will problubly have to do some sort of a lift or some major cutting of your fenders if you planon using a 40 inch tire.
The cummins is so great because GM designed it.
__________________
In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons.
Herodotus
Id go with Either a Diesel engine for the low end power and fuel economy or a propane FI conversion for the same reasens. But my first choice would be a diesel. The cummons 4bbt would be an excellent engine, lots of torque good fuel economy. Cant beat a Cummons! ANd just so you know Im a chevy guy and I hate dodges lol but one thing they did do right was use the Cummons Diesels, they are an awsome engine! If I were you and I HAD the money ( I dont maby you do lol) I would pick the body you like best and custom build your frame to fit your engine and Body. Keep in mind you will problubly have to do some sort of a lift or some major cutting of your fenders if you planon using a 40 inch tire.
I dont know if its possible but subaru makes a new boxer diesel engine and one of those would be cool in a brumby.
Been a while since I came and thought out loud about freakish conversions. Lately I've taken to dreaming up some unusual vehicles, and have recently gained some 4x4 experience with a stock vehicle that is starting to inform what I'd look for in a specialized one.
I've taken a liking to Arctic Trucks (they're a custom shop) and the Jeep Lower 40. I'm thinking of something that isn't for rock crawling, but could keep traction on snow, sand, mud, and leaves while clearing a few small obstacles and keeping a low center of gravity. "Floating" on snow or sand is probably the first consideration.
1. Large tire/weight ratio. Do a search on "Jeep Lower 40". That vehicle is probably well over 4000lb, and has 40" tires. So if the vehicle was a Jeep TJ, in the mid-3000lb range, it could get away with smaller ones, maybe 37" min. If it was a CJ-7 under 3000lb, maybe even 35s.
2. Not a particularly high weight. 4000lb is about the upper limit.
3. A reliable, efficient engine. Preference to Ford, Chevy, Toyota, Hyundai. Not a big fan of Chrysler or Jeep engines. Should not require major mods to fit, ie no V8 in an S10. A 4cyl is actually preferred if the weight can be kept down.
4. Minimal or no lift. Wheel travel isn't a big deal. Ground clearance should be primarily from tire size, and breakover angle is not a major requirement. That was one of the principles of the Jeep Lower 40, as well as the AES Highline conversion for Jeep TJs.
5. Good fuel economy. Yeah, I actually asked for this. Here's what I'm talking about - I can hypermile a 4000lb midsize 5spd 4x4 with a 185hp V6 to nearly 25mpg. If the weight is lower, the body smaller, and the tires larger, 20mpg highway should be doable as long as there aren't any major drags. Unfortunately a traditional Jeep style body is probably a significant drag. Ideal body style would be S-10 Blazer 2dr. Range in the wilderness is part of the reason for efficiency, so I would expect no less than 10-15 on a rough but generally unobstructed trail or field.
6. Minor body modification is an option. So are longer axles to clear the larger tires from the frame, but my state (PA) requires metal fenders for most of the distance. Wheel wells should match wheels.
7. Custom frame is an option. Car unibody on custom frame is an option. This may or may not be a valid weight saving option. Main reason I would consider this would be to put the frame rails farther in to clear the larger tires.
8. Ok, maybe you have a strong argument for abandoning some of these criteria. Speak up. My recent 4x4 experiences were handicapped by relatively unaggressive tires, which I realize make a difference.
The old "get a girlfriend" suggestion isn't available now that I'm happily married.
Would love to hear some ideas.
1. You can get away with smaller Diameter tires as long as you go wider. The big diameter is really only good for clearance reasons.
2. I would suggest something along the lines of a chevy tracker or a suzuki samurai.
3. Diesel it helps with your fuel mileage goals. on a side note a v8 in a s10 is easy.
4. not sure on this you want big tires but no way to fit them and allow them to move.
5. Good luck with this you have a firm grasp on the factors. Make sure you re gear your axles to go with increased tire size.
6. this one messes with 7. if you have to have tires covered why is it that you can get away with custom frame work?
7. doing this would just be building a buggy. Most buggies are not for driving on the street.
8. You really need to define what you are going to be using this vehicle for. Is it just something you want to build for having fun in and off road driving? Or are you trying to build a capable 4x4 that you will also drive daily?
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In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons.
Herodotus
Location: The Land of the Ice and Snow..... Alaska
Posts: 4,210
Quote:
Originally Posted by 99z28monster
The cummins is so great because GM designed it.
No Cummins are there own compony just like International or Yamaha or Honda. They are not produced by GM. http://www.cummins.com/cmi/index.jsp...&newsInfo=true
They are there own compony that dodge has a contract with to produce them Diesel engines, which I believe 2010 is the last year of the contract with Cummins and Dodge. I heard a rumor that Dodge may be signing a Contract with Caterpiller for there nexr line of Diesels. I would have to look it up to be sure.... I will try to find out and leave a comment or edit this post to answer that.
Also a side comment I believe GM gets there diesels from a compony known as Navstar and even use trannys frm a diffrent compony called Allison. Ford on the other hand has produced there own and are redisgning a new Engine that uses an exhaust that instead of flowing to the outside of the engine and rapping around it dips down into the valley of the engine and then goes strait into the turbo..... Beware the Scorpion! 2011 Ford Super Duty gets all-new 6.7-liter diesel V8 — Autoblog
No Cummins are there own compony just like International or Yamaha or Honda. They are not produced by GM. http://www.cummins.com/cmi/index.jsp...&newsInfo=true
They are there own compony that dodge has a contract with to produce them Diesel engines, which I believe 2010 is the last year of the contract with Cummins and Dodge. I heard a rumor that Dodge may be signing a Contract with Caterpiller for there nexr line of Diesels. I would have to look it up to be sure.... I will try to find out and leave a comment or edit this post to answer that.
Also a side comment I believe GM gets there diesels from a compony known as Navstar and even use trannys frm a diffrent compony called Allison. Ford on the other hand has produced there own and are redisgning a new Engine that uses an exhaust that instead of flowing to the outside of the engine and rapping around it dips down into the valley of the engine and then goes strait into the turbo..... Beware the Scorpion! 2011 Ford Super Duty gets all-new 6.7-liter diesel V8 — Autoblog
its a 92 Explorer sport with a 4bt Cummins in it I want to do this then swap out the front for a Solid Axle and swap out the rear axle for a bigger one (stock has a 8.8 which is still a great lil rear end) and then lift it about 5-6 inches and throw some 35s under it. Some day I will have the money and time lol.
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God Speed Arkansashunter, Ezearln, SwedeSteve, You guys will never be forgotten.
Location: The Land of the Ice and Snow..... Alaska
Posts: 4,210
Quote:
Originally Posted by 99z28monster
I must have gotten my facts mixed up. Gm is working with cummin to design a new diesel engine 2.8l for the half ton trucks.
Actually thats the 4.5L I just posted, thats the engine they are designing for the half tone pickups. How ever they have sort of put it on hold atm. Hopefully they will bring it out soon though, I know if i was to buy a new truck I would take a diesel over a gas engine any day. FUel is higher but they last alot longer and usually get better fuel economy stock and definitly with aftermarket mods. One thing though is i dont know why they keep going with v8s when cummins has proven that you can get just as much if not more power out of a I6.
__________________
God Speed Arkansashunter, Ezearln, SwedeSteve, You guys will never be forgotten.
No Cummins are there own compony just like International or Yamaha or Honda. They are not produced by GM. http://www.cummins.com/cmi/index.jsp...&newsInfo=true
They are there own compony that dodge has a contract with to produce them Diesel engines, which I believe 2010 is the last year of the contract with Cummins and Dodge. I heard a rumor that Dodge may be signing a Contract with Caterpiller for there nexr line of Diesels. I would have to look it up to be sure.... I will try to find out and leave a comment or edit this post to answer that.
Also a side comment I believe GM gets there diesels from a compony known as Navstar and even use trannys frm a diffrent compony called Allison. Ford on the other hand has produced there own and are redisgning a new Engine that uses an exhaust that instead of flowing to the outside of the engine and rapping around it dips down into the valley of the engine and then goes strait into the turbo..... Beware the Scorpion! 2011 Ford Super Duty gets all-new 6.7-liter diesel V8 — Autoblog
^ thats the new Power stroke Scorpion. GM is also designing a smaller Diesel engine much similer to this design GM delays innovative new diesel truck engine
Just heard about this engine on the radio today. Production models will be out in a couple months. 420 ft lbs torque!
I want to do this then swap out the front for a Solid Axle and swap out the rear axle for a bigger one (stock has a 8.8 which is still a great lil rear end) and then lift it about 5-6 inches and throw some 35s under it. Some day I will have the money and time lol.
