Possible to rebuild 6x6 or 8x8 wheeler to a tracked vehicle?

[TheCreepyGuy]

So I was thinking that I might buy some old 8x8 or 6x6 and then rebuild it into a tracked vehicle. I was thinking about using tracks from a BV-206 (620 mm wide) and replacing the front wheel with a BV-206 drivewheel.

I'll extend the axles so the tracks will fit and perhaps try to fit a bv-206 suspension instead of the original wheels depending if it would be possible or not.

The vehicle would of course have to become higher, but that would allow it to drive over steeper slopes and holes, right? A problem i'm thinking about is that the engine weight might make it dip forward if I replace the front wheels, any solution for this or just put a weight on the back?

It would get much wider but the track pressure would be extremely low so it should have extremely good capabilities in snow and mud. I also think it would mostly likely not be able to float anymore, but if it does the tracks should be able to propel it forward as the BV-206 is amphibious and uses the tracks to propel forward.

What do you guys think about this? A good idea?

[john swenson]

hey guy... i think your idea can be done. look on you tube under home built tracked vehicles. lots of great designs including home built drive cogs and tracks. i have figured how to do it with my max 2 six wheeler using the front or rear axle for the drive cog. the frame would be longer than the body in order to spread the main ground wheels apart for stability. they would also be lower than the drive axle so above could be the top track support wheels. like on a tank. the only drawback is once it's done it stays a tracked machine only..atleast without a design to be able to switch easily back to tires only. keep at it and check those videos. johnboy va.

[TheCreepyGuy]

I actually know quite a bit about tracked vehicles and tanks. That's why I want to build something like that. Making it from scratch would cost quite a bit much and possibly make it quite brittle so that's why I got the idea to rebuild a 8x8 or 6x6 with some easily accessible and cheap spare parts made in my country for the BV-206.

The tracks are quite hard and built to be used during all seasons. I'm mostly thinking that the increased height from the suspension might make the vehicle a bit prone to dipping backwards or forwards somehow. But the bv suspension is quite low so it shouldn't be a problem really...I'll have to make some drawings and stuff before :P

[john swenson]

yes...i forgot to mention look under homebuilt russian tracked machines, those guys are very good at these. many of them use auto slip differentials driving the cogs...they use a brake on each axle side to engage the steering. there are a few on there that are quite amazing...look forward to your ideas. j.b.

[TheCreepyGuy]

And that is the reason why I am learning Russian If I ever would build my own tracked vehicle from scratch I would use the German double diff steering using an electrical engine and a steering wheel. I guess I'll keep this post updated on my ideas to rebuild but before I make any progress I need to buy a cheap 6x6 or 8x8 broken or not.