Max 8x8

[whipper-ag]

[JoeMeg]

This is going to be one neat machine. If there's anyone that can do it.....
O,by the way if you go with the diesel can I at least have the motor out of the tank trainer?
Joe.

[6X6]

... let's hear some opinions on what people would throw in if it was THEIR machine.... Just for fun
~m

If you want this to move, might as well go all the way.

V-4 Drag; Bore X Stroke 74 X 58.5; 1025cc; 275hp @ 10,000
Yes, it's a 2-stroke. Yes, I wanted one in my racer.
No I couldn't and Can't afford it, and No I have no Idea what tranny will handle it.
But you'll be the only 8-wheeler amphib doing wheelies at will, so whats a *few* grand?

Max IV 8 wheeled Springer

Sooo, would that be the Centipede?

[flyinwall]

if your worried about strength of the tub you could always use the tub to make a fiberglass mold then you could make the tub out of fiberglass and make it thick where it needs the strength (and then you could make and sell some tubs to fund the project)

[hydromike]

My biggest concern about the tubs wasn't the strength of the joint, but the water-tightness off it. The machine will get a 1/4" UHMW plate under and around the sides anway, so when the 80 or so rivets are installed holding it together, it won't go anywhere.

I'd LOVE to throw in a Turbo'd Kubota diesel, but we'll have to see where the budget is. Right now, there's far less than $100 bucks invested in the machine, and I AM on a bit of a budget. I have calls in to two local plastic fabrication companies, and I'm going to call around some more today to see if somebody will tackle the welding for me. I'd invest in a real nice welding gun, but they're upwards of $900-$1500 for an entry level unit.

Drader makes a great gun, but I can't even find retail prices for it. Heck, I'd even rent one, but they're not even available locally.

~m

[jerseybigfoot]

Mike if you are looking for a nice 4cyl 4 stroke at a reasonable price, even comes with a wrecked snowmobile attached to it.
YAMAHA RX1 IN NEED OF TLC: eBay Motors (item 120647838148 end time Nov-22-10 05:33:23 PST)
Then again you probably don't need 150 hp. It would make one heck of a racer.

[evil8x8]

I bet you could find a Geo metro with a 3cyl pretty cheap.

[racerone3]

you can make it fit SeriousHORSES VW Bug NEW motor engine midget race 198HP - eBay (item 150501453749 end time Dec-01-10 05:04:52 PST)

[FREQ42]

Mike if you are looking for a nice 4cyl 4 stroke at a reasonable price, even comes with a wrecked snowmobile attached to it.
YAMAHA RX1 IN NEED OF TLC: eBay Motors (item 120647838148 end time Nov-22-10 05:33:23 PST)
Then again you probably don't need 150 hp. It would make one heck of a racer.

If your interested I can look at this for you, it's only 10 miles away.

[LarryW]

Wow Mike, Im excited!! Definitely keeping my eye on this thread.

If you are interested in a 3 cylinder geo metro engine. I have one that has been sitting for years. It ran when parked kinda thing. Not sure what it needs but I can double check that the engine will turn and is not frozen. If you want it and can can travel my way to get it you can have it free. As long as you take lots of pictures!

[hydromike]

That would be very very cool Larry! Thanks very much for the offer! That's very generous of you. I don't know for sure what direction I'm headed in with the engine. A Metro would be about perfect, but if I can wrap my hands around a small turbo diesel, I may do that. It's a bit far off to make up my mind for certain.
I dropped the body off at a plastic welder nearby today. He won't even be able to get to it until Monday of next week, but agreed that it's a little challenging. He likes the project, and one of his employees just kept smiling at the idea of it.

I got a nice frame from RI, updated with larger bearings, reinforced T-20mount, etc., and I'll have to lengthen it and figure out how to run chain to the back axle. Metal will be the fun part, I'm already sick of welding plastic, and the project is less than a week old.

~m

[smog]

but if I can wrap my hands around a small turbo diesel, I may do that.

your friendly scrap yard may have a reefer unit off a trailer; most of them have japanese 3 cylinders diesel engines inside the shiny cover.

[jpswift1]

Mike, this project is soooooooo cool! I can't wait to see it in person........do you think you might have the tub done after next week? If you do, and you have some free time I'd love to come by and check it out. I know it's a little ways away, but what will you be using for tires on this beast? Can you imagine getting a hold of 8 Super Swamper Vampire ASXs?! That would definitely qualify for the ultimate 8x8 ever!!!

[Roger S]

I'm not familiar with the IV's drivetrain/chain system, but am thinking about how little length it takes to create a lot of slack, or too tight chains due to axle spacing. I know on my argo which has no real chain adjustment, .050" difference in axle centers would cause a big problem with chain slack. My point is, you might want to get the frame done first to make sure the chain slack is where you want, then bolt the tubs on and join them. Or maybe make a template off the frame and then use it on the tubs while joining them.

[hydromike]

If I could AFFORD eight Vampires, that would be a plausible option.... This build is going to force me to sell some stuff to fund it. I HOPE that the tub is done by mid next week. I pick the frame up this afternoon, and begin thinking about how I want to lengthen it...

Roger, I thought about the best way to go about axle spacing, and I basically came up with adding another 28"(ish), which is the axle spacing on the two back axles. This should let me keep the stock number of links on the "new" back end, and just fabricate a chain adjuster to go under the rear chain in some way (yet to be determined..... THIS Thomas Edison doesn't have his complete pile of junk, yet )

~m