home made 6x6 comments please

[Mike]

Chris, that is some amazing metal work. You should start a new thread here in the other AATVs section of the site so we can ask a ton of questions about it.

[mudbug3]

chris davison

I have followed your progress on the VW powered 8x8 on route6x6. I,m glad you decided to join us on the forum here.

[racerone3]

OK Mike their are a couple of pics in the gallery under VW powered 8x8. Going to install the motor this week. And all the guys are right put the disc brakes right on the rearend, the fastest rotating shaft.
With the IRS trans axle you have both the 4 speeds and the rearend in one light weight unit and as we all know a ton of after market parts are avaliable. The IRS has short axles 2" then a bolt flange with 6 bolts. I added a 12" shaft and put the disc brakes from a cadillack and then did a 2/1 reduction to a jack shaft then to the axles with # 80 chain. The rend axles are dead center of axle #2 & #3 so weight is just slightly to the rear.

when you get a chance can you snap some pics of the interior of the machine and the drive setup?

[chris davison]

OK Mike their are a couple of pics in the gallery under VW powered 8x8. Going to install the motor this week. And all the guys are right put the disc brakes right on the rearend, the fastest rotating shaft.
With the IRS trans axle you have both the 4 speeds and the rearend in one light weight unit and as we all know a ton of after market parts are avaliable. The IRS has short axles 2" then a bolt flange with 6 bolts. I added a 12" shaft and put the disc brakes from a cadillack and then did a 2/1 reduction to a jack shaft then to the axles with # 80 chain. The rend axles are dead center of axle #2 & #3 so weight is just slightly to the rear.

[Mike]

Chris, you've got to start a thread on your ATV and tell us all about it. That definitely sounds interesting. Upload some pictures to the gallery so we can see what you have done.

[chris davison]

Funny how you drew that frame picture its exactly what I have already built. I went with a vw irs trans axle its only 85 pounds. The vw motor I bought is a 69 1500 with 53 hp and 78 fpt its only 14 1/2 inches long and 30 inches wide. With the gear ratios and sprocket reduction it will have 2400 fpt to the axles. in first at 2600 rpm but the nice part is it has a seadoo 650 pump in the rear to propel it thru. the water

[TripleTriple]

The t-20 by itself has approx 6.25 : 1 internal drive reduction, but our machines use a cvt belt drive, so the final drive ratio is constantly changing. If you use a direct drive, the only way to make drive ratio changes would be to have a multi speed gearbox.

So assuming the CVT runs as high as 1:1 that would be the same as High gear in a manual-you would need to find a dif of like 3.73 (suzuki samurai) and from the diff you would have to run at about 2:1 between the diff and the chain drive to the axels-Hmmmmm definately doable!
Does anybody know what the range of reductions for the CVT? That would be helpful for any custom build. Exspecially the low range of the CVT (like 1st gear)?
I can't wait to see this thing! Skid steering and "bangin' gears" !!! Now THAT is cool!!

[kunzmm137]

i was under the impression that a T20 was a reduction gearbox

The t-20 by itself has approx 6.25 : 1 internal drive reduction, but our machines use a cvt belt drive, so the final drive ratio is constantly changing. If you use a direct drive, the only way to make drive ratio changes would be to have a multi speed gearbox.

[flyinwall]

i was under the impression that a T20 was a reduction gearbox therefor reducing toe "10000 RPM" down to about 5000 rpm output and the zook motor is about 50hp and im pretty sure that they have a bit more torque than a single or twin cyl motor and since it will be a totaly custom build i can make it all fit but if i can find a 3 cyl front wheel drive i will change my plans (since i havnt started to cut any steel yet i can easily change it)

[TripleTriple]

i dont know why the transfer would be needed but i am considering a zook 1.0 lt motor and 4 speed and i will be using a diff from an indepandent rear suspension vehicle as i dont need all the diff tubes

The Zuk drivetrain is actually pretty long. How big do you want this thing? The main issue I see is Gearing or the lack there of. Everytime you lock one side of the Dif to turn, the other side will double in speed and get half the torque. The Zuk engine is not known for it's power and it might not take the RPM it would be required to in order to compensate for large tires and the differntial issue. Some of the small engines used in these things turn around 10000 RPMS and still only go 25 MPH.
At the risk of being a "devils advocate" how useful would a 4 speed be in any 6x6? Would it be worth the extra size, weight and hassle?
My thinking is this. Will it work? Yes, IF the final gear ratio is correct. Do you have enough opportunity to gear it correctly within the design? I don't know. Argo makes it work so with enough thought I'm sure you can. I'ld find a skid steer transmission and sell a child or two LOL!

[flyinwall]

i dont know why the transfer would be needed but i am considering a zook 1.0 lt motor and 4 speed and i will be using a diff from an indepandent rear suspension vehicle as i dont need all the diff tubes

[Noel Woods]

I'm new to 6x6's but I know a thing or two about the Suzuki Samurai's...
The Samurai gearbox is a good Idea if you mean the t-case. Its all gear, has high and low with a 1.23:1 reduction in high (stock) and and a huge aftermarket (mine has a 5.13:1 Low range ratio from Calmini.) The best part is that it is divorce mounted (not directly attached to the transmission-it uses a driveshaft) This would give you a lot mounting options and adjustability in regards to ratios. Its also lightweight and bulletproof in a light vehicle. Toyota pickups my be another good source for the diff. You should have a lot of those in "Oz"
my 2 cents.

I agree about the Samurai Transfer case, they are available in your area, are stout, small & serviceable. I've considered the T.C. out of these machines for years
& the compact design lends itself to AATV application. From what I remember the weight is similar to a t20 too.

[TripleTriple]

I'm new to 6x6's but I know a thing or two about the Suzuki Samurai's...
The Samurai gearbox is a good Idea if you mean the t-case. Its all gear, has high and low with a 1.23:1 reduction in high (stock) and and a huge aftermarket (mine has a 5.13:1 Low range ratio from Calmini.) The best part is that it is divorce mounted (not directly attached to the transmission-it uses a driveshaft) This would give you a lot mounting options and adjustability in regards to ratios. Its also lightweight and bulletproof in a light vehicle. Toyota pickups my be another good source for the diff. You should have a lot of those in "Oz"
my 2 cents.

[quintonhall]

Interesting idea on the small front wheel drive car engine tranny with brakes for steering. This setup running large truck mud tires would give extra traction, the taller tires would give more ground clearance as well as allow easier climbing over objects. The tires could give the needed flotation, sealed tub would not be needed. water speed should be better due to centerline of tire could be out of water.

[Robinhood02]

P1050867.jpgtrain.jpgengine.jpgDSC00913.jpgok hereare the only ones i can findconstruction of inside.jpg