Aircraft Crawler !

[TLCOR]

Go for it, buy one, and see how much money you have to sink into it to get it trail worthy.

I wouldnt hesitate... if I lived on the other side of the pond. You Americans are generally **very** lucky when it comes down to our hobby and cars. And I know, you guys might think the same about us Europeans..

I still want to know why you would buy such an expensive PITA just to be "different".

The thing is: They are cheap !

 

[tiger9297]

My guess is that this is diesel

I have one of those but mine does not have the Chevy body on it. It has the actual "tug" cab. It has a chrysler straight 6 in it. Yes, it is extremely heavy. Pretty much the underside of it including the bumpers are weights. These things can move a DC-10, they have to be very heavy. It was made to be run on concrete ALL the time.

 

[BadDog]

Hmm, that's an interesting thought. But it still leads to shafts turning at absurd speeds. Still, it might hold up well enough for a dedicated rock-rig that does not see any sustained speeds. But you're still stuck with some expensive custom machine work and an end result with serious limitations and questionable dependability. And there is also a limit to what you can do with tires size and keep it working well in the rocks. 60" chevron tractor and implement tires may be ok for mud trucks and Alaskan wheeling, but even the 48 and 54" Michelins are generally considered to big and far too stiff for most off-road rigs. Several have tried to use them to offset the gearing in Mogs (406/1300/etc.) and Rockwells, and I've yet to see anyone really happy with them in the rocks.

I really think that the only successful application would require the R/D investment to regear the hubs combined with a relatively traditional link suspension, and maybe ditching the tug frame for a custom square tube (or even C/K series frame for 3+3 or something?). Of course that assumes that the steering equipment and brakes would work "well enough" without major rework and modification.

 

[BadDog]

I wouldnt hesitate... if I lived on the other side of the pond. You Americans are generally **very** lucky when it comes down to our hobby and cars. And I know, you guys might think the same about us Europeans..
The thing is: They are cheap !

(voice of Homer Simpson) Mmmmm, Mogs....

There are pros and cons on each side I guess. I know lots of guys here (including myself) who would LOVE to have easy and cheap access to Mog and Volvo axles as well as the smaller diesel engines.

 

[TLCOR]

Hmm, that's an interesting thought. But it still leads to shafts turning at absurd speeds. Still, it might hold up well enough for a dedicated rock-rig that does not see any sustained speeds. But you're still stuck with some expensive custom machine work and an end result with serious limitations and questionable dependability. And there is also a limit to what you can do with tires size and keep it working well in the rocks. 60" chevron tractor and implement tires may be ok for mud trucks and Alaskan wheeling, but even the 48 and 54" Michelins are generally considered to big and far too stiff for most off-road rigs. Several have tried to use them to offset the gearing in Mogs (406/1300/etc.) and Rockwells, and I've yet to see anyone really happy with them in the rocks.

I really think that the only successful application would require the R/D investment to regear the hubs combined with a relatively traditional link suspension, and maybe ditching the tug frame for a custom square tube (or even C/K series frame for 3+3 or something?). Of course that assumes that the steering equipment and brakes would work "well enough" without major rework and modification.

I like your thoughts, I would have 49" iROKs Interco in mind, looks like some people are having success with them. One thing I absolutely would foreclose though, is pinionbrakes - even for off-road only. But hey, luckily (?) they come with brakes - still a "little" curious how that looks, though..

(voice of Homer Simpson) Mmmmm, Mogs....

There are pros and cons on each side I guess. I know lots of guys here (including myself) who would LOVE to have easy and cheap access to Mog and Volvo axles as well as the smaller diesel engines.

Hehe, and we'll love to have access to the endless junkyards, retailers, shops, trails, potential and aftermarket..

 

[DavidB]

Aw, screw it, I have the shop/resources, why don't i just get one and see what i can do with it?

I've been thinking about building some sort of offroad recovery vehicle for awhile. After towing things around wih my 7,400# mostly stock Cummins Dodge, (junk cars, trucks with no wheels in the desert, stuck motorhomes in the Pismo dunes) compared to guys with stockish half tons and "built" motors, I am entirely conviced that weight is what you want when you wanna drag something around. Look at tractors...smallish engine, low gears, big tires, heavy. Pulls a LOT of weight/plow/whatever. Heck, the old Ford 8N tractor we have at the shop pulled my brother's broken 1 ton K10 up a 4' bank in the mud. This thingy might be a good starting point for something like that.

 

[txhotrod]

Just to add my .2.

I was talking to Keith ,driver of Bigfoot #4, and hes was telling me that these are the same axles you will find under most monster trucks. The hub brakes are ditched for a conventional pinion disk brake, The axles are cryogenically frozen for strength issues, gotta keep the axles in one piece while jumping 300+ feet.
He used to race a bronco and while @ the mud bogs one nite he saw a 81 blazer with 48's doubler t-cases both sets of gears changed to achieved about a 14.1 final and a nv4500 for the tranny. He had a blown fuel injected 502 wit crazy power. HE could achieve 60 in a little less that 6 seconds and yet had a semi- usable suspension scoring a 800 on the rti ramp.
This was told to me so I can tell you a 100% its true but the source seemed to have his merits. All said and done it seems quite possible if we had the time and machinery, tooling and skills to pull it off. FYI Was told the guy ran a machine. Would love to try and build one but unds seem to be an issue, seems to be more for the pros @ this point.

Blazerkid

 

[75-K5]

Who cares about making it an offroad vehicle? I want one just for the sake of having it.

 

[diesel4me]

screw wheeling it!

I'd love to have one like that for a SNOWPLOW!!..I bet that thing would push ANYTHING !!..if it will tow a DC-10,I'm sure 3' of snow would be NO problem!!--especially if it weighs so much..wont take much to make that front bumper into a plow blade... ..great tow truck for off road recovery too..

 

[atho]

Its a aircraft-tug, built to pull 50,000 lbs aircrafts around on airports.

Yes I know that.

But WHAT is the military designation for these? I am throwing this out there for anyone to answer. Please?

 

[down4thakrown]

..great tow truck for off road recovery too..

thas a pretty good idea.......

 

[darenofears]

Snowplow :d

 

[TLCOR]

Aw, screw it, I have the shop/resources, why don't i just get one and see what i can do with it?

Get going ! To me it seems very possible making them into capable Crawlers. And regarding the weight, remember a big part of weight on these - are the axles. The exact same thing that makes you stay on firm ground and keeps your COG low..

 

[BozoWise]

Offcourse, I understand that very well. I like "everything" you guys (There, I said it again ) build, but it tends to be the same things.

And, I dont see one reason it'll cost anymore building one of these, versus a K5 eg.

TLCOR don't think this is a flat out flame because it isn't meant to be. But I have tried to stay away from your posts to not offened you but you do a bit too much internet building.

You cut and paste, spending vasts amount of time looking at all kinds of stuff while at the same time you are not "building" anything of your own. I think if you were you would realize why we all build similar things here. It is CK5!!!

I know that when I was into Heep's I was on a site with other similar minded people. I guess you could go as far as saying we built pretty much the same things. But I think it would be hard pressed to find any two K5's on this site that are the same. Maybe people have some similar parts but the sweet, tears and heartbreaks that we put into our vehicles is all unique.

I enjoy the fact that people here have allready made mistakes and that is what I try to learn from. When you have this many knowledgable people working on the same vehicle you are then you would be foolish not to head their advice because they themselves have already put out the effort to try it.

I just feel your opinions might change once you start building something and not looking at the multi-oggle expensive setups that you frequently link to. But I'll shut-up now and get back to work so I can afford more of the same parts we all want and my "membership" to this great land of CK5's

 

[TLCOR]

Wow, thanks Bozo. You dont think I have/build/wheel rigs ? I even managed to build a mildish one, spending $500 on it - including purchase. I know very well how it is about building things, and I spend how much time I want on the WWW and on my junk.

 

[DavidB]

This is a Chevy forum. It's a Chevy rig. Why not discuss it? And who cares if a guy does or doesn't have/build a chevy. I don't. I'm just involved in my brother's sometimes. CK5 is cool, so i hang out here. It's a forum for discussion. What's wrong with discussing?

 

[BozoWise]

Wow, thanks Bozo. You dont think I have/build/wheel rigs ? I even managed to build a mildish one, spending $500 on it - including purchase. I know very well how it is about building things, and I spend how much time I want on the WWW and on my junk.

Well you have stated numerous times that you don't have any trucks like ours and that it is too much money for a membership here because of this and that, gas prices etc. So from those comments and the fact that the only thing you have said you worked on "was actually not even yours" that does lead me to believe you are internet building. If I am wrong then please let me know what you are building.

I am not trying to bash you like it seems you think. I am just saying that sometimes you need to listen to the people who have already been there. I myself don't always do that, but I am trying to learn. That person is not me and hence why I never made a suggestion on this tug. I have a pile of parts that I "had" to have and now they are collecting dust because I was to hard headed to listen to otheres. But you tend to jump on people who make points on you posts that you don't agree with.

Seems to be that this project vehicle would work, but they are saying cost outways the benefits. Just like I think you yourself said. Why spend the money on taking a 10 bolt mod-d to the max when you could spend less money on a stock 60 that is stronger.

 

[TLCOR]

So from those comments and the fact that the only thing you have said you worked on "was actually not even yours" that does lead me to believe you are internet building. If I am wrong then please let me know what you are building.

WTF ??? When have I vere said that ??? I currently have six 4x4 projects, more than most of you guys have.

This is a Chevy forum. It's a Chevy rig. Why not discuss it? And who cares if a guy does or doesn't have/build a chevy. I don't. I'm just involved in my brother's sometimes. CK5 is cool, so i hang out here. It's a forum for discussion. What's wrong with discussing?

Ditto ! I hang out here beavuse I *really* like GM Rigs, and Im grown up with them, my father and a couple of uncles had some. They actually mean something to me.

 

[BozoWise]

This is a Chevy forum. It's a Chevy rig. Why not discuss it? And who cares if a guy does or doesn't have/build a chevy. I don't. I'm just involved in my brother's sometimes. CK5 is cool, so i hang out here. It's a forum for discussion. What's wrong with discussing?

I never said don't discuss it... I said value others opinions. Why ask about it if you aren't?


To steal a quote from a better write then myself. I am just rying to restate a opinion similar to CBBR. Cost and gain go hand and hand. And just because it will work doens't mean you should do it.

I've noticed that you ask that type of question a lot in regard to what 'we' consider the 'normal' way to build a K5. I will give you my opinion. It's not that anyone is uninterested in axles other than the normal chevy (portal axles, stuff of of 50 year old Volvo's), they just don't make a lot of sense. Especially here in the US where that stuff is very hard to get parts for. I can essentially rebuild my Suburban using parts from almost any parts store or dealership. I don't have to wait a month for the part to be shipped from Europe or pay the freight.

As to things like aircraft haulers, they just don't make any sense at all for most people. They are cool to look at and a novelty, but for the amount of time and money it would cost to make one useful you could buy a small fleet of K5's.

like I said, the box (or "normal") is there for a reason. it's practical.

 

[BozoWise]

It is comments you make like this that I have avoided your posts.

No I dont, I have seven: I got a Saab 900 Turbo free yesterday + I have 2 trailmotorcycles and some other junk. Do you still have a problem with that ? And like I stated before I will pay for a subscription, *when* I get a GM Truck. Period. And yes the gasprices really suck, and they are bringing me down.. Now, go away.

You also made reference to Swindler's truck on Desertrides.com saying that is was your truck and you were working on the cage. I don't want to make you made and dig them all up.

I just want to APPOLOGIZE for not being able to type out a decent reply that will not offend you. I in no way am trying to.

Simple sentence on what I was trying to say is..... Listen to people who have been there and built rigs like you are asking about.