Imagine lifting it 6 inches, putting a front axle, a double transfer case, a differential axle in place of the tag axle, and 37" tires. All for
$30,000 including the 29 ft. motorhome itself.
Originally posted by whistler
I was mechanic in the service and was the wrecker operator.5 ton,10x10.That thing was slower than hell but would go anywhere.
This thing woud use OEM axle and differential gear ratios that would enable it to be driven like modern pickup trucks, say 80 mph in the freeways, in
2WD mode of course.
Originally posted by David K
Oh Art... for off roading, bigger isn't better!
Only your first 4WD Motorhome/Van conversion could get to Mission Santa Maria and onto Shell Island's bottomless sand (two benchmarks in Baja)!
My current motorhome can handle Shell Island with ease ( unless muddy, I h8 mud!) and the 6x6 will handle Shell Island with ease too. MSM? Not for
the bigger motorhomes, I'm tired of fixing things that get loose, and broken.
David, you're right my old Class B motorhome is the largest (22ft long, 94" wide) that I would dare bring to MSM.
Originally posted by David K
Oh Art... for off roading, bigger isn't better!
Only your first 4WD Motorhome/Van conversion could get to Mission Santa Maria and onto Shell Island's bottomless sand (two benchmarks in Baja)!
My current motorhome can handle Shell Island with ease ( unless muddy, I h8 mud!) and the 6x6 will handle Shell Island with ease too. MSM? Not for
the bigger motorhomes, I'm tired of fixing things that get loose, and broken.
David, you're right my old Class B motorhome is the largest (22ft long, 94" wide) that I would dare bring to MSM.
[Edited on 9-16-2013 by edm1]
EPIC Nomad Group Adventure: 2010... Not only did edm1 climb back up the Widowmaker (<2 miles from Mission Santa Maria), but he pulled Neal Johns
camper up it too!!!
Photos (some not before published) of edm1's amazing 4WD motorhome on the toughest road in Baja!
Wow, those are some photos of my old motorhome that I haven't seen posted online before, though I recall they're in the CD that you gave me! Thank you
David. You're making feel I miss that motorhome.
LOL... Neal, that custom differential had to go sometime (with that huge load you carry)... So, aren't you glad it happened with friends along to
help?
Now, there was one other time you were hard on your Tacoma... and thank God for your satellite phone... otherwise Marian would have had to walk a
dozen miles to Hwy. 1!
Originally posted by whistler
Thanks for the photos.Fat chance I will ever see that place in person(unless I am in your Tacoma).
It is a very beautiful and magic place Glenn... Because it is so difficult to get to, makes it that more special... I have been 4 times (1999, 2003,
2007, 2010) and am getting the urge to go back... as I do every 3-4 years!
Originally posted by edm1
Imagine lifting it 6 inches, putting a front axle, a double transfer case, a differential axle in place of the tag axle, and 37" tires. All for
$30,000 including the 29 ft. motorhome itself.
suggest you look at something designed for heavier duty, like a unimog or sportsmobile. the typical RV has light-duty cabinets/fixtures that will
self-destruct on bumpy roads or if vehicle if repeatedly twisted on uneven roads.
sounds like you want low budget, so buy a fixer-upper.
With my experience offroad driving the 2 motorhomes in Baja as proving ground, I believe the 6x6 project vehicle would be a good Baja rig, on deep
sand, washboards, and mild 4x4 trails. It won't be a turnkey conversion, all the mounts - drivetrain, suspension, cabinets, etc, - would have to be
strenghtened, but the cost of the entire build will be just a small fraction, maybe 1/10, of building a similar "motorhome" based on conventional
hardened expedition rigs such as Unimogs, MANs, etc. Which I think are all uncomfortable to drive due to their weight, size, shape, and limited
highway speed limitations.
Originally posted by whistler
David,I'm just not into rock bouncing.Your photos are good enough but a video would be nice.
Over 20 years ago a friend took his Winnebago to Abreojos,towing an early Bronco with a car top boat on top of that.By the time we got there,yes the
cabinets were all on the floor or just hanging by a screw or two.
Well,if anybody can design,engineer and build these two rigs,I am sure he can prevent it from happening.
Sure would of liked to seen photos of your build from start to finish,Edm1.
Going to Mission Santa Maria is not a fast. off road racing type of a trip... The less than 15 mile trip takes us 3 HOURS. It is nice, low speed
cruise over rocks... so there is some slow speed bounces, but nothing like a run to Coco's Corner with washouts!
There are many You Tube videos of the road... and my naming of the one bad grade 'Widowmaker' has really caught on... even with Mexican national off
roaders. Paul 'hbmurphy' made a few videos of our trip in 2010 on Your Tube, as well.
Originally posted by whistler
If I wanted to do something like that(which I don't)I would start with a deuce in a half.6x6,Rockwells, already lifted,no screwing around with custom
fabricated parts etc.
I was in a signal unit .The deuce in a halfs had fiberglass shells that contained the radios and operators(air conditioned).You could build your own
custom living quarters fairly easy.
David,it use to take me 3 hours from the highway to Campo Rene when towing my boat.Still tore stuff up.No thanks.
If the Rockwells could be fitted with freeway gears, without stressing the engine at insane rpms, threy'd be my choice for the axles. As for the deuce
patform, it is not a comfortable motorhome platform. It'd be cheaper to buy a surplus deuce ($3000) and put a motorhome body on it; however, the
primary goal is comfort and 4/6x driveability, toughness is secondary.
Originally posted by edm1
Imagine lifting it 6 inches, putting a front axle, a double transfer case, a differential axle in place of the tag axle, and 37" tires. All for
$30,000 including the 29 ft. motorhome itself.
[Edited on 9-16-2013 by edm1]
You wouldn't need a double transferee case on most tandem axel setups one axel acts as a drag axel and is controlled as a in or out from the primary
axel . so if your primary axel is in 4x4 mode the rear axel could be too . the best part its driven from a single drive shaft
You wouldn't need a double transferee case on most tandem axel setups one axel acts as a drag axel and is controlled as a in or out from the primary
axel . so if your primary axel is in 4x4 mode the rear axel could be too . the best part its driven from a single drive shaft
I'm not aware of a transfer case or primary differential, with gears availabe in the 4.10 or 4.38 gears, to drive another axle. Could you please share
which differential or transfer case has 2 output, and still be driven 75-80mph all day?
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