Purpose built shooting vehicle.

[rodp]

I didn't buy it new

Some vehicle though. Did 55mph forward and 55mph in reverse. It was really hairy going very fast in reverse. Very scary Rolls Royce engine (thinking it was four litre or so) and dual fuel, so you started on petrol and it would then run on paraffin. Evrything on it was fully waterproofed, so that you could fully submerge the engine. Mad.

George

I was going to state that it didn't have any doors, but was sure that some smart arse would say 'so how did you get in?'

3 ltr I think George, I'm sure the ferret had the 4 ltr. And yes, I owned one as a "yoof". You could easily get it down to 4 to the gallon by thrashing it and you could get the inside front wheel at least 6" off the road round bends Never had any weather gear for it, just a donkey jacket and woolly hat in the winter
Beautiful machine and supremely comfortable, flat out over hard baked ploughed fields chasing rabbits and your eyes could still focus (try that in a hilux).

Had a mog and did quite a few miles in others, tremendous vehicle but big and heavy. Had a hilux surf 3ltr td, killed it, it suffered the common problem of overheating so I just kept going (never liked it, Houdini would struggle getting in one of those)
Had a CJ5, great fun in the summer but that's all that can be said.
Had Land Rovers of all types from series one to Range Rover, the series 3 I ran for 12 years without a breakdown, the 110 for 10 years without a problem (ever).

Too many folk WANT a Land Rover but can't afford one so they buy the cheapest they can find and then blame the motor when it all goes pear shaped, seen it time and time again.

This is the new toy, currently undergoing a small refurb and removal of snot green vinyl silk

[SikaStag]

Great to get to see a pic of your recent purchase Rod. Looks goods to me.

I would have to go down the tracked route. Possibly a Volvo BV202

I have an idea for a home made custom tracked vehicle with a 3litre Toyota engine with Volvo BV202 tracks and rive sprocket. Future project. The tracks are nice and wide for driving on top of snow.

If only money was no object.

Ian

[Marky610]

Fantasy time.
I would go purpose built if I had the money.
Engine and electric drive, the electric drive for stealth.
Road speed needn't be any more than 40mph for my needs, plus a low ratio box.
Wheel track of 72" to suit tramilnes.
Good size (as in height) wheels to travel well over rough ground.
4 wheel drive and 4 wheel steering.
One big open plan full length and high cab with plenty of room in the back.
Lancaster type rotating upper turret rigged with IR illuminators, camera, screen and of course an opening for a rifle.
Dual electric controls operable from both the driving position and from within the turret.
Oh for a lottery win, I could have the time of my life putting that lot together.

You been reading my 'first thing to build in my lottery winnings workshop'?

I'd go V6 petrol engine silenced to hell. auto gearbox, remote driving position and hydraulic suspension to raise and lower the vehicle for road and off road

[PESCA]

Rod, you're quite right when you say that the Champ wasn't a four litre, it was 2.8.

Was the Hilux Surf cabin cramped? I've never had an early model, but my Hilux is huge inside, with great access.

George

[chas]

I'd go V6 petrol engine silenced to hell. auto gearbox, remote driving position and hydraulic suspension to raise and lower the vehicle for road and off road

I sat down the other night and pondered on height adjustable suspension but that would be more for crop clearance if driving down the headland tramline, then thought what's the point because I won't be able to see anything on the ground if the crop is tall enough to warrant high clearance
Anyway, one of the cheapest options I dreampt up would be to use one of those electricity board 4wd transit vans, if you can still get them.
They were lifted quite a bit for better clearance under the arches but still had your run if the mill axles fitted, so taller wheels should be an option, remove the rear axle and replace it with another front one ( provided the diff could be reversed ) then sort out the steering with some fancy valves and a steering lock for on road use.
Turret in the roof, panning 360 degrees, remote controls for driving off road and you have a mobile high seat
Big open area in the back for all the gear, kettle and microwave Home from home.

[rodp]

Rod, you're quite right when you say that the Champ wasn't a four litre, it was 2.8.

Was the Hilux Surf cabin cramped? I've never had an early model, but my Hilux is huge inside, with great access.

George

It was a 94 model George, the cabin was a little narrow but not compared to a Defender. The main problem was the floor was high and the roof low, almost as if they wanted ground clearance but without the height penalty. You had to bend forward to miss the roof then lift your leg straight out to knee height. Nice when you were in, very comfortable and quite powerful but such a pain to get in (literally).
The rear tailgate was a nuisance as well, you had to lower the window then drop the tailgate, in the rain the Disco door beats it hands down (open door, chuck stuff in, slam door).

The other problem was fuel, it drank it like it was going on ration shortly. Other owners say the same. My sons V8 Disco was better on fuel (no more powerful though )

Main thing is, been there and tried one, got the tee shirt.

[rodp]

Great to get to see a pic of your recent purchase Rod. Looks goods to me.

I would have to go down the tracked route. Possibly a Volvo BV202

I have an idea for a home made custom tracked vehicle with a 3litre Toyota engine with Volvo BV202 tracks and rive sprocket. Future project. The tracks are nice and wide for driving on top of snow.

If only money was no object.

Ian

Ian, trying to get the info out of escargo on the gauge of steel they use in their crossers / grousers. Channel tracks seem to have died a death for one reason or another so may go the Escargo route. I have to word the question right so they give the info out and it's taking time. Tim at Adair is a lot more forthcoming but HDMWPE is an arm and a leg over here and at 40mm thick laser cutting would be expensive without the material itself.
I'm thinking 4mm for single cleat grousers as in Escargo. Any news on the belt ?

[SikaStag]

No news on the belt yet Rod. He said he can get belt but it is well worn, he is waitting to change a belt before it gets to that stage and bring it home for us. Worst comes to the worst I will buy it new.

To be honest with you. My interest has leaned towards the Escargo tracks from the first time I seen them. I would bet 50p (if I am wrong, you will need to give me a few weeks to save up) that they are nothing like 4mm thick. I have 3mm plywood here and I would doubt if they would be even that thick. I have lots of picks of the escargot track, one individual cleat grouser what ever they are called. Income email on its way.

Ian

[rodp]

Got to be at least 3mm I would think, you can see fully laden Argo's climbing over logs and rocks without bending a crosser, that's pushing 3/4 ton on the edge of a steel plate 20mm high. Some serious load there you know. I'll shop around here and see what comes up laser / plasma cutting wise. Wouldn't take long to plasma them by hand with a template.

[SikaStag]

Rod
I am sorry. I got side tracked with a long phone call. Going now to send the pics.

Ian