Andy's homemade truck project
Every once in a while, I come across something non-woodworking related that is just too cool not to write about.Andy's homemade truck project is one of those!
Andy's homemade truck is designed for delivering supplies to tree planters
on rough terrain. It's intended to carry loads where pickup trucks can't go.
ATVs are often used, but they don't have much cargo capacity. This is
where this vehicle comes in.
Other vehicles that could do the job would be a Unimog or maybe a Hummer H1,
but those tend to be quite expensive.
The engine is below the cab. It's a Volkswagen diesel engine, which is normally
mounted transverse. But the engine is mounted forward facing.
The shafts that would normally connect to the front wheels connect to the front and rear differential axles.
The differentials themselves have a fair bit of reduction, so the
gear ratio for the truck is quite high. It's intended to be driven
off-road only, so having extra reduction to the wheels is a plus.
Most of the truck is made from scrap, although Andy has spent about $1500 on
new steel. All the long straight pieces had to be bought new because
these are hard to find as scrap.
The truck is still far from finished, but so far it's drivable. It's a pretty
cool vehicle!
Update 2012
In the winter of 2011-2012, Andy finally got around to finishing the truck, including hydraulics for dumping, a snow plow, a radio, headlights, and a windshield!
He now uses this truck instead of his 1950's payloader for claring the snow off of his driveway.
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