Extending Van to accommodate two rear diffs

[93fxdl]

......Ok, who wants to give me a hand then
well if your in the south of glasgow ill fire up the 9 inch (grinder that is)
as for the twin axle conversion a couple of suggestions create a subframe from box to mount all suspension to (easier than lying under a van trying to figure out where everything should mount and when you want to weld underneath just turn it over) and unless you are planning using the van to carry serious loads softer springs will be needed so you can use shorter springs to get the axles closer together or maybe coilovers or air springs
ttfn glenn

[Guy88]

How about having a peer under the back of a twin axle renault master type thing

May give you some ideas

[Guy88]

HI
The Range Rover conversions were PROBABLY done (originally)to make them useable as fire tenders.
So try a fire engine maker/builder...Chubb used to do builds but I don't know if they still do.
Go to your local small airfield they probably have a 6 wheel RR, the idea obviously was they can carry the extra weight (of water) & go cross country to get to the burning whatever.
H.T.H.
Terry

Most of the 6 wheeld RR's were still 4wd too

We got one at the local airfield rear axle is purly for the weight

[93fxdl]

How about having a peer under the back of a twin axle renault master type thing

not sure (probably wrong) but i believe the master is front wheel drive
ttfn glenn

[jaimo693]

......Ok, who wants to give me a hand then
well if your in the south of glasgow ill fire up the 9 inch (grinder that is)
as for the twin axle conversion a couple of suggestions create a subframe from box to mount all suspension to (easier than lying under a van trying to figure out where everything should mount and when you want to weld underneath just turn it over) and unless you are planning using the van to carry serious loads softer springs will be needed so you can use shorter springs to get the axles closer together or maybe coilovers or air springs
ttfn glenn

Exellent idea with the air suspension, on the case now. That will solve the leaf and ride issues, cheers mate

[AlanN]

I saw some air suspension stuff today in Captain Hooks workshop, from a Range Rover too

[chipv8]

Have a look at this ....http://www.foleyspecialistvehicles.co.uk/index2.htm

check out the 6x6 conversion

[Guy88]

How about having a peer under the back of a twin axle renault master type thing

not sure (probably wrong) but i believe the master is front wheel drive
ttfn glenn

It is but the axle tubes still run full width

I was thinking looking more at the suspention as there leaf sprung

[jaimo693]

Obtained some full air suspension for all three axles, will remove the leaf springs completely and have this installed. Goes up and down, really low too so this will look really cool when the van is completed. At least we have managed to solve the rear axle spacing problem, just need to fit trailing arms to the rear axles. Cost is high, about 2000 quid for parts, 1500 to fit. Yikes!

Chipv8: Thanks that was really interesting, had loads of photos which really helped.

[malta transit]

Found this picture on the Transit Van Club site, its a small picture but its the only one i v ever seen with a double differation.

[Sundowner]

theres this one aswell

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=18048

[clampitt bus man]

the bodywork seems the easiest the hardest bit i reckon is sorting a diff that would follow thru to the second axle
interestiing project

[andy_v740]

a friend of mine has a six wheeler bedford cf and the way thats been done, he cut the leaf springs in half just after the axles and fitted coilovers in place of the shock absorbers then fitted an anti tramp from axle back to chassis to stop the side ways movement, did the same on back axle i'll pop out there and get some pics of it.

[Gunslinger]

yup, the fire tenders were 6x4, a lot were converted/made by Carmichael



there's a little info here at this page, and it alludes to the fact that the one pictured was converted to full 6x6

http://www.4wdonline.com/Carmichael/RR.html

[mhtransit]

Why not fit another engine in the rear over the first axle to drive the rear 2nd axle could be electric gearchange automatic
I am currently building a off road monster like a scrap heap challenge thing out of an american Ford Bronco 11 4x4 chassis with twin cologne v6`s The front engine drives all 4 wheels as normal then a second engine at the back drives another axle Transit 190 twin wheeler in the middle fitted with dumper wheels tyres front engine manual gearbox rear engine auto Obviously the build quality is amateur loads of welding But i would imagine with time and money a second engine could be fitted in the rear of a van