6 wheels

[mrgasoil]

I found this online
http://www.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http ... s%3Disch:1

If they made that in 3 days i think we could make a 6 wheel transit in 3 days and i would be better as its a FORD not a VW

They didn't make that............. it just rotted to that ..........

[rvm]

hi, i have an idea about the last axel and how you can get grounded , well i was watching a old citroen in the works car park, raise the rear of the car on hydrolics and off it went. if you had air suspention(air bags) or hydrolics then you could if you air bags release the air and the van would sink and the same with hydrolics and then just reinflate and away you go . i have seen air bags on a vw beetle some years ago but it only took a couple of hours to do anyway its just something to think about all the bets ian.

[GPM01]

When playing with a 6 wheel Rangrover, only 2 driven axles, I had the idea of coupling an electric motor (Fork lift truck or similar) to the 3rd axle (if there was a diff)
The electric motor could be allowed to idle or be disengaged mechanicaly when not required.
Could solve the lack of traction issue.

i like that idea i dont think we'd get it done in the weekend tho but you could have a motor and batterys all in the rear under the bed area and have it a duel fuel - bit like a prius

I reckon this is a really good idea Luke, although I get what you're saying about getting it done in 3 days. If we used a rear axle from a fwd Tranny, then we would only need a smaller motor with a 2-way switch, wired up to a second battery. If I had access to the parts required I could work out the best method before the build date, and fabricate the mountings and axle slides ready to be welded in on the day. Just a thought.

[Luke]

one thing ive thought with a fwd back axle is would it be the same width as the mk4 one

i think it might be wider

[GPM01]

That wouldn't matter Luke. It would only be a beam axle which is really easy to narrow to the correct gauge. All I would need is the measurement of a Mk4 axle, and I can alter the beam to suit!

[Luke]

i think ive posted that on here somewhere

how would you get drive to the wheels

[GPM01]

Drive Thought you weren't having drive to the trailing axle?

[Luke]

Drive Thought you weren't having drive to the trailing axle?

oh right yeah we are i didnt read back i though this was the dual powered idea
this is the raising it idea

[Luke]

what i'm gonna do is make up jig out of some old wheel centres set to the exact wheelbase of the 2 back axles then bolt them both up to the existing axle - use it to exactly locate the rearmost axle
if they are the same width then we could use either a mk4/5 or fwd mk6/7 axle

[GPM01]

Drive Thought you weren't having drive to the trailing axle?

oh right yeah we are i didnt read back i though this was the dual powered idea
this is the raising it idea

Doh!! The idea is that it would work like the lifting tag axle on a wagon, but using an electric motor instead of hydraulics as it will be easier to install on the day I'm sure one of the site sparky's could work with me on this

[Luke]

well if we can get the bits we can give it a go

i take it you would still use leaf springs to locate it on

[GPM01]

That depends. Will have to have a look and see if that is gonna be the best way. Would have to mount them inboard away from the driven axle, but I might be able to use coilovers if I can scab some off a mate of mine

[pat stevens]

valhalla used a set up the front axle was still mounted to the original springs then the springs were cut just behind the u bolts ,brackets were fabricated then to mount jag xj6 series 2/3 coil over units behind the axle the trailing axle used the same idea but the other way round the leaves mounted from behind then jag coil overs mounted in front of axle then a tortion bar between bolth axles . if anyone knows how to get hold of bill who now runs valhalla dodge van hes the guy who built it he would be able to tell you the way he did it

[Luke]

this is similar to the way i was going to do it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNELrDJzqP4

basically leave the front axle as it is, get a rear axle remove the diff and mount the spring seats inboard, then make up some new spring hangers to mount off the chassis rails (i would have them pre made before the event) then it would be a case of chopping the back off and bolting the jigs to the front axle dropping the rear axle in and fitting the spings on (would use the top spring only off a set of multi leafs) see where the hangers land and welding them to the chassis

the shockers should be able to fit in the origanal position

the advantages with this method it ist simple and basic no major fabrication is required and i'm confident it would work

[Luke]

imagine this as the rear section of the van the spring would be located on the chassis rail 6" to the right