ranger refit/build thread

[RangerSVT]

Hey Tom, I got a project for ya (though You've probably already thought of it, I've been tossing the idea around)....
Start out with a 2WD ranger frame, no motor, no trans or axles, front or rear. Grab a thunderbird TC motor and turbo setup, but instead of a trans, you have a pto type hydraulic pump (like the ones on a bobcat) with 4 hydraulic motors at each corner, instead of differentials. Swingarms can then be designed, like the Hummer's, but without the halfshafts or the reduction boxes, the hydro motors would be mounted directly to each wheel, the lines for the motor would run through the swingarms for protection. Some of the newer bobcats have 4WS now, this could also be implemented to the ranger...How well you think this would traverse offroad, since it would have a top speed of only about 10-25 mph (depending on the size tire used)??
SVT

 

[--weezl--]

Hey Tom, I got a project for ya (though You've probably already thought of it, I've been tossing the idea around)....
Start out with a 2WD ranger frame, no motor, no trans or axles, front or rear. Grab a thunderbird TC motor and turbo setup, but instead of a trans, you have a pto type hydraulic pump (like the ones on a bobcat) with 4 hydraulic motors at each corner, instead of differentials. Swingarms can then be designed, like the Hummer's, but without the halfshafts or the reduction boxes, the hydro motors would be mounted directly to each wheel, the lines for the motor would run through the swingarms for protection. Some of the newer bobcats have 4WS now, this could also be implemented to the ranger...How well you think this would traverse offroad, since it would have a top speed of only about 10-25 mph (depending on the size tire used)??
SVT

what you're speaking of, is called fluid drive, and apparently was used on a model of the viper, but i don't know that for a fact

 

[gwaii]

Hey Tom, I got a project for ya (though You've probably already thought of it, I've been tossing the idea around)....
Start out with a 2WD ranger frame, no motor, no trans or axles, front or rear. Grab a thunderbird TC motor and turbo setup, but instead of a trans, you have a pto type hydraulic pump (like the ones on a bobcat) with 4 hydraulic motors at each corner, instead of differentials. Swingarms can then be designed, like the Hummer's, but without the halfshafts or the reduction boxes, the hydro motors would be mounted directly to each wheel, the lines for the motor would run through the swingarms for protection. Some of the newer bobcats have 4WS now, this could also be implemented to the ranger...How well you think this would traverse offroad, since it would have a top speed of only about 10-25 mph (depending on the size tire used)??
SVT

this is something that i've thought about many times over the years,and you've noted the main drawback...one that many people don't seem to get.the top speed is limited,not so much because of effective gearing but more from parasitic losses from the hydraulic drive system.as an automatic transmission will eat power by turning it to heat(when's the last time you saw a standard trans that needed a cooler?)a hydraulic drive will turn even more power into heat,so less is left to drive the wheels.

i've also designed a similar layout with a purely mechanical drive system,though it's complexity has so far prevented me from attempting to build it.it would have a driveshaft going through each of four swingarms,driving a r/p set on each wheel.

this layout has some obvious advantages in articulation and c/g that can't be achieved with a coventional layout,the downside is that since it is uncoventional,there is little in the way of equipment available on the cheap to build such a rig.so this means investing larger amounts of time,money,or both to achieve the goal.

unfortunately,while i have many grand plans...the time and money to realise those plans are in short supply.

 

[gwaii]

what you're speaking of, is called fluid drive, and apparently was used on a model of the viper, but i don't know that for a fact

it's actually a hydrostatic drive.it's common on industrial and agricultural equipment.mostly low speed stuff.

 

[--weezl--]

it's actually a hydrostatic drive.it's common on industrial and agricultural equipment.mostly low speed stuff.

what am i thinking of then?

this is something that i've thought about many times over the years,and you've noted the main drawback...one that many people don't seem to get.the top speed is limited,not so much because of effective gearing but more from parasitic losses from the hydraulic drive system.as an automatic transmission will eat power by turning it to heat(when's the last time you saw a standard trans that needed a cooler?)a hydraulic drive will turn even more power into heat,so less is left to drive the wheels.

i've also designed a similar layout with a purely mechanical drive system,though it's complexity has so far prevented me from attempting to build it.it would have a driveshaft going through each of four swingarms,driving a r/p set on each wheel.

this layout has some obvious advantages in articulation and c/g that can't be achieved with a coventional layout,the downside is that since it is uncoventional,there is little in the way of equipment available on the cheap to build such a rig.so this means investing larger amounts of time,money,or both to achieve the goal.

unfortunately,while i have many grand plans...the time and money to realise those plans are in short supply.

you should do something to make this look like a POS...

 

[gwaii]

what am i thinking of then?



you should do something to make this look like a POS...

i remember when he was building that.it's a little too complicated for my liking,i don't like the idea of having to manually control the suspension,i'd rather just point and shoot.that's why i designed the suspension the way i did on the ranger....no links to undo or anything.it's stable when it needs to be,but articulates as much as needed when the situation calls for it.

plus,that thing is just butt-ugly.gotta give kudos for engineering prowess,though

 

[gwaii]

what am i thinking of then?

'fluid drive' is a term that used to be used to describe an automatic transmission.

 

[--weezl--]

i remember when he was building that.it's a little too complicated for my liking,i don't like the idea of having to manually control the suspension,i'd rather just point and shoot.that's why i designed the suspension the way i did on the ranger....no links to undo or anything.it's stable when it needs to be,but articulates as much as needed when the situation calls for it.

plus,that thing is just butt-ugly.gotta give kudos for engineering prowess,though

totally agree with you... i've got no issues with the complexities of building, however operation should be simple... i'm sure the hydraulics could be designed to self operate, based on pressure on each corner, or angle of the vehicle... personally, i would have done it different than he did, just a single differential on a common point in the middle, spooled, and then chain out, i think he's got 2 diffs, one at each pivot point (side to side)

 

[MountainMike]

i remember when he was building that.it's a little too complicated for my liking

I'm sure you could find a way to make the Warthog from HALO work in real life given enough time Tom

 

[--weezl--]

I'm sure you could find a way to make the Warthog from HALO work in real life given enough time Tom

the warthog isn't that difficult... is it? it's just 4wheel steer all with the full turning capabilties of a normal front axle, and controlled off of the steering wheel... shoudln't be THAT hard... just put the self center switch from the expo he's got, onto the pitman arm of the front steering setup... i think that makes sense...

or possible 2 racks, (one front and rear) and both running off of the same steering box, with a high flow steering box?

some sort of fluid relay system?

witchcraft might work too...

 

[MountainMike]

4WS, and an interesting way of getting the power to the ground. The axles are split. Maximum articulation yet still stable at high speeds.

 

[88_Eddie]

^
didnt someone actually build one those?

 

[3.0ranger1227]

Yes someone did, but it wasn't 4wd or 4ws.

The problem is the one in the game is trailing arms with steering and drive on all 4 corners, but with no shafts to the center. It would probably have to be hydraulic drive, hydraulic steer, and torsion bar suspension. Doable, not practical.

However I would put the body on a standard style buggy frame. that would be pretty cool.

And Tom I think you would be better off with an allison or a merlin than welding 2 460s together... or maybe 2 allisons

 

[94BonB]

totally agree with you... i've got no issues with the complexities of building, however operation should be simple... i'm sure the hydraulics could be designed to self operate, based on pressure on each corner, or angle of the vehicle... personally, i would have done it different than he did, just a single differential on a common point in the middle, spooled, and then chain out, i think he's got 2 diffs, one at each pivot point (side to side)/QUOTE]

maybe some kind of home made gyroscope of some kind? maybe mercury switches oriented in the proper axes to adjust hydraulics based on angle of vehical??

 

[--weezl--]

maybe some kind of home made gyroscope of some kind? maybe mercury switches oriented in the proper axes to adjust hydraulics based on angle of vehical??

i like that you're thinking! though mercury switches are a little out dated, hell, one could design an iphone app that would self level a vehicle like that... and with current technology, you could actually do it all without plugging the phone into the vehicle, all you would need to do is make sure the phone has a stable resting place while operating... (pocket won't work)

you can lock, unlock, start, open the truck, hit the panic button from anywhere in the world with cell phone reception, and i THINK you can use wifi instead, if you need...

the new version also supports GPS tracking, so at any point you can check to make sure your car is still where it was when you parked it in the morning, or if you are on holidays, and want to make sure your kids didn't take it out, you can check it's previously travelled routes... it is also a 2 way remote starter/alarm, so if someone DOES try to break in, you get a page, directly on your phone