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And now for something totally different - need guys with custom truck/diesel build skills

TheGerman

Oberleutnant
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Jan 25, 2010
    10,608
    30,188
    the Westside
    We're eyeing a specific (and very cool) project but can't figure out some of the details as far as what would be needed for it.

    If you have fab'd vehicles (especially diesels) or know a metric ton about vehicles and could figure a few things out via the rubix cube of information I already have, send me a PM :D

    We're basically trying to reverse engineer and then improve something.
     
    Just go to the Ford dealer pick the f350 you want and write the check.
     
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    What do you need done? There's a lot of experience here. I'm setting up my fab shop right now as a matter of fact for a medium design and build.
     
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    a diesel twin turbo mobility scooter / lazy boy recliner I love that idea needs mud tires , a gun rack and a place to hold your cooler of beer give it independent suspension and 4 wheel drive lower the center of gravity a pair of bull bars and kc lights id want one lol
     
    So you are looking for ideas or someone to take on a project? I won't claim to be a great builder/fabricator but I am full of ideas a been shade tree builder / fabricator / mechanic my whole life.

    Drop some hints what kind of project are we talking?
     
    I have a wide range of vehicles i have fabbed a lot of stuff on. I beams on a tahoe, i beams on an s-10, v8 in a ranger, beams/links on said ranger, sas swap toyotas, lots of toyota lifts and long travel kits, bout to coilover a t100 and a 80 series land cruiser...... list goes on. As far as diesels, my best friend(he is on here) is basically on the spectrum about diesels, repairing them and a lot of stuff in that genera. He has a 6.7 cummins in his garage itching for a chassis. Threatened to stick it in my 80.

    one thing i avoid is fords. Ive worked on them but ford doesn’t engineer shit to be worked on. They can suck my ass.
     
    Illini Outlaw Diesel, San Jose Illinois.

    Owned by a former coworker, Has a great reputation in the midwest. Pulling trucks, upgrades, bullet proofing transmissions/drive train to handle it all. Maybe worth a call if not local to you.
     
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    one thing i avoid is fords. Ive worked on them but ford doesn’t engineer shit to be worked on. They can suck my ass.
    Interesting. I do head studs and gaskets on 6.0s with AC without pulling the cab. Or the hood. Give it a try, it's not that bad.
     
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    Give us a damn idea, and there will be collective knowledge brought to you.

    Keep us in the dark and we'll just sit here in the shit.



    There's a ton of fab shops. Do you want to go fast or go off-road? There's a ton of diesel shops. Do you want to go big or is it just normal pick-up stuff? Two different realms of the same genre.


    What I would look for is a fab shop for your fabrication, and a diesel shop for the powerplant. Most fab shops don't do mechanic work and vise-versa.
     
    Interesting. I do head studs and gaskets on 6.0s with AC without pulling the cab. Or the hood. Give it a try, it's not that bad.
    Neighbor wanted his plugs changed on a 5.4 expedition. Book said 8 hours. Ill stick to toyota and gm(although they both have a few things that can be a pain too).
     
    Interesting. I do head studs and gaskets on 6.0s with AC without pulling the cab. Or the hood. Give it a try, it's not that bad.
    Pull a cab one time I dare you. You will instantly know that you have been doing it the hard way, like hard as fuck way for years. Cab can be off in 2 hrs. I have had heads off and at the machine shop in under 7hrs many many times. (Machine shops wants bare heads, so those are stripped as well)

    If if you can do it that fast, I am standing up right 85% of the job while you are bent over a fender 100% of the job.
     
    Ok, so since I got a metric ton of PMs and people begging to tell me what it is...

    Dun Dun Dun

    Google Polaris DAGOR. I want to build at least one, and possibly improve on it.

    My fab guy I work with says its actually an easier fab build job than an MRZR as its frame/chassis + drivetrain and then a bunch of custom panel fab work. He's looked at pictures of it from 100 different sides and says its not a hard build for him at all. We can easily procure the ring turret and it'll give me an excuse to build a M2.

    The problem is, I'm pretty sure the reason Polaris does not want to disclose anything about it, is because its not actually made by Polaris as in, Polaris doesn't make full sized vehicle frames and engines. This is pieced together.

    I have all of the dimensions, weights, etc I'm trying to figure out what frame was used or would be an upgrade/good frame to use that can be modified to the same end result, as well as what engine/drive train would work with said frame that would meet/exceed the output the DAGOR has.
     
    Ok, so since I got a metric ton of PMs and people begging to tell me what it is...

    Dun Dun Dun

    Google Polaris DAGOR. I want to build at least one, and possibly improve on it.

    My fab guy I work with says its actually an easier fab build job than an MRZR as its frame/chassis + drivetrain and then a bunch of custom panel fab work. He's looked at pictures of it from 100 different sides and says its not a hard build for him at all. We can easily procure the ring turret and it'll give me an excuse to build a M2.

    The problem is, I'm pretty sure the reason Polaris does not want to disclose anything about it, is because its not actually made by Polaris as in, Polaris doesn't make full sized vehicle frames and engines. This is pieced together.

    I have all of the dimensions, weights, etc I'm trying to figure out what frame was used or would be an upgrade/good frame to use that can be modified to the same end result, as well as what engine/drive train would work with said frame that would meet/exceed the output the DAGOR has.



    Tube chassis, 4cyl diesel that's readily available with a stout transmission and axles. Maybe Chevy colorado duramax? Dodge eco-diesel? Kubota tractor motor and hydro-drive?


    I'd think a chassis designed to fit your size and weight requirements will ultimately be less work than trying to modify an existing one. A salvage donor vehicle of opportunity for the drivetrain, etc.


    I don't know that I'd try and copy it (unless you're just going for a mill-sim), but fabricate something usable with commonly available drivetrain parts for the inevitable breakage.


    Most 4x4 fab shops would be able to build it. Look into shops that specialize in tube buggy's and rock bouncers. Check with the guys over at www.irate4x4.com (pirate4x4 is dead). You might find someone who has already built something close.
     
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    Pull a cab one time I dare you. You will instantly know that you have been doing it the hard way, like hard as fuck way for years. Cab can be off in 2 hrs. I have had heads off and at the machine shop in under 7hrs many many times. (Machine shops wants bare heads, so those are stripped as well)

    If if you can do it that fast, I am standing up right 85% of the job while you are bent over a fender 100% of the job.
    I agree, but I only do a few of those in any given year and don't have a lift in my home shop. I need the space for the Ultra4 builds and the lift would take up too much room.
     
    Power plant id be looking at something like the 4BT Cummins.

    Commercial off the shelf crate motor with tons of upgrade potential.
     
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    Roush built the chassis. Drive train is the unknown.

    How do you know about the Roush part?

    Seems a bit niche for an 'off the shelf' claim that they make about it.

    If it is Roush, what is it based on? I dont think they produce anything; just modify existing cars? Would almost point this right to a Ford Super Duty frame.

    @backsideof45

    I dont need to clone the drivetrain, just get at the level of performance (or better) so its not a dog. Doing a little research, the competitor to this was using a V6 Turbo Diesel out of a Cherokee and has almost identical curb weight and payload.
     
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    Contact Epic 4x4 adventures in Moab.

    Talked with the engineer who designed and built their “Mega Buggy”.
    Seems to know a thing or two.

    he might be able to help or get you in contact with the right folks.

    They didnt have slots open this last trip, but gonna take my kid for a tour in that thing. She is obsessed with it to say the least.
     
    I put a 5.9 Cummins HPCR in an H1, new tranny, tcase intercooler radiator, driveshafts, welded brackets. - shit-ton of work.
     
    1620137935606.png

    This, is it This?
     
    Power plant id be looking at something like the 4BT Cummins.

    Commercial off the shelf crate motor with tons of upgrade potential.
    4BT would be too heavy and too tall for the DAGOR. I would look at something like a VW diesel engine and drive train or a Mercedes.
     
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    I would get in touch with Jimmy's 4x4 for a chassis build... Although they generally build full size rigs and a ton of KOH stuff, I bet they could build anything you want.
     
    DAGOR is for the poors. You need to go full Bruce Wayne.

    899B4A45-5811-49F5-833F-569996BF5AA5.jpeg
     
    If you get the wheel base you can pinpoint what chassis was used. Thats where i would start. Im guessing ford or chevy, you can see the frame rails. What motor? Ford? Gm? That will also help narrow it. If your just building a clone, go with the chassis that is most available to you with the most aftermarket support and easiest to work on.
     
    If you get the wheel base you can pinpoint what chassis was used. Thats where i would start. Im guessing ford or chevy, you can see the frame rails. What motor? Ford? Gm? That will also help narrow it. If your just building a clone, go with the chassis that is most available to you with the most aftermarket support and easiest to work on.
    Had I known I could have looked at a couple since they bring them here all the time. It is a Polaris build but I am not sure who else took part in it?
     
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    Wheel base looks way short. Like STD cab short box if it is a truck chassis. Or jeep/mid sized SUV.

    I can't say why but I see Ford raptor with shortened wheel base.
     
    I will say that I have seen those dagors get wrecked out here in rotations. Light doesn't always equate to strong, but then Joe can break anything.

    Just saying
     
    How much do you trust Wikipedia?

    The DAGOR was developed under contract from elements of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Canadian Special Operations Forces Command(CANSOFCOM) and international Special Operations Forces (SOF) customers.[33] The design using (COTS) components enables procurement of spares worldwide. The vehicle is produced by Michigan-based Roush Industries with deliveries commencing in November 2014
     
    ZERO TO 60 DESIGNS Design & Fabrication

    From the article on the civy unit. Seems that's the guys to talk about the chassis to. But given their reputation, I'd bet they're tight lipped.