rustydollar
Silver Member
Years ago when I lived in Edmonton I met a fellow who was building these really cool articulated 4x4's that he used to rent out to the oil exploration crews, over the years have kept an eye open with hopes of finding one for sale.
I just spent the last half hour talking with Mr. Cramer asking if there were any available for sale but was instead informed that the only way one comes up for sale is if someone dies, and that people who have one never sell them. And he's not bragging, this is fact.
He started making these 4x4's in the 1950's using Hillman engines and differentials the transfer case was made in house, when I met Mr.Cramer in the mid 1970's the Hillman era was long gone, the new machine had been redesigned.
A mold made for a body using resin from a drum and fiber glass string feed through chopper gun, the new body featured a windshield. The new buggy now powered with an air cooled Volkswagen engine.
The steering gear used an orbital set up to power the cylinder that articulated the machine, tires were huge .
Transfer cases were still being made in house, now the most interesting part is that the VW transmission was modified to supply power via s shaft from the rear to the transfer case. The secret was in using the transmission from the 40 horse power model, these could be modified with a new shaft.
Differentials came from 1960's upwards to early 70's Datsun pick up trucks, because they're center hypoid had to be canted up wards with the pads re-welded onto the housing, one differential was turn upside down.
The last model produced now had an enclosed cab with a gas heater.
Next time I'm talking with Mr. Cramer I'll ask him for some pictures that I can post to the forum, a Google search for Cramer AWD does not bring up any information at all.
I just spent the last half hour talking with Mr. Cramer asking if there were any available for sale but was instead informed that the only way one comes up for sale is if someone dies, and that people who have one never sell them. And he's not bragging, this is fact.
He started making these 4x4's in the 1950's using Hillman engines and differentials the transfer case was made in house, when I met Mr.Cramer in the mid 1970's the Hillman era was long gone, the new machine had been redesigned.
A mold made for a body using resin from a drum and fiber glass string feed through chopper gun, the new body featured a windshield. The new buggy now powered with an air cooled Volkswagen engine.
The steering gear used an orbital set up to power the cylinder that articulated the machine, tires were huge .
Transfer cases were still being made in house, now the most interesting part is that the VW transmission was modified to supply power via s shaft from the rear to the transfer case. The secret was in using the transmission from the 40 horse power model, these could be modified with a new shaft.
Differentials came from 1960's upwards to early 70's Datsun pick up trucks, because they're center hypoid had to be canted up wards with the pads re-welded onto the housing, one differential was turn upside down.
The last model produced now had an enclosed cab with a gas heater.
Next time I'm talking with Mr. Cramer I'll ask him for some pictures that I can post to the forum, a Google search for Cramer AWD does not bring up any information at all.
