Ford LGT Crawler Conversion

670x · Feb 26, 2015

WOW you have some serious Redneck engineering skills. I mean that in a good way.
That turntable was genius.

Chopperhed · Feb 28, 2015

Been working on things. The rear ripper bar is complete, painted and installed.

I picked up a power steering pump from Dodge Caravan today, I'm going to experiment with it to see what it can do.

farm boy00 · Feb 28, 2015

Chopperhed said:
Been working on things. The rear ripper bar is complete, painted and installed.

View attachment 414336

View attachment 414337

I picked up a power steering pump from Dodge Caravan today, I'm going to experiment with it to see what it can do.

Love the build!!!! There is almost no limit you could build for your 3pt hitch on the back (prezome that's what it is right???)

Chopperhed · Feb 28, 2015

farm boy00 said:
Love the build!!!! There is almost no limit you could build for your 3pt hitch on the back (prezome that's what it is right???)

Almost.

It almost meets Cat 0 spec, except for the spacing on the lower arms. Cat 0 requires 20". Mine is at 14".
Nothing that can't be changed out with some flat bar bent to the right dimensions.

I can build an adapter in about an afternoon, so I don't consider that an issue.

farm boy00 · Mar 11, 2015

Anything new???

blacktruck · Mar 11, 2015

Hey Chopperhead
Not sure if your name implies something near and dear to my heart or not. (Retired Army aircraft maint. guy.) Anyway, Been watching this thread with more than a fair amount of interest. I have a weakness for the older Fords. I am curious (and if I missed it here, my apologies) how the steering will work. I would not ask you to give up any trade secrets but I would love to do something similar and that has been my sticking point. Life long maintenance and operator type so I know my way around a shop but that was not coming to me. Please let me know what you can.
Thanks and have a great day.
Keep up the good work.
Ken

Chopperhed · Mar 11, 2015

farm boy00 said:
Anything new???

I've added a power steering pump to power the front hydraulics. I'm working on the bracket for that. Also waiting on some cash flow to buy hoses and fittings

Chopperhed · Mar 11, 2015

blacktruck said:
Hey Chopperhead
Not sure if your name implies something near and dear to my heart or not. (Retired Army aircraft maint. guy.) Anyway, Been watching this thread with more than a fair amount of interest. I have a weakness for the older Fords. I am curious (and if I missed it here, my apologies) how the steering will work. I would not ask you to give up any trade secrets but I would love to do something similar and that has been my sticking point. Life long maintenance and operator type so I know my way around a shop but that was not coming to me. Please let me know what you can.
Thanks and have a great day.
Keep up the good work.
Ken

The chopperhed comes from two things, It started when I was playing Battlefield Vietnam online, and I love to fly the choppers, and also in part from my custom CB750 chopper.

The steering is provided by 12" disc brakes on each track, mechanically operated by levers to the emergency brake arms. Rotors and pads are 2008 Dodge Avenger, Calipers are 1988 Lincoln. The dodge rotors are a direct bolt on to the ford hubs. The Lincoln rotors would have fit if I cut out the center hole a bit. If the mechanical steering isn't up to the task, i can rebuild the calipers and use hydraulic brakes. Testing will tell.
I'm a first year Airframe and Power plant tech myself, I was unable to finish due to conflicting circumstances ( I went to work in the oilfield). Now I'm getting close to retirement age, and am too far out of the loop to take it up again.

blacktruck · Mar 11, 2015

Chopperhed said:
The chopperhed comes from two things, It started when I was playing Battlefield Vietnam online, and I love to fly the choppers, and also in part from my custom CB750 chopper.

The steering is provided by 12" disc brakes on each track, mechanically operated by levers to the emergency brake arms. Rotors and pads are 2008 Dodge Avenger, Calipers are 1988 Lincoln. The dodge rotors are a direct bolt on to the ford hubs. The Lincoln rotors would have fit if I cut out the center hole a bit. If the mechanical steering isn't up to the task, i can rebuild the calipers and use hydraulic brakes. Testing will tell.
I'm a first year Airframe and Power plant tech myself, I was unable to finish due to conflicting circumstances ( I went to work in the oilfield). Now I'm getting close to retirement age, and am too far out of the loop to take it up again.

Thanks for the explanations. I missed VN but participated after that and got out in 07 then went back over for over four years to do civilian work for the military. Also way into scooters too and particularly the Italian bikes.
If that works as I think it should, it should be a pretty good system for the steering. A lot like the dozers before differential steering came into being. I am interested in hearing of the actual use. Like I said, it does make sense. Thanks for the reply and keep building...
Stay safe there man..

plumbstraight · Mar 11, 2015

View attachment 416130I put these on all fours. works well in soft ground and protects the tires from spiney things that like to let the air out.

Just put it on for show. I bolt the ends together after letting a bit of air out and then reinflate. Also widen the wheels out a bit both front and rear. Put this in a while back. I like the idea of a full tracked tractor. Was thinking of making a full under carriage that you just drive on, pull the front axle, and change out the rears for a sprocket. By using the hydraulic steering to the calipers for braking, it would be easy to use for both systems.

Using the independent braking as an assist and differential lock when needed it would make a great soft ground machine.