I need some ideas to build an XX class mudder for a local mud bog.
Plan so far:
1980 Nissan
400 SBC Mounted backwards in the bed
Turbo 400 Trans
Dana 20 T-case
38" Michelin flotation tires all the way around
Or
1983 Dodge Ramcharger
318 SBD
727 Trans Mounted in the rear
NP208 T-case
39" Goodyear DURATORQUE
or
1968 Jeep Wagoneer
400 SBC
Turbo 400 trans
Dana 20 T-case
38" Goodyear SURE GRIP ALL SERVICE
or go all out and...
Dual motor buggy
318 mated to a 727 in front
400 mated to a turbo 400 in the rear
Chain drive for each
44" Goodyear TRACTION SURE GRIP

Anything else to consider??

Well what are you gonna do with it?

Originally posted by 65_chevy_4x4
I need some ideas to build an XX class mudder for a local mud bog.
Plan so far:
1980 Nissan
400 SBC Mounted backwards in the bed
Turbo 400 Trans
Dana 200(i think) T-case
38" Michelin flotation tires all the way around
Or
1983 Dodge Ramcharger
318 SBD
727 Trans Mounted in the rear
NP208 T-case
39" Goodyear DURATORQUE
or
1968 Jeep Wagoneer
400 SBC
Turbo 400 trans
Dana 200 T-case
38" Goodyear SURE GRIP ALL SERVICE
or go all out and...
Dual motor buggy
318 mated to a 727 in front
400 mated to a turbo 400 in the rear
Chain drive for each
44" Goodyear TRACTION SURE GRIP

Anything else to consider??



hey now that wasnt there a minute ago!

Fixed it.

Newbie question: What's a "Dana 200 T-case"?

:smokin: :smokin: :smokin: :smokin: :smokin: :smokin: :smokin:

Originally posted by Patrik
Newbie question: What's a "Dana 200 T-case"?
I Meant Dana 20.

90 views and only 7 votes, Come awnnnnnn. This won't be for this year but I need to get started.

:rolleyes:

Thats all I can do with the parts that are availible to me. If you got an idea, POST IT.

the duel engine buggy sounds complicated is it worth the trouble. id stick with a simple single motor rig.

Its an XX class so anything goes except for a stock frame. I have 2 running motors so its still a choice.

dual engine buggy on the dodge frame.... the jeep body to the back of the seats then grafted in the nissan bed in back. Body sits center of frame...frame extends out board of body.

Originally posted by 65_chevy_4x4
I Meant Dana 20. Tahnks, thought I missed something...

BTW, go for the dual engine buggy, sounds:
- like the biggest challange
- like you will get a unique vehicle
- most insane!

I also get the feeling that's what you want to do.
Don't forget to post pics when you're done! ;)

I'm with Patrik, The duel motor setup would be Kewl... post build-up pic's as you go...

I'll see what I can do:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

Anythings posible with enough :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

Originally posted by 65_chevy_4x4
Its an XX class so anything goes except for a stock frame. I have 2 running motors so its still a choice.

Okay, I'm going to do what I do with every guy building a mud racer. You're building for a specific place, with specific rules - not a good idea. Now, let's assume you want to go race somewhere else once you get the fever & start winning. Now all of a sudden, you're an "in-betweener" - too many mods for the class you want to run, not enough to compete where they stick you.

Gotta run a stock frame, so I'm gonna suggest you stick to what most of us call "Pro Stock" or even a notch below (say NMRO class III). Pro Stock is common in the Southeast & consists of a stock exterior body, but massive gutting is allowed. You're limited to carbs, but you can run NOS. DOT tires only, but they can be cut - that means Boggers in back & a smaller set of either Boggers or Hawgs up front. You can stretch the wheelbase up to 10% over stock length, but not more than 12" total. You can also push the engine back, but the distance from the center of your front axle to the #1 spark plug cannot be more than 12".

I'd suggest using the Nissan, it's just the right size. Mount the front axle at or within a couple of inches of stock location. Push the engine back a few inches though. Cut out the bed. If you keep it leaf spring, you can run "Pro Street" in the Southeast (I think) as long as you don't run the NOS. 4-link rear works better, but you're now full-time Pro Stock, but that's okay too.

Keep a set of uncut DOT's around for NMRO events so you can run class III - again with no NOS (if you stretch it out more than an inch or so, you can't run this class). For NMRO events, 38.5X11 Boggers at all 4 corners are the norm, some run 39.5's in back.

Since you appear to be planning some sort of agricultural tire for local bogs, I'm gonna suggest you run the front gear ratio the same as the rear, or maybe one ratio faster (4.10/4.27, 4.56/4.88, 4.88/5.13, etc). Even though you're running tractor tires, do NOT run anything larger than 1-ton running gear. If you can get away with a 44 front, do so.

Even for "bog" style events, overly tall trucks are NOT the way to go. You can get most of your space for rubber with massive hacking of the sheetmetal. You'll need more lift in front though, and that's fine. Having the rear lower than the front will help put less weight over the front axle.

Definitely the 400 SBC over the 318. WAAAAY more potential there. Shoving it back a few inches will free up the space necessary for a proper radiator in front of the engine.

Here's a good idea of what you should be going for:

http://www.mmor.com/tmc01jfc3.JPG

TEX

Here's another:

http://www.mmor.com/tmc01jfc5.JPG

TEX

Last one:

http://www.mmor.com/tmc01rnc5.JPG

BTW, pics are courtesy of www.mmor.com and are from an event I sanctioned this past June.

TEX

COOL PICS TEX :D :D :usa:

If you're gonna cut up a truck, cut up that 80 Nissan, since no one else is going to want it for much else. A Ramcharger or Wagoneer might make somebody a good trail rig or driver...
It doesn't matter what you start with, not much of the original will be left...

I have my mind set for the engine in the rear and most mud bogs round hear have basic rules for XX. Its not a shallow hole its like 4-5 ft. deep, but if I can float it I WILL. I probably will run dual T-cases or really low chain drive for gearing. I'm thinking of running Dana 44 front with 3.20-3.40 gears with a 12-bolt rear to keep it cheap. And high ground clearance. Moving the front axle, NOW THERES AN IDEA! That’s going to be high priority, next to the rear-mounted 400SBC. I will probably run a big body lift for drive shaft angles. I already have a truck to run all the rest of the classes, it's a 65 Chevy Flatbed on a 73 4x4 Chassis(soon to be 61 Panel).

Hmmmmmmmm, interesting class you have here. Any tires go, rear engine okay, but you have to run a stock frame :confused: :confused:


Okay, how 'bout this? Do you have to even HAVE a body on it as long as you keep the stock frame? Losing the body completely (in favor of a cage obviously) would solve a bunch of problems.

BTW, the full-on rear-engine vehicles are a rarity even in deep "PIT" bogging these days. What we ARE seeing some of is mid-mount engines. Those have the engine immediately behind the driver, but in traditional engine/tranny layout (meaning the engine is still in front of the tranny, which is still in front of the t-case).

BTW, you really shouldn't need to go with twin t-cases even if you're geared 3.73 or 3.40. If your tires are gonna be 39" tall, that 400 should be able to pull first gear, low range, with a TH400 & 2:1 transfer case. And it should have NO trouble doing so with a 2.6:1 t-case (like an NP208 or Dana 300).

TEX

You have to run a body, so I guess I will go with the Nissan(since its the lightest). The other class, thats a step up from XX is Outlaw which the only rules are: have a seatbelt, rool cage, and fire Extinguisher.
BTW:I resently saw a Toyota with a rear facing 350 and TH400 with chain drive. It would have won if the carb hadn't sputtered.
Thats were I got the idea.

Looks like it will be:
1980 Nissan
Rear Mounted 400SBC
TH400 Trans
Chain Drive
Dana 44 Front
12 Bolt Rear
38" Michelin Radial Floatation tires/38 Swampers
What else,should I go with a Chrysler 8 & 3/4 instead of the 12 bolt
Any other variables?

Ok....I think I've found some better axle, a dana 60s front. Should i jump on it or...................