Mini Military Jeep

Iv started on my mini Jeep. This will be 1/3 scale. I started with a power wheels grille and found the harbor freight 99cc engine fits behind it nicely. I started by welding the front bumper on then attatched the grille with hinges so i can access the engine better. i made the engine mounts recessed into the frame a bit so the engine sits at a slight angle for better hood and steering column clearance . It will run over top of the engine and down between the engine and grille. The controlls for throttle choke and pull start will be in the dash board. The gas tank will be under the seat with a mikuni pulse pump i already plumbed the intake for that. Had to shave the engine shaft a bit to fit the 5/8 clutch. I welded the driveshaft mount out of an old wheel hub because the pillow block i was going to use turned out to be wobbly not solid like I thought. I will make the front axle pivot in the middle like a lawn tractor and the rear will be suspended with coil springs. the rear axle is a 10:1 tiller differential. But it doesnt differentiate so it might be a little hard to turn but there is ways around that if its a problem. Also later on ill make a bantam trailer and maby a gun to tow behind it. It wont need brakes because the rear end is a worm gear and it wont turn without the engine pushing it. The throttle will be on the dash and also a foot feed to over ride the goveroner if it needs it. Im going for the mb gpw look with the mini shovel and axe and military markings grab handles and all. Should be pretty cool when its done. Its small but i should be able to drive it without too much cramping

 

Watcha doing with the 914??

 

fixin it up of course. It was folding in half was off the road since 82 and recently went through a flood. I bought it for 200$ only cus the lady didnt want it to go to a scrap. So Im going all out on it. new longitudinals and floorboards. I went to the swap meet in hershey and picked up rust free doors and hoods and a good interior all for a song. I rebuilt the 1.7 for now. Got some 7s and 8.5 wheels and putting on the fiberglass gt flares. patching all the rust holes that were filled with bondo. Its going well hopefully ill have it painted before winter.

 

Will be watching this thread closely. Awsome idea!

 

if it turns out you don't fit go RC ?

 

My brother wants me to build a big rc like this but i dont have much intrest. I figure i can throw my legs out on the fenders if they get cramped up

 

My uncle was an amazing machinist and when I was 9-10 he showed up at a reunion with his hand made tank. He originally made it to ride, but he didn't fit in it. The thing must have weighed 200lbs lol. He had a friend who was into model airplanes and they rigged it all up for RC. I will be following also

 

I've thought about doing something similar after seeing an RC tank (made mostly with plywood and plastic) that had a functioning 25mm paintball cannon...lol.

-WRM

 

I have made a little progress on the rea suspention ill post more pics of that soon. But for now check out the sign I made for my jeep garage

 

Looks like progress :smile: D rings on front and rear suspention done. The valve springs might be just a bit stiff but well see how it rides in the end. I can always go softer later. Also have my rear hubs mostly made. They are modified from the tiller tine hubs. I drilled and tapped a second hole in the pillow block to keep it from twisting

 

haha, thats awsome. is it going to be 4x4 or just a rwd?

 

just rwd. if i had another tiller diff I would probrobly go 4wd. but building a steering front axle is really just alot of extra work and im sure wouldnt steer for crap. Ill just throw some chains on it for the winter. All the weight is over the back axle anyway. I like how simple this setup is much less things to break

 

Right on. Well you got me hooked and I cant wait to see it grow. Good luck!

 

Made a little pintle hitch today. Just took a regular little hook and welded it to a plate with 4 holes. Then made the top piece with 2 side plates and a plate welded on top. Then i welded a nut to put the pin through. Works like a charm and looks the part. Next Ill make the bumperettes like the military jeeps have. I also picked up some cool mini licence plates from a flea market. They are vintage metal not sure what they were used for probrobly just bicycle plates but ill probrobly stick one on somewhere.

 

Very cool. have you sat on the frame yet and seen what the valve springs do with your full weight on them?

 

Yep im only 155lbs . They seem to compress well enough and dont bottom out. It just lacks travel. I think itll be fine with a padded seat . not like ill be driving 100 miles . just to take some hits on rocks and tree roots. I can put taller springs on if I made a bracket that jogs down behind the pillow block. But we'll see how it does.

 

well im sure you will figure it out if a problem arises...i would also plan on building a mini military trailer to go with the mini jeep.

 

Great build idea! I'm hooked.

 

Thanks Yup Im going to build a bantam trailer and maybe a Gun to tow around

 

made some more progress. Rear bumper has been done for a while just havnt taken any pics. I finished up the front axle a few days ago and the exhaust. today i started the front fenders and got the driver side finished. That old washing machine sure came in handy. my brother used all the wires in his beetle they had all the ends crimped on and everything . all he had to do was plug them in :laugh: so for the steering im going to use an old drill right angle drive to route the shaft down infront of the engine. i think that will be the simplest way but i could come up with a new plan who knows. This thing has been going surprizingly easy since Jeep already designed it i just have to make everything 1:3 scale. even just building the front fender im finding everything lays out just the real thing. its pretty cool :laugh: