Custom Toad idea -- or -- (AM I ONLY MILDLY INSANE)

[pabusnut]

OK, so I am separated from my bus for about 6 months here at an "undisclosed location", running heavy construction projects, and can't work on the bus, so my mind wanders, so I am planning my next project.  Of course I will have to start gathering parts well in advance, probably years, so I can justify my planning(dreaming) as a good use of my free time, which I would just be watching some stupid movie or show on AFN.

My idea for a toad(and my knock-about truck back home) is to get a double bunk cabover cab, and mount it on a bread truck chassis.  I would power it with either a Cummins 4BT (or 6BT), and put a 6 speed tranny behind it.  I would put a stakebody flatbed on the back, with an integral ramp(like in the U-Haul trucks) for loading the cycles on the back.  Inside the cab, I would remove the bed at the outsides, leaving the tunnel, and mount two more seats behind the driver and passenger seats.

I am thinking that a late model International with the set back axle would let me get the front end down lower, and reduce the frontal area some.  Since I really don't need to go fast, I was thinking the 4BT might be enough if I turned up the injection pump a little bit, and/or ran some bigger injectors.

The only real problems I see are keeping enough weight biased to the rear, so it doesn't nose over when I tilt the cab, and finding a cable shift mechanism that would work with the 6 speed.  I really don't want an automatic, since it is a toad, but I guess it could be an option, if I put a transfer case behind the 6 speed(even if there is no front drive axle-probably cheaper than those driveline disconnects).

Have I totally lost it,  or am I only mildly insane? 

Steve Toomey
PAbusnut

[gumpy]

I have a driveline disconnect unit that I used on our first toad. I will sell it for a good price.

It would be a fairly simple process to incorporate it into your driveline, which will have to be custom
built for your application anyway.

[chessie4905]

   How about a 50's Chevy or GMC cab over with a 6v53 with an rt610 Roadranger trans, if you want a cool factor?

[Oonrahnjay]

... My idea for a toad(and my knock-about truck back home) is to get a double bunk cabover cab, and mount it on a bread truck chassis. 

      Steve, what kind of weight are you talking about?  As I get closer to using my bus, I'm beginning to worry that my 03 Jetta TDi is too large/heavy.  Sorry, that's the first issue that popped into my mind. 

[pabusnut]

Gumpy--I'll keep that in mind--it would make it "wife friendly"!

Chessie -- I've seen a lot of the 50's cabovers on 1/2 - 1 ton p/u chassis, but I have always liked OTR cabovers.  I could use a 3/4 ton p/u chassis, but the front wheels would be so far inboard, it would look funny(like an early '70's S&S motorhome!  To narrow the whole cab is not doable by me!  I think some of the freightliner bread trucks have wider front axles, and may even have the 4BTA already in them.  The biggest benefit for me is they go really cheap!

Oonrahnjay -- I have no idea about weight, but I am guessing less than 6K. Freightliner cabs are aluminum, and so are Internationals, I think.  Right now I am planning on towing the '04 VW Jetta TDI (Auto--on a dolly-think added weight) if it survives my wife driving it while I'm gone!  My 8V71 isn't modded, but I am in no hurry.

The tough part is finding dimensions for the cab, and what the frame rail widths are on the original truck.

More google effort required!

Steve Toomey
PAbusnut

[RJ]

I'm beginning to worry that my 03 Jetta TDi is too large/heavy. 

Bruce -

Your VW is fine - people tow Jeep Cherokees, Chevy Tahoes, Ford F-150 pickups and even Hummer H2s behind their Class As.

FWIW & HTH. . .

[bevans6]

For a Freightliner MT45 bread truck the GVWR is 19K and the max payload is 10K, so the bare empty truck weighs 9K

Brian

[Lin]

We pull a Jeep Cherokee weighing in the area of 3k.  There is a noticeable difference in the bus performance even on the flats.  When going up grades, the power loss from altitudes about 5000 feet can be a big factor and has caused us to have to disconnect at times.  I would hate to add another 3-6 thousand pounds.  I think that you will definitely need a turbo.

[TomC]

That would be a cool idea. If you do put a transfer case so you can disconnect the transmission, use an automatic-it will be much easier to drive. The MT45 chassis does not come with manual transmission. Just easier to stick with automatic. Good Luck, TomC

[Seangie]

Our van that we've been towing all around the country for the last year has a gvw of 8000lbs.  Haven't had a problem with it yet.  A Jetta would be wonderful to tow.

-Sean

[chessie4905]

   The GMC Astros (cab over) had an aluminum body, so the weight should be low.

[TomC]

Just about every cabover truck was made either of all aluminum, or aluminum with fiberglass roof. Good Luck, TomC

[pabusnut]

It took me a while to find it again, but here is what I am thinking, only with slightly taller front tires, and a wider track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EshHfVhe2yE

Steve Toomey
PAbusnut

[chessie4905]

   Looks like you are heading for a major distraction to your coach conversion.

[pabusnut]

Chessie,

I've been distracted(due to the Taliban) for the last 5 months--two more months of distraction to go!

Steve Toomey
PAbusnut