It all started 15 year ago when I had my 6x6 AATV and my buddies were racing around with their 4x4 ATVs. They were faster but when we can to a huge log across the road I crawled right over it and no one else could. Then I built the T-Rex 6x6. I wheeled so many times with comparable Extreme Dodges and other full size rigs and almost hands down I could go places thaey could not. On one extreme incline several buggies were trying to get up and My huge heavy rig came along and walked right up a 57 degree slab of rock. After that everyone tried and no one made it. At one rock crawl in 2005, I showed up against a bunch of rock buggies and they all laughted at me,untill I took first place. In 2004 in Top Truck Challenge I took first place in the ROcks, first place in the tow test, second place in the mud bog, second fastes run on the hill climb, and was one of 3 vehicles to come out the outher end of the tank trap with a vehicle that was still running despite haveing the smallest tires in the bunch. The benifits of 6x6 is tons more traction, more rubber on the trail, less places to hang up, and no matter how tough the trail, I will almost always have 4 on the floor.
However, the T-Rex had it drawbacks, the ROckwells made it heavy, 3500 lbs in just axles and tires, it was long and tall, and it did not turn well. It had its few obstacles that gave it trouble. So to do 6x6 right you need to do like the Patey Borthers did, 6x6 Jeep with unimog axles and 6 wheel steering. That thing was increadible. He could beat anyone up Potato Salad hill, forwards, backwards, sideways(crabwalk), it was nuts. So to make a perfect 6x6 it has to be light, still have the same 6x6 traction, and better steering. I learned alot with the T-Rex, but it proved to me that any comparable Dodge 4x4 that was built to the hilt could not compare to the T-Rex as far as offroad performance.
In addition, when I worked back in Los Alamos at the Weapons Lab on of my projects was to build the Pu (plutonim) heat source bearings that went in to the Mars Rover ( Heat sorces are used to keep the moveing parts moving in extreme cold temparatures). NASA studied what platform would be best in an environment with no roads. Yes you guessed it, they found that a 6x6 was the most effective, offroad platform.... so if it good enough for them, it is good enough for me...
Now about this Jeep, This is not going to be an extreme wheeling machine. The main reason it is 6x6 is because I needed to carry 4 kids, plus dog, and still have some room for a picnic. This will only have mild articulation, no high HP motor, NO six wheel steering (got to keep it street legal) , and no big tires. This one is designed as a mild trail rig. It does have the majic wheel base plus two. I am surprised that LT. is still a non-beleiver even after all the times we have gone wheeling and we have proven the 6x6 capabilities.... you just be a hater LT...
....kidding.....
Well, I took the day off and took to work on the Jeep.
Here is the Tuff Country Suspension parts in:
I burned in the Track bar mounts, and the only piece that needs to be burned in is the carrier bearing mount.
Next I loaded it up to take to Alex's house, His father is a sheet metal guy, and has all the breaks, shears, and benders and such.
