increasing reliability and offroad performance

[rockman]

I'd still keep the winch.... not much out there off road can pull you out...

 

[army70deuce]

I used the winch within 4 days of getting the deuce to pull the tractor loaded with a 1,000lb bale on the front and back when it got stuck, then to get myself unstuck about 2 weeks later, definately keeping it. The use of the spare to prevent high centering sounds like a good idea, but I still want to relocate the tank and battery box because keeping sensative items away from rocks and stumps that might catch a corner is the main purpose. Ever see what happens when a PLS (catches a short Jersy barrier and rips a massive gash in the fuel tank......lets just say there's a reason for ground guides.

 

[Unforgiven]

Maybe consider remounting your bed about 20" further back & use the newly created space for fuel & batteries.

 

[yeager1]

I think these pictures sum up what you're trying to do, although this one is bobbed and bedless. Clearly clearance is increased and the chance of trail damage is lower, and it will work well off road. FYI- These pictures are from Eastern Surplus from a long time ago- I remembered them and did some searching to help you visualize your concept. It will work, and will be quite easy. I'd just throw the stock tank in the bed along with the batteries and make a nice diamond plate cover for them, put the spare next to them and you're there. And it will look different and awesome

 

[Green_gator]

One idea for you is to mount a jobsite box in the bed and secure the fuel tank, tools, and batteries inside. One of the members here did this and I am still trying to find the thread / pictures. Provides security from idle hands as well as rocks and stumps.

 

[DirtMagnet]

I believe that if we look at the amount of weight associated with moving a fuel cell and batteries to the bed of the vehicle in relation to the weight of the actual vehicle, it's peanuts.

 

[rwoods]

The wonders of snatch blocks and pulleys

Be sure to get a second Hulk to assist the first one.

 

[WyoDeuce]

In my opinion the drivers side tool box is terrible. I went mudding today and everything in the box is soaked. My tow chain is rusty from last weekends mud bogging. My tool pouch with my adj. wrench and shear pins is soaked and the box has 1-2 inches of mud in the bottom. I allready keep my tow strap in the cab because the box fills with water. I will be moving all the rest of my stuff once it dries out.
On the other side my batteries are caked with mud. A buddy needed a jump and I ended up getting out a wire brush to scrape all the crap off the batteries.
When I got my truck I had no plans to modify it. Now that I have had it for a while I agree with the relocation of these items. If the tool box is empty because it fills with mud then it is pointless and needs to go. If the batteries are caked with mud and water then the battery box will rust out much faster and need replacement anyway.
The increased ground clearance would be great in these areas. It is very seldom that a ledge goes straight across a trail and causes high centering. A large rock to one side of a trail where one tire needs to go up and over is much more common. I run into spots on trails where my jeep would drive around a rock but my deuce must put a tire up on top of the rock because of it's size.

 

[jwaller]

on the arctic deuce's we move the batteries into the cab and put them under the pass seat. I think this is a much better location for all the trucks

 

[army70deuce]

Thanks for all the great suggestions, I agree that rocks or stumps protruding from the side are alot more hazardous and likely than high centering, and I like the idea of using a jobsite box for the tank and batteries because then you don't have to worry about securing the batteries and fuel tank independently. Will the 50Gal tank fit in a jobsite box? and how would you go about securing the tank in the box? Obviously you can bolt the box to the bed on the bottom and possibly the back, but I wouldn't want 50Gal of fuel unsecured shifting inside the job box. Thanks, and once again any suggestions and/or comments are greatly appreciated.

 

[Jakob]

I'm looking at moving the fuel tank too. I beat the **** out of my tank offroad.

 

[rosco]

You might want to be cautious about putting a fuel tank inside a closed box. It can collect fumes, that can be hazardous. The batteries in there can be a source of ignition. There is already a provision for having batteries under the passenger seat, so you wouldn't have to make something up. That is where they are in my truck, as it has the engine coolant heater, where the batteries usually go.

Lee in Alaska

 

[Green_gator]

Found the thread with the pictures of the relocated tank. May be a good idea to move the tank like this and have the batteries in the cab.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce-modification-hot-rodding/21765-my-anniversary-present.html

 

[WyoDeuce]

Another good reason to relocate the tank to the bed is the possibility of water entering the fuel. The fording kit does nothing for the fuel tank. If the tank was underwater in the bed it would be shoulder deep water in the cab.

 

[saddamsnightmare]

May 19th, 2010.

The Fording kit does nothing for the fuel tank because the closeable vent on the tank cap seals out water. I do believe that the tank is pressurized in the fording kit, see the video of the REO Eager Beaver fording down in Florida on YouTube, that puppy was a cousin to a submarine, and if they can do it with a gas deuce, the diesels likely had the same system. Besides.... just buy a Unimog, then 95+% of your off road problems are solved from the factory.....

 

[Jakob]

May 19th, 2010.
Besides.... just buy a Unimog, then 95+% of your off road problems are solved from the factory.....

Now what kind of fun is that?

 

[jesusgatos]

Besides.... just buy a Unimog, then 95+% of your off road problems are solved from the factory.....

I've lost count of how many times I've seen you post this...

 

[rmgill]

What about something more along the lines of this Supcat Couger?


Added roll cage, nerf bars, skid plates and a re-worked bed to accommodate a lot of the necessary externally accessible storage on the ground from outside the bed. I'm kind of thinking a dropside bed with truck tool boxes mounted and two spare tire carriers mounted like this or a bit more like the ones on the MAN 2.5 and 5 tons. The a-frame folds down to the ground so you're not lifting the tire up or down to the trailside. Install a 2nd fuel tank like I did on my deuce for extra range AND add plates 'armor' around the tanks to protect them from rocks/logs and getting poked through.

 

[Green_gator]

Ryan,
That is a great looking vehicle do you have any other info. I keep getting different results when I search the web for cougars.

 

[rmgill]

Sorry Walter, it's a Coyote TSV, not a Couger, I miss typed that.

See here:
Supacat's new 'Coyote' launched at DVD - Supacat

The new `Coyote` Tactical Support Vehicle (Light), due to enter service later this year in support of operations in Afghanistan, received its official launch today by Quentin Davies, Minister, Defence Equipment and Services, at DVD, the annual event showcasing land equipment for the UK’s Armed Forces. Designed by Supacat, over 70 of the new Coyote vehicles are being manufactured by Babcock alongside the existing Jackal 2 production line.

“The `Coyote` is the latest Supacat product developed to meet the rapidly evolving operational requirements of our armed forces. Coyote is an exciting new variant that will take the capability levels, both in terms of protection and mobility, of support type platforms way above that previously on offer to the UK forces”, said Nick Ames, Managing Director, Supacat.

`Coyote` shares common design features with the Jackal 2 and provides the same increased levels of protection and mobility. It’s 6x6 configuration offers a higher payload of up to 3,000 kilos and provides a large, flexible load space at the rear of the vehicle. Powered by the same 6.7 litre turbo-charged Cummins engine `Coyote` is equipped with a gun-ring and seats up to four crew.

In April a £74 million contract was awarded to Supacat as prime contractor, supported by Babcock as vehicle manufacturer, in response to the UK MoD’s latest Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) to deliver more than 70 of the new 6x6 `Coyote` TSV(L) and around 110 Jackal 2, the enhanced, latest iteration of the widely acclaimed ‘Jackal’ weapons-mounted 4x4 patrol vehicle, also designed by Supacat and manufactured by Babcock. The contract for Coyote and Jackal 2 is part of the £700 million Protected Mobility Package announced by the MoD in late 2008.

Pretty nifty stowage eh?