Hello everyone! This is my first post on jeepforum.
I have always been and will be a fan of the classic Jeep. Really wanted a Scrambler when I was 15 as a first car, but I fit in a full size bronco much better and loved my '93 very much.
Why am I on this site now?
In 1981 my Dad designed a front loader/backhoe attached to a robust (to say the least) Jeep able to cruise at 70+mph.
An amazing piece of machinery it is.
Chrysler 360 w/ original new 2-barrel carburetor, T18 transmission with Dana 300 transfer case, PTO and hydraulic drive attached to a heavily extended and supported jeep frame. (Think seven-foot roll bar and 8-foot wide rear) Two leaf sprung Dana 60 axles with rear Detroit locker. Front 8-foot bucket raises 11 feet with full function backhoe, accessory hydraulics, three-point hitch and power takeoff in the back.
Looking forward to sharing more soon as the Tow Loader is in the process of getting back to roadworthy condition and headed to a small farm.
ECHALE MAS. (tell me more) Oh man that sounds like a WILD setup you got there. At least you already have dana 60's to start with. Most jeepers start out with the invincable dana 30 and the almighty model 20.
I think before you post anything else you need to put some links to some pictures of that beast of a 5, not really but when everybody see's post they're gonna want some.
Awesome new toy you have there to play with.
Welcome to the jeep world, and kiss the money in your wallet goodbye.
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Your not pushing the limits of your jeep until your on your side, then something breaks and it's time to go home.
After an engine rebuild and new paint the tow loader was used about 10 years ago. Since then it had been resting, safely stored. All attached arms and cylinders removed as well as the original special equipment sheet metal half-cab.
After inflating a few 31x11.50x16.5 Goodyear wranglers we dove right into the engine. Marvels Mystery oil worked it's wonders and the motor turned by hand fairly easily. A new battery, spark plugs, wires, fuel filter,oil change and all new parts in the original 2 barrel carburetor has the engine running nicely at the touch of the ignition.
The front arms, bucket, and counterbalance re-assembled fairly easily and new cylinders have been installed. The 25hp hydraulic pump needed a new belt and we were able to find one at flaps. The design not only allows you lift/dump 10 feet in the air as well as lift the front tires 2 feet off the ground- the two front arms can function independently to tilt the bucket to one side or the other. A very nice feature.
Our next big task was to figure out what to do about the half-cab, left completely dissembled. Some door hinges are missing, as well as the two curved metal pieces that cover the front of the windshield frame. It's back together including glass with fresh paint aside from the nearly finished doors and those troublesome windshield covers.
The D130 backhoe needed new plumbing, and one cylinder to be worked on. With the proper coupler all valves are working. It needs a new seat cushion but otherwise should be ready to go.
There is still plenty to be done and I will report progress. Pictures will be posted after the tow loader gets to the farm.
That's awesome! If you can't get through a trail move some dirt around till you can, just kidding. That would make a nice rig for helping to clear new trails though.
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Member 134 of the White Jeep Club
31" BFG A/T's, 130w KC Hilites
THAT is pretty cool. Not sure how stable it would be with all that extra weight, though. Looks like some full-width axles would be a godsend for that rig.
Thanks for all the kind words. I thought there might be a few people on this site that would get a kick out of seeing it.
Now that the backhoe assembled and working all that's left are the details. Finnish the doors, some electrical, new fluids and tires and whatever we run into!
Pacfanweb, Larger axles could have been great but I'm not sure they would fit. I didn't take a close picture of this but there's about 1'' of room from the outside of the tires to the inside of the front bucket arms. It just fits. To make everythig much wider would keep you off road only.
neatocj, Funny, we've been spenting the last month putting all that "stuff" on. The "warehouse" is actually my Dad's shop where he builds high production automation machienery. www.processautomation.com if you want to see what he builds.
Well I’m far overdue for another post. Finally after many hours of planning and long weekends the tow loader now resides at the farm. I really have to thank my dad for all the time he has helped me the past months to bring the tow loader back to life.
Everything is working except the old A/C and the cracked heater core, which is now bypassed. Nearly every day I’m tweaking, replacing, or installing something. Some parts are still missing like the wheel well splash guards, rotating beacon (to become strobe), and spotlight. The 25+-year-old 28 ply tires are still holding air after a few drives on the farm, and the brakes are stopping at speed downhill. Sure… there is a long list of details and maintenance items to address before I would put it on the highway, let alone call it done. How many owners here are ever really done anyway?
Overall the re-creating the cab was this most time consuming. It was nearly the first and last thing that we worked on. Here is a picture of the most impressive new hardware. http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/q...2/100_1657.jpg
Well I’m far overdue for another post. Finally after many hours of planning and long weekends the tow loader now resides at the farm. I really have to thank my dad for all the time he has helped me the past months to bring the tow loader back to life.
Everything is working except the old A/C and the cracked heater core, which is now bypassed. Nearly every day I’m tweaking, replacing, or installing something. Some parts are still missing like the wheel well splash guards, rotating beacon (to become strobe), and spotlight. The 25+-year-old 28 ply tires are still holding air after a few drives on the farm, and the brakes are stopping at speed downhill. Sure… there is a long list of details and maintenance items to address before I would put it on the highway, let alone call it done. How many owners here are ever really done anyway?
Well here are more pictures. Check them out.
[url]http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq338/tcampbell82/100_1647.jpg[/img]
[url]http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq338/tcampbell82/100_1662.jpg[/img]
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98' JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED 5.9 149k 5.9L v8 White
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'81 CJ5 Tow Loader
