6 wheels

I wish to create a 6 wheeler.

For simplicity, cost, and the fact that I do not need 6x6, it will be a 6x4 setup.

Before anyone asks what use the vehicle will have, I will jump straight in and say it's main purpose will be to get me to and from work.

Why does he want a 6 wheeler someone asks? For no other reason than I have always wanted one.

At this first stage of research I would appreciate any advice as to which model(s) would serve best to use as donor vehicles.

All advice appreciated, but particularly from anyone with experience in creating 6 wheelers.

Nothing wrong with wanting something. I don't 'need' a 110, or 2 cars, or 6 pairs of trainers. Go for it!

Carmichael commando Range Rover 6 wheeler simple formerly MOD crash tenders

doriz said:

Carmichael commando Range Rover 6 wheeler simple formerly MOD crash tenders

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I want to CREATE a 6-wheeler.......

Do the job right and make yourself one of these!

Yoyodyne said:

Do the job right and make yourself one of these!

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Yes, seen it before, impressive, but totally wrong for my use, so not very helpful I'm afraid.....

Bear in mind that modifying the chassis to lengthen it and add the third axle will need an IVA test to be road legal and it will go on a Q-plate. 6x4 makes things considerably easier as the standard 4x4 transmission arrangement can be used, although off-road performance will suffer slightly.

A lot depends on the type of vehicle you want. I've seen a very well-made defender tipper using a standard truck cab and bought-in tipper bed. Alternatively, using discovery/range rover parts you could make a high-capacity double-cab pickup. There's several options using series/defender body parts too, though not all of them would be very practical.

FlyingPete,
thanks for the first useful response.

Let me be clear that it is going to be an ON-road vehicle, and I'm aware of IVA and Q-plate; neither of which are an issue. It's all about the finished product, and I just simply want a 6 wheeler.

As for body style, I don't need any particular variant.

As for seats, naturally it must have 1 for me, almost certainly 1 for the front passenger, and if it had 5 seats then happy days.

But I don't want at this stage to think too much about body style, and what the front end and rear end will look like. I just want to know any suggestions for the donor vehiles.

p.s. when I use the term "Land Rover" I am including all models as well as Range Rovers.....

If all you care about right now are donor vehicles for chassis and mechanical parts then decide what engine you will use, get parts that are compatible.

If you are on about a donor vehicle that is already a 6x6 then good luck

Bottom line is get stuff and weld it until it's how you want it

I've wanted a trailer, tandem-axles under the body variety, for years but when her indoors asked me what use do I have for it, I'm stumped.
Having read your post I'm relieved to know that I'm not the only slightly deranged LR owner on the planet
No offence, just kidding - if that's your dream, fulfil it if you can. You'll probably get there before my trailer does

The basic chassis is similar between 90, 110, 130, discovery 1 and range rover. The fundamental difference is in the wheelbase, so really that will be a factor in which chassis you choose. Personally, I'd probably start with a 100-inch chassis and build a 5-door discovery or range rover body onto it, suitably lengthened. What you'd end up with would be similar to the 6x4 range rover fire tenders.


I've seen a conversion of a discovery into a single-cab pickup with the tub from a 110 HCPU installed which looked great. You might be able to do something similar over the third axle of this.


Starting with a 90 could also be a good option for a slightly shorter result.

With the right seats in the front, you could potentially fit another row behind (over the second axle) with cargo space behind that. The straight body panels and riveted construction of a defender or series would make the surgery somewhat simpler.

Dan,
not looking for a donor 6x6. Just advice on which model (or models) would serve the best/easiest.

Norseman,
there's nothing wrong with being deranged. And her indoors response is "yes, whatever ye want dear".

Pete,
I do like the Commando. They had one were my Dad used to work. Not completely practical for me though.
As for that green beast above..... I WANT ONE......

That Green one looks straightforward, just extend a 90 chassis with some straight steel and some parts from a second chassis for the other axle and use a butchered 110 tub/roof over the top. If you start with a good 90 you wouldn't even have to dismantle that much to get going, just get the rear tub off, and it can sit on it's usual 4 wheels while you adapt the rest in.

Another point for consideration is how you set up the suspension of the third axle. Using the standard defender setup, you'd have to make sure that there was no interference with the suspension arms and the second axle. Going over a bump, there's a chance that the second axle could come into contact with the third axle's lower links.

The axle itself should probably be a standard rear axle, with the diff and half shafts removed and plated over. How to arrange the brake circuits between the six wheels is another thing to figure out. Also, having slightly softer springs on the unpowered rear axle would cause the middle axle to carry more of the weight, so improving traction and offroad ability.

Pete,
good point raised. That's why I'm openminded about suggestions for donors. I had intended some kind of alteration to the 3rd axle suspension so as it carries less weight. I imagine it would be beneficial for the 3rd axle to brake lighter than the other 2 axles so avoid locking up the 3rd axle?

Deltech said:

Dan,
not looking for a donor 6x6. Just advice on which model (or models) would serve the best/easiest.

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I had figured as much but thought I'd put it in there anyway, hence the cheeky for comedic value.

There was a point about 6 months ago I looked at the option to build an 8x8 using a Defender and Discovery chassis and a turbo diesel V8 to power it, forward control double cab with a flat bed and Hiab. What would I do with it? Anything I want!

Myself and a crazy mate (well, one of the crazy mates) discussed most aspects of it, including using shortened swing arms that can pivot at both ends on both rear axles or a leaf spring setup like you get on artic' trailers. The drive could be done by removing the diff pan from the inner axle and fitting another final drive unit then using a transfer box PTO to make it turn the right way to operate the second axle. Would also mean you could leave that axle out of gear and only use it when needed. We looked at the option to be able to raise the rear most axle too to enable tight maneuvers, not much use on an 8x8 but on a 6x4 you might want to consider it.

Extending and joining the chassis can be done many ways but it seemed a good balance between ease of doing and strength to fabricate box sections that would fit snugly inside the chassis legs for 6-8" either side of the joins and then plug weld them. Then fabricate and fit the outer parts to keep the same out side dimensions, these can then be plug welded to the inner pieces and butt welded either end to tie them into the original chassis parts. Fabricating these parts can be easily done by forming two channels that fit inside each other to make a box with some overlapping, same way Land Rover make the chassis.

I still have this build on my to-do list, just need them to put an IVA testing station on the island!

Deltech said:

Pete,
good point raised. That's why I'm openminded about suggestions for donors. I had intended some kind of alteration to the 3rd axle suspension so as it carries less weight. I imagine it would be beneficial for the 3rd axle to brake lighter than the other 2 axles so avoid locking up the 3rd axle?

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You could use a manually operated or load sensitive adjustable proportioning valve. There would be a bit of maths involved but it shouldn't be too tricky to make it work.

I've wondered about whether you'd be able to use something like a freelander viscous coupling in the drive to the third axle of a 6x6. That way, in normal driving it would tend towards the 6x4 case and allow the wheels to turn independently for cornering. If the middle axle lost traction, drive to the rear would increase to give you that bit of extra push. Combined with the normal diff lock on the transfer box I think it would be quite capable.

Arranging the steering on a Landy-based 8x8 would be an interesting engineering challenge! You'd have to get the ackerman geometry right for both front axles, plus get the second axle steering at less of an angle to the first. I'd use a system of push rods and angle cranks to link them both into the one steering box. Different lever lengths would then get the steering rates correct on both axles..

One thing to consider that I don't think has yet been mentioned.
Based on my experience of driving 6 wheel tippers back in the 'seventies, the closer the drive axles are to the front wheels the more difficult the vehicle will be to steer - especially when under power ie. pulling out of T junctions.

norseman said:

One thing to consider that I don't think has yet been mentioned.
Based on my experience of driving 6 wheel tippers back in the 'seventies, the closer the drive axles are to the front wheels the more difficult the vehicle will be to steer - especially when under power ie. pulling out of T junctions.

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Aye. I remember driving a Magirus-Deutz bonnetted 6x4 tipper and all it wanted to do at T-junctions was go straight across..

Anyhoo..... mibees do ye think I should extend a LWB rather than a SWB?