What do you think of this idea for a 4x4 Cub based utility vehicle with side by side seating? Kind of a John Deere Gator type vehicle.
Remote mount the hydrostatic power unit but keep it inline to a lowered, offset midmount engine. Have it drive the rear end through a transfer case to a drive shaft (The transfer case could be a chain and sprocket, perhaps the type of chain used in a snowmobile chain case). Have the chain, sprockets and rear driveshaft enclosed in a case to channel the Hy-Tran back to the rearend. The purpose for this would be for several reasons:
1) To speed up the Cub slightly with different tooth count sprockets.
2) To serve as a transfer case with a second drive shaft to the front 'rearend'.
3) To lower the engine mounting location and allow it to be mounted offset to one side to allow the front drive shaft a straight, or nearly straight shot to the front axle.
This would require a suspension as it wouldn't have a pivoting axle. Here's my plan for the suspension which would also widen the track. Remove the cast axle housings and install upper and lower A arms and axles with CV joints or u-joints and dual coil over shocks at all four tires/wheels. The fronts would of course need steering knuckles and might only need one set of coil over shocks. The steering column would also be offset to allow for side-by-side seating. The front axle would be a Cub rear end mounted backwards with the gears flipped. I'd use Cub Cadet rear fenders for the front fenders. unfortunately I don't have the tools to make some of the required parts like the transfer case, front steering hubs and the suspension. If only I could convince a certain guy in eastern Wisconsin to assist me.
)
Here's a preliminary sketch I whipped up showing proposed engine and hydro location. This doesn't show any detail on the suspension setup.
I've shared this idea with a few of you already but you may not have seen the latest sketch. Any and all suggestions or comments welcome.
(Message edited by kmcconaughey on March 17, 2004)
