Arctic Trucks Toyota expedition to South Pole

[jeepmedic46]

I've always wanted to go to Antarctica, Those Arctic trucks are great.:smiley_drive:

 

[RgrBox]

Wonder what the cost of such a make over would be... totally kool.. I saw that Top Gear race.. increadable tucks those Hiluxs are..

RB

 

[FreeManDan]

Wonder what the cost of such a make over would be...
RB

That’s what I was thinking, and if its more that 4,000 then I would just buy these http://www.mattracks.com/

but if you build your own arctic rig you must do a lot more than big tires, you need insulation, auxiliary heater(S), reliable alternator, arctic fluids and oils, ect.
When I was active duty military I had several collateral duties that involved retired military personnel, and they would always complane about the use of tires on the newer military vehicles. You see in the 70s the army was 110% convince that there was nothing tires could that tracks couldn’t do better...I might just share that belief

 

[RgrBox]

I can remember seeing the problems tracks caused on coble stone streets in Germany when I was stationed over there.. I can also remember seeing the trackies always in the motor pool working on those tracks.. too much work for me.. and too heavy..but there're not many places they can't go..

 

[shawkins]

That’s what I was thinking, and if its more that 4,000 then I would just buy these http://www.mattracks.com/

but if you build your own arctic rig you must do a lot more than big tires, you need insulation, auxiliary heater(S), reliable alternator, arctic fluids and oils, ect.
When I was active duty military I had several collateral duties that involved retired military personnel, and they would always complane about the use of tires on the newer military vehicles. You see in the 70s the army was 110% convince that there was nothing tires could that tracks couldn’t do better...I might just share that belief

From what I've read, those mattracks aren't very reliable. Parts availability would probably be a problem especially up North.

 

[haven]

More Arctic Trucks magic was employed to build four HiLux pickups for Toyota of South Africa. The trucks were sent to Antarctica, where they recently transported a team from the Indian National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research to the South Pole and back. The journey covered 4600 km / 2850 miles over a 4 week period. The modified HiLux was praised for its fuel efficiency, and its speed over the ice and snow.

Photos and Toyota press release here
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/23/...kups-across-antarctica-a-la-top-ge/#continued

 

[Ray Hyland]

From what I've read, those mattracks aren't very reliable. Parts availability would probably be a problem especially up North.

I have a set of Mattracks on my Defender 110. I also run 38 inch tires on 15x10 rims, and 35's on 16x8 rims.

Each is good for certain conditions. In deep (more than 4 feet) very soft snow the mattracks are unbelievably good. Nothing will touch them.

In deep but harder packed snow the 38's when aired down are good too, but you must be more attentive with the tires, not to make a mistake and dig a hole.

For icy conditions I run the 35's with aggressive industrial ice chains, with 1" cleats.

I use staun inflatable beadlocks for airing down very low, it makes a huge difference. I am running as low as 3psi depending on the snow conditions.

No one option is best everywhere, but the 38s are probably the best compromise for most conditions.

Oh, and the Mattracks are almost maintenance free, they have a couple of grease nipples, and a simple tension adjuster, and that's about it. Not much to go wrong with them, they are a simple design and all mechanical. I bought the ones without the steering assist, so there is less chance of something going wrong.

Cheers

Ray


----------

Ray Hyland
www.expeditionswest.com
www.hylandadventures.com
www.overlandjournal.com

 

[Esmi]

What don't I get? How come I can't see the rear diff?

 

[MattScott]

What don't I get? How come I can't see the rear diff?

This is really making me scratch my head too.

 

[matt s]

I have a set of Mattracks on my Defender 110. I also run 38 inch tires on 15x10 rims, and 35's on 16x8 rims.

Each is good for certain conditions. In deep (more than 4 feet) very soft snow the mattracks are unbelievably good. Nothing will touch them.

In deep but harder packed snow the 38's when aired down are good too, but you must be more attentive with the tires, not to make a mistake and dig a hole.

For icy conditions I run the 35's with aggressive industrial ice chains, with 1" cleats.

I use staun inflatable beadlocks for airing down very low, it makes a huge difference. I am running as low as 3psi depending on the snow conditions.

No one option is best everywhere, but the 38s are probably the best compromise for most conditions.

Oh, and the Mattracks are almost maintenance free, they have a couple of grease nipples, and a simple tension adjuster, and that's about it. Not much to go wrong with them, they are a simple design and all mechanical. I bought the ones without the steering assist, so there is less chance of something going wrong.

Cheers

Ray


----------

Ray Hyland
www.expeditionswest.com
www.hylandadventures.com
www.overlandjournal.com

Thanks Ray, I have spent the last hour looking at tracks....

Beware my wife, she holds a grudge and I am passing the buck on this one!:sombrero:

 

[98roamer]

This is really making me scratch my head too.

I too couldn't understand this and thought about it.

But as we know, expeditions don't always go as planned. Compare the one photo where all the trucks are in a row and they all have trailers.

Another pic almost shows the axle of a trailer.

When we look at the pic in question the tail gate is damaged, so something happened.

Maybe, the rear axle was damage and they swapped the trailer axle for the rear just to "get it off the trail or to a repair shop". Notice that the load on the roof is much small also.
Just a thought.

 

[X-plorenow]

I too couldn't understand this and thought about it.

But as we know, expeditions don't always go as planned. Compare the one photo where all the trucks are in a row and they all have trailers.

Another pic almost shows the axle of a trailer.

When we look at the pic in question the tail gate is damaged, so something happened.

Maybe, the rear axle was damage and they swapped the trailer axle for the rear just to "get it off the trail or to a repair shop". Notice that the load on the roof is much small also.
Just a thought.

Wow great analysis!!

 

[Esmi]

I too couldn't understand this and thought about it.

But as we know, expeditions don't always go as planned. ...
Maybe, the rear axle was damage and they swapped the trailer axle for the rear just to "get it off the trail or to a repair shop". Notice that the load on the roof is much small also.
Just a thought.

...

 

[Northern Explorer]

The 4th video at the 8:22 mark looks out of this world.

 

[bobcat charlie]

I think it's the secret 'catipiller' drive Toyota that doesn't need a rear differential!:wings: