The Dakar Car

[Metcalf]

I have had this idea floating around in my head for a few months now and finally decided to do a photochop rendering. I thought you guys might want to see it.

It reminds me of the Dakar rally for some reason...so I call it "The Dakar Car"

Its based off an AEV 3-door J8 with the turbo diesel, but crossed with the 'Lower Forty" concept that came out last year. The top and windshield are stock parts, not laid back like the concept.

I view it as a crossover between a lightweight expedition vehicle, an technical off road vehicle, and a go-fast desert car.

The idea is to have a nice low center of gravity for good off-road and on-road performance with the long wheelbase for interior storage volume and desert performance at speed along with 40" tires for extreme off-road technical capability.

Spec list....

-Modify the diesel for more performance ( reflash, exhaust, injectors, etc)
-Beef up the 545 trans as much as possible
-Atlas 4-speed transfer case
-ARB locking differentials front and rear
-40" tires, most likely 39.5 BFG Krawlers
-17" hutchinson aluminum beadlock rims.
-RCV front axle package
-Custom alloy rear axles

-King 2.5" remote reservoir direct fit shocks
-Deaver custom rear springpack ( no lift, tuned for finished weight )
-1-2" front springs to level the car
-Light racing 1.5" bumpstops front and rear

-Complete aluminum belly armor package from he oil pan to fuel tanks
-Additional fuel tank on the other side of the driveshaft

-Custom lightweight bumpers front and rear
-lightweight rocker guard system
-Gigglepin twin motor 8274 winch with long drum and synthetic line
-Both rear batteries replaced with group 31 diehard platnium's

-and much much more

 

[1speed]

:drool:

From what I've seen of your fab skills you could actually build it!
Please do!

 

[Abel Villesca]

It looks awesome :sombrero:

 

[Root Moose]

Reminds me of the Bowler.

 

[ox4mag]

Y'all might think I'm crazy but I've always thought it'd be cool to take a Jeep Compass (yes, Compass) and completely modify it as a rally car with AWD. It'd also make for a pretty cool vehicle for Dakar. Hrrrmm...

 

[pete.wilson]

Hey

How about somebody talented photoshop the lower forty to look like the overland with RTT. That would look good with those big tires.

Pete Wilson

 

[winkosmosis]

For going fast I think it would be best to keep the front suspension stock. That way you have horizontal control arms, instead of arms that push the wheels forward over bumps.

 

[Metcalf]

I wouldn't want a ton of lift in front, but an added 1-2" of compression travel would be nice. Most of the high end Dodge Ram suspension kits like those from KORE or Carli seem to do really well with limited front lift and biased toward compression travel. I don't want to go super fast, but I would like to be able to go 'faster' that normal. I think the heavy duty J8 frame, longer wheelbase, and some air-bumps would really help.....

I was looking...errr dreaming...at what is out there for axles these days. Even though the J8 comes with decent axles stock, I think that there is a lot of room for improvement. Dynatrac has a nice D60 front now that uses D60 sized joints along with there shorty hubs ( with real wheel bearings ), a big brake kit, and full ABS sensor compatibility. Honestly I would rather have some thing like the Currie or Teraflex center section with the rotated diff cover location and the smooth bottom, but the Dynatrac housing isn't too bad. I don't like that the Dynatrac ProRock housing doesn't use a standard cover and gasket.

I would love to find out if Dynatrac could do a D60 full floater 5 on 5.5 rear axle with the same shorty hubs as there front with the ABS sensors. I wonder if they could do something like that WITH the J8 rear brakes with the internal hat parking brake and 13+ inch rotors.

I would have a hard time deciding between ARB lockers or something more simple like the eaton e-locker. Just having to run a wire would be nice instead of having to worry about air and air lines.

Oh to dream....

 

[Metcalf]

This idea popped up in my head again during my recent trip to moab for my Willys shakedown run........

I think I would change the concept a little bit.......

-I have to wonder if the new JK8 body kit, or at least part of it, could be modified to make a long wheelbase 2-door JK kinda like the J8. I think the J8 program is where the body panels came from anyways.

-I would love to see a 'dakar' style light weight hard top. You know, the ones that are kinda tapered in and sloped back.....

It doens't need the spoiler or high taillights, but the shape could be similar

-I still want a diesel, but that doesn't look like it is going to happen. A hemi conversion with the 2012 5-spd auto sounds pretty good....

Then construct a micro camper arrangement in the rear area. I would love to see a function all weather camping arrangement for 2 people designed and constructed in the rear of a long wheelbase JK that could function completely under the factory roof line. Have the front seats flip around or something so you can sit backwards. Have a small 'kitchen' behind the front seats that would allow you to prepare a simple meal and a place to eat it. Maybe have an area you can sit and 'work' on a small laptop. The sleeping area would be in the rear for two people. It would be really nice if you didn't need to set up much. On long days it's so nice to be able to just jump in the back for a quick nap.....or just collapse in the back after a long day on the trail. Also, have a decent, but not overkill, amount of storage in the rear area for personal gear, tools, spare parts, etc.

Just a few thoughts......

 

[Dan Grec]

Then construct a micro camper arrangement in the rear area. I would love to see a function all weather camping arrangement for 2 people designed and constructed in the rear of a long wheelbase JK that could function completely under the factory roof line. Have the front seats flip around or something so you can sit backwards. Have a small 'kitchen' behind the front seats that would allow you to prepare a simple meal and a place to eat it. Maybe have an area you can sit and 'work' on a small laptop. The sleeping area would be in the rear for two people. It would be really nice if you didn't need to set up much. On long days it's so nice to be able to just jump in the back for a quick nap.....or just collapse in the back after a long day on the trail. Also, have a decent, but not overkill, amount of storage in the rear area for personal gear, tools, spare parts, etc.

When I build my next expedition vehicle, it will be something along those lines.
The major thing I learned from my Alaska->Argentina trip is that I would like to live outside the Jeep (i.e. roof tent / awning / camping table & chairs) but also have the option to live inside when weather or bugs and/or safety considerations drive me inside.

-Dan

 

[Metcalf]

Yup, that is my general thinking. Having the ability to be totally inside out of the weather is important....

A few years ago, I did a concept for a landrover(ish) based expedition vehicle ( basically 110 with only the front doors ) that had a 'kitchen' slide that could be used inside the vehicle AND then was suppose to slide out the side of the vehicle for access/use outside under a side mounted awning. The idea was that during hot weather the cooking could be done outside the vehicle to keep interior temps down....while in cold weather the cooking could be done inside to bring the inside temp up before sleeping.

I remember seeing a concept car a few years back that had front seats that 'converted' to face backwards without much drama. I haven't been able to find them again. I think they where totally custom. Anyone ever see anything like that? I basically want front seats that can face backwards when needed....

 

[Dan Grec]

Yup, that is my general thinking. Having the ability to be totally inside out of the weather is important....
A few years ago, I did a concept for a landrover(ish) based expedition vehicle ( basically 110 with only the front doors ) that had a 'kitchen' slide that could be used inside the vehicle AND then was suppose to slide out the side of the vehicle for access/use outside under a side mounted awning. The idea was that during hot weather the cooking could be done outside the vehicle to keep interior temps down....while in cold weather the cooking could be done inside to bring the inside temp up before sleeping.

My French friends made and drove this 110 around the world. Photos here http://www.viamundi.fr/ViaMundi/1531_Amenagement.html. I hope the interior of whatever I build will one day resemble something like that last pic on that page.

I remember seeing a concept car a few years back that had front seats that 'converted' to face backwards without much drama. I haven't been able to find them again. I think they where totally custom. Anyone ever see anything like that? I basically want front seats that can face backwards when needed....

VW Vans do this, even the new ones. My German friends have a wicked diesel 4x4 that has a custom westi-like interior - tons of photos here - http://www.limettebus.de/unser-gefaehrt/

These are the people and vehicles that inspire my next expedition

 

[Metcalf]

Both of those examples look very good.

I was thinking about this a little more yesterday evening. For a while there, I was having visions of a totally scratch built vehicle again. I just don't know if its worth modifying an existing vehicle and making a lot of compromises on the design when working with an existing platform? I think to make the designer and engineer in me completely happy I would have to build from a totally blank sheet of paper......

 

[postalWagon]

Well if you havea blank sheet, there is nothing to stop it from happening.
If I was going to be inthe area I would help spin some it up.

 

[Metcalf]

It's the blank vehicle fund after my Willys buildup!