4.3LXJ
10-25-2009, 07:55 PM
Blue has bugged me a couple of times to see my next project. So OK, I give. My next one will be with my AMC M422A1 Mighty Mite. Most of you have never heard of one, maybe a few who were with the airborne marines in Vietnam may have seen one. Only 6,000 were ever produced. Probably only half have survived the government. They were originally designed to be a Jeep CJ5 that you could drop out of an air plane or helicopter, so they were built light. 1680# with a full tank of gas. The frame, windshield frame, springs and gears were all steel, everything else was aluminum. They had the same interior space as a CJ5. In fact, a CJ5 rag top almost fits well. The windshield is identical to a CJ5 also. Tops were rare, if ever made. I have never seen a pic of one. The heater only works in the summer and the AC only works in the winter. Here is what they look like when restored.
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/1961_mightmite_westhartford.jpg
Mine needs a little work.:D
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/IMG_0275.jpg
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/IMG_0276.jpg
It even has its own complementary bullet hole.
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/IMG_0277.jpg
And maybe a hornets nest:eek:
The springs are currently off it because I was playing in the shop with them.:rotfl2: So it is sitting a little low to the ground right now. But they go back on in a few minutes.
Aside from the fact the engines were pure junk and good for only 500 hours of operation before needing a total rebuild, and that they were severely under powered, this is the most fun ORV I have ever driven. It corners like a sports car and hugs every contour of the road. It rides kind of stiff on the pavement so it makes you a little gun shy of bumps. However when you hit one, it just soaks it up and all you feel is vibration. You can drive into a parking area with the driveway or over the curb. They both feel the same. The suspension is completely unique in the off road world and has never been duplicated, nor was it ever patented. It is made in such a way that any upward forces are canceled by downward forces so there is no net force in the vehicle. It just seeks a new level if needed with absolutely no rebound. It works so well ti does not even need shocks even though it had them. Mine were shot. You can drive it through rocks the size of bowling balls quickly and smoothly.
The plan::jumping0041:
The engine will be an EJ55 or 57 Subaru with 5 speed auto with the differential removed. The 55 will make 400 HP and the 57 will make 500 HP.
The transfer case will be a beefed up Samurai divorced case with cryo treated low gears and exterior aluminum cradle for case strength.
Diffs will be cut down Toyota 8.25 rear axles to 16" wide.
Suspension will remain fully independent.
Windshield will be chopped, with speed glass for weight reduction.
Grill will be slotted like a Hummer
It will resemble a small hummer.
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/1961_mightmite_westhartford.jpg
Mine needs a little work.:D
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/IMG_0275.jpg
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/IMG_0276.jpg
It even has its own complementary bullet hole.
http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu215/warriorsuspension/IMG_0277.jpg
And maybe a hornets nest:eek:
The springs are currently off it because I was playing in the shop with them.:rotfl2: So it is sitting a little low to the ground right now. But they go back on in a few minutes.
Aside from the fact the engines were pure junk and good for only 500 hours of operation before needing a total rebuild, and that they were severely under powered, this is the most fun ORV I have ever driven. It corners like a sports car and hugs every contour of the road. It rides kind of stiff on the pavement so it makes you a little gun shy of bumps. However when you hit one, it just soaks it up and all you feel is vibration. You can drive into a parking area with the driveway or over the curb. They both feel the same. The suspension is completely unique in the off road world and has never been duplicated, nor was it ever patented. It is made in such a way that any upward forces are canceled by downward forces so there is no net force in the vehicle. It just seeks a new level if needed with absolutely no rebound. It works so well ti does not even need shocks even though it had them. Mine were shot. You can drive it through rocks the size of bowling balls quickly and smoothly.
The plan::jumping0041:
The engine will be an EJ55 or 57 Subaru with 5 speed auto with the differential removed. The 55 will make 400 HP and the 57 will make 500 HP.
The transfer case will be a beefed up Samurai divorced case with cryo treated low gears and exterior aluminum cradle for case strength.
Diffs will be cut down Toyota 8.25 rear axles to 16" wide.
Suspension will remain fully independent.
Windshield will be chopped, with speed glass for weight reduction.
Grill will be slotted like a Hummer
It will resemble a small hummer.