V8 Diesel Trike... old Uhaul truck

Sorry to hear that was looking forward to reading about the build.

I'm going to pull the air intake off tomorrow and see how bad it is. *I drained the water and oIL today and flushed the engine through the air I take with 3 gallons of diesel. *The water got in within the last few weeks. Its possible it can be saved. Not sure.
 
Good news! A very good friend of mine has a Detroit Diesel 3-53 Turbo for sale!!! My dream engine for a trike!!!! He needs to bring it into his shop to double check it but it was in excellent running condition with new injectors and few other things before he put it in storage. I pray he comes back with a price in my range.
 
Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. Been busy! This is my ultra heavy duty leading link!!!2016-02-16 17.10.07.jpg

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It's going to be a lot like this front end. Just a lot bigger! The hub and wheel are from the front end of an F350 Ford truck. I'm also using the 10.25 dually rear axle. My engine and transmission will weigh in around 1,200 pounds. I'm overkillin everything!

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Looks like a lot of twisting torque on a single sided swing arm. I'm curious 2 c how that will take the weight.
 
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It's going to be a lot like this front end. Just a lot bigger! The hub and wheel are from the front end of an F350 Ford truck. I'm also using the 10.25 dually rear axle. My engine and transmission will weigh in around 1,200 pounds. I'm overkillin everything!

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Heck my v6 ride weighs in at 1700 with me.. I think the weight may surprise you a littleThumbUp. That is a monster and i like it:clapping:
 
Yep. I went heavy on the swing arm due to the torque it will see since it's only supported on one side. The swing arm is made of 2x3 rectangular box tubing with a 1/4 wall thickness. I stacked two lengths of tubing and seal welded them together with two passes of 7024 jet rod. The pic shows a cross section of the tubing I used for the swing arm.2016-02-17 19.28.41.jpg2016-02-17 19.28.07.jpg
 
More leading link pics. I have the lower forks made. Busing welded in with grease zerks! 1 inch grade 8 fine thread bolts. Bolt bushings are easily replaceable 1 inch pipe.2016-02-18 12.19.06.jpg2016-02-18 12.19.38.jpg2016-02-18 12.22.30.jpg2016-02-18 12.20.02.jpg
 
Oh... Almost forgot. *Part of the reason I haven't posted is that I've been chasing the transmission dragon for well over a month! The flywheel housing on the 3-53T is SAE 3. Almost nothing out there bolts up without adapters. I need a transmission with overdrive to get up to highway speed. Long story short. A Spicer 3053a from *2.5 ton Military truck!!! SAE 3 bellhousing with 0.85 overdrive! *I'm planning on going pick it up in a couple of weeks!!!
 
Quick update from the Gulf of Mexico

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Well, the above pic is why I haven't made progress on the trike recently! Hard to get things done in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. Anyway, when I get back in land I'm going pick up a transmission! Found a 3053A Spicer with an SAE #3 bellhousing that will bolt right up to my 3-53T Detroit! Things will start moving along again once those two are joined with a suitable clutch in the middle... I'll keep y'all posted.
 
The diesel trike is slowly progressing

Well, I purchased the engine last week and I'm getting it cleaned up and dressed out for the trike. I'm hoping to get my transmission soon and really start rolling!!!20160611_184002.jpg
 
Radiator and fuel tank

Well, I mounted the radiator and fuel tank. I'm going to try something different with the rear mount fan. I'm going to belt drive the fan with a saft on pillow blocks that will run from the front of the engine to the back of the trike! Yes, electric fans would be easier but this will be sooo cool!!! Also, the radiator is big! It's big enough for a 6-71 detroit. The little 3-53t should be able to idle all day in the desert without overheating. The file tank is a 30 gallon factory ford diesel tank that was on the uhaul. Keep in mind, the Mad Max movies I grew up watching are a huge inspiration for this trike. A beast to travel the wastelands on!!!
 
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Primary and secondary fuel filters installed with brand new custom stainless fuel lines. Altenator bracket fabricated and installed!2016-06-25 09.15.45.jpg
 
That's what I call "stump pullin power" right there!ThumbUp
Are you planning on running dual rear wheels on it too?

Your trike project is great to watch, as the final product should literally be bulletproof! No joke intended, based on your TV "history":D
As another 2nd amendment supporter myself, are you thinking about any gun art being incorporated on your trike?
Keep up the good work, & keep the pictures coming. We all appreciate them!ThumbUp
 
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That's what I call "stump pullin power" right there!ThumbUp
Are you planning on running dual rear wheels on it too?

Your trike project is great to watch, as the final product should literally be bulletproof! No joke intended, based on your TV "history":D
As another 2nd amendment supporter myself, are you thinking about any gun art being incorporated on your trike?
Keep up the good work, & keep the pictures coming. We all appreciate them!ThumbUp

I will be running 4 tires on the rear axel. It's a dually and gonna let everyone know it!

As for gun stuff. I have considered "covert compartments" to hold a few of the kids while on long trips. At least one quick access and a few for long term storage.

I might also incorporate some spent brass in the decorating phase.
 
Is the metal baseplate in your pic, going to be incorporated into the frame?
It looks pretty good regardless, but having the engine/trans on a removable platform might ease the construction, & any later service requirements down the road?
Keep pluggin away, you'll get there!ThumbUp
Ask any true builder & he or she will tell you: its sometimes one step forward & 2 steps back...
The trick is keeping those backward dance moves to a minimum!
 

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