Here's just a weird thought I had:

I've heard that if you'd flip an axle or diff up side down, the drive direction would be reversed..

So, if you'd do that on both the front and the rear axles, could you build a rear engined offroader with all existing parts, simply by mounting it backwards?

I'm not very good at explaining, but I hope someone will know what I mean..

Anyways, I'm asking because I had this idea: to get a cheap Range Rover donor, and take the engine, gearbox, diffs, axles, etc. And then weld up a custom spaceframe in a sort of buggy style. Then assemble it, with the engine at the rear..

Could anyone please tell me if this could work, at least in theory? And if not, maybe someone else can come up with some ideas to make it possible to position the engine in the back..

do you mean a rear engined FWD car?

upside down diffs have problems, cos they are running backwards fast. Apparently they wear out fast.

Wow, fast reply..!

Yeah, rear engined 4x4.. that's the idea..

Is there anything that can be done to fix that problem?

they whine like a whore who aint been paid too...................................................................................apparently?

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Originally posted by colmaccoll
they whine like a whore who aint been paid too...................................................................................apparently?

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What you are after is the vdub syncro bus

Very interested in this!
Have your checked out the Bowler Tomcat / Wildcat vehicles?

http://www.bowler-offroad.com/NAV.htm

Would a rear engine (Centre of gravity shift) make it a bit unstable (ie major wheely) when hitting a bump whilst going up hill?

I am interested mainly from a design point of view.. every single offroader seems to look the same, I thought it would just be cool to see something different. I like the idea of having the driver all the way in the front of the car, over the front wheels, but I don't like the idea of either sitting on top of the engine as in some trucks, or having the engine in between the seats, as in the LaRo 101..

I don't know if there are any *real* advantages of the engine in the back, other than maybe keeping it from hitting the water too hard when you have to drive thru a big puddle or river or something..

I don't know if the wieght change would be all that dramatic, because in the most optimal situation, the engine would now be a bit before the back axle, making it more a mid-engined car, while the driver/passengers move more to the front..

I really like the idea.. wish there was a solution for those diffs..

in my landrover days we had "strange rovers"rear engined range rover/chevy lumps with diffs upside down,went well in comp safari,some were road legal,registered at "strange rovers" as well

So it has been done before? Great! Got any pics / links?

No more than a few reason why it won't work -

Use Austin Champ double wishbone axles axles. On the Champ the transfer gear is built into the nose of rear axle as is the reverse gear.
On the original drive comes from the engine through 5 forward (no reverse) gearbox to the rear axle then through a forward-reverse gearbox to drive to the rear diff and the propshaft for the front axle. This gives 5 forward ratios and 5 reverse --- the idea was the squadies could reverse out of trouble fast if they got ambushed
The drive to the front axle is enaged/disconnected via a dog clutch on the front diff input shaft.

Be aware however the Champ diffs will break if 4wd is used on tarmac and also these axles are very heavy ---- makes a Jag IRS assembly look lightweight.

The above has already been done I think to build a sand racer some guy took a Champ backbone chassis put a Caddy V8 and auto box in what was the front - then fitted the front uprights and steering rack to what was the rear axle and the fixed rear uprights to what was the front axle.



[Edited on 15/1/05 by britishtrident]