Also working on the second shorter 4x4 bobber truck as well. I now have the frame set to the proper length and am now putting the frame cross members together.



Would love to add the armored cab as well!

OK, Photobucket is back up and running - FINALLY!


How does this grab everyone? CHOP CHOP!

- Frame of Mk 23 cut as required;

-- Sections of second donor frame for mounting axle #2 are now cut and prepped;

Yellow arrows indicate axle mounting sections taken from second donor vehicle. The red arrows indicate the scratch built portion of the frame extensions to bring the vehicle up to its' overall 33'- 6" scale length.

Nice job. Its coming together nicely.

Thanks Gino.

More photos on the way.

Fourth, non-steering axle installed: (For Real! - No Photoshop.)

Did not know exactly which way to face the differential skid plates:


Frame extensions:


Driveshaft extension:

This longer driveshaft is just a little larger in diameter than the original Mk23 shaft. I figured the 8x8 might require some slightly heavier specs.

Borrowed the Load Handling System (LHS) off my HEMTT to illustrate how this vehicle will be finished out.

Very nice. I need to get back to work on my two HEMTTs now that the holidays are over.

That is fantastic work, Mike!

I cant tell from the photos, what if anything are you doing to strengthen the extension areas in the frame?

Taylor if you are referring to hidden splice plates or the like, I didn't use them.

My habit is to carefully square the frame ends and then butt them directly together. I apply solvent to BOTH sides of the joint and wait 20-30 seconds for the glue to soften the plastic. I then press the two pieces firmly together, using a thick steel rule as a straight edge guide. I maintain heavy pressure forcing the two parts together. I have had good success doing this as it usually fuses the two pieces of plastic into a single, very strong part.

In this case the LHS equipment when installed will also function to add support to the frame splice.

Yep thats what I meant. I didnt think I was seeing any plates, but I wasnt sure. Very nice work on the frame.

SIDEBAR: Waste not want not! Or . . . How to build a MTVR 4x4.

I never had any intent of wasting the entirety of the second model just to acquire a single additional axle for my current Mk23 LHS project. It did not take me long to figure out that the remains of the second Mk 23 leave me almost everything needed to build the 4x4 variant of the Oshkosh truck.

So I have started repairing the now shortened frame for the 2-axle, 4 wheel drive version of the MTVR truck.





In this photo I have not yet taken the time to repair the splicing marks in the frame.

A comparison of the size of the long frame 8x8 with the bob-tailed 4x4:



Taylor, this time I did use some splice plates on the 4x4. It was just too easy to disguise them in those upper loadbox support beams.

The civilian designation given by Oshkosh for this 4x4 vehicle is TerraMax.*

* Correction: The TerraMax designation refers to any of the experimental Oshkosh MTVR self driving vehicles.



4x4 Short bed

Up to my old tricks again. - Building a profile engine for the 4x4.

Correction posted earlier: The TerraMax designation refers to any of the line of experimental Oshkosh MTVR self driving vehicles.

TerraMax and MVTR videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqPUH5SwY54

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV51BGIzkwU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw2GJh8D5-4

Note the 4x4 plus 4 wheel steering MTVR in the second half of the first video.

Great work as usual!

Oshkosh monster 8x8 LHS truck vs. the Little Pup 4x4:

Some progress on the little guy!

Front end steering gear:


Rear axle, fixed, non-steering assembly:

Looking awesome.

Yup, very nice.

Thanks guys. I appreciate it!

A construction tip / suggestion:


Consider adding these two .060 shims between the cab kickboard and the fenders.


Adding these shims allow you to attach the fenders to the floorboard without also gluing them to the cab body.

This will allow the cab floor and the fenders to remain separate from the cab so you can continue to have access to the cab interior and to add the window glass at a later time.