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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.

Melissa
10-25-2009, 08:10 PM
It's a cute little thing, I like it. I can't wait to see the progress...........................so get going!!:rotfl2:

4.3LXJ
10-25-2009, 08:41 PM
It's a cute little thing, I like it. I can't wait to see the progress...........................so get going!!:rotfl2:

Gotta finish the XJ first. Then get momma to donate the engine out of her car....

TXstiGUY
10-25-2009, 11:35 PM
Looks like an awsome project. :smiley-scared002:

warrpath4x4
10-25-2009, 11:49 PM
Sounds like a cool project, I've ridden in one that had a rollbar with a 60 mounted on it.

BlueXJ
10-25-2009, 11:59 PM
I have seen then before. There were several at Subic Bay when I was there in '69.

I have an aquaintence with a body and he is planning a similar vehicle out of his. As I recall it has a weird transmission with a frail output shaft. Anyway I have not seen his in months. It may be ready for the trails by now or he may have given up.

Thanks for sharing the next project with us.

4.3LXJ
10-26-2009, 01:42 AM
If he never does anything with it, I would be interested in picking up another body for spare parts. My son wants one to match mine. He remembers playing in it as a kid.

xj4life2
10-26-2009, 04:41 PM
the owner here actually owns one and it runs , it was a down range jeep and is painted bright orange. Looks like a fun project !!!!

4.3LXJ
10-26-2009, 05:22 PM
Since I am local to you, I'll drop in and talk to him

COSXJFAN
10-27-2009, 08:47 AM
Whew, yellow jackets...NO THANKS!! I'll pull my skirt up, and run like a little school girl when it comes to bees, hornets, and the like!! People always say, "If you leave them alone, they will leave you alone!" That is a bunch of crap, they must love the way I taste, or something!! That looks like a great little project. I'd love to see the suspension, so I can have an idea of what you are talking about!! Thanks for sharing!!

Mudderoy
10-27-2009, 09:13 AM
Flaming gas soaked rag on a long stick. They're still mad but now they can't fly! :patriot:

4.3LXJ
10-27-2009, 09:37 AM
I just took out a big nest a couple of days ago. Standing right on top of it while operating my chainsaw. :sad0147::sad0147:

COSXJFAN
10-27-2009, 09:40 AM
YIKES!!!:shocker:

4.3LXJ
10-27-2009, 04:59 PM
Flaming gas soaked rag on a long stick. They're still mad but now they can't fly! :patriot:

How about just stuffing a gas soaked cotton ball in the entrance and then pouring a cup full of gas on the rest? Works like a charm:D:D

mizedog
11-16-2009, 11:09 AM
Isn't this the one with a V-4 engine?!

I saw a fully restored one at the Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade. It was pulling an M416 (I think) trailer. Very nice.

4.3LXJ
11-16-2009, 05:21 PM
Yup. Air cooled V4 - pure junk. That is why I am going to remotor it.

may pop
02-01-2010, 05:08 PM
How about a Mazda rotary. I saw a suzuki LJ 40 the little one in 1976 with a rotary in it. It was at the sand dunes in Stevensville Michigan. Just like a rocket on wheels.

flippedXJ
02-01-2010, 05:20 PM
looks like its gonna be a neat little toy

4.3LXJ
02-01-2010, 06:18 PM
How about a Mazda rotary. I saw a suzuki LJ 40 the little one in 1976 with a rotary in it. It was at the sand dunes in Stevensville Michigan. Just like a rocket on wheels.

Rotaries have been put in these vehicles, but I like the power band of the Subaru better.

flippedXJ
02-01-2010, 06:40 PM
besides then it wont sound like a pissed off weed wacker

4.3LXJ
02-01-2010, 07:29 PM
No, Subaru E57 engines sound real healthy with the right muffler.

flippedXJ
02-01-2010, 09:27 PM
oh ya scoobie engines sound good with the right exhaust

4.3LXJ
02-01-2010, 10:52 PM
And the turbo makes them real quick.