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| Steve started by laying out his requirements. He knew how well CJ8 Scramblers and Toyota Pickups work. Their 103" wheelbase would be perfect for what he had in mind. 103" is long enough for stability on steep climbs, but short enough to get around the boulders in tight canyons. He also wanted a smooth underbelly to slide over obstacles when the breakover was too steep. As he started bending the chassis of two-inch, .120 wall DOM tubing, he had another idea. Why not make the buggy a tandem, only wide enough for a single seat? This would allow the driver to see both sides equally well. The axles would be left full width for stability.
The chassis was quickly finished, as were the 64" wide Dana 44 front end and Ford 9" rear end. Detroit Lockers and 5.38 gears were installed front and rear. Steve salvaged a 360 V8 from a Jeep Cherokee, a Chrysler 727 automatic transmission, and a 208 transfer case and bolted them into the chassis. To keep the engine running at all attitudes and altitudes, a throttle body fuel injection system from Howell |
Steve Nantz's Centipede crawls over rocks like its namesake. The 2" DOM-tubed chassis is narrow enough to allow the driver to see out both sides of the 4x4. | |
The 360 AMC V8 was left stock, but Howell throttle body fuel injection keeps it running at all times. The 360 produces plenty of horsepower and torque to power the Centipede over obstacles. A Chrysler 727 automatic and 208 transfer case were bolted behind the V8. | |
The Dana 44 front end houses a Detroit Locker and 5.38:1 gears. The hydraulic steering turns the front wheels with one-finger ease - no matter what! |
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