Really off road - like, in water !

[fusername]

those of you unfamiliar with boston we have duck tours roaming around the city. my bus was part of one of them when the driver started addressing me through the PA, I was really confused for a while. I think it was a 54? made me feel young. Very cool, everything in this thread.
I am trying to imagine two amphibs goin at it on the open sea, and its really funny image. Kind of like two canoes with cannons.

[Mr Slug]

I love those pictures of the ducks with the lil' ducklings trailing along. It is interesting that these old warriors are still putting in sterling service throughout the world. Frog tours is a UK based company that have bright yellow DUKWs ferrying tourists up the Thames in London.

My Pals and I crossed for the 50th anniversary of the D Day landings in WW2.
The trip took 5 1/2 hours, and was really calm.
Best bit was taking old veterans out in the Duck - they really appreciated it.

[Big Dave]

How do the French feel about having people drive military vehicles up on the beach like that?

[Mr Slug]

How do the French feel about having people drive military vehicles up on the beach like that?
I am the Slug...........fixed that,

To be honest, we didn't ask. It was in June, but quite a cold day and not many locals on the beach. Those that were around had a look of disbelief
Just drove straight out of the water, drove along the beach until we see a gap in the buildings - then up onto the main highway..........and away !

..................we booked onto a ferry for the retuirn trip

Anyway, the French didn't complain when my Granpa went there 50 years previous in WW2. In fact he is still there to this day..........KIA

[Mr Slug]

Yippeeeee !.........A good day at the Shlugsburg factory, a couple of these little mothers off a trekker turned up.

Is there anything, tips, or knowhow I need to swap them over ?

thanks, Regards Slug.

[perrib]

Incredible build x 1000.
On a side note my friend thought when in 1982 he bought a schwim for 20K and in 1984 resold it for 40k that he did well. He is still mad at his ex for his loss.

[madmitch]

Here is my proposed solution for the place where the axle leave the body tub. It has to be different to the original method, because 166 axles are little short stubs that only protrude from the transmission a few inches. I use Beetle axles and bus reduction boxes, so the joint has to be flexable and removeable. I have been scratching my head for six months.

..............Then, last week I had a great idea. I remembered about 20 years ago when I rebuilt my halftrack, I used a strange boot on the front axle. It was like a CV joint that was removable - anyway, I tracked some down via a surplus dealer I know and .........well waddaya think ?

I couldn't resist showing the package that these parts came in - sealed water proof envelopes, packed with silica moisture agent, then all but in a box that is taped up and sealed in a wax jacket - this stuff is like brand new and it is almost 70 years old (thank your granpa's tax dollar for that)








I figure to fit them to either end with a band clamp (don't know american for jubilee clip) and, it will mean coating the leather and the zips in waterproof liquid wax.........But I think it has a chance !

How are you going to keep water out of the trans, by using stock rubber boots inside of these?

[Mr Slug]

Exactly Mitch, I have some that can be split - specially designed to be fitted retrospectivly - I plant to use those.

The discussion on here last week regarding armament for the VW166, prompted me to buy a Christmas present for the 'Schrapwaggen' a de-ac mg34

[Sneaks]

I need one of those for the morning commute...

[Mr Slug]

Not done much work on the Schwimming schlugwagen over the holiday - far too busy with Christmas. But, I did finish off putting the hubs together, so here is a brief update.
Fitting the trekker/thing spindles was a breeze, couldn't have been easier.

It has had the desired effect. Increased ground clearance and levelled out the body so as it has the 'stance' of an original VW166.

This picture shows how level it is..........assuming of course that I did build my house level



The height now is approx 80mm too high at both the front and rear,
That is why I have so much camber on the rear.



So, after I fit the engine, ancillaries, swimprop, exhaust, seats, air ducting etc, etc on the rear end, and spare wheel, fuel tank windshield, etc, etc up the front - I hope it all comes down level, and about 80mm.

Anyone here have an idea, or any experience of how much it will drop with the engine re installed ?

[fusername]

well quick and dirty would be to have two people stand in the back of the car, see how far it drops. I want to say a solid inch an a half, or 40mm, but that is a fuzzy memory from when i installed an engine in my rail maybe 3 years ago

[Mr Slug]

Thanks Fuser, I don't mind if it stays a little high - I recon that is far cooler than looking like I 'slammed' it, and lowered the suspension.

[fusername]

I'm with you there, although that camber looks like a bit too much fun for me.

[david58]

I wouldn't worry too much about the camber till you have the weight in the rear, and just adding weight will not give you a true camber reading without rolling it several feet back and forth so everything settles. Driving it would ever be better.

[fusername]

what he said. worry about it when you are driving (conning?) the thing, and if its still an issue you can fix it then.