Custom made volkswagon powered 8x8 with sea doo pump

[brushcutter]

Man I can't wait to see this build in action running trotlines. What could be more cool than driving your catfishing rig into the fishing hole and baiting up with out ever having to get out of it. Another big advantage is never having to wait in line to launch, just park the trailer, get in and roll on into the water NICE!

[chris davison]

I cant wait to just catch some fish. What is really cool is I just unlatch the tilting ramps and lift the fender with one hand and it tilts and rolls off by itself and sits on the ground at the end of the ramps just waiting for me to get in. I was looking for more space and noticed I could slide the rear seat forward another 10 inches before my knees hit the front seat so the whole area over the trans could be storage 1.5'x4'. Still have to find some baffles to go into the mufflers its to loud.

[brushcutter]

When you get ready to start frying pop me an pm and I can send you my make-it-yourself from scratch fish fry recipe. The fish-out-of-your-amphib thing and Coop's artifact hunting have gotten me really impatient to have mine going. I was hoping to get to duck hunt out of it this year, but it isn't looking like that is going to happen, maybe the last couple weeks of the season. It should be up in time for the spring bass run in my favorite local bayou though. Good artifact hunting and Louisiana Petrified Palm can also be found in that creek... in case the fish aren't biting. I'll be needing to rig up a rodgunshovel rack when I get it finished.

One thing everybody can agree on: you can NEVER have enough storage. Are you thinking of a seat that can be easily removed, or just slid forward when needed? 18" X 4' is enough room for a good sized cooler. Also, it might be cheaper to just buy different mufflers, but I can't really say...

[chris davison]

I like to think ahead so both seats are removable and slide forward or back or can lay flat to make a bed 4'x6' I havent made the seat cushings yet but they will be removable to go under the sleeping bags in the tent. The mufflers are the ones they sell for VW three wheelers and they do make the baffles for them. I will work on storage areas when all the electric wires steering cables air hoses bilge pump and compressor are located. as you can see I have an overhead rack to.

[chris davison]

Purchased a 13' long marine steering cable today will hook it up this week end. I figured it would be better to have the full length than piece together the stock seadoo one 6' long.

[chris davison]

Here is a pic of the air compressor I bought on Ebay to power the air clutch. It will be mounted under the front passenger seat on top of the chain case. It draws 30 amps of 12 vdc thats almost 1/2 hp so I purchased a 12 vdc 40 amp relay to run off the air pressure switch. then when I read the Instructions It said that the unit needed to be started with no pressure how do you do that when your tank is at 90 psi? Easy I put a 1/4 check valve at the entrance to the tank and a normally open 12 vdc solonoid teed into the line from the compressor to the check valve so when the compressor starts the air line is at 0 psi as the sol closes to put air into the tank thru the check valve. Then as the pressure switch reaches 120 psi It turns off the relay the compressor stops and the sol goes to its normally open position exhausting the pressure between the compressor and the check valve the check valve holds the air in the tank not letting it back to the compressor. Auto unloader.

[chris davison]

This is a nice camp spot I had at beaver lake, its where I plan to test out the pump drive.

[chris davison]

couldnt find a decent air tank for the on board compressor so I took 20 min and tiged one together from 4" stainless tubing.

[chris davison]

Trailered walley to the aluminum tig welder today and got the pump drive bearing assy welded in and the bash plate under the pump. Now its just assembling the sys and the water drive will be running.

[chris davison]

Ran the pump last night for the first time powered by the motor and engauged by the air clutch, it was cool to watch but it makes a loud noise so I will dissassemble and fix what I think it is. Kind of exciting to see my plan come together. I recieved my check valve and the 12vdc sol but no 40 amp relay yet.

[kelvin]

Nice work chris every thing is all well thought out and engineered!
any more progress? Also wondering how you set up your brake cylinders for steering did you use two one for each side or one for both sides?

[chris davison]

Hi Kelvin Thanks for the Kudos If you look back thru all the threads and pics you can see there is a disc brake on both axles of the trans axle and the steering wheel is connected to a sand rail turning brake. Turning right locks up all 4 tires on the right side and sends all the drive to the left tires that now turn twice as fast. I also have the stock VW foot brake that locks both disc brake and so all 8 tires. I have been working 12 hrs a day 6 days a week and so havent much time but I have recieved my 40 amp relay and mounted it to a s/s plate I welded to the air tank. I welded my last bearing mount for the rear drive pump Just two things I need to do before powered drive in the water finish the steering to the pump nozzel and assemble all the air compressor parts. I also installed my 600 gal per hr bilge pump.

[kelvin]

i carnt wait to see it going

[chris davison]

This is the new center dash made from aluminum diamond plate and the cover for the center tunnell that carries the brake lines.air hose, throttle cable, clutch cable.

[chris davison]

Here is a pic of the finished clutch and the rear chain case covers.