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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: tonyman246 on November 19, 2009, 11:35:44 AM

Title: i want to make my tracker amphibious
Post by: tonyman246 on November 19, 2009, 11:35:44 AM

has anyone ever attempted to make a tracker amphibious? i was thinking of using plastic barrels for flotation and an outboard on the back for propulsion. wouldn't that be cool n fairly cheap? (1-1500 for barrels, steel for frameing, craigslist used outboard)

Title: Re: i want to make my tracker amphibious
Post by: Drone637 on November 19, 2009, 12:02:12 PM

I have seen the Samurai/SJ-413 conversions but not a Sidekick/Tracker.  It could be a lot of fun.

Not sure about just using barrels and an outboard, but it did work for Top Gear.

Title: Re: i want to make my tracker amphibious
Post by: ebewley on November 20, 2009, 07:54:48 AM

Not a Sidekick but one of our old friends Rick Rogers of Mild To Wild Suzukis did do a Samurai with pontoons.

More photos and stuff here....

http://www.mildtowildsuzuki.com/ (http://www.mildtowildsuzuki.com/)

-Eric

Title: Re: i want to make my tracker amphibious
Post by: RHodge on November 20, 2009, 07:58:23 AM

That's cool 



anyone want to go fishing

Title: Re: i want to make my tracker amphibious
Post by: Cuthulu on November 20, 2009, 09:15:00 AM

Can you imagine the look of the Coast Gaurd if you went down the Columbia like that.

Title: Re: i want to make my tracker amphibious
Post by: zukimoo on November 20, 2009, 11:45:43 AM

my friend has a samurai on 44's and he can drive into a pond and float. It's not a complete body but he can cross anywhere.

Title: Re: i want to make my tracker amphibious
Post by: Drone637 on November 20, 2009, 01:47:23 PM

That would be worth waterproofing my rig for.  :)

Title: Re: i want to make my tracker amphibious
Post by: locjaw on November 21, 2009, 08:07:17 AM

i think this is what everyone was looking for.

 http://www.timdutton.com/ (http://www.timdutton.com/)

compant that bases a amphibious vehicle on the sierra (samauri)

Title: Re: i want to make my tracker amphibious
Post by: Drone637 on November 21, 2009, 10:06:23 AM

Looking at some of the pictures though, this is awfully non-samurai looking dash.

http://www.amphijeep.biz/timdutton/4wd.html (http://www.amphijeep.biz/timdutton/4wd.html)

(http://www.amphijeep.biz/timdutton/jpeg/comdash.jpg)

Title: Re: i want to make my tracker amphibious
Post by: Rhinoman on November 21, 2009, 12:46:13 PM

The latest Dutton is Jimny based, there are no more new Samurais available over here. The Samurai version was sold to an American company, I forget what they call it.

Title: Re: i want to make my tracker amphibious
Post by: firemedic396 on November 21, 2009, 07:50:39 PM

Tony, if you wanted something amphibious just go out buy a BassTracker boat and tow it with your Tracker! lol! Making your rig into a floater with propulsion  isn't hard but it is time consuming and you will need several "trial-and-error" sessions to get it right. What will you need?
1. Several gallons of liquid expansion foam to fill every possible void on the rig like fenders, doors, roof, quarter panels, tailgate, etc.
2. The aforementioned barrels and tubing to mount them to the truck.
3. A snorkel in the front with an elevated exhaust pipe in the rear.
4. A thorough electronics water proofing both inside the cab (under the dashboard) as well as under the hood (bonnet for the non-Americans lol).
5. A sub-frame underneath to support steel plating from front to back (so that the rig will deflect water away and come up on plane easier).
6. Optional item: a set of outriggers to help stabilize it side to side.
The outboard size should be kept under a 90 hp or less to keep the weight balanced f/r, and to keep from overpowering the truck and taking on water. Other than that, it should work.