Ma Duce
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- yorkville, IL
So after some tinkering around, my buddies and I are getting down to really considering building a clone of a Cougar MRAP by General Dynamics.
The plan is to use a 900 series truck as a base. Originally, I wanted to do the 4x4 version, but after looking at it, and knowing that it would be a bobber project to start with, it would be like another project to itself, I think I’ve settled on doing the 6x6 version.
The Cougar’s body looks a lot easier to reproduce with its boxy style. And it’s dimensions look similar to a 923 or 931. For instance, overall length on the Cougar is 295” (including rear steps). A 923 is 307” (most likely including the bumperetts.) Although, I will admit to seeing more than one dimension given on the Cougar for overall length.
I can’t find actual wheelbase info on the Cougar. But given other info on number of troops and such I think it is going to be safe to assume that the wheelbase is similar to a 923 or a 931. With that, which one to use? A 931 has a wheelbase of 167” a 923 is 179”. 12” difference. The frame on a 923 is about 40’ longer than a 931.
While this won’t be an exact replica of a Cougar, we are just gonna have to do the best that we can, using a 5 ton as a base. The good news is we have a source for AR-500 at a reasonable price. And we have access to a CNC plasma cutter.
On the engine side, the 923/931 uses the Cummins NHC 250 which has 250 HP. The Cummins 6CTA8.3 in the A2s is a smaller engine, but has HP ratings from Cummins that span 250-300 HP putting it a bit closer to the 330 HP of the Cat C7. And according to some of the threads here on turning them up, looks like the 6CTA could give the Cat C7 a run for its money with a few tweaks.
Another difference is gonna be the 5 speed auto trans vs the 6 speed of the Cougar. Which would limit top speed, but this thing isn’t gonna be made for doing 80 down the highway. I figure it’s all going to be used for local stuff.
From the pics, TMs and other things I have been able to assemble on the Cougar, my thought is cut the project into 3 pieces. 1. The box, 2. The cab, 3. Hood/engine compartment/front end. I’ll worry about adding the armor un the underside for the trans and transfer case later. Hull design, doors and such will take a priority to make it a functioning replica.
And as parts come off of the base truck, I plan on selling them off to help defray the costs of the project. So the drop side bed, the cab (minus gauges), hood and tires for starters. The CTIS if we use an A2 will go as well.
The 923 looks to be closer to the overall size, but we will have to see what becomes available and at what price for the “donor” truck. But I’m leaning towards the 923A2 because of the motor.
I recently won a couple of auctions for the seat kits, so I have the front seats and jump seats for the rear – I won 6 kits of driver/co-driver seat w/ 4 jump seats. So getting the inside look is starting to take shape. I’m gonna play around with seating arrangements, as the neat thing about MRAPS is that there are so many different types, and variations, you can almost do what you want on the inside. And since we won’t be needing the same type of commo gear, that’s going to free up some space.
There are lots of parts coming out in auctions. It’s getting to where I can see a part and after looking at so much of this stuff, I can figure out which MRAP stuff came off of, be it a Caiman, Navistar or Cougar.
Lots to plan and think about, but this looks to be a fun project if we can getting it going in the next couple of months.
Anybody got any thoughts or ideas?
Todd
p.s. been away for a while as my work really had me swamped here in Illinois.
The plan is to use a 900 series truck as a base. Originally, I wanted to do the 4x4 version, but after looking at it, and knowing that it would be a bobber project to start with, it would be like another project to itself, I think I’ve settled on doing the 6x6 version.
The Cougar’s body looks a lot easier to reproduce with its boxy style. And it’s dimensions look similar to a 923 or 931. For instance, overall length on the Cougar is 295” (including rear steps). A 923 is 307” (most likely including the bumperetts.) Although, I will admit to seeing more than one dimension given on the Cougar for overall length.
I can’t find actual wheelbase info on the Cougar. But given other info on number of troops and such I think it is going to be safe to assume that the wheelbase is similar to a 923 or a 931. With that, which one to use? A 931 has a wheelbase of 167” a 923 is 179”. 12” difference. The frame on a 923 is about 40’ longer than a 931.
While this won’t be an exact replica of a Cougar, we are just gonna have to do the best that we can, using a 5 ton as a base. The good news is we have a source for AR-500 at a reasonable price. And we have access to a CNC plasma cutter.
On the engine side, the 923/931 uses the Cummins NHC 250 which has 250 HP. The Cummins 6CTA8.3 in the A2s is a smaller engine, but has HP ratings from Cummins that span 250-300 HP putting it a bit closer to the 330 HP of the Cat C7. And according to some of the threads here on turning them up, looks like the 6CTA could give the Cat C7 a run for its money with a few tweaks.
Another difference is gonna be the 5 speed auto trans vs the 6 speed of the Cougar. Which would limit top speed, but this thing isn’t gonna be made for doing 80 down the highway. I figure it’s all going to be used for local stuff.
From the pics, TMs and other things I have been able to assemble on the Cougar, my thought is cut the project into 3 pieces. 1. The box, 2. The cab, 3. Hood/engine compartment/front end. I’ll worry about adding the armor un the underside for the trans and transfer case later. Hull design, doors and such will take a priority to make it a functioning replica.
And as parts come off of the base truck, I plan on selling them off to help defray the costs of the project. So the drop side bed, the cab (minus gauges), hood and tires for starters. The CTIS if we use an A2 will go as well.
The 923 looks to be closer to the overall size, but we will have to see what becomes available and at what price for the “donor” truck. But I’m leaning towards the 923A2 because of the motor.
I recently won a couple of auctions for the seat kits, so I have the front seats and jump seats for the rear – I won 6 kits of driver/co-driver seat w/ 4 jump seats. So getting the inside look is starting to take shape. I’m gonna play around with seating arrangements, as the neat thing about MRAPS is that there are so many different types, and variations, you can almost do what you want on the inside. And since we won’t be needing the same type of commo gear, that’s going to free up some space.
There are lots of parts coming out in auctions. It’s getting to where I can see a part and after looking at so much of this stuff, I can figure out which MRAP stuff came off of, be it a Caiman, Navistar or Cougar.
Lots to plan and think about, but this looks to be a fun project if we can getting it going in the next couple of months.
Anybody got any thoughts or ideas?
Todd
p.s. been away for a while as my work really had me swamped here in Illinois.
