Thinking about building a 4WD Viper - similar to the old Corvette 4WD hacks...

[Martin]

Maybe I have too much time on my hands right now, but I've been thinking about what a hoot it would be to turn a Gen II GTS into something like this Corvette hack. From crude measurements, a lot of the standard Mopar/Jeep components will fit under the body... I know it's sacrilege, but it would catch some looks. I think I'd add a camo color scheme to it

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[JohnnyViper]

please dont as you said it sacrilege, if you want to do something like that pick up a stingray like in the picture, it can be had cheap and will still get a ton of looks

 

[DeceptioN]

I personally think it would be cool...

 

[FrgMstr]

DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Martin]

Keep in mind I wouldn't use a car that is in 'good' shape as the starter project. There are some GEN II cars out there that had some serious damage done to them (bent frame, messed up suspension, etc.) that just can't and shouldn't be brought back to 'stock'. That would be a good platform to do something crazy with.

 

[Timnineside]

I say do a GTS with a mid engine AWD. That would be crazy! Maybe stretch it a little and use a transaxel. I don't know food for thought, but I would love to see a Viper do a AWD smokie!

 

[bluesrt]

i would find one like new and butcher it.... hehehehehehehehe

 

[GTLaser]

I hope you are joking....

 

[latamud]

Save the Viper and use this:

You must be registered for see images attach

http://www.racingjunk.com/category/...1/97-dodge-viper-fiberglass-replica-body.html

 

[JohnnyViper]

wow that is perfect

 

[Martin]

I know most people would think it's stupid and crazy, and I can't disagree on that It'll probably never happen (at least by me) since there are a lot of other projects that are way ahead as far as priorities go.

That said, I can't get the idea totally out of my mind. It would be cool to try and marry up a bunch of Jeep Grand Cherokee driveline pieces (shortened chassis), with a GTS body style, and do a crazy 'road warrior' type of paint job on it. When I do that rough calcs, things 'look' like it would be possible to get everything to fit (with a ton of work). Problem with the JGC is that the body is an integral part of the chassis - so it's not as easy as just lifting the JGC body and popping a GTS body on it. There would be a ton of frame work to do to keep the thing from breaking in half or twisting itself to pieces...

When I was in high-school, a guy down the street from me did a job on a Stingray that was so ridiculous it was cool. I think he took a lifted K-5 Blazer chassis, built the heck out of the driveline, put a 427 in it, and got the Stingray body to cleanly integrate (with a roll cage). It was beyond ridiculous looking, but when that guy took it offroad and really ran it hard, it was a sight to behold (and a sound that blew your mind). That thing was the quintessential apocalyptic road-warrior vehicle.

 

[DarcShadow]

I think I'd use an RT/10 body though so you could take the top off. That, or turn the GTS into a T-top. A big 4WD vehicle like that you should be able to see the sky.

 

[KNG SNKE]

A big 4WD vehicle like that you should be able to see the sky.

Or the ground when your rolling over!

 

[Jance GTS]

Save the Viper and use this:

You must be registered for see images attach

http://www.racingjunk.com/category/...1/97-dodge-viper-fiberglass-replica-body.html

That has to be a model, right? It just doesn't look life size?

 

[Red Snake]

If you're gonna cut one up just at least be sure it's a yellow one.

 

[JohnnyViper]

i would be ok with that

 

[Slithr]

If you're gonna cut one up just at least be sure it's a yellow one.

If you do use a yellow one, make sure to take the V8 out and use the more powerful V10

 

[latamud]

That has to be a model, right? It just doesn't look life size?

From the Ad:

It is hand layed fiber glass. It is the complete body and comes with the main body, one peace front and inner and outer doors. Could be used for drag, drifting, or even road racing.

I think if it was a model the blades of grass in the photo would look bigger.

 

[plumcrazy]

i think it would be kool as heck. go for it !!!

 

[Mopar Steve]

SRT8 Jeep conversion would work.

 

[Martin]

SRT8 Jeep conversion would work.

That's where my thinking started. The SRT8 has got a really stout tranny and transfer case, and uses Dana 44 axles all around. What I'd want to do, though, is possibly fit it with more 'off road' pieces that had to come off for the SRT8 to make that platform work well on the street. For example, toss in some of the aftermarket off-road bits to give it some real traction and articulation, put locker axles front and back, and see if one of the manual trannys might be made to work.

The nice thing with starting with something like a Jeep Grand Cherokee is the wheelbase is only about 10" longer than the Viper wheelbase, which gives room to shorten drive shafts and frame pieces as needed. There will undoubtedly be a ton of clearance issues, and having almost of foot of material to potentially hack out can make some problems go away.

I'd really like to find a way to stuff the V10 in there - I've done some research and it can be made to mount to the tranny in the SRT8 (it's their German high-strength tranny), but I don't think there's enough room under the tunnel for that engine, the tranny and transfer case. Might have to go with a supercharged 6.4L Hemi instead, which kind of removes some of the allure for me... I think it needs to keep the V10.

 

[shooter_t1]

If you're gonna cut one up just at least be sure it's a yellow one.

Sacrilege....there is a special place for twisted souls such as yourself.

 

[latamud]

It reminds me of the Viper TV show, the Viper would transform into an off road vehicle. I tried to find a photo of it but my network is limited.

 

[Jance GTS]

From the Ad:

I think if it was a model the blades of grass in the photo would look bigger.

Looks can be deceiving. This is my 1:6 scale remote control Navigator that me and a friend customized.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[mattdillon]

i think it would be kool as heck. go for it !!!

+1, I say go for it too. I think it would be cool, but use a Gen 1 its a lil' closer to the bare minimum!

 

[mattdillon]

Looks can be deceiving. This is my 1:6 scale remote control Navigator that me and a friend customized.

You must be registered for see images attach

Jance I would have never guessed that was a model, too cool!

 

[Jance GTS]

Jance I would have never guessed that was a model, too cool!

Thanks! I've pretty proud of it!

Here is where it started.... http://www.jancecustoms.com/jances_stock_navigator.html

Finshed. http://www.jancecustoms.com/intimigator.html

Sorry to jack your thread!

 

[eucharistos]

+1 for do it, but build it for speed

 

[eucharistos]

rod holder front bumper in op's pic

 

[lagalaxy13]

GO FOR IT!