This old drive axle is early 50's dodge car stuff, 4.10 gear, open diff mounted upside down by bombardier to make the machine go forwards with the engine in backwards.
yep those do work good out on the lake i have used that type also on Lake of the Woods , i have in my pole shed a J8 Bomdardier i do use in the fall in my Tamarac swamp during deer season and when i was working i used one that had a digger derrick unit on it that we set poles with that the company i worked for owned. those are or were great machines of the past that Bombardier no longer makes.
Suspension chains. Suspension arms work in pairs, they play tug of war with a spring can. The spring can has a large compression spring inside of the can with a compression rod much like a shock rod. These chains connect the suspension arms to the spring can. It sounds terrible, but the ride is actually very nice.
these big bushings will replace the cageless neddle bearing system on the suspension arms.
There’s a bunch of them parked in various states of repair here locally. They where used for commercial fishing here on Lake Nipigon—price of whitefish used to double in winter. I haven’t seen one running in years and the worst thing for any vehicle is to just let it sit.
waited too long to start the project so we ended up blasting out in the snow, and in the dark at times. My boy and I took turns, he's been a godsend through the whole project.
that is what heck of a project good luck ! i am just happy i get to use a J8 Bombardier all fall and winter that i keep in my pole shed . my friend has 4 - J8`s that he uses for fire calls mostly in the spring , his J8`s carry 500 gallons of water ,hoses and pumps, my friend mounted and rebuilt these J8`s for swamp and woods for out of control fire work ,he does work for the DNR in Minnesota and some reservations also and is on call most of the spring for them.
A friend in Colorado has something similar, but it stick-steers like a skid loader. He bought the old stock from the estate of a fellow that built sno-cat type vehicles on Floyd Hill near Idaho Springs. His is powered by a V6 chevy carburated motor, and the tracks ride on a row of tires. He has taken it to the top of the Continental Divide where snowmobiles go, but can carry a load of skiers and all the gear. Has a little radiator/fan heater. Took a lot of work to piece it together, much like yours. His is more like 70's era aga-wise.
that is what heck of a project good luck ! i am just happy i get to use a J8 Bombardier all fall and winter that i keep in my pole shed . my friend has 4 - J8`s that he uses for fire calls mostly in the spring , his J8`s carry 500 gallons of water ,hoses and pumps, my friend mounted and rebuilt these J8`s for swamp and woods for out of control fire work ,he does work for the DNR in Minnesota and some reservations also and is on call most of the spring for them.
I might know your friend, sounds like a guy I know.
Changed intake gaskets, knock sensors and water pump, because it's a fkn chevy.
We braced the original truck engine mounts with light tubing and tack welds before unbolting from the revolting donor truck. this held the distance and angles correctly so I could mount the assembly in the "bomber" at out pre determined location. I went to an existing channel that was welded in crooked..... in Canada. lol
Awesome job on a cool old machine. That is a lot of work, quality work. From mechanics to body work you guys do it all. Just the knowledge and understanding of the mechanics of something different like this speaks to your skill.
Teaching Junior makes it all the more impressive. Hat is off to you.
that is what heck of a project good luck ! i am just happy i get to use a J8 Bombardier all fall and winter that i keep in my pole shed . my friend has 4 - J8`s that he uses for fire calls mostly in the spring , his J8`s carry 500 gallons of water ,hoses and pumps, my friend mounted and rebuilt these J8`s for swamp and woods for out of control fire work ,he does work for the DNR in Minnesota and some reservations also and is on call most of the spring for them.
I might know your friend, sounds like a guy I know.
that is what heck of a project good luck ! i am just happy i get to use a J8 Bombardier all fall and winter that i keep in my pole shed . my friend has 4 - J8`s that he uses for fire calls mostly in the spring , his J8`s carry 500 gallons of water ,hoses and pumps, my friend mounted and rebuilt these J8`s for swamp and woods for out of control fire work ,he does work for the DNR in Minnesota and some reservations also and is on call most of the spring for them.
I might know your friend, sounds like a guy I know.
"Bombers" as they are known as on lake of the woods, are notorious for cooling problems. So last night I built a fan shroud, should help her pull the air directly through that radiator. Also got a start on my exhaust.
Hole cutter attachment for the plasma, stomp shear, slip roll, brake... presto!
Did the original have power to the front and rear axles? I see a transfer case in the new drivetrain that I didn't see in the old one.......
I was looking for 2wd transmission like everyone has always ran in these machines. But then it occurred to me, Nobody wants 4x4 LS swaps so they are dirt cheap. Also, transfer cases have low range. The (forward output) won't drive anything, but it also won't hurt anything. For trail cruising with passengers I will use hi range 2 wheel drive. But if I have to pull a heavy load, I have low range.
Alright, I have to go back to work now. been a member here since 2004 I think, and I used to post like this a lot. I can't believe how much time it takes, I could have finished the fkn project in the time it took. lol
I'll try to post later, behave yourselves, heathens.
Alright, I have to go back to work now. been a member here since 2004 I think, and I used to post like this a lot. I can't believe how much time it takes, I could have finished the fkn project in the time it took. lol
I'll try to post later, behave yourselves, heathens.
We appreciate you taking the time and sharing, always do.
Alright, I have to go back to work now. been a member here since 2004 I think, and I used to post like this a lot. I can't believe how much time it takes, I could have finished the fkn project in the time it took. lol
I'll try to post later, behave yourselves, heathens.
We appreciate you taking the time and sharing, always do.
Dave; Top of the snowy morning to you my friend, I hope you're all keeping warm and dry.
Thanks so much for sharing this build with us, I am never disappointed in your creativity and craftsmanship.
It's got to be super cool having your son involved in the build too.
Well sir, we got about 10" to a foot of snow last night and I've got to get back out there and do the neighbors place now - did our place in the dark via the LED lights I stuck on the tractor a couple years back. My goodness I do like LED lights Dave, that's one part of technology I heartily embrace.
Thanks again, all the best to you and yours and good luck ice fishing this season.
I loved those things In my living in Minnesota days....Those were pretty cool. My ex wife was from Chisholm.... would see several running around the Hibbing Area, but that was back in the 80s... place we deer hunted at about 30 miles north of Chisholm, had two of them going thru there each season....One Blue one like Dave's and then a Green one...the Green One looked like a Home Paint Job, with a brush....or Roller..
Changed intake gaskets, knock sensors and water pump, because it's a fkn chevy.
We braced the original truck engine mounts with light tubing and tack welds before unbolting from the revolting donor truck. this held the distance and angles correctly so I could mount the assembly in the "bomber" at out pre determined location. I went to an existing channel that was welded in crooked..... in Canada. lol
Install a floor hatch so the rig can be used as a temporary fishing house?
Steve, (and everybody). Try to find a tv series called "ice vikings". It plays up in Canada. It's like deadliest catch, but it's canadian commercial ice fishing with nets through the ice. It's very interesting and they use a lot of these machines in the show, it's real life, a reality show. A lot of these machines in Canada have wood stoves in them!
I will try to summarize history and use of these machines.
Joseph Armond Bombardier, born in 1907 is said to have developed the "Auto neige" (snow car) after losing a child due to medical complications in which the child could not be transported to a hospital due to snow conditions. I believe he had been developing machines prior to the tragedy but this is the story as I understand it. This would be the initial product of the company known as Bombardier. 1937 is when production formally began. Early units had plywood coach bodies, this transitioned into metal bodies in the early 50's. Original power plants would be flat head chrysler inline 6 cylinder gasoline engines, manual 3 speed trans, automotive drive axles flipped upside down.
Sales markets varied, schools (winter bussing), mail delivery, emergency transport, military, commercial utility etc. Commercial fishing would become one of the markets.
Over the years, some machines arrived in the US at national parks areas such as yellowstone where fleets of these machines were used for winter park tours. This lasted up until recent years, some still exist out that way. Quite a few exist on lake of the woods in northern MN, mostly owned by resorts that transport sport/hobby fishermen. A few are privately owned like mine.
In Canada, many are still in service for commercial ice fishing. Others are used to transport goods way up in Nunavut and northwest territories. They pull large sleds loaded down with fuel barrels, vehicles and all sorts of goods.
No questions on the modern swap yet. I'll try to stay ahead of that.
Prior to plucking the engine and trans from the donor pickup truck:
We used HP tuner software to interface with the engine and transmission module through the diagnostics port. We deleted the VATS (vehicle anti theft), deleted egr, evap, air pump, downstream cats, AC etc. everything we didn't need, we zapped. We remapped fuel mixture for a little more power in the mid to upper RPMs. We programmed the trans settings so the trans thinks it's always in "tow/haul" and we programmed for the drive sprocket vs vehicle tire size.
I then purchased a stand alone wiring harness for cleaner "engine only" wiring.
GD it Dave. This is an abusive relationship we have here. Every time I get sick and tired of the bitching and complaining here and tell myself I'm leaving, YOU go and post another one of these threads and reel me back in! Why do you have to be so MEAN!
No questions on the modern swap yet. I'll try to stay ahead of that.
Prior to plucking the engine and trans from the donor pickup truck:
We used HP tuner software to interface with the engine and transmission module through the diagnostics port. We deleted the VATS (vehicle anti theft), deleted egr, evap, air pump, downstream cats, AC etc. everything we didn't need, we zapped. We remapped fuel mixture for a little more power in the mid to upper RPMs. We programmed the trans settings so the trans thinks it's always in "tow/haul" and we programmed for the drive sprocket vs vehicle tire size.
I then purchased a stand alone wiring harness for cleaner "engine only" wiring.
O
f course you did. There's a reason I knew you were legit the first time we met.
No questions on the modern swap yet. I'll try to stay ahead of that.
Prior to plucking the engine and trans from the donor pickup truck:
We used HP tuner software to interface with the engine and transmission module through the diagnostics port. We deleted the VATS (vehicle anti theft), deleted egr, evap, air pump, downstream cats, AC etc. everything we didn't need, we zapped. We remapped fuel mixture for a little more power in the mid to upper RPMs. We programmed the trans settings so the trans thinks it's always in "tow/haul" and we programmed for the drive sprocket vs vehicle tire size.
I then purchased a stand alone wiring harness for cleaner "engine only" wiring.
O
f course you did. There's a reason I knew you were legit the first time we met.
Well, I've spent the last couple hours educating myself on these machines. I think I've seen a couple around in Montana at ski resorts but never in southwest Alaska where I spent the bulk of my adult years. Not seeing them along Alaska's Bering Sea coast I'd suppose could be due to there size and weight not being suitable for hauling in small aircraft like a standard snowmobile. The bones of Alaskas history lay scattered across the tundra and even though I've not noticed one, I'm sure a few exist.
Just due to my lack of experience, I found this 11 year old video worthy of sharing.. Don't know what was going on in the video but there were plenty of these machines involved.
Looks terrific. I have been in two storage warehouses in the last 5 years or so down in the New Hope are north of Minneapolis and one had 3 of this type of vehicles and the other had 1. all were as if they came off the showroom floor. I’m not even sure if the owners knew each other, couple miles apart . There were many other incredible things from the past in those buildings, everything as new. Keep up the great work it’s a joy following along. Thanks Osky
I can't think of anything more useless in Kentucky, but I still want one!
I had to run up to Louisville for a Dr. appt. this morning, I sure AF could have used it.
As I was headed north, I saw the south lanes all clogged up and there were probably 25 cars off in the median or off the side of the road. Apparently someone forgot how to drive in inclement weather, there were cars everyflippin'where. No problems in the northbound lanes until I got into town. I'd left an hour early, and only just got to my Dr. appt., and I had to cancel another appt. across the city, as I just didn't want to fight the traffic. I flipped on the radio and found out that I-65 southbound was still closed, so I took an alternate route down 31W, where everyone else was detoured, apparently). It was also a mess, due to all the traffic and traffic lights, but I finally made it home after an hour and 45 minute drive that should have been 50 minutes at most. Damned Dodge minivans apparently can't go over 30mph in snow, and I was stuck behind several of the cursed things.
Looks terrific. I have been in two storage warehouses in the last 5 years or so down in the New Hope are north of Minneapolis and one had 3 of this type of vehicles and the other had 1. all were as if they came off the showroom floor. Osky
I always thought those were cool as hell, didn't they used to be used as schools buses in the great white north there? I also thought they had straight 6's in them as well.
Dave; Good evening and thanks for another update, it looks like you're going to have a much improved restomod when you're done.
While I'm sure some of the folks know about Bombardier as a company, those that don't might be surprised to learn that the company went from building those, to snowmobiles - Ski-Doo and now build all sorts of stuff including jet aircraft.
When I looked it up it said that they've got 49,180 employees as of 2021.
They do get a bunch of Canadian federal tax dollars fairly frequently, that I know too.
Anyways Dave, thanks again for the updates, it's a really unique project.
Dave; Good evening and thanks for another update, it looks like you're going to have a much improved restomod when you're done.
While I'm sure some of the folks know about Bombardier as a company, those that don't might be surprised to learn that the company went from building those, to snowmobiles - Ski-Doo and now build all sorts of stuff including jet aircraft.
When I looked it up it said that they've got 49,180 employees as of 2021.
They do get a bunch of Canadian federal tax dollars fairly frequently, that I know too.
Anyways Dave, thanks again for the updates, it's a really unique project.
All the best to you all again.
Dwayne
I hope you are well, friend.
Look for that show I mentioned "ice vikings". I shouldn't assume that you watch tv, but there are a couple short clips in youtube I think?
I love the history behind bombardier, which is incorrectly pronounced "bomb ber deer" in the states. Lol!
Dave; Good evening again and thanks for the reply and the show recommendation.
We've got a sister and sister in law - each I guess now that I type it out - in Winnipeg and lots of nephews and nieces there. Some of them fish up on the south end of Lake Winnipeg for sure, but none of them are in the commercial fishing business.
It's a big lake though for sure, though not as confusing as Lake of the Woods where I believe I recall you all fish sometimes?
One nephew fishes there pretty often on the north side of the line. He says there's enough islands and bays to allow one to get mightily confused if one isn't careful!
I'll see if we get that show on any of the channels we have though Dave. I admit we do have a TV, but I don't watch it much anymore somehow, no....
Again I think the coolest part of the build is your son's involvement and unless I miss my guess, you do as well.
All the best to one and all at Dave's auto and Bombardier restoration works.
Great job on that bomber,we dont have many of that style in N.H. Worked on a lot of newer bombardier machines when i worked at the local ski area. Heres a picture of a real early B7 with a ford v8 flathead in it taken at the 2016 national snowmachine show.I think it was a 1938 model pretty much all wood.
We don't see many (if any of this stuff) in the south. I think this is some kind of cool. Reminds me of some of the stuff form a movie "How to Marry a Millionaire". Think it would be cool just to ride around in one of these things
Love it. The perfect engine too IMHO now adays everyone thinks the 'little' 4.8 isn't enough but you'd have to put a pile of money and work in a 350 back in the day to make the hp and torque it makes. I ran one up to 150k miles and it sounded like new when I sold the truck I still see it around town 5 years later trucks a rust bucket but she still purrs along amazingly well.
I wonder if that radiator will suck a lot of snow in being in the back? I remember the ones we used to ride around in fishing would be covered with snow. I hated when they had a full load you had to put your gear in the open side rack. Better have a lid on your bucket!
I wonder if that radiator will suck a lot of snow in being in the back? I remember the ones we used to ride around in fishing would be covered with snow. I hated when they had a full load you had to put your gear in the open side rack. Better have a lid on your bucket!
There's a clamshell door that goes on the back, hinged at the bottom. They bring their air in fron the tip of the clamshell. Although there are many of these in use with just a piece of expanded metal covering the radiator and they do fine. Snow melts and cools the rad like crazy.
Love the sound of that V8. Looks like Joe does too judging by the smile when he revved it a little.
I wonder about using the limited slip diff though. Seems like it might reduce the ability to steer with the tracks not wanting to move at different speeds.
Love the sound of that V8. Looks like Joe does too judging by the smile when he revved it a little.
I wonder about using the limited slip diff though. Seems like it might reduce the ability to steer with the tracks not wanting to move at different speeds.
Jerry
A valid concern. We've discussed it and we've talked to others that have tried it, they seem happy with theirs so we're going to try it.
It's really not that precise of a machine, lol. You'd maybe have to see in person to understand. Everything was measured and squared, it's a lot straighter than it was originally.
Absolutely fabulous job Dave; and involving your son makes it all the more awesome! Memories last forever! Congratulations on one helluva job, looking forward to the finished product. Thanks for the wonderful pictures & videos. A TON of work. Doesn't look like it's your son's first rodeo. You should be one proud Dad!
-10 degrees, dark, no doors, no seats, no windshield... test drive? Absolutely!
Joe and I put our stocking caps on and a couple of safety face shields from the welding shop and we backed the bomber out of the shop under it's own power for the first time since october 21.
-10 degrees, dark, no doors, no seats, no windshield... test drive? Absolutely!
Joe and I put our stocking caps on and a couple of safety face shields from the welding shop and we backed the bomber out of the shop under it's own power for the first time since october 21.
-10 degrees, dark, no doors, no seats, no windshield... test drive? Absolutely!
Joe and I put our stocking caps on and a couple of safety face shields from the welding shop and we backed the bomber out of the shop under it's own power for the first time since october 21.
Can't believe you got rid of the Tucker, those things are awesome but this looks like it could be a lot of fun too. Those tracks must suck in the deep snow but the metal grousers have to be awesome on the ice for traction. My Argo has similar tracks (UHMW grousers) like yours and they don't like the deep snow but they are killer in the swamps and on the tundra. That's going to make one hell of an ice fishing rig.
All things considered, what would be the top safe speed?
Theoretically it would do about 70 with the gear ratio, sprocket size and expected rpm. Safe and sustainable, 30 to 40. Its all dependent on trail conditions or lack of trail, it could be 20. Depends on conditions.
Did the original have power to the front and rear axles? I see a transfer case in the new drivetrain that I didn't see in the old one.......
I was looking for 2wd transmission like everyone has always ran in these machines. But then it occurred to me, Nobody wants 4x4 LS swaps so they are dirt cheap. Also, transfer cases have low range. The (forward output) won't drive anything, but it also won't hurt anything. For trail cruising with passengers I will use hi range 2 wheel drive. But if I have to pull a heavy load, I have low range.
I was wondering about the T-case too, but now that makes sense......
That is totally awesome, Dave!!!! You actually make winter look fun!!!! That V-8 sounds good!! Hope the Bombadier provides you many years of a nice warm place to drink a beer on the lake.....frozen that is.