I have been playing around with the idea of building some bolt-on snow tracks for the disco.

Similar to these:
Mattracks | Worldwide Rubber Track Technology

But with a more DIY touch like this:
Zj on Homemade Snow Tracks - North American Grand Cherokee Association
Go to page 4 for another version and the last page for a revised version of what the guy originally started with.

I think the biggest obstacle to overcome is the additional torque that will be applied to the hub assembly.

Figured I would post something up and get some feedback on what everyone's thoughts are.

I think a good base for the tracks would be to use a snowmobile skid itself and beef it up or use it as a template for a thicker metal. Then comes matting it with some sort of hub/cog that will turn the track....instead of using the wheel hub design like the guy did why not use a snowmobile cog? (strength maybe...)

Going to do some more research and see what else i come up with for DIY tracks.

 

Quote from americantracktruck.com ...$9,100

"Thank you for the email.

The price for a DOMINATOR 2012 track system for a Land Rover is $9,100. This is a complete system which includes everything you need. There is nothing more to buy and no other modifications should be needed to the vehicle. Simple bolt on installation takes about an hour. If spacers are necessary this will add a bit to the price.

If you would like the XL option, which uses the longer 136" tracks for added floatation, please add $750 per axle (pair of tracks). You can use the XL option on the rear axle, or both axles if you like."

 

Only advice I have is based on feedback I received from a wintertime Yellowstone guide: go take a ride in a tracked vehicle to see what it is like. He wasn't a fan of them.

 

I've heard people hate them and love them. I wouldn't ever go fast with them, but after reading Expedition Portal's review on them about a guy driving them and getting out of his Defender only to sink up to his CHEST in snow; I would own them if I lived in the right place!

 

They are sick!

 

Versatile for sure...



Going to play around in AutoCad and see what i can come up with over the Thanksgiving break.

 

Hey NYCHAZE... If you come up with something in CAD let me know, I have AutoCAD and will be looking to mess around with this as well. Maybe swap files.

 

Are they street legal?

 

I am going to guess in most cases no...and i am sure there is a huge insurance risk...BUT i bet you wouldn't have a problem cruising into any town that allows snowmobiles on the streets during the winter time...and most people would be intrigued by such an outlandish sight...i have a dune buggy that i cruise around in that is far from street legal... about the only thing i have ever gotten from a cop is a thumbs up...

I think it would be great for the winter time on snowmobile trails...i have a snowmobile but it doesnt have plush leather seating, radio, butt warmers, power windows, etc...

 

Additional food for thought...
Very in depth...best thread i have found:
tracked vehicle build up - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum


The mother load of different designs
http://www.supermotors.net/registry/7029/62149

Video of a Grand Wagoneer with tracks in deep snow...i was worried about the weight of the disco but the wagoneer weights in about the same:
http://www.supermotors.net/registry/media/314974
With lockers and a deeper lug this baby would rip.


The more i research the more i think this is really going to be do-able...