Blue Torch Fabworks' "Project FireTruck" - Fighting fires in the Everglades!

[Ricky@BlueTorchFab]

Back in August of 2009 we were contacted by the National Park Service. Willie Adams, who manages the southeast region of the Fire and Aviation Operations department, came to us looking for a vehicle that could handle the abuse of fighting fires in most remote areas of the Florida Everglades. He needed something for the firefighters that would be capable of getting through the deep swamps, perform flawlessly, and still be dependable and easy to maintain. Not to mention it had to carry all the necessary fire equipment. It would be used primarily for prescribed burns, but would also see action fighting woods fires.

When we met Willie he was familiar with the previous vehicles that have rolled out of the BTF shop, so he had but a few basic requirements. First, he wanted about 66” under the seats, in order to clear the deep waters of the Everglades. He also specified that it must be powered by an LS1 V8, and had the biggest tires possible, but the rest was up to us. So in January of this year we began work on the project.

The vehicle was designed by Jey Clegg, and James Schofield. The primary focus was to build it so that everything was easily accessible for maintenance. We chose a TurnKey LS1 to go in this vehicle, pushing out 410HP. The transmission is a TH350, and an Atlas II 3.0 transfercase. A custom BTF four-link suspension design incorporates Fox 3.0 coilovers at all four corners. The upper links are made from 2” .250 DOM, and the lowers are 2.5” .500 DOM with rebuildable rod ends all around.

For this build we looked into 54” Interco Boggers, but due to the narrow width of the tire we chose the 49” Irok due to its 21” width for better floatation in the muddy swamps. In order to turn these massive tires Rockwells were the obvious choice. We had Ouverson Engineering build our rocks with their 2” Violator shafts, Super8 8-lug disc brake conversion, and a Detroit locker in the front, Spool in the rear. The 1410 driveshafts were made for us by Longview Driveshaft in Texas.

Please check out our website for a full gallery of this build!
http://www.bluetorchfab.com/projects/project-firetruck-2

 

[kwoods71]

We need a purpose built work truck like this at my job! looks good!!

 

[techtafab]

engine placement ? front,mid,rear

 

[wizzo]

does this help

 

[Ricky@BlueTorchFab]

engine placement ? front,mid,rear

The motor is in the front, but it was mounted very low and as far back as possible for better center of gravity.

 

[BamaTJ]

This rig was at Gray Rock last time, pretty cool for a big giant rig

 

[BREEZE1]

Looks good. Would the driveshaft angles have been 2 severe to raise the motor & trans up? Just a thought, If the seats needed to be 66" to stay out of the water the motor will be completely submerged when it gets that deep. I guess with a snorkel & radiator & fan in the rear that might be ok.

 

[Ricky@BlueTorchFab]

Looks good. Would the driveshaft angles have been 2 severe to raise the motor & trans up? Just a thought, If the seats needed to be 66" to stay out of the water the motor will be completely submerged when it gets that deep. I guess with a snorkel & radiator & fan in the rear that might be ok.

Note that the rig is pictured at full bump. It will be about 10" higher at right hight. The reason for the seat height is not only for water, but to keep above the "saw grass" in the Everglades.

 

[BREEZE1]

Mabe it will work out. From my mud rideing days the rules of thumb where simple. Narrow tires are better than wide & ground clearance was key. A truck in the mud will basically go until it either drowns out or bottoms out. Thats where I see a problem with the lower center of gravity motor position. Change to some more aggressive & taller tractor tires & it may be fine.

 

[Rokcrler]

I was waiting to see pics of this rig... got to see it first hand before grayrock. it sits very comfy

Cant wait to see it completed :****:

Ricky@BTF??? What the hell did i miss
Congrags Ricky.. Tell James he's a cavron fo real

 

[jtreeves1]

how will the coil overs hold up 187 gallons of watter??

 

[CHASMAN9]

Great build guys, great purpose. Keep up the good work

 

[BamaTJ]

how will the coil overs hold up 187 gallons of watter??

Cause they are 3.0" remote resevoirs. That is a massive shock

 

[BREEZE1]

No matter how it does I would love to be an everglades fireman & jump in it & put it on the revlimiter across a swamp or 3.

 

[techtafab]

should piss off the pontoon boat truck guys


what about running dual tires for more floatation or am i thinking all wrong ?

 

[John Galbreath Jr.]

The motor is in the front, but it was mounted very low and as far back as possible for better center of gravity.

187 gallons of watter??

Great build, but it seems that the engine high and out of harms way and the water tank low would make more sense. If the 187 gallons is correct, that is 1,450 pounds of water.

 

[jtreeves1]

If the 187 gallons is correct, that is 1,450 pounds of water.

after you add in the pump hose's and buggy weight thats one heavy rig

 

[Ricky@BlueTorchFab]

This build still has a good bit left to be completed. I expect there will be much tuning regarding the suspension to account for all the weight that will be sloshing around in the water tank.

 

[BREEZE1]

Just an off the wall question. Can they pump water out of the swamps with it? With the tall grass in the everglades, it seem like 187 gallons of water would be about the equivalent of pissing on a house fire. Heck of a task thou to get a 8000lb vehicle thru a swamp.

 

[bigsilly]

Just an off the wall question. Can they pump water out of the swamps with it? With the tall grass in the everglades, it seem like 187 gallons of water would be about the equivalent of pissing on a house fire. Heck of a task thou to get a 8000lb vehicle thru a swamp.

What I was wondering. Does not seem that 187 gallons will go very far.