Diesel trike???

[BIGJEEPMAN]

I would love to build a diesel trike, and paint it in Cat yellow and black, or John Deere yellow and green. It would have to have a small dump box like a gator and a chrome stack, or a stack with a rain cap. I would like to know if there is any way to put a small diesel motor like one from a newer VW. I would like to put it on a vw transaxle. I am confused about vw rear ends, can the motor go in front and back? My other question is, have you ever seen a small diesel motor trike? I have seen the big diesel trikes with huge motors, and I don't want that. Thank you guys

[rmrc51]

That sounds like one great project!

As far as colors go, I'd vote for the yellow & black. I've never seen a trike as you're describing. No doubt, I think it can be done. Keep us informed as you gather more information!!

[rrunner]

Sounds like a great project. A Cummings bt4 might be a great motor to begin the build with. Make sure to post progress as you go. Good luck.

[irmagoo]

if you ever go to flywheelers in fl. I bet you see at least one and many with hit and miss motors!!.. it's a great time I try and go every year.
early 80's Mercedes diesel is less money than Cummins 4... cummins are a hot item now folks are building off-road jeeps etc. with the 4'es and price has doubled in last 4-5 years.. I still want one just no funds for another project!!
magoo

[champsman97045]

I would think VW TDI from a donor car would give you an IRS suspension, with engine and diff all in one unit.
That is basically what Rewaco has done with the Ford Z-tech motor.

[stacebg]

might want to check the weight... unless you are planning a sweedish style trike

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https://images.search.yahoo.com/sear...trike%3F%3F%3F bunch here

[John Luciano]

[butchvoss]

when i was in florida i was going to build a diesel trike. I picked up a ransone hydrostatic trans and was going to power the rear differential with a hydraulic motor . I ended up scraping the idea for lack of knowledge. lol. still have the hydro trans if you are needing one.. I had a kubota 30 HP diesel engine i was going to use. lol

[Doug D.]

I would like to know if there is any way to put a small diesel motor like one from a newer VW.

There was a guy in the local VW shop one day, who claimed to have built a diesel trike using the motor from a VW pick-up. I didn't question him about a drive line or engine particulars, as I was ignorant as hell on the subject of diesels to begin with. Hell, at the time, I didn't even know VW made a diesel p/u, so I figured it was probably best I kept my mouth shut.

[gadgetguru69]

Im sure lots of you have seen this but if not here is an insane diesel trike.
Cat Engine with twin turbos.

[vw driver]

Quite a few diesel trikes here.
DieselBike.net

[koya]

My first project I am attempting is using the engine, automatic trans and rear diff and suspension from my 1984 Mercedes Benz. The engine and trans only has 92k.

[cavie]

[pcombe]

Im sure lots of you have seen this but if not here is an insane diesel trike.
Cat Engine with twin turbos.

having been a truck jockey I could get into this!

[roadrunner1800]

how about using one of the smaller diesel engines that power the refrigeration unit on reefer trailers. I've seen and been around a lot of them, but don't know if they could be used with your intended project....seems like they'd be around and available...large scale trucking companies probably retire thousands of them nationwide every year as they upgrade their fleets.

Allen Serviss

[dbruce56]

Here's one currently on Mobile CL
http://mobile.craigslist.org/mcy/4892240150.html

[vw driver]

Here's one currently on Mobile CL
http://mobile.craigslist.org/mcy/4892240150.html

A VW turbo diesel engine on a VW trike, I like it.

[dieseltrike4me]

I have heard there is a kit out there to install a TDI into an old vw bug. So if you want to use an old vw transaxle that would work.