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View Full Version : In the planning phase for a Brute chassis-cab with an ATI trailer body


4Low-Dean
03-28-2010, 11:41 AM
Greetings all. I am a long-long-long time lurker. Pretty much been following the Brute ever since it's prototype days. Like many I swore that I would some day own one.

Anyway, to make a long story short, I finally have the means to make it happen. I also finally have the "need" for one and can "justify" the expenses to build one. Obviously I use those terms loosely :D

I am an off-road photographer that covers a lot of the east-coast off-road events such as WERock, the KoH qualifier that happens out here as well as the local stuff that happens at Rausch Creek Off Road park. I also cover shows and trail rides. Recently I have outgrown my current rig which is a slightly lifted Grand Cherokee. While the back seat is nice, I need something a little more capable and something with a better cargo management system.

This has led me to the Brute a-la-carte kit system. My plan is to do a chassis-cab and then fab up the mounts to drop an Adventure Trailer body onto the back. Apparently it's never been done - but it is possible. :cool:

I look forward to gleaning as much knowledge form you guys as possible and I will keep you posted on my progress. Look for a build thread in about 3-to-6 months once I procure a suitable TJ to start the build from. ;)

tjpete
03-28-2010, 05:12 PM
Sounds like a cool build. What trailer/trailers are you thinking of using?

4Low-Dean
03-28-2010, 05:29 PM
Sounds like a cool build. What trailer/trailers are you thinking of using?

Looking at one of the Adventure Trailers Inc. trailers. Not sure if I'll go with their Chaser trailer body like this:

http://pic0.picsorlinks.com/ph_or_13979_2046b69.png

or use their Horizon trailer body:

http://pic0.picsorlinks.com/ph_or_13978_e15e87a.jpg

I like the idea of the Horizon trailer body since it has the two smaller storage compartments along the side as well as the larger central box. but if i have to stick to a bit of a budget, I may use the chaser body.

4Low-Dean
03-31-2010, 08:48 PM
looks like there will be a slight "delay of game" on the account of some unexpected surgery in two weeks :( it's either now, or wait till the fall... and i really don't want to put it off if i can help it.

once the bills are paid i have my eyes on a TJ frame and tub that i will use to start the modifications on, then pick up a donor TJ for the small parts, title, etc... and then finish up with installing the power-train i want to use.

4Low-Dean
04-30-2010, 09:03 AM
came out of surgery okay... and the bills weren't too bad. i have a line on a '97 TJ with a blown t-case right now... hoping that pans out. Body on it is pretty much solid and it was never driven off road. Miles are a bit high, but I plan on swapping everything out, so that's kinda moot.

4Low-Dean
10-14-2010, 12:22 PM
Update: So the deal on that '97 fell through (obviously or there'd be pics)... but I do have pre-approval for a loan. The hunt for a donor has been going on the past few weeks. Lots of potential out there... just nothing that jumps out at me yet.

Plan is to pick something up this winter, go over it to see what mechanical stuff it needs and finalize the build. Loan approval is still good for another 3 months, so I have time to wait for that gem to roll along.

jscherb
12-16-2010, 09:53 AM
Here you go:

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc163/jscherb/Gaucho/Safari/Chaser-1.jpg

This drawing shows an extended cab, not the standard length Brute cab BTW.

4Low-Dean
12-16-2010, 10:07 AM
exactly what i have in mind :cool: