What ever happened to the T-Rex?

[AMink]

A few years back, Dodge had a prototype of a 6x6 called the Trex. It was a three axle truck. It looked cool, provided some plusses over a traditional dually (and some minuses). It never got built. I think they would have sold lots, if not just for "the look". Here's a blurb on it. Would any of you bought this truck, if it came with a CTD? Just curious.

 

[MDietrich]

I remember reading about the T-Rex in Four Wheeler mag. Thought it was pretty cool!



Probally part of the reason it never sold was that it was to different, and would only draw interest from a small group of buyers (like us at TDR) even with all the benefits of three axels. A Cummins would have improved it more.



There's a write-up in Diesel World about a farmer in Ohio who built a '05 Chevy super-cab Duramax 6x6. It looks like a factory job.



MD

 

[EKlem]

There was a guy who custom built on for himself with a V10 in it. I think his name was Stan Pruit. It was in one of four wheelers top truck challenge things. It looked pretty sweet. I think that he said that it didn't turn well. Also, I think that the rearmost axle had to be sprung pretty lightly to work right. Someone else may remember more about it.

 

[JOdell]

There's a write-up in Diesel World about a farmer in Ohio who built a '05 Chevy super-cab Duramax 6x6. It looks like a factory job.



MD

I saw a picture of that truck in my Handyman mag a while back. It did look cool. I remember that Trex Dodge had. I think it was 97 or so if I remember. -Jason

 

[BErmoyan]

I guess the closest thing now is the H6 on PINKS. That thing is wierd lookin.

 

[wyosteve]

I saw the TRex at the Dodge exhibit in Sturgis around '95. Was an awesome looking truck. If I remember correctly, it had a 9 ft. bed and stood around 8 ft. tall. Sure would like to see that sell at Barrett Jackson some day.

 

[MarkMiller]

If your like me and find this post in your search for more capacity, look here:

http://www.usa6x6.com/



These guys built Pruit's rig and it is a beast (romped TTC). It was one of thier first also so it took a few tries to get the bugs worked out. They are the only after market company I know of doing it.

 

[NPloysa]

If your like me and find this post in your search for more capacity, look here:

http://www.usa6x6.com/



These guys built Pruit's rig and it is a beast (romped TTC). It was one of thier first also so it took a few tries to get the bugs worked out. They are the only after market company I know of doing it.

That site has multiple 6x6 Dodges! Cool!



Nick

 

[willysrule]

If your like me and find this post in your search for more capacity, look here:

http://www.usa6x6.com/

beat me to it... . :-laf



I was going to post that link if no one else had already... I've looked at that red TJ (Jeep) on that site quite a few times...

 

[MarkMiller]

Yeah, the question remains, which one of us is going to build one first... . There is a TDR member that has "6x6" in his signature https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/member.php?userid=16425 but I believe he just has a dually. Not sure though.



I am trying to decide wether to run the modified 14bolt rear with an over the shoulder type drive or run rockwells in the rear direct pinion style. Rockwells are my preferred but the fact is rw fronts need lots of maintenance and don't agree well with high speed long distance runs. Supposedly there is a system coming out to switch the center section to seals like a dana axle and aluminum drop ins to cut the wieght down to 700lbs or so per axle. If they materialize I would probably run rocks.

 

[ezcurra]

I'm turning my M715 into a 6x6, powered by a 6BTA. It's a long way from being done, but it's getting there.



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This double 4-link suspension has been scrapped in favor of the one in the drawing, a scaled down version of a duece and a half's suspension, with centrally pivoting leaf springs. It should articulate much better when unloaded.



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[rbattelle]

Wow, awesome project. Looks like you need a bigger garage...



Ryan

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Is this the T-Rex? I thought it was red



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http://dodgeram.org/ki4cy/ram_picts/Trex.htm

 

[rubberneck]

I'm turning my M715 into a 6x6, powered by a 6BTA. It's a long way from being done, but it's getting there.



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This double 4-link suspension has been scrapped in favor of the one in the drawing, a scaled down version of a duece and a half's suspension, with centrally pivoting leaf springs. It should articulate much better when unloaded.



#ad

How do you get the driveline past the 1st axle to drive the rear axle?

 

[ezcurra]

How do you get the driveline past the 1st axle to drive the rear axle?

There is an opening to the right of the second axle's differential, right under one of the upper control arms. There is going to be a bearing carrier there, with two yokes. The rearmost axle will be powered via two driveshafts, with this pillow block (on the middle axle) in the middle. This will give me very small U-joint angles when the suspension is level (road travel), and avoid axle-driveshaft interference issues when the suspension is articulating.

 

[MA2LA]

Is this the T-Rex? I thought it was red



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http://dodgeram.org/ki4cy/ram_picts/Trex.htm

Yup thats the beast. I wish thay had gone through with it.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I like the fender filler piece, nice touch. Looks like they put 17" wheels on it, tires look like 265 17s.



Vaughn

 

[rbattelle]

It seems like a great concept, but it must've been economically infeasible.



Ryan

 

[BILLVO]

The one I have seen in a lot of 4 wheeler mags was a green one I just saw it in a recent mag within the last year in a tough truck challenge again.

 

[amsoilman]

Yes, I saw the T-REX around 97. It was at the TDR Rally in Mesquite, Nevada. I even had the opertunity to watch them drive it out of the carrier it was in. It was an awsome truck! I also saw it in Utah at one of the Hinckley Dodge shows.



I too would like to know what happened to it!

Wayne

amsoilman