Gordon Murray's OX flat-pack truck

Definitely grassroots-relevant:

http://www.topgear.com/car-news/big-reads/can-flat-pack-truck-save-world

Gordon Murray still underestimates the inconvenience of central driver's seating on the street however.

In reply to GameboyRMH:

I want one!!!

If these go into production I'm sure they'll be sold by me. They could undercut the price of the the cheapest local car, which IIRC is the Suzuki Celerio at about $25k.

Edit: Actually after doing some math there's no way it would come in under $30k, but it would easily undercut every pickup and lorry out there.

In reply to GameboyRMH: I thought the same thing. I doubt it would be that much more effort or money to make a steering box and column you could mount to either side of the frame, especially for a truck where you may be getting in and out frequently during your day.

Wall-e wrote: In reply to GameboyRMH: I thought the same thing. I doubt it would be that much more effort or money to make a steering box and column you could mount to either side of the frame, especially for a truck where you may be getting in and out frequently during your day.

It wouldn't be. I've looked into designing a LHD/RHD swappable vehicle before. The only parts that need to be duplicated are the rack (assuming rack-and-pinion steering, with a steering box setup it would be one of the linkages and maybe the box itself), column & pedal mounting points, and some of the brake lines - if you don't want to use flex lines.

Could that possibly be legal in the states? Sounds very interesting!

In reply to cwh:

Probably as an ORV, not sure if you could bring it in as a road vehicle and get around crash safety by calling it a commercial vehicle or whatever, being transit van stuff emissions probably wouldn't be too difficult.

Will these be sold at Ikea?

GameboyRMH wrote:

Wall-e wrote: In reply to GameboyRMH: I thought the same thing. I doubt it would be that much more effort or money to make a steering box and column you could mount to either side of the frame, especially for a truck where you may be getting in and out frequently during your day.

It wouldn't be. I've looked into designing a LHD/RHD swappable vehicle before. The only parts that need to be duplicated are the rack (assuming rack-and-pinion steering, with a steering box setup it would be one of the linkages and maybe the box itself), column & pedal mounting points, and some of the brake lines - if you don't want to use flex lines.

Although not really in the third world price bracket, some Unimogs can switch from RH and LH steering.

The original Land Rover can be swapped. The frame has mounting points for the steering box on both sides. You can see the panels on the bulkhead for the pedals and column. The brake lines were obviously designed for the RHD version.

Actually, reading the Top Gear article - this is the spiritual successor of that original Land Rover. It's not for us, it's for places where the alternative is a more traditional ox.

Many LBC's(Spridgets, etc.) can easily be swapped. Steering rack from a Morris Minor 1000 can be used to swap a Midget. Of course the Midget rack can then be used to swap the Morris. Only new parts needed were dashboards and a hose or two.

Takes two people one day to swap both cars. BTDT twice.

Needs 4x4 and lift kit.

Wouldn't this get around crash standards and what not by being considered a kit car?

that is the coolest thing I've seen in a long time. Can I move to Central America and start a dealership?

pheller wrote: Needs 4x4 and lift kit.

I disagree - needs to be capable, and from the ride report it sounds like they nailed it. If they can get through the required terrain without it, then 4wd is a liability due to being complex and inefficient. And the higher the suspension, the more unstable, expensive, and fragile it is. This isn't intended to be a toy or a penis replacement, it's intended to be a tool to do a job.

In reply to dculberson:

Exactly. I have a friend that is in central Africa and by her pictures it looks like almost everything still moves on 1980s Mercedes trucks without 4wd with no trouble.

from everything I have read.. this is exactly what countries in the more underdeveloped regions need. A simple truck that can haul a lot of stuff safely and reliably. It is not for the camel trophy, it is not going to be fording 6 foot deep rivers, it is going to be following very rough roads and tracks across some of the most dangerous and remote areas of the world. Not the kind of places you can get parts for a broken driveshaft or a transfer case. with 50/50 weight distribution and the pulling power that FWD gives it.. it should be able to go most anywhere.. abet slowly

If that thing can't do stoppies I will be disappoint.

I saw a late-night documentary a while ago on moving freight in places like the Congo & west Africa. The kinds of things people over there call 'roads' are just unbelievable. If you're gonna work in that kind of environment, you don't need an over-engineered "expedition vehicle" with military-derived nWD - you need a truck that will run upside-down while submerged in mud and able to be fixed with a hammer. This looks like a good candidate.

In reply to pheller:

Kit car exemption was my thinking. A guy can wish.

Jay wrote: If that thing can't do stoppies I will be disappoint.

it can't.. it's designed for near 50/50 weight distribution.. look how far back that rear axle is