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 With recently completed paint...  With recently completed paint and bodywork, Neil Schuit is doing his best to ensure that all of the body panels stay straight |
 A Toyota steering box is used...  A Toyota steering box is used in conjunction with a Chief 2-inch bore, 8-inch stroke hydraulic ram, and a Saginaw pump. These components turn a 1.5-inch, 0.250-wall drag link and tie rod fitted with 3/4-inch Aurora rod ends. |
This was made possible when the stock three-speed manual transmission was replaced with a bulletproof C6. The only issue the Schuits have had is keeping the automatic transmission cool at crawling speeds when traversing the trails around their home of Tijeras, New Mexico. To resolve this issue, a B&M tranny cooler was placed under the hood with a dedicated electric fan and used in conjunction with dual Moroso aluminum coolers mounted along the frame. The C6 routes power to an equally stout NP205 transfer case with custom SOB Heim-joint-equipped twin-stick shifters. The only flaw in this huge gear-driven, cast-iron case is the paltry 1.96:1 Low range. This shortcoming was remedied with the installation of a Klune-V underdrive between the transmission and transfer case.
From there, the power is routed to full-width Dana axles fitted with 4.88 gears, ARB Air Lockers, and SOB diff guards. The front high-pinion Dana 44 uses Warn chrome-moly axleshafts and hubs. Out back, where you would expect to find a Ford 9-inch, there is a Dana 60 full-floater that uses 30-spline axleshafts to stand up to the abuse of 38x12.5-16.5LT Super Swamper TSL/SXs.
The tires are mounted on custom recentered 8-lug Hummer double-beadlock rims. Steering duties are handled by a Toyota steering column and box that work in conjunction with a Saginaw pump and Chief industrial hydraulic ram. Unlike most Saginaw boxes, the Toyota steering box mounts on the outside of the frame to allow more room in the engine bay.
 The Schuits built a custom...  The Schuits built a custom fuel cell that sits flush with the floor of the Bronco yet does not hang below the framerails. The tank holds 18 gallons and is protected by a 1/4-inch-thick cold-rolled steel skidplate. |  In addition to providing protection,...  In addition to providing protection, the front bumper is also sealed and used as an air-storage tank. Connections are run at the back of the bumper to keep from being damaged in the rocks. |  Seat time definitely pays...  Seat time definitely pays off in situations like this. Neil Schuit knows the limits of his vehicle and was not even fazed by this huge wheelstand. |