Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GummyB · 05-02-2011, 08:08 PM

The place where I work has a Chevy Eagle Bobtail tractor that they sometimes use for heavy towing. I've been working there for a few years now, and have many fond memories surrounding this truck, however, I have at least as many questions.

1. How much is a truck like this worth?
2. How hard is it to get a truck like this (I would absolutely love to get one of my own)
3. Are they any good off road?
4. Are they street legal?

Question 3: Obviously a truck like this is going to have some pretty decent off road qualities, but due to the obscenely low gearing, how fun are they?

Question 4: Every now and then, I have to take the truck out on the road, but its never been more than a few miles from home. The other day, I was on my way back to work, and it ran out of fuel on me. While waiting for them to bring me a can (blocking a lane of traffic), a cop passed, but didn't bother to stop and chew me out making me think he didn't see anything wrong with it being on the road. The truck has turn signals, headlights, brake lights, etc, so other than possibly the low top speed, I can't think of a reason why it wouldn't be street legal, but that's why I'm asking.

Photos of my employer's Bobtail: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mig3/se...7623943719811/

If you've got a Bobtail, post some pics, I'd love to see 'em.

ozark · 05-02-2011, 08:22 PM

link didn't take me to a truck pic. I think I got a ideal what this is, is it like a old military airforce tug type truck with the shortened wheelbase? Basicly just a cab?

Edit, I found the pics. That truck looks better thank the one I had seen, the one I saw was shorter and had a dana 70 rear axle. Those are heavy duty axles do you know what they are?

Restrorob · 05-02-2011, 09:24 PM

Looks like it could pull a brick chithouse down, Wouldn't think it would be too street friendly geared the way it is.....

BTW, Welcome to the board !

GummyB · 05-02-2011, 09:56 PM

Thanks, Glad to be here.

The top speed is a little over 30 mph, and at that speed with no load, she starts to bounce/rock end to end quite a bit. Pretty fun to drive though especially in 4-wheel steer mode.

sumran · 05-03-2011, 10:25 AM

I thought dual exhaust looked tough. That baby is set up for dual fire extinguishers.

**Clyde65** · 05-03-2011, 10:49 AM

I would take the bed off and use it for a crawler!

wyattglock · 05-03-2011, 04:03 PM

That would make an awesome rock crawler!

gchemist · 05-03-2011, 07:27 PM

Cool truck! I've never seen one. Is it diesel?

Slap in a NV4500 and you a street machine that may get up to 55 MPH.

Welcome to the board.

ozark · 05-03-2011, 08:21 PM

According to what I read on the net you will need to get rid of the rubber block suspension and add some springs, the 4 wheel steering would be good to have for a crawler.

andrewmp6 · 05-04-2011, 12:19 AM

Seems like a ton of work when any swb 4x4 would do the same off road.What axles are under it anyone know?

cst70rocket · 05-04-2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Seems like a ton of work when any swb 4x4 would do the same off road.What axles are under it anyone know?

Looks like Rockwells to me.

1tonchevy · 05-04-2011, 09:07 AM

is that not a shorter Kodiak? looks nice though

Prerunner1982 · 05-04-2011, 05:11 PM

That is an Tug and those are ZF axles with something like 22:1 ratio.. they also had the 6.2 liter and TH400, at least the military versions did.

GummyB · 05-07-2011, 06:57 PM

I added some pictures of the axles and engine to the flickr album in the first post. If you were going to use it for a crawler, wouldn't you need to put a different transmission in it, since with the current one, I've only been able to get it up to about 35 mph?

Prerunner1982 · 05-09-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GummyB

I added some pictures of the axles and engine to the flickr album in the first post. If you were going to use it for a crawler, wouldn't you need to put a different transmission in it, since with the current one, I've only been able to get it up to about 35 mph?

A crawler would benefit from the low gearing. It is not so much the transmission that is limiting the speed it is the gearing in the axles. An overdrive trans would help, but not enough to make it highway capable.

Altec · 05-07-2011, 07:40 PM

Send Corey Young a message on Pirate4x4. He has one of these.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...291&highlight=

GummyB · 05-07-2011, 08:05 PM

Thanks, I posted some pics over on that thread. I was looking at the pictures of his truck, and I was noticing the hitch setup hes got on the back end of it. Its very interesting. I'm wondering if its stock though, since on the one I posted, there doesn't seem to have ever been a hitch attached in the same way.

GummyB · 05-10-2011, 01:03 PM

Well, with the 4-wheel steering, highway speeds could get you killed. I've always imagined it would be fun to get the thing offroad and see what it could do.

Doug_J · 05-10-2011, 02:41 PM

we have somthing similer to that where i work, I believe its a 98 dodge 2wd cummings you can only go 25 in the thing but its fun to drive turns on a dime.

thirdstreettito · 05-16-2011, 01:27 AM

Those were used on Airforce bases, tow what's heavy. Didn't need suspension, they only pulled, didn't carry anything. It's 4wd for more traction, 4 wheel steer for more traction. It's basically a bulldozer that rides better, uses tires instead and tracks, and steer's different. Not worth too much. Maybe a $5000 top end. I learned the hard way, rare doesn't always mean worth money or desirable. I dont remember the details on them. There is a German company that has had 2 for sale for about 1.5 years. They had full details on their website.

GummyB · 05-16-2011, 07:07 PM

The biggest plane I've heard they were used to pull is a C-130. I work in an air museum, and we use ours to pull our C-47, which the truck doesn't seem to have any trouble doing.

thirdstreettito · 05-27-2011, 11:17 PM

Heres a build for one.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...highlight=crew

Slonaker · 05-28-2011, 11:50 AM

I don't know anything about the tug, but I sure like the DC3! I used to work in air cargo when I was younger. I drove a lot of tugs, but all of ours were diesels that we used to push big jets around.

I loaded and unloaded a lot of DC3s, but never had to push or pull one. They were small enough that they could just pull into and turn around in the spaces where we parked the jets.

Probably one of my more enjoyable experiences in my life was going for a ride in one of the DC3s.

Slonaker

Doug_J · 05-28-2011, 07:38 PM

I work at Tinker afb base, we dont have any like this ours are like a 95 dodge 2wd with a 12v cummins. Theirs no ac, no radio but its a blast to drive it also dont have four wheels steer. Our tugs are not used to move planes just equipment around. What we use to move planes around are mb2 they remind me of a h1 hummer on steroids..

05-02-2011, 08:08 PM	#1
GummyB Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 6	Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor The place where I work has a Chevy Eagle Bobtail tractor that they sometimes use for heavy towing. I've been working there for a few years now, and have many fond memories surrounding this truck, however, I have at least as many questions. 1. How much is a truck like this worth? 2. How hard is it to get a truck like this (I would absolutely love to get one of my own) 3. Are they any good off road? 4. Are they street legal? Question 3: Obviously a truck like this is going to have some pretty decent off road qualities, but due to the obscenely low gearing, how fun are they? Question 4: Every now and then, I have to take the truck out on the road, but its never been more than a few miles from home. The other day, I was on my way back to work, and it ran out of fuel on me. While waiting for them to bring me a can (blocking a lane of traffic), a cop passed, but didn't bother to stop and chew me out making me think he didn't see anything wrong with it being on the road. The truck has turn signals, headlights, brake lights, etc, so other than possibly the low top speed, I can't think of a reason why it wouldn't be street legal, but that's why I'm asking. Photos of my employer's Bobtail: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mig3/se...7623943719811/ If you've got a Bobtail, post some pics, I'd love to see 'em. Last edited by GummyB; 05-02-2011 at 08:23 PM.

05-02-2011, 08:22 PM	#2
ozark Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Eureka Springs AR Posts: 179	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor link didn't take me to a truck pic. I think I got a ideal what this is, is it like a old military airforce tug type truck with the shortened wheelbase? Basicly just a cab? Edit, I found the pics. That truck looks better thank the one I had seen, the one I saw was shorter and had a dana 70 rear axle. Those are heavy duty axles do you know what they are? Last edited by ozark; 05-02-2011 at 08:29 PM.

05-02-2011, 09:24 PM	#3
Restrorob The One And Only !!! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hole in the woods Florida Posts: 4,567	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor Looks like it could pull a brick chithouse down, Wouldn't think it would be too street friendly geared the way it is..... BTW, Welcome to the board ! Attached Images __________________ 93 Jeep XJ 88 Buick La Sabra Toys; 88 TA-GTA in the works.... 97 GMC Ext. Cab 502 Crate 5 Spd......Sucks Gas But Haulz Azz ! The primary function of an Engineer is to make it difficult for the Fabricator and impossible for the Mechanic. *"Why go out preserved when you can go out beat up, worn out, sliding in sideways screaming, Holy Sh!t What A Ride" !!!* Last edited by Restrorob; 05-02-2011 at 09:26 PM.

05-02-2011, 09:56 PM	#4
GummyB Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 6	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor Thanks, Glad to be here. The top speed is a little over 30 mph, and at that speed with no load, she starts to bounce/rock end to end quite a bit. Pretty fun to drive though especially in 4-wheel steer mode.

05-03-2011, 10:25 AM	#5
sumran Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 406	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor I thought dual exhaust looked tough. That baby is set up for dual fire extinguishers. __________________ Randy Summers Never brake in the learning curve! 1984 GMC Sierra project truck http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446737

05-03-2011, 10:49 AM	#6
Clyde65 1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 8,545	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor I would take the bed off and use it for a crawler! __________________ Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 *support our troops!*

05-03-2011, 04:03 PM	#7
wyattglock Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Lafayette, IN Posts: 622	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor That would make an awesome rock crawler!

05-03-2011, 07:27 PM	#8
gchemist BAD BOW-Silverado XST Join Date: May 2000 Location: Senior Member from Austin, TX Posts: 6,431	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor Cool truck! I've never seen one. Is it diesel? Slap in a NV4500 and you a street machine that may get up to 55 MPH. Welcome to the board. __________________ Gerardo a.k.a. Mad Chemist Silverado XST videos

05-03-2011, 08:21 PM	#9
ozark Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Eureka Springs AR Posts: 179	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor According to what I read on the net you will need to get rid of the rubber block suspension and add some springs, the 4 wheel steering would be good to have for a crawler.

05-04-2011, 12:19 AM	#10
andrewmp6 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 5,811	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor Seems like a ton of work when any swb 4x4 would do the same off road.What axles are under it anyone know?

05-04-2011, 09:07 AM	#12
1tonchevy C35 Crew Dually Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Belleville Ontario Posts: 1,116	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor is that not a shorter Kodiak? looks nice though __________________ If it aint square, I don't care. 84 C35 CC Dually Project log... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=414892

05-04-2011, 05:11 PM	#13
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,906	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor That is an Tug and those are ZF axles with something like 22:1 ratio.. they also had the 6.2 liter and TH400, at least the military versions did. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call Last edited by Prerunner1982; 05-04-2011 at 05:23 PM.

05-07-2011, 06:57 PM	#14
GummyB Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 6	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor I added some pictures of the axles and engine to the flickr album in the first post. If you were going to use it for a crawler, wouldn't you need to put a different transmission in it, since with the current one, I've only been able to get it up to about 35 mph? Last edited by GummyB; 05-07-2011 at 06:57 PM.

05-07-2011, 07:40 PM	#16
Altec Getcha Pull Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: MD Posts: 691	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor Send Corey Young a message on Pirate4x4. He has one of these. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...291&highlight= __________________ '81 K10 454/SM465 '86 S10 Blazer '95 H-D Softail '96 Integra

05-07-2011, 08:05 PM	#17
GummyB Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 6	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor Thanks, I posted some pics over on that thread. I was looking at the pictures of his truck, and I was noticing the hitch setup hes got on the back end of it. Its very interesting. I'm wondering if its stock though, since on the one I posted, there doesn't seem to have ever been a hitch attached in the same way.



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05-10-2011, 01:03 PM	#18
GummyB Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 6	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor Well, with the 4-wheel steering, highway speeds could get you killed. I've always imagined it would be fun to get the thing offroad and see what it could do.

05-10-2011, 02:41 PM	#19
Doug_J Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Moore,OK Posts: 178	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor we have somthing similer to that where i work, I believe its a 98 dodge 2wd cummings you can only go 25 in the thing but its fun to drive turns on a dime.

05-16-2011, 01:27 AM	#20
thirdstreettito Resident of Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL, USA Posts: 7,716	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor Those were used on Airforce bases, tow what's heavy. Didn't need suspension, they only pulled, didn't carry anything. It's 4wd for more traction, 4 wheel steer for more traction. It's basically a bulldozer that rides better, uses tires instead and tracks, and steer's different. Not worth too much. Maybe a $5000 top end. I learned the hard way, rare doesn't always mean worth money or desirable. I dont remember the details on them. There is a German company that has had 2 for sale for about 1.5 years. They had full details on their website. __________________ ~Bradley~ 2004 Black GTO LS2/T56 too much to list Miss having a truck

05-16-2011, 07:07 PM	#21
GummyB Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 6	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor The biggest plane I've heard they were used to pull is a C-130. I work in an air museum, and we use ours to pull our C-47, which the truck doesn't seem to have any trouble doing.

05-27-2011, 11:17 PM	#22
thirdstreettito Resident of Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL, USA Posts: 7,716	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor Heres a build for one. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...highlight=crew __________________ ~Bradley~ 2004 Black GTO LS2/T56 too much to list Miss having a truck

05-28-2011, 11:50 AM	#23
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor I don't know anything about the tug, but I sure like the DC3! I used to work in air cargo when I was younger. I drove a lot of tugs, but all of ours were diesels that we used to push big jets around. I loaded and unloaded a lot of DC3s, but never had to push or pull one. They were small enough that they could just pull into and turn around in the spaces where we parked the jets. Probably one of my more enjoyable experiences in my life was going for a ride in one of the DC3s. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

05-28-2011, 07:38 PM	#24
Doug_J Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Moore,OK Posts: 178	Re: Chevy Eagle Bobtail Tractor I work at Tinker afb base, we dont have any like this ours are like a 95 dodge 2wd with a 12v cummins. Theirs no ac, no radio but its a blast to drive it also dont have four wheels steer. Our tugs are not used to move planes just equipment around. What we use to move planes around are mb2 they remind me of a h1 hummer on steroids..

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