How I Built My All-Terrain Tracked Vehicle out of Scrap Metal for Under $400 (Bug-Out Vehicle)

I made this video to share one of my recent projects. This is a homemade, tracked, all-terrain vehicle, built almost entirely from scrap metal and junk that I was able to scrounge from parts boneyards and scrap piles. The entire project, from gathering junk to putting the final touches on the paint, took me about a year-ish to complete. I call it "The Tank."
I've always had a love for the ruggedness of tracked vehicles and the plan to build one has been in my mind for many years. However, when doing my research, I couldn't really find anything like what I had envisioned. So, I formulated a plan in my head, and started trying to gather parts as I needed them. This piece of junk is the final result haha.
I never drew a plan. It just wasn't reasonable when I didn't really have an idea of the parts I'd have to work with from month to month. Overall, I'd say that I'm fairly pleased with the final result regardless.
I hope that you might find some inspiration, or just some interest at the very least, from this project. If you would like to see more of these types of things on this channel, then please let me know by leaving a "Like." I would love to be able to make things to share with you guys regularly, and that's a goal I'm working towards.
Maybe I'll run over something big with it next...
Thank you so much for watching!! Remember to "Like" and subscribe!!

[@NickRanger]

This channel is going places. You could say it's on track..

[@comradeurod9805]

Don't get me wrong, funny comment, but... Fuck off 😂

[@andrehathaway6563]

He probably wrote this comment while he was tanked

[@Jinisinsane]

Or offtrack doesnt really matter.

[@owenvanhorn5738]

Buh Dun Tish/ Drum Drum2 Cymbal

[@coleferron1759]

Get out of my house😂😂

[@TerrellMethvin]

Your voice seemed to be somewhat self-deprecating when speaking about the "Small Budget". I feel that small budgets are often the seeds of brilliant discovery. ie. Skunk Works. I Just started watching this and had to say good work old chap.

[@Sk0lzky]

Even when you have a large budget you design stuff and spend 10 x more time reducing the cost... Engineers should be given a degree in accounting after a few years of experience lol

[@mwanikimwaniki6801]

@@Sk0lzky 😂😂😂I'm with you on that

[@ErekPorembski]

Terrell Methvin that’s some impressive scrapping skill tbs

[@themadkraken1912]

Give this man $1,000,000 and an airplane graveyard and just wait for a year.

[@CNMN-np4zf]

It has been a year.

[@clonkers]

It has been a year and three months.

[@Nightmare77_Games]

It has been a year and 5 months

[@kalikiller1771]

Civilian version of an f35

[@cosmicbrambleclawv2]

Eat your heart out Howard Hughes

[@nigelcarren]

As a professional restorer and maker of armour from the 15th century, I didn't want to leave without saying BRAVO to a guy who makes awesome armour for the 21st century (from one born & bred metal-botherer to another), I love this... it oooooOOOOzes both ingenuity and joy!!! 🏆 Best wishes from me and all the mice in the workshop mate.

[@guyfafard-vv4ro]

top hat ! Well done

[@thekommandantvulpes]

Gov be like we can recreate this for 2 billion.

[@nodak81]

lol, $2B wouldn't even get them past the "research" phase.

[@willroland9811]

There will be overruns...

[@mumblbeebee6546]

will Roland YT pun of the month 😂

[@Da_Canadian_man]

With glass

[@vanderumd11]

I want them to spend as much as it takes to keep them happpy. Imagine what equipment they have really created lol

[@Eremon1]

Imagine what this guy could build with $5K or more...

[@FMHikari]

Scrap material only goes so far. But i think if someone helped he could build an actual battle tank

[@hugdablok6162]

Give him $5k and he'll be back in 2 weeks in the same tank.... with a Cloaking Device and Flux Capacitor 😂😂😂

[@Hypergen-]

@@FMHikari Idk, there's a hobbyist group in Russia that makes working replica tanks (minus the cannon) out of scrap metal for far less than 5k, probably no more than 600 USD worth of scrap metal.

[@FarSeeker8]

This? kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5KXhZ2Yl9t3a5Y

[@wadebrewer7212]

He needs a sponsor....lol

[@EricBlackmonGuitar]

You have an amazing vehicle there my friend! Good work!

[@chrisstang1966]

Poor man’s ripsaw. Love it. Need to build another one with a V8 and open headers. Good job man.

[@HaloWolf102]

When I heard his voice, I immediately got an Tony Stark vibe.

[@derickhoda6679]

Pretty sure that is Tony Stark

[@johnb8190]

Mech I thought the same thing. Sounds kinda like Robert Downey Jr.

[@etaybokish]

definitely tony stark

[@johnakridge2916]

The Real Tony Stark that never made it out of the Snow

[@JB-cd6gn]

He's going by "Iron Man" these days

[@starcloakstarside9719]

Affirm. I’d rather drive that Rat Rod than a Ripsaw, that’s some Mad Max Shiznit! Although to the average person, I’d recon that’s well over $400.

[@Joesolo13]

Free running truck to build it from is a pretty big head start. Even POSs cost almost his whole budget.

[@jeremytjong2595]

I got goose bumps and then my head exploded when you described how you steered by breaking the inside wheel while using the open diff to transfer power to the other track. Very cool man can't wait to see your future projects!

[@93gamrx]

Host: "nobody's gonna steal this thing" Internet: "Oh really?" *thousands of people start grabbing their coats* lol great work! love the design and implementation. what anti rust measures have you taken or are planning to take in the future?

[@BlackADDER-ue9yc]

sounds like something he will cover in series 2 ;) (totally am not going to try and pressure a full build series out of him...)

[@rayfletcher3683]

That's not rust, that's camo!

[@tyreldalzell1489]

Rat rod tank

[@Orinslayer]

@@rayfletcher3683 rust is the best camo.

[@danielcanaday256]

I was like yeah no one would steal that pos. Where exactly are you though...

[@crudboy12]

Reminds me of an early 1930s tank. Something like the Panzer 1 or T7 Car.

[@SMGJohn]

Those things weight upwards of 10 tons, a lot more stress on just about everything, when things are light its usually easy to build compared to when things are heavy, hence why automobiles of the era was a lot simpler mechanically than the tractors of the same era.

[@SilvaDreams]

@@SMGJohn Well they also had a ton of armor on them which made up most of their weight. This thing is little more than a frame with some sheet metal to keep the engine covered.

[@user-cg9uf1mu2z]

Goliath tank is more like this machine.

[@Zamolxes77]

It actually looks better than that, reminds me of british tankettes, I think they were called Vickers (name check)? Also romanians had something similar, called "Vultur" - "Eagle".

[@ValentineC137]

@@SilvaDreams "a ton of armor" actually only just about enough to stop rifle fire at a distance

[@oBseSsIoNPC]

Great build! You actually did a really good job from the get go! As for the shifting, stick to rods with yokes, nothing that slides and NO ELECTRONICS. Make it mechanically only for maximum reliability. You can use baler belts from JohnDeere 568+569 balers, they have reinforced cores and are tough as nails, with texture on one side.

[@MrGrimsmith]

Agreed and dump the remote start, keep it mechanical. Shift the rad up in the body and add an intake to boost airflow. Only one other thing that may make it double the price - get some better tracks. It'll boost performance no end.

[@timothyperrigoue3997]

Agreement!

[@DFPercush]

Just thought you might like to know, you're not the only person with that avatar. It's very memorable. Although the other guy, I doubt you'll find him on this kind of channel. Where'd it come from anyway?

[@oBseSsIoNPC]

​@@DFPercush You mean my cat avatar? It stems from the fact that I am a cat lover and I also love lightning and the whole design is a cat that looks electrified. I love the look and the fact that it looks like my own cat haha, plus it looks at the text with judging eyes, which is neat imho. A reverse image search is the easiest way nowadays to copy other peoples pictures and avatars. It's never unique really, but I appreciate the heads-up.

[@42lookc]

The baler belts idea is a great one!

[@RuralTowner]

13:00 "It's not anybody is going to steal this thing." Um...best secure it somehow.

[@pmdoublet1948]

I didn’t know this channel was less than a year old! This is such an insane beginning to an amazing journey

[@kennytaylor8541]

Simple, yet totally freaking genius. Awesome job!! I would have never guessed to use that rear end and the brake masters to steer but once you explained it, it made perfect sense. One of the coolest builds I've seen on KZbin so far.

[@SilvaDreams]

This is actually how the first tanks steered with braking till the very late WW2 tanks started to have the ability to reverse steer so one tred could reverse and the other kept moving forwards allowing for much better turning ability.

[@jonathandurrant2681]

Someone building their own tank...I think I’ve seen this before somewhere.

[@psychoaiko666]

Do mean that concrete incased bulldozer? What was it called, slabzilla or something?

[@RaininPayne2]

psychoaiko666 Killdozer

[@psychoaiko666]

@@RaininPayne2 right! That's it! Thanks

[@psychoaiko666]

@Thystaff Thywill no, this is a toy. Anything gasoline powered is utterly useless in a shtf situation. Gasoline is one of the first things to run out. And can only be stored for a limited time, so hoarding gasoline isn't an option either. If you're gonna go and build a "bug out vehicle", base it on a diesel engine.

[@psychoaiko666]

@Thystaff Thywill diesels can run on refined used frying oil. All you have to do is build a refinery. Most fast food restaurants will happily give you their used oil for free, or maybe a small fee.

[@ModernSurvivalists]

Very clever and great job using what you had! A possibly alternative to the solenoids for the shifting mechanism is many manual 5 speed front wheel drive vehicles use two control cables for the transmission. I know for certain the late model Pontiac vibes were set up this way and likely many others. You could take the entire shifter assembly from a junkyard vehicle that would give you a remote shifter with two control cables (one for X direction, and one for Y). That would give the same feel as a normal shifter and no need to go through the headaches of trying to teach all the servo shift positions to an arduino.

[@mattj7616]

Love to see you document the build process on projects like this!

[@theflashjaxx]

not gonna lie, it's great, both in idea and execution

[@smacleod69]

Almost looks like a Cobra HISS Tank. Alls you need is blasters on the top of the Canapy body and missiles launchers on the side.

[@FloridaSpook]

smacleod69 that’s the first thought that came to me!

[@d3ath166]

I knew it looked familiar

[@JSKR6]

smacleod69 he’s not soviet u can forget the missile launcher

[@slimyelbow]

Same thing I thought. Very nice

[@wazzmach]

Really cool project, congrats on the build! i have seen a few others attempt at this, usually severely under powered. Its nice to see someone who has the right idea of the amount displacement in needed to make this project usable, not to mention makes it look that cool.

[@justinsane332]

This is amazing. Great build, and I live your explanation of the troubles you've run into.

[@shamrockit5136]

All you need is a cobra emblem from gi joe on the side to make it complete. Great job brother!

[@traininggrounds9450]

And some guns of course

[@nameless-og]

Dude, you're never going to pass inspection without that battery tie down in place. Better get on that pronto. 😁

[@justincase1898]

Or just drive it on private property... but you're right... and the frame would need inspected...list goes on

[@evanlyons6868]

Justin Case whoosh

[@ianmacfarlane1241]

Absolutely out of this World - I'm very impressed. Popped up in my recommendations - good work KZbin

[@spacecowboy74]

Definitely would love to see more projects like this. Now I want to go and build one as well.

[@TK42138]

Considering the budget you had, this is rather good. Engine sounds great too.

[@justincase1898]

no muff lol

[@BIGWIGGLE223]

That is awesome!!!! I can see the resemblance to the Ripsaw. You did an excellent job with it. Especially with the materials you had on hand.

[@trevorflanagan4873]

This is insane! Nice job dude! Look forward to the future of the channel

[@russbarr6006]

This thing is awesome!! Great job making do with what you have. That usually brings out the best in creative genius. Look forward to more from this channel.

[@stevegreengrass7727]

I’m definitely intrigued, and would love to see an upgraded version

[@vladamark98]

Dude. This is amazing! You are a brilliant builder! Best of luck with the future projects. I'm sure they'll be as great as this one.

[@KingOfCatfish]

We need more of this!

[@trace9130]

I just want to say this video has inspired me to do something similar. I got this wrecked car with a good engine and I was trying to decide what would be the best use for it, and I think having a tracked vehicle for my ranch would be so helpful. And this looks like it would be so much fun to build! Thank you for posting it 👍

[@SuperSpeedMonkey]

wow. very detailed presentation. thank you for posting.

[@DanaWebb2017]

Dude, you're a genius. well better at mechanics than me.

[@donteven5712]

But not better than CAT or John Deere

[@codylongoria4152]

@@donteven5712 John Deere doesn't do mechanics, they paint yanmars green.

[@4-strokeforcechoke]

Great job dude! Let’s see more man, can’t wait.

[@hossep2695]

This is amazing, I would love to see more stuff like this

[@foxybruce]

Well done, very impressive and well thought out.

[@TheLordSamoht]

Bucket list goals! This is fantastic! You've inspired me!

[@randomn6473]

You have no idea how much that means to me. Thank you!

[@dwightpatch4441]

Dude this is awesome and I'm inspired to make one. Thanks for the breakdown and pointers.

[@brianmire3252]

well done! and my favorite kind of build! low budget with awesome results!! keep up the good work!!!

[@World-as-i-c-it]

Impressive build, what’s your background. When will mine be ready, and how much do I owe you? Love it.

[@LaunceBugbee]

Dude, this is great! I need that here where I live in the north cascades! I would personally love to see a shakedown video of this thing....

[@panzerkampfwagen6bh]

Awesome. Love the low tech builds that just work

[@BrianMcKinny]

Brother, you've earned yourself a new subscriber right here with this video! Incredibly resourceful thought and practicality went into this design, and I salute you for your efforts!

[@motomule]

Awesome! I would watch the build of version 2.0

[@Canoby]

Pretty sure Sgt Slaughter had one of these with guns when he hung out with GI Joe

[@roberthowell932]

More like something from the cartoon M.A.S.K.

[@Canoby]

@@roberthowell932 Oh right, like that little vehicle that popped off their big rig/command center

[@annoyed707]

But can it take a shot from Chuck's beard fist?

[@cmennenger]

This looks like alot of fun. Thanks for posting!

[@donwilsey9742]

Great job dude. Keep up the awesome builds

[@hemidas]

If I was a vehicle manufacture company, I'd just say: "YOU'RE HIRED!"

[@johnakridge2916]

35$ an HR

[@christophzxc6372]

Damn man glad the algorithmic gods helped me to stumble upon your channel. Love the get it done with what you got attitude. Build something whacky with a 2 stroke engine!!!

[@arnishook3918]

I am amazed at this thing especially the way you figured out how achieve steering it, Kudos young man. An honestly Kool idea and neat rig, this retired Army Chief Warrant is impressed with your abilities and knowledge.

[@pyrumid5673]

You made it great! Well done. You can be proud of what you've created.

[@1YouTube_you]

Looks just like the cobra commander tank!

[@bryanmartinez6600]

US military would be like Hmm add some javelin or M2 Browning and sell for $80k

[@hell_march6652]

the cost of a javelin alone is more than 80k bub.

[@hell_march6652]

Further more. The armored vehicles that a javelin might be used against can be purchased for less than the cost of the javelin itself.

[@bryanmartinez6600]

@@hell_march6652 actually finishing it up with armor panels communications and the machine gun or M2 Browning it be closer to $150k to $200k maybe.

[@SilvaDreams]

They already have something like this.... Only it is also amphibious.

[@Handlebarrz]

@@SilvaDreams and autonomous

[@doublesynchrohelix8613]

Heck yeah man! Picture all the millions of folks that spent the time you spent on this machine just sitting in a chair arguing online.... you're an inspiration bud. Truly!

[@darrelljacobjr2120]

I had a 1980 rusted-out Toyota pickup that we just used for wheeling, after getting the radiator caked solid with mud, I cut a hole in the back of the cab and mounted it there (as you did). Put an electric fan on a DPDT switch, so when it's hot outside, you can blow air back over the engine, but when it's cold outside, you can reverse the air flow, and blow hot air into the cab. Best heated Toyota i ever had. DD 1984 Toyota 4x4 on 35's, with 5:29 gears and double-low t-case. Project truck 1971 FJ40 crewcab.

[@bigcleatus11]

Amazing job on that budget.

[@randomn6473]

Thanks!

[@supersteveize]

Greatly impressed excellent project. That thing is just so cool. I was just wondering what the speed and the handling were like. Just wondering if you tried it in mud? Have you thought about adding removable cleats?

[@alec1575]

This gained my subscription 👍 can't wait for a version 2

[@TheGonzov]

I can imagine so much fun building one of this, great work 😁

[@henryandejbelcher7902]

great job would love to see a start to finish on that

[@randomn6473]

I wish I would've thought of the KZbin possibilities then as well. I miiiight do a version 2 someday. I'm not positive yet though. If I do, I'll take you through every step of the way! Thank you for the comment!

[@henryandejbelcher7902]

@Bob Bobbertson who you calling tubby

[@GamingStepByStep]

Man, from the small amount of videos I've seen so far, your builds are awesome! Keep up the good work bud, your traction should be a big positive to keep this going. :) just look at cody's lab for example, this kind of stuff is great for youtube. Keep up the good work man, you've got the potential!

[@elvocajr7984]

yes please, building cool and odd vehicles from scrap like this help make my boring monotonous life enjoyable. i love these types of videos-seriously. ingenuity is extremely contagious and addictive

[@konstantinosfotiadis]

This thing is amazing! solid work!

[@dm-zx7xb]

KZbin recommended video algorithm finally fit it right! $400 DIY Ripsaw - great job man!

[@428ghost]

Put a turret on it and you have a HISS Tank.

[@r.watson1928]

I love the ingenuity of it.

[@justinlabar1733]

This thing is so sketchy but so awesome at the same time. I love it!

[@TheFlatlander440]

Very cool. Hard to believe you built this for less than $400.00, amazing. I will say, you should add a 12 or 16 inch LED light bar for night driving.

[@thatguy1321]

Sorry buddy but light bars aren’t that cool. They sure did seem cool until everybody started putting them on their Honda Civic’s and Subaru outback‘s Lol.

[@TheFlatlander440]

@@thatguy1321 I'm talking safety, functionality and practicality. Not cool factor.

[@lastfrontierforge6170]

How did you do your track connection

[@tiborkunzl2534]

This thing is sick dude, well done 👍

[@jackcameback]

1 new sub - simply because a great vid, no BS, great craftmanship and an honest down to earth vid, keep them coming

[@impactajuvenile]

$400 for that? You should be working at the White House or the pentagon? Save the American tax payer a lot!

[@mikeching6374]

granted, I'd say 80% of govt funding goes to oil political pockets...but granted I grew up in Martial Law Philippines....

[@DieselRamcharger]

@@mikeching6374 i grew up in america, id say 80% is a low estimate.

[@delphicdescant]

@@DieselRamcharger 10% for actual production, 90% for "lobbying" for your company to pay no tax and be allowed to employ serfs for pocket change.

[@mikeching6374]

@@DieselRamcharger the remaining 10%...welll....

[@forgingapath8809]

@733Rafael Thats not even a remotely true statement, almost all modern armor is outdated for the modern battle field but old soviet exports and even some of the EU tanks are FAR worse than the Abrams. Just look up Turkey and India's attempts at producing a homegrown tank.

[@inkman6964]

The 46 people that disliked this video want to give their heads a wobble

[@justgonnagetbetter1037]

They're just jealous

[@inkman6964]

Steve 'o not at all everyone is entitled to their own opinion that’s the beauty of the internet it gives people balls

[@HRAZZI]

Love the way it roars.

[@Kleiminc]

Please please do series 2 This is so inspiring for me to build my own machine

[@subixbarbarasson2544]

Looks like a Cobra H.I.S.S. Tank from the G.I.Joe kartoon

[@ax8038]

Sound is really low

[@redsquirrelftw]

I felt like Marty Mcfly in the start of BTTF while turning up my sound. *buzz sound as everything is set to max*

[@richardkeith7996]

Nice ride. The very best part is the direct-to-the-point build description. You mentioned everything needed to understand how it was built and how the components work without all the usual u-tube video unnecessary running on and humble bragging. Great job on both the vehicle and the video.

[@Jeff-Vader_head_of_catering]

Seriously cool! You've got some legit talent and ingenuity!

[@andrewprint7523]

If you look on the construction lines its inspired on the tank from: howe and howe - - >the ripsaw 😜

[@AdamBrownKC]

the dude literally said that in the video...

[@BowenOrg]

AWESOME BUILD!!!! KEEP GOING AND CREATE MORE "STUMP JUMPERS!" THEN RACE THEM!!! : )

[@danforesman2627]

Love it. A thought on engine cooling. I ran a 22 re flatbed for years, after the thermostat choked my capacity to haul dirt up mountainsides by blowing my head gasket, I pulled it and was shocked at how little cooling I needed especially in the cold without the t stat restriction. Drove over mountains with cardboard jammed in front of the radiator and a carpenters clamp on the hose just so I could stay warm in the cab. Switch to dual or triple heater cores and run coolant through the seating tubing with a cutoff valve to heat the driver's compartment...or, pipe through a water tank to have warm water on board... I am onto the prestone final charge radiator coolant in an effort to extend system life... If you want heat for survival, a radiator is a fuel pig you can't eat! Don't forget to cook while you drive with an exhaust oven!

[@brendonsummerton3509]

You definitely should do a version two!! You make some awesome stuff, definitely subscribing!!

[@heinrichheidestein1013]

So if i understood the steering process, when you brake on one side the differential makes the job and transfert the force to the other side? Really with a car differential?

[@johnathandoe4951]

I'm not sure what you mean, but typically tracked vehicles will either slow down one track and/or speed up another track which causes the vehicle to turn.

[@rafaeldotto7147]

Exactly. If you lock one wheel the other wheels spins.

[@chucknin1491]

Auduino and solenoids break. Should easily shift from a VW MID engine cable shifter ala Jamar or Empi. You already done the hard part.

[@caslor2002]

you are right.. just thinking the same thing... it would be more robust also ...

[@rayfletcher3683]

The easiest and best solution is weld a u joint vertically to original shifter,a straight shaft horizontally to another u joint welded to frame, then the gear shift handle where needed. Will work smoothly with no play and good feel ! Joints allow stick to move side to side and for and aft. Horizontal shaft transmits tourque and tension -compression.

[@joshuadraper1534]

Ya I was like dude thats way to complicated. You could just use a shaft to shift with. Mustang's with a 5 speed manual trans have a shaft connected to the shifting tower and then come forward from there like a foot or better then connect to the shifter on the floor board. I'm sure you could make the rod any length with in reason to fit where you need. But trying to shift and skid steer at the same time is gonna be a problem so having solinoids shifting from like paddle shifters on the steering handles would solve that but then I imagine it would be a pretty complicated set up to try and shift a traditionally hand shifted transmission via paddle shifters using a clutch.

[@daily3dprinting]

Looks Awesome! Definitely want one now.

[@adriannicholson8819]

good work for a starter we all need to do stuff like this to learn

[@Joshua-hz3cl]

Um can you go through build schematics or like any plans you drew so others can take a shot at this?

[@ForbiddenUser403]

Would love to see you do something like this with a larger enclosed cab and cargo/personnel area ;)

[@justincase1898]

with snow tracks!

[@karitylinen8096]

This is so nice. Very practical and simple.

[@Keegsbruh413]

Yes a start to finish build sounds like a great idea

[@legitchristian8498]

Where you from?? I'll pay you to make me one no joke man.

[@cortedemico]

i think the 125 dislikes were from the "ripsaw" engineers...

[@Toolness1]

The conveyor belts we use for the coal conveyors at my power plant are around twice as thick as that belt on there and it's nearly indestructible. So if anyone is thinking about making something like this, check with a power plant if you live near one, there's usually old belt lying around. Now that I think of it, the coal conveyor belt might be about this thickness but the hammer mill belt that crushes the coal is the really thick stuff. I use it to hang metal targets and they get all shot up and still last a really long time taking all kinds of rifle rounds.

[@RollerPigg]

Yes! Version 2.0 should include: + AR500 body panels + Cummings Diesel engine + Kevlar run-flat bogie wheels (or something that can't be flattened) + Gun turret + Passenger cabin that seats 6-10 people + Built on a Heavy 1-ton truck frame That would be a true bugout vehicle!