Our Bogie-drive 6×6 conversions are designed with simplicity in mind, to afford navigation of challenging off-road locations, and carriage and towing of heavier payloads and trailer masses with user-friendly ease, low-maintenance / economic capability, and in ultimate safety, comfort, and reliability.
To this end, our symmetrical Loadsharing, Coil Spring (with optional Airbags), and Disc Brake Bogie-drive systems with integrated Roll-steer function (“the Bogie”) was born out of necessity in the early-1980s when our initial incarnation as a Mechanical & Smash Repairs business needed a medium-sized tow truck its regional NRMA operations at that time.
‘Eclipse Workhorse Conversions’ and ‘Coraki Mechanical & Smash Repairs’ (with NRMA depot), circa1985 – Holden HQ “One-tonne Ute” with our very first aftermarket integrated Leaf Spring Suspension and Fulltime Bogie-drive rear:
Our excellent Suspension and Driveline systems for Bogie-drive 6×6 vehicle configurations are designed and manufactured by our trade-certified teams for quality workmanship. All our workmanship is guaranteed by this requirement we instill with our staff.
Check the following photos for glimpses of what’s offered at our federally registered Design and Production facility (No.D115 and No.P11581) in Coraki (Northern Rivers, NSW).
Our simple and effective design,evolving from the mid-1990s to date is modeled indirectly off railway train passenger/freight carriage bogies with our founder’s time (Bob James, Founder and Managing Director) as Electrical Fitter Foreman in Sydney Yard (NSW Rail – @1973-1983).
The Bogie’s design was adapted from heavy duty railway train carriages to match contemporary automotive mechanical materials and technologies, and is designed for simple, heavy duty reliability in responsibly carrying heavy payloads above the typical light commercial chassis/suspension/driveline combination’s usual abilities, with relative ease and in ultimate safety for the passengers/crew and freight on-board.
(‘Rio Tinto’ Copper & Gold mine – North Parkes, NSW @2015)
Key aspects found nowhere else among other bogie-drive systems include our protected design’s ‘Symmetrical Loadshare Beam’ suspension; our integrated/functional ‘Roll-steering’ suspension; and our driveline’s integrated ‘Roller-drive Power-divider’ built internal to the drive-through differential assembly (also built with an incorporated ‘ARB Air Locker’ diff lock).
The perfectly symmetrical loadsharing twin axle suspension system, and particularly its functional “Roll-steering” design, is all highlighted in this video from one of our distributors (LTG4x4, <https://ltg4x4.com.au/product-category/6×6-conversions/>) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4CUr8PjKKQ&t=184s>. At 2:20 in the video, Tom from LTG4x4 effectively demonstrates some of the cutting-edge enhancements our enabling technologies provide these vehicles that undergo conversion with our 6×6 systems.
“Loadshare suspension” – ‘Loadsharing suspension’ in Mechanical Engineering is an advanced requirement within our Federal Australian Design Rule legislation (“ADR-43/04, 8. LOAD SHARING SUSPENSION”) on all twin axle suspension/driveline systems (AKA “Bogie-drive / 6×6”) that carry above 4.5tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), and which GVM is the car licence holder’s legal limits, upwards whereof at the official ‘Heavy Vehicle’ registration and insurance becomes mandatory. No other bogie-drive suspension designs can honestly claim this key engineering concept within their suspension systems. It’s only part of what makes ours the best 6×6 conversion available.
The ‘Roller-drive Power-divider Mechanism’ divides the Drivepower between the rear four wheels. With the bulk traction from these four wheels under full-time/on-demand Drivepower from the Engine and Transmission, located so close to one another, there is a significant amount of physical force being forced through the internal gear components between the Engine/Transmission to where the rubber meets the road.
Without this ingenious little control mechanism built into our unique Drive-through differential assembly, this extraordinary amount of traction would soon damage the gears, axles, and bearings. Our integrated Power-divider mechanism’s current generation (Gen.15, early-2023 – proprietary 6×6 Australia Pty Ltd technology), a handsome piece of ingenuity, requires we keep its details top secret.
For sake of fuel economy, the Power-divider mechanism tension is primed (i.e., pre-tensioned) for Drivepower, so that once cruising at highway speeds, the Power-divider is no longer required to provide Drivepower to the Rearmost axle, and releases the pre-tension to allow the drive to flow economically until demanded for.
So refined is the mechanism’s action (both On- and Off-road), the moment it begins to sense the slightest loss of any traction at Drive-through axle’s wheels, for example, in the slippery wet highway, it mechanically locks Drivepower internally, and full drive is divided between all four rear wheels. For extreme off-road requirements, its in-built ‘ARB Air Locker’ Diff Lock can be activated, which sees an extremely capable vehicle come to life.
“Functional Roll-steer” – Integrated and complementary to the suspension’s protected IP Loadshare Beam designs (Registered Design Nos.201714910; 201714911; and 201714912) is one aspect of our technology no other 6×6 builder can compare to.
This subtle performance technology enables a sensational experience of the phenomenons in natural physical forces (e.g., Centrifugal & Gravitational “G” Forces) as the vehicle carrying extraordinary massive payloads navigate sweeping on-road terrains and challenging off-road extremes.
No photos or video footage does this sensation justice as the revolutionary and protected suspension design uses centrifugal force from physical carriage of its extra-heavy payload mass as it maneouvres corners at speed to manipulate the suspension, slightly similar to how a skateboard steers by shifting weight across it centre axis to navigate corners. In order to be truly appreciated, it has to be fully experienced on a test drive while our technicians simultaneously explain its actions.
The comfort and security of feeling safe and in control of the heavy payload gives the operator great peace of mind and is remarkable to sense during operation.
For further information and about how to purchase your 6×6 conversion, please feel welcome to call 0467 595 707 (Bob James, Founder & Managing Director) or 0447 023 647 (Steve James, Co-founder and Assistant General Manager) and inquire via phone or email, outlining the following key aspects:
– Which factory make and model (with year of manufacture) of vehicle you would like to choose for your 6×6 conversion. For example, ‘Ford Ranger’, ‘Toyota Landcruiser 79’; ‘Toyota Landcruiser 200’ or ‘300’, etc.;
– Your new 6×6 vehicle’s main intended purpose you wish to use it for. For example, Commercial Mobile Workshop service vehicle; Off-road RV/Touring Vehicle; and/or Multi-passenger Off-road ‘Safari Coach’ Touring vehicle;
– Optional Extras you seek information on (e.g., availability and prices). For example, Bodyworks (e.g., Dual-cabs from Wagons; Flatbed Trays; 3-4 berth RVs; 13-passenger ‘Safari Coach’ Ominbuses; Gullwing Canopies with drawers & Cabinets; HD Towbars; HD Rear Winchbars & Winch packages; and/or Long Range Fuel or Freshwater Tanks;
– Which State/Territory your vehicle is to be registered & insured in for ID Plate in ADR-Compliant Mechanical Engineering certification; and
– A brand new / unregistered vehicle, or a previously registered / used vehicle you wish to be converted? NOTE: Modification certificates from our Mechanical Engineer signatories are different for each type of 6×6 modification as per government (Federal or between each State/Territory).
Please feel welcome to inquire on any other related questions you have about your new 6×6 conversion, and we’ll get you some answers.
Bob James (Founder & Managing Director) – M: 0467 595 707; and E: 6x6australia@gmail.com
Steve James (Co-founder & Assistant General Manager) – M: 0447 023 647; and E: office.6x6australia@gmail.com