U.S. Army Specialist Creates One of a Kind Polaris Ranger 6×6 Crew
Polaris RANGER 6x6 Crew
This is a one of a kind creation built in the middle of the Iraqi desert was the brainchild of SPC. Kevin Knight, U.S. Army 172nd Infantry Brigade. SPC Knight is on duty in Echo, Iraq and works in the Infantry Recovery Workshop.
The Ranger 6×6 Crew is used to haul personnel and their gear all over the base in Iraq. It is often used to tow trailers, one of which is over 7,000 lbs (don’t try this at home).
This homemade Ranger 6×6 “Crew” started its life as a 2008 Polaris RANGER 6×6. When Kevin got a hold of it, the Ranger was in sad shape. The engine and transmission were in the bed, the roll cage and 90% of the plastic was removed, and there were a lot of parts like the shifter cable, relays, spark plugs, injectors that were just plain gone.
Starting Point: Polaris RANGER 6x6
So, Kevin sought out an older Polaris Ranger 4×4 to use for parts and the cage, the seats and frame were used for the “stretch” in the middle.
The stretched part is finished nicely with aluminum diamond plate
Then the extra seat and frame from the donor Ranger was welded in place. When he did this, it extended it out another 7″ for leg room. Then some channel iron was used for bracing so it wouldn’t fold like a taco.
Kevin was forced to use multiple diameters of pipe to extend the exhaust, and some good ol’ back woods engineering to extend the rear driveshaft (which could not be farther from balanced).
Then the fun began… The rear floor, engine cover, rear seat storage boxes, and roof were made of 3/8″ aluminum sheet and 1/2″ aluminum diamond plate. All of the welds were done with a MIG spool gun, as Kevin’s TIG stopped working. The panels were lined with low budget acoustical/heat mat (very similar to Dynamat) to control heat and the massive amounts of rattle.
Ranger on Duty in Iraq
He also made two rear seat storage boxes, one of which holds 2 JVC speaker boxes, and the other holds a 400w amplifier with room to spare. A JVC MP3/CD player is mounted in the glove box.
Overall Kevin said it is a blast to drive. A bit slower and lower than factory, forcing them to attack speed bumps at a 45 degree angle to avoid bottoming out.
The turning radius suffers the most, now at about 45ft. curb to curb.
It comes in extremely handy out in the Iraqi desert. Being a 6 seater, they now have the ability to shuttle 5 guys with all their gear without making more than 1 trip, which is very important when *you know what* hits the fan.
The Ranger 6×6 Crew is driven daily, making parts runs, meal runs when we work late, and pulls multiple trailers, one of them weighing in at 7,300lbs (well over the manufacturer towing capacity).
Kevin wishes that he could have had the right materials and equipment to work with, making the Ranger 6×6 Crew much lighter, safer, and more sensible. But I think this project shows that good old American ingenuity and know how are alive and well in the U.S. Army.
I wonder if anyone at Polaris Industries will take notice and come up with plans for a factory Ranger 6×6 Crew?
he comes for a very creative family I know Im his Aunt .
UTVs should be used more often by the military for support and tactical operations. With ideas from Soldiers like SPC Knight and the resorces and $$$ from Polaris and it’s competitors, I think UTVs could be a major military asset in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan with some armor and weapon mounts. Maybe SPC Knight needs to help Polaris make a “Combat” UTV that can fit in those tight places that a Humvee can’t… NICE WORK LIL BRO!!!!
Polaris is an american company and should be well supported by the american government