Check out this jitterbug

[MaximRecoil]

My mechanic friend Dave built it for his father when he was 14 years old (1970). His father used it as a jitterbug and plow truck every year right up until he died about 5 years ago.

1956 GMC 270 c.i. straight-six engine:





Dual manual GM transmissions (putting both of them in reverse gives you an ultra low forward gear):





International rearend:



PTO winch, made from a '56 Plymouth rearend:



His father used it for a while after it was built, and decided he wanted a roof to keep the sun and rain off his head. So as the final touch, my friend slapped the hood of a 1960-something Chevrolet something or other on top:



At some point during its ~40 years of use, his father replaced the seat with something from a newer vehicle, and added those wooden beams underneath it. Otherwise, it is mostly still the way it was when Dave built it in 1970.

[Mike DC]

  
If his father was only 14yo at the time Dave built it, then how young was Dave?   

[rt green]

looks interesting. lets see the teeny bopers at advance auto look up a part for that. lol

[Silver R/T]

Interesting redneck creation.

[MaximRecoil]

Interesting redneck creation.

This is Maine, so I'm not sure "redneck" applies, though we have the rough equivalent I suppose.

Jitterbugs have a long history here in Maine, along with the similar "doodlebug". Some people use the two terms interchangeably, but I think of a doodlebug as being for farming (filling in for or supplementing a tractor), and a jitterbug as being for logging (filling in for or supplementing a skidder). The things that all true jitterbugs and doodlebugs have in common are: a rearend out of a big truck, and two or more transmissions (for the extra low gear reduction that a tractor or skidder would have from the factory). The early ones were built from Model T and Model A Fords; there were even factory made conversion kits (the name "doodlebug" comes from the brand name of one of the more popular of those early Depression-era kits).

Jitterbug/doodlebug pull here in Maine - http://bangordailynews.com/2011/08/02/outdoors/doodlebugs-to-have-their-day-in-orrington/?ref=relatedBox

[6spd68]

Definitely a cool creation! 

[MaximRecoil]

Definitely a cool creation! 

I think so too. I love the homemade Mopar winch, made from a Plymouth rearend, and the dual transmissions are awesome too. With both of them in reverse, and that big International truck rearend, I bet it has something like a 200:1 or 250:1 crawl ratio.

When I was 14 I was only building BMX bikes.

[6spd68]

When I was 14 I was only building BMX bikes.

Same here sir

[r4daytona]

When I was 14 I discoverd my dads Playboys!      That is pretty cool.

[nvrbdn]

creative.

[Bandit72]

i had something very similar to this when I was 14! Dad bought it at an auction and I drove the hell out of it!