Clayton Kraatz came all the way from The 403 to join us at Top Truck this year. As our first alternate, his rig didn't qualify for victory this year, but Clayton certainly knows how to build a winning rig. From the chassis to the cagework, from the suspension to the steering, to the bead locks, to the spherical rod ends, everywhere you look, most everything you see on this awesome 4x4 is owner-designed and fabricated. Not surprising, perhaps, once you learn that he's the owner of Evolution Machining, makers of some of the sweetest Heims in the hemisphere.
Yep, there is a vaguely porcine...
Yep, there is a vaguely porcine appearance to the 'Hog's tubing, though it's all Grade A Prime work-no tripe on this rig anywhere. The chassis, caging, bumpers, suspension, bead locks-just about everything you see here, basically-was fabbed up by Clayton at Evolution Machining, and the Twister Tan paint was applied by Cloverdale Paints in Calgary. For those infrequent occasions when the 49-inch IROKs stop moving, a Warn 8274 sits at the ready.
Beneath that snake's nest...
Beneath that snake's nest of cagework, the Hog's cockpit is relatively Spartan, with Corbeau Ultra Baja SS seats, a B&M pistol shifter and a Grant steering wheel the only concessions to style and creature comfort. A complement of Auto Meter gauges is on board to monitor vitals, but where's the stereo? "Ha ha," replies Clayton. Speakers? "Nice try." Center console? "Nada." Carpet? "She shaves."
This shot shows the amazing...
This shot shows the amazing "off-the-chart" level of fabrication skill that Clayton is capable of.
Good thing a picture paints...
Good thing a picture paints a thousand words, because we'd need at least that many to fully describe the Hog's front underpinnings, but in a nut: Arvin-Meritor F-106 axle (equivalent of a 3-ton) stuffed with a Detroit and spinning 7.17:1s, Arctic Gear front driveshaft with High-Angle components, full hydro steering courtesy of an owner-fabbed 3-inch double-ended ram with 10-inch stroke, and twin power-steering pumps with Evolution steering links and Heim joints to tie it all together. The F-106 is located by a custom link suspension with (you'll never guess) Evolution links and Heim joints, and an axle-mounted link-assisted 2-inch sway bar. Twenty-six-inch-travel monster-issue Night Stalker shocks control jounce and rebound.
Scarcely a component in the...
Scarcely a component in the Warthog's engine was left untouched, starting with the Chevy big-block, which was bored 0.060 over to displace 468 cubic inches. A Comp Cams bumpstick with 0.570-inch lift and 238-degree duration (at 0.050 lift) works to engage the KB pistons, Manley valves, and Comp beehive valvesprings. Propane injection feeds the 11.0:1 block, an Edelbrock intake works the flow, and owner-fabbed headers help adios the stinkies. Firing duties are handled by dual gel-cells, an MSD distributor and wires, dual multiple-spark discharge boxes, and an Evolution wiring harness ties it all together. So how much power does it crank out? "Unknown," says Clayton.
Similar to the front, the...
Similar to the front, the Warthog's shaved Arvin-Meritor rear axle houses a Detroit Locker, 34-spline, 1.75-inch-diameter shafts and 7.17:1 gears, and is spun by an Arctic Gear/High Angle driveshaft that's hooked to the Stak three-speed transfer case, which in turn is powered by a Casale marine V-drive running off the Powerglide tranny (this setup allows the engine to ride in the back). A custom four-link and 26-inch Night Stalker shocks locate the Arvin, and a 49-inch TSL Swamper IROK mounted to a 16-inch Evolution bead-locked rim rests at each axle end. A T-Max 9000 winch sits at the ready to assist with any backward yanks.
Owner name/city: Clayton Kraatz/Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Occupation: Owner/fabricator, Evolution Machine
Vehicle model: '06 Evolution Twister buggy
Estimated value: "$85,000 in parts, 1,500 hours in build time"
Engine/aspiration: 454ci 11:1 Chevy V-8, bored 0.060 over, Comp cam, Keith Black hypereutectic pistons, Manley valves, Comp Cams beehive valve springs and roller arms/Tunnel ram dual-mixer propane injection, Edelbrock intake manifold, custom headers
Transmission(s): JW Transmissions Powerglide, Casale marine V-drive
Transfer case: Stak three-speed
Suspension (f/r): Four-link, 26-inch Knight Stalker shocks/Four-link, 26-inch Knight Stalker shocks
Axles (f/r): Detroit-Locked Arvin-Meritor HD F-106/Detroit-Locked Arvin-Meritor HD F-106
Axle ratio: 7.17:1
Wheels: 16-inch Evolution bead locks
Tires: 49-inch Interco Swamper IROKs