Latham's incredible homebuilt...
Latham's incredible homebuilt DOM chassis has virtually no fat. What is phat, however, are the massive 54-inch Baja Claw TTC tires on Stazworks double-beadlock wheels. Other cool stuff includes a Warn 8274 winch and six strategically placed Light Force, Tracker and Yamaha YZF450 lights so he can see where he is going at night.
Leroy Latham resides in Golconda, Nevada, where he kills time between trail rides by wrenching on other people's stuff (he's a mechanic). Apparently, he's pretty good at buggy building, too. This rear-engine two-seater is designed to slither through places like the Tank Trap with no problem. Will our seven events be simply the prey that Latham will crush?
Specifications
Owner name/city: Leroy Latham/Golconda, Nevada
Occupation: Mechanic
Vehicle model: 2008 monster buggy
Estimated value: N/A
Engine/aspiration: 460ci Ford V-8, EFI, custom headers, Dynatech mufflers
Transmission: C6, Broader Performance torque converter, dual coolers, TCI aluminum pan
Transfer case: NP205, twin stick
Suspension (f/r): Triangulated four-link, 16-in King remote-reservoir coilovers, King hydraulic bumpstops, limiting straps/triangulated four-link, 16-in King remote-reservoir coilovers, King hydraulic bumpstops, limiting straps
Axles (f/r): 2 1/2-ton Rockwell, Detroit Locker, full hydraulic steering/2 1/2-ton Rockwell, welded spiders, full hydraulic steering
Axle ratio: 6.72:1
Wheels: 20x12 Stazworks double beadlock
Tires: 54-in Mickey Thompson Baja Claw TTC
 Up front, there's a stout...  Up front, there's a stout 2 1/2-ton Rockwell that has been prepped for battle with a Detroit Locker. This axle is fastened to a triangulated four-link suspension with 16-inch King remote-reservoir coilovers and hydraulic bumpstops. Naturally, there's a full hydraulic steering system with double-ended ram so the massive tires can be controlled easily. |  Inside, the rig has leather...  Inside, the rig has leather seating and real wood trim. Actually, the only leather in this rig is Latham's wallet and the only wood it'll ever see is if a tree branch falls in the truck. This interior is designed for function, and features include Summit plastic seats, a custom switch box, Grant steering wheel and a limited number of only the most important Auto Meter gauges. |  Out back, things are very...  Out back, things are very similar to the front. The suspension consists of a triangulated four-link with 16-inch-travel King remote-reservoir coilovers and hydraulic bumpstops. The axle is a 2 1/2-ton Rockwell with full hydraulic steering. Unlike the front axle, the rear has welded spiders. In this photo you can also see the slick way Latham designed the 'cage to serve as a mounting point for the bumpstops, radiator, and upper coilover mounts. |
 Rear-mounted, but taking a...  Rear-mounted, but taking a backseat to no one, is an EFI 460ci big-block that Latham says produces an estimated 400 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. The mill has a camshaft and rockers by Comp Cams, custom headers, Dynatech mufflers, Accel coil, 100-amp alternator and dual batteries. The powerplant is bolted to a C6 automatic transmission that has been heavily modified. Among other things, it has a TCI aluminum pan, Broader Performance torque converter, and a B&M shifter. It's cooled by dual transmission coolers. It sends power to an NP205 that sprouts a pair of Fry Machining driveshafts. | | |