South Bend Clutch Mud Rail - Mud Slingin'

The world of mud bogging is entrenched with spark-ignited, supercharged, alcohol-fueled, big-block engines backed by automatic transmissions. This mud rail, Never Seen It Cummins, jumped out of that rut, as it was built to prove diesel power and manual transmissions can stay on top during serious mud competition. For example, it scored First and Second Place finishes at the South Bend Sod Busters (www.sodbustersoffroad.com) and Fowler Farms Mud Run (www.fowlerfarmmudrun.com). Another priority for this project was to have fun. The builders, Manseil Washburn, Andrew Slessman, and Dave Winters, did such a good job with both goals, the excitement rubs off on whoever looks at this piece of mechanical art.

From this angle, the South...        read full caption From this angle, the South Bend Clutch mud rail kind of looks like an overgrown quad. It does everything it needs to with the 5-gallon fuel cell. The front suspension relies on a four-link setup with coilover shocks and yellow limiting straps. The rack-and-pinion steering is from a '74 Ford Pinto. The Dana 44 axle has 3.73 gears and a Detroit Locker. The 44-inch Super Swamper Boggers were put under the hot knife to relieve weight and create a custom tread pattern.	The rear suspension uses a...        read full caption The rear suspension uses a spring-under setup with traction bars and a single shock per side. The rear axle is a GM 14 bolt with a spool and matching 3.73 gears. The glossy paint covering the entire frame and all the suspension components serves two purposes--great looks, and it helps cut cleanup time, since it is harder for the mud to stick to it.	The body is a fiberglass '32...        read full caption The body is a fiberglass '32 Ford Victoria. The large, plastic fenders were designed to keep the flinging mud under control. The FASS lift pump and nitrous bottle are mounted in a secure and easily accessible location.
Starting from the front, notice...        read full caption Starting from the front, notice the electric fan. Being able to stop the blades while the engine is still spinning is essential in deep mud. To the right is the black inline Bosch P7100 injection pump, which supports 700 hp and 1,400 lb-ft. Next to that is the hydraulic reservoir for the clutch's master cylinder. Its slave cylinder pushes a 3250 pressure plate, which sandwiches a free-floating center plate and a double-disc 3600 feramic clutch, all made by this vehicle's main sponsor, South Bend Clutch.	This 3.9L Cummins 4BT uses...        read full caption This 3.9L Cummins 4BT uses a compound-turbo setup that delivers 82 psi of total boost. The first charger connected to the air filter is a Garrett K31. The second is a Holset HX40, and both are wastegated. Notice the yellow-with-red-accent protective covers on each turbo--these are designed to keep parts from becoming shrapnel in case of failure. Under the heat insulation wrap is a custom stainless steel exhaust manifold. The green, industrial-looking carrier bearing and shaft make up part of the throttle linkage.	We just love the continued...        read full caption We just love the continued creative use of carrier bearings. This mud rail only took the parts it needed from an NV271 transfer case and fabricated the rest. Since this vehicle is only used for short trips, it does not need a sealed case with constant lube. Notice the excellent driveline angles.
Driver and builder Manseil...        read full caption Driver and builder Manseil Washburn shows us how you get inside South Bend Clutch's mud rail.	Never Seen It Cummins has...        read full caption Never Seen It Cummins has a billet flywheel just like this one. It is nice to see Made in USA. Did you know South Bend Clutch is located in Mishawaka, not South Bend, Indiana?