God-Level Engineering: Monster Truck Chopper Is a Different Level of Junkyard Magic

Ladies and gentlemen and lovers of everything wild this world has to offer, lend me your eyes for the next few minutes, maybe more, so that you can witness the magic that Grind Hard Plumbing Co, a YouTube channel that revolves around anything motorized, spits out on a near-daily basis.

One such project, currently spanning over the course of five videos, is their monster truck "road chopper," the monstrosity we see in the image gallery. But, before we continue, I need to point out that the collection of videos Grind Hard has currently put together spans nearly three hours, so I'm going to do my best to sum up what the hell is going on here.

About three months ago, Grind Hard would unveil the first of many videos that take us through building the wonder we have before us. It all begins with a beat-up "Unimog" that's on its way to the shop to be repurposed as a new vehicle.

Once we get a glimpse as to what this four-wheeler can handle, and even what has become of it over the course of its life, it's time to disassemble this beast and take the base necessities off - two wheels and some drivetrain components.

On November 4th, 2023, to be precise, Grind Hard is undertaking the next video in the series. At this stage, we're shown a more clear idea of what will eventually become one of the dirtiest rides on the planet; literally, mudguards are a must. Take a moment and picture yourself sitting between two such wheels, and that's basically the idea of how everything will eventually look.

At this stage, there's one big problem: how to connect everything together into one fluid machine and for it to function. Funny enough, that's an issue this crew tackles over the course of all five current videos. So, first, they build a frame. Yet, safety comes first, so the crew worked on fastening a set of brakes.

What blew me away regarding this project was the sheer ingenuity and engineering with which Grind Hard approaches everything. Since every aspect of this design is absolutely unique, even the mounts with which the rear wheel is attached to the frame (leftover roll cage) had to be custom-built, brake discs, too; I love it! After gluing (welding) all that together, the chain sprocket is added, and we're done with this stage.

November 18, 2023, catches the Grind Hard crew grinding hard! As the third video unfurls, we can start seeing this machine take shape. With some of the rear construction already completed, the front starts to receive some attention.

While working out the kinks of attaching the motor to a chain and eventually to a rear wheel, the crew realized there would be a need for a chain tensioner, two of them, to be precise. Personally, I'm no engineer, so you'll have to check out the videos to see exactly what this crew did; I think it's rather genius. As the suspension is actuated, this tensioner/sprocket shaft shifts to keep the network of chains in place. Eventually, the addition of extra tensioners will be needed.

Also, in this video, we finally see the Grind Hard crew start connecting the engine to the wheels and their crankarms. But first, they had to work out how the seat and suspension would work. For this, suspension shocks were taken off some old motorcycles thrown around the yard, but it was a beloved Honda CBR900RR that donated its shock for this endeavor. After a few mounts were designed, shaped, and cut, the suspension began to take place.

The final moments of this video show the Fireball team testing all that their life-size LEGO adventure has brought to life. At this stage, I noticed something beautiful: as the host/engineer was pulled around the shop, the rear wheel turning caused the front sprocket to rotate as well; it's alive! Well, sort of.

As I explored more about what this crew is working on here, the following video takes us through the elaborate network of pipes, welds, and screws that will eventually support the engine and connect it to the front wheel, again, via a shock. In short, this thing is going to be one squishy ride; I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing.

Yet, how is this thing going to be steered? Well, there are several ways to steer a motorcycle, but by the looks of this project, most options go out the window. So, what are we left with? Steering rams? Too bulky and too heavy. Steering cables are the answer, one that can produce 400 lbs on a push.

The most recently launched video, however, shows this bugger really "coming along," and I agree; this thing is sick! If my over-excitement doesn't get to you, you should call up your gearhead buddy, if you have one, and head out into the desert on some ATV, ATC, or downright dune buggies. This portion of the build also focuses on the front swingarm, its suspension, and how to finally steer it.

In the last few minutes of the video, we can see a true miracle come to life. The jack is finally lowered, and by the looks of things, everything keeps its shape. Even the host hops on and is amazed at the dynamics of their work, as everyone else is too. I'm sharing that excitement, too.

At this stage in the project, all I can say is that I'm super pumped to see how this machine turns out. However, we will need to stick around for another video or so before we finally see the finished product. "So, next up, steering!"

What about you? How do you feel about what these cats have achieved here over the past month or so? Feel free to leave a comment below.