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BRDM 2 Purchasing & Engine Conversion

Hummer Guy

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United States Louisiana
What is the most reliable site I can get a BRDM 2? It doesn't have to be cosmetically good, I'm just looking for one that runs and function properly for as cheap as possible. I contacted mortar investment and was offered one for a little over 9,000$ and over 6,000$ to import. Is there any other website that's sale these at a cheap price and are able to be imported in the US? If I do get one, how easy will it be to convert the 5.5 engine for a 5.9 Cummings, and would the transmission of the BRDM 2 even hold up to a 5.9 cummings? While you at it, can you give me the name of the BRDM 2 transmission, I can't find much information about it. I haven't yet to hear or see about a single person saying they put a 5.9 cummings in a BRDM 2, but I seen some posts with one in a Cadillac Gage Commando.

Thanks.
 

kcimb

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Location
Fort Worth, Texas
I would leave the engine as is. They aren't powerful, suck down gas, but they are reliable and well designed. Send the electronics off to petronics and let them rebuild it and you''ll get more power and performance for your buck.

If you can get a BRDM2 delivered for 15000 that's a good deal, especially for a runner. I would like to acquire an ATGM model and expand my fleet.
 

Hummer Guy

Well-known member
761
695
93
Location
United States Louisiana
I would leave the engine as is. They aren't powerful, suck down gas, but they are reliable and well designed. Send the electronics off to petronics and let them rebuild it and you''ll get more power and performance for your buck.

If you can get a BRDM2 delivered for 15000 that's a good deal, especially for a runner. I would like to acquire an ATGM model and expand my fleet.
Alright, I realize you said that they suck down gas a lot. How much mpg would it get if I drive it conservatively? Would this actually be able to do 50-50 Mph? My next question is what kind of power differences can you get by them rebuilding the electronics?

2 more questions that came to my head. How is it registering these for street legal and can it be insured as an antique vehicle? What kind of maintenance would this vehicle require, like the type of engine oil, how much oil, what kind of trans fluid, how much of it, and do it have geared hubs that needs oil like the Humvees? Do these have field plugs like humvees, I tend to use a dash camera quite often, and is there any kind of menu or article that gives out all these details about the BRDM 2?
 
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kcimb

Well-known member
1,331
206
63
Location
Fort Worth, Texas
Alright, I realize you said that they suck down gas a lot. How much mpg would it get if I drive it conservatively? Would this actually be able to do 50-50 Mph? My next question is what kind of power differences can you get by them rebuilding the electronics?

2 more questions that came to my head. How is it registering these for street legal and can it be insured as an antique vehicle? What kind of maintenance would this vehicle require, like the type of engine oil, how much oil, what kind of trans fluid, how much of it, and do it have geared hubs that needs oil like the Humvees? Do these have field plugs like humvees, I tend to use a dash camera quite often, and is there any kind of menu or article that gives out all these details about the BRDM 2?

Nearly everything that takes oil takes EP90 GL4-axles, diffs, trans, transfer case, etc. You can use 80/90 just fine as long as it's GL4 or really any gear oil that's 90w and gl4. Fluid in the brake and clutch I think is aeroshell 41. Can't remember what the hydro system takes. The engine can take 30w or 10w30, depends on the climate. I run 10w30 heavy truck synthetic since its high in ZZDP. I takes a lot of oil, I think I used like 3-4 jugs.

My last one was street legal. My current one will be street legal also. It's not hard, just a pain in the rear and takes money. I don't know about MPG...I really don't track. But 10 gallons will last a year with running it once every other week (idling and driving around the lot). Not sure about actual MPG but it's probably sub 10. If you have to ask about filling them up, don't. it has 2 40 gallon fuel tanks (rounded up). It will go a long time on full tanks.

I swapped out the air filter on mine (it's an oil bath type) for a better canister type air filter. Doing the electronics through petronics means the engine starts better and runs better than with the old stuff.

Yes, it will do 50MPH. Also do 70 downhill.
 

Hummer Guy

Well-known member
761
695
93
Location
United States Louisiana
Nearly everything that takes oil takes EP90 GL4-axles, diffs, trans, transfer case, etc. You can use 80/90 just fine as long as it's GL4 or really any gear oil that's 90w and gl4. Fluid in the brake and clutch I think is aeroshell 41. Can't remember what the hydro system takes. The engine can take 30w or 10w30, depends on the climate. I run 10w30 heavy truck synthetic since its high in ZZDP. I takes a lot of oil, I think I used like 3-4 jugs.

My last one was street legal. My current one will be street legal also. It's not hard, just a pain in the rear and takes money. I don't know about MPG...I really don't track. But 10 gallons will last a year with running it once every other week (idling and driving around the lot). Not sure about actual MPG but it's probably sub 10. If you have to ask about filling them up, don't. it has 2 40 gallon fuel tanks (rounded up). It will go a long time on full tanks.

I swapped out the air filter on mine (it's an oil bath type) for a better canister type air filter. Doing the electronics through petronics means the engine starts better and runs better than with the old stuff.

Yes, it will do 50MPH. Also do 70 downhill.
Do this come with any sort of way to keep you cool inside like a fan or something? I know it don't have AC, how hard will it be to add an AC unit? I'm guessing it will be slightly difficult since this vehicle is suppose to be sealed up.

Is that air vents in this image? I'm trying to figure out would I be able to hook up an AC system to that vent. InkedBRDM2_rkhB_Nicholson17_LI.jpg
 
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kcimb

Well-known member
1,331
206
63
Location
Fort Worth, Texas
Do this come with any sort of way to keep you cool inside like a fan or something? I know it don't have AC, how hard will it be to add an AC unit? I'm guessing it will be slightly difficult since this vehicle is suppose to be sealed up.

Is that air vents in this image? I'm trying to figure out would I be able to hook up an AC system to that vent. View attachment 802061
That's a vent for a fan that's under the dash on the left. I've never thought about adding AC, maybe a big fan on the inside to keep temps down but no matter what it'll be hotter than two squirrels in a wool sock in june. It's made to be sealed up nice and tight and absorbs a lot of heat. Riding with the hatches open really helps, however.
 

Hummer Guy

Well-known member
761
695
93
Location
United States Louisiana
That's a vent for a fan that's under the dash on the left. I've never thought about adding AC, maybe a big fan on the inside to keep temps down but no matter what it'll be hotter than two squirrels in a wool sock in june. It's made to be sealed up nice and tight and absorbs a lot of heat. Riding with the hatches open really helps, however.
Thanks for the info, do these vehicles have any kind of power outlets in them? maybe I could have a portable AC unit inside like this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CQW2R6...LzktnK9RRYHM0QQW8NQ&slotNum=1&tag=aclabnew-20
 

kcimb

Well-known member
1,331
206
63
Location
Fort Worth, Texas

Hummer Guy

Well-known member
761
695
93
Location
United States Louisiana
No, they don't. What I am going to do is wire in a converter to charge my phone and run a fan that sucks air out. Isn't hard, you have 2 big batteries in the back right of the vehicle.
Isn't the batteries in the engine compartment? Is there any way to access them in the cab without cutting something?
 

kcimb

Well-known member
1,331
206
63
Location
Fort Worth, Texas
Isn't the batteries in the engine compartment? Is there any way to access them in the cab without cutting something?
they’re super easy to get out. I use regular car batteries. Just need strong arms. You lift
The engine deck and there they are, right by the master switch.
 

kcimb

Well-known member
1,331
206
63
Location
Fort Worth, Texas
Wouldn't this leave the engine fully opened in the cab and cause more heat since there's nothing blocking the engine from the cab?
that’s why you close the engine hatch. It’s fairly quiet when the hatch is closed.
The engine hatches are on hinges that swing out for easy access. It’s no trouble to open them up.
 
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Hummer Guy

Well-known member
761
695
93
Location
United States Louisiana
come on out and check ours out. We might be bringing a second one to the collection next year, not sure.
I probably consider that next year once we get some stuff fix from this hurricane, which model you plan on getting next out of the turreted, anti tank, or non turreted etc?

My plan is to get the turreted BRDM 2 mid next year if everything goes well with repairs from the hurricane and the upcoming one.
 

kcimb

Well-known member
1,331
206
63
Location
Fort Worth, Texas
I probably consider that next year once we get some stuff fix from this hurricane, which model you plan on getting next out of the turreted, anti tank, or non turreted etc?

My plan is to get the turreted BRDM 2 mid next year if everything goes well with repairs from the hurricane and the upcoming one.
I’m in Fort Worth, come on by. I’ll show you how they work and run. Ours will be street legal by then, too.
 

Hummer Guy

Well-known member
761
695
93
Location
United States Louisiana
I’m in Fort Worth, come on by. I’ll show you how they work and run. Ours will be street legal by then, too.
Also, how do you go by the process of making it street legal? Do you just get these with a antique title or do you get dirt legal or someone to get plates for them? I heard these are easy to title due to the age of these vehicles.
 

kcimb

Well-known member
1,331
206
63
Location
Fort Worth, Texas
Also, how do you go by the process of making it street legal? Do you just get these with a antique title or do you get dirt legal or someone to get plates for them? I heard these are easy to title due to the age of these vehicles.

I’m going through dirt legal. My plates get here in about 2 weeks.
 
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