I knew Sean had sold tiv 2 tiv 1 just kind of disappeared this just popped up in my suggestions on YouTube according to the comments he has ben looking for it
TIV1 coming out of retirement?
- Thread starter rebelrage
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I'm surprised he'd want to resurrect it. By all accounts that vehicle was a highly problematic death trap, and all the others were improvements on it from the lessons learned. Unless it's been heavily modified/rebuilt to incorporate some of those improvements.
Was thinking similarly, Andy. I would think it would be simpler and safer to just design a new one from scratch. Perhaps cost is the driving factor in revamping the old one, though.
Either way, they can withstand very high winds until the aerodynamic downforces are disrupted by flying debris (e.g., telephone poles, other vehicles or building materials) and the vehicle / occupants are hurled away. Using them for hail protection, against weak landspouts, as a last resort or for drama they are great, but not for actually trying to penetrate a violent tornado. I think it's important people realize this -- it's not safe to ride out a tornado in a vehicle. When Phil Henry built the first TIV in the mid-90's, we discussed this at great length, to avoid being over confident.
Remember when both the TIV2 and Dominator were tested for ability to remain stable in the face of 200+ mph winds by the Mythbusters?
TIV2 didn't move, although a door popped open. That's definitely not good.
TIV2 didn't move, although a door popped open. That's definitely not good.
Yes... but the test was on stable, flat ground under perfect conditions with no airborne debris or spaces underneath to upset the downforce. I don't think it would always be possible to find perfect conditions while chasing. Nor do I think the body would hold up when hit by a telephone pole traveling at over 200 mph.
So I did a little digging and Facebook stalking so apparently the same people who bought tiv 2 have tiv 1 also part of the same group that had the tour accident and Sean is planning on building a three
Seems to me that there might be a little bit of a publicity thing going on here
Seems to me that there might be a little bit of a publicity thing going on here
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I've had some past issues with the rolling coffins parked in highway travel lanes when chasing. I'm not sure why. I might have to build a road-clearing bulldozer and call it the "EXTERMINATOR."
There is a guy on Facebook who bought TIV 1 and is restoring it. Can't remember a name but I can try to look for it if you guys want. It was in really rough shape. it's going to need some serious work done to it to even get it running. The interior is nothing short of a mess. I guess it's kind of expected when you leave an old ford with a redneck style custom job on a farm in Kansas for god knows how long.
Is it going to mysteriously explode on contact with the ground like Jonas' SUV did in Twister?
No, it will land unharmed and carry on.
Ryan Shephard bought the TIV 1 a couple of years ago. While he is a tour guide for SLT, however this purchase had nothing to do with the tour company itself. Not sure what he plans to do with it.
That strap is hooked from the taxiway to the landing gear of the 747, presumably to stop it rolling forward if the brakes let go. It is not attached to the vehicle.
Ryan bought TIV 2. TIV 1 was sitting at some farm and Sean Casey basically stated that whoever found it could have it. Can't remember who found it though.
He left it there and was paying storage. I cannot remember if it was Sean not wanting to pay anymore or if the farmer wanted it gone. Either way the guy that picked it up had to make a deal for it with the farmer.
If it were my truck I would swap a 12v Cummins/NV4500 into it. I heard that the power stroke blew up and that's why he parked it.
Cummins are just indestructible compared to the powerstrokes. They are known to keep running long after the dodge around them has desintigrated.
It would be great to see TIV 1 back on the road and chasing. I wish to get a live tour of it sometime.