I ran across this pic in Diesel World magazine, so I started Googling to see if it was a first for a PSD pickup. I found plenty of jet powered vehicles, but none were in a pickup truck of any brand. This pic was taken at the DHRA Nationals in Indianapolis, and the truck's owner is a jet helicopter mechanic, and he bought the engine on eBay. It's got an afterburner that he demonstrated by making several passes a night, but I couldn't get a good enough pic from the magazine with my camera to post it.

Unfortunately, no performance data of even the owners name was given, but I've been trying to come up with some estimates of static thrust for this size engine. It turns out that analyzing the performance (acceleration, top speed, etc...) of a jet powered vehicle is quite different than for one that applies its HP directly to the road via the tires. I won't bore you with my preliminary analyses, but if anyone's interest in the comparison I'll post it later.

Of all the jet vehicle sites I looked at, this one is a must see!
http://www.ronpatrickstuff.com/

 

That's not a jet engine, it's just a wicked big turbo.

 

Isn't that the optional "back-up power pack" they offered in the 6.0L?

Craig

 

It's actually a de-icer. You drive behind it for a second or so and "poof" no ice, all dry.

Dave

 

just so you all know i am a helicopter mechanic and they don't have jet engines they have turbo shaft engines and they like a diesel are powered off of fuel and a jet engine uses thrust. look up a AH-1W or a UH-1N and you will see what i am talking about. if that used thrust it would go into and past the back window. sorry to be the buzz killer but it still looks cool.


Ryder

 

Super Duty, No. STUPID DUTY, YES.

 

The engine is a General Electric Model T58-8F. This is a helicopter turboshaft engine that was converted to a jet engine by some internal modifications and a custom tailpipe, \

Im not a helicopter mechanic, but I am a GSMC gas turbine mechanic cheif
(Ret) and yes it can and has been done, its real!

 

well i'll say this not much thrust out of a turboshaft that has maybe 1000 hp (i'll say that even a turbo shaft has some thrust but not much) even if you close down the exhaust still not much. and why would the guy hold it down with cargo straps? like i said it looks cool but not much point behind it. read the diesel power magazine spread and it will say how it was mounted. but i don't want to get into a pissing match

 

Looks like it is hauling a weird piece of machine…

 

I'd love to throw the wifes horses in the trailer & take them for a ride around the block! Mmmm, horses...

 

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

 

I never said the engine was from a helicopter, only that the guy is a jet helicopter mechanic! The engine is from an old Cvezechoslovakian fighter jet! No model # was given, and I'm still searching for some representative data on it. If I could've gotten a decent pic of it in full afterburner mode at night (which I'll try again to do), you wouldn't be questioning the veracity of my post!

BTW, if you don't believe me you can check with Kevin Wilson, the editor of Diesel World magazine who took the pics.

 

looks like a nascar jet dryer...

 

Thats a lot bigger of a motor than most jet drag cars, which are usually converted turbo-shafts with an afterburner. Seen it done to rail cars and semi's before, never a pickup. I always thought it would be cool to put a turboshaft into a superduty. Maybe the Abrams engine? From what I understand, the 1500hp engine itself is fairly small, its the hoss of an Allison behind it that takes up the most space.

 

It's probably more for the flame thrower show than for extra thrust.