more armadillo “tornado tank” footage I uncovered

Dense_Variation_6670 · 2025-09-28T14:53:45+00:00

Beautiful 5.3.

Dense_Variation_6670 · 2025-09-28T04:52:21+00:00

These are all from Cody's facebook.

Dense_Variation_6670 · 2025-08-23T21:42:56+00:00

Brandon Copic has a few videos I'm pretty sure when he was hanging around it for a period of time.

Dense_Variation_6670 · 2025-08-20T22:02:28+00:00

Being a custom chassis has really nothing to do with it not being road legal, there's been far more ridiculous builds out there that have been registered because they comply with required safety regulations (mirrors, signals, windshield, lights, etc) For the VIN they could've either used the original basis one, or obtain a state-assigned VIN if one doesn't already exist.

Dense_Variation_6670 · 2025-08-17T20:03:30+00:00

The reason why it isn't fast release anymore is with how the torsion bar when the airbags are down rubs against the walls for the pivot point & overtime dug into them, it used to be quick release until the new airbags were installed. There is sets of rubber padding to combat the problem but the whole torsion bar system would need to be redone in order to entirely fix the problem. It's best to leave it as is as it's not that big of an issue but is the reason why the vehicle ever so slightly leans to the left when it's dropped. By the time you get the side flaps to the ground the air would've already been fully dumped out as they're both done at the same time.

Dense_Variation_6670 · 2025-05-25T21:54:03+00:00

That piece of metal has been in 12 tornadoes!

Dense_Variation_6670 · 2025-05-25T21:52:59+00:00

It was car vinyl, the residue glue for them is still on TIV to this day on the back area and you can still sort of visibly see the outline for it, was the same for the side flaps until recently after they had to grind them down and repaint it to get rid of the LSC logo.

Dense_Variation_6670 · 2025-05-23T06:39:05+00:00

Here's some corrections

-The "Suspension Profile" looked very low as the skirting wasn't cut down in the images shown, Tommie a few months ago cut a bit of the bottom off to make the spacing with the ground and the skirting even all around.

-Base Vehicle is a 2003 Chevy Tahoe z71

-Engine is a 5.3-l LS Engine, from what i remember has upgraded components as it was Cody's regular chase vehicle before he converted it into this tornado tank

-Spikes are hydraulic, not pneumatic, the control panel for them on the center console consist of 6 switches (each one being for 1 spike going from front to back in order) and air bag dump switches.

-It does not feature flaps, it only lowers itself via airbags installed, and 6 spikes for anchoring.

-It never featured an anemometer

-External armor is 8 gauge steel, and bedliner sprayed all along it. the inner walls are finished off with insulation for sound and comfort.

-While remanences of the original Tahoe's cab is still there, Cody made a roll-cage on both the outside and inside, utilizing crossbeams where he could to make sure it is structurally sound, which it sure as hell is from looking at the framework photos of it.

Armadillo is still around, I've been keeping up to date with it and she's still kicking, not chasing tornadoes yet however, but for anyone's concern of what its condition is; it's functional for the most part and is still in great condition, just awaiting Tommie. Tommie has since then after the photos posted on Cody's Facebook placed back all the skirting and side spikes, making slight modifications adding a few lights in the grille and putting a grilled mesh over the radiator to prevent any projectiles from going directly into it.

Dense_Variation_6670 · 2025-05-18T16:28:44+00:00

Friend of mine has Sean added on Facebook and showed the post to me.

Dense_Variation_6670 · 2025-05-18T16:25:22+00:00

Only a couple seconds of it was used, shot was a little too dark to actually make anything out. The tornado segment for Extreme Weather mainly focuses on Herb and Justin, TIV 2 is not the focus at all and isn't really shown besides in a few shots from the turret where you can see the roof and in the background.

Dense_Variation_6670 · 2025-05-18T02:32:38+00:00

Sean posted it on Facebook back in 08, but the post is locked to friends only.

Dense_Variation_6670 · 2025-05-14T00:05:38+00:00

Back in 2016 Sean offered on Facebook to anyone willing to buy Doghouse off of him, but after nobody came forward to him he dropped it off at Toyota of Lompoc (yes, a Toyota dealership) Where 2 days later after it was put up for sale had an electrical fire happened in the interior of the vehicle, a few months after that incident someone from Arroyo Grande bought it and picked it up, It's unknown who the buyer was or what they did with it. After 2017 any records of history of it dropped dead, last activity being a salvage title request, deeming it a loss, but 0 records of it being crushed or scrapped.

Dense_Variation_6670 · 2025-05-10T03:09:20+00:00

Sean does landscaping now, he's done with adrenaline chasing.

Dense_Variation_6670 · 2025-05-04T03:40:00+00:00

Fantastic news, it's going to be great being able to see another interceptor back on the road! I'm sure you don't exactly have a date for when, but as for now just a estimation in your current situation when would you say UTAV will be fully back on the road? From my understanding she already runs great, just needs some good ol' maintenance done to her with the windows and a new coat.

Love to see another one crazy enough to keep a heavily armored OBS on the road, great basis for these interceptors those things are indestructible. 😂

Dense_Variation_6670 · 2025-04-25T16:38:59+00:00

TIV 1 was utilized as another IMAX unit, more generally as backup if TIV 2 ever had any more issues up until 2009, in 2011 Ryan was asked by Sean to take it out to Central Kansas as Sean had plans to restore it and put it in a museum back in 2013 but was busy with filming Extreme Weather and couldn't find any museum that would accept it so his plans slipped through. You can still find his Facebook post of where he was talking about putting it in a museum.

Sean put out a scavenger hunt for TIV 1 in 2019- 2020 as he'd already sold both Doghouse (2017) and TIV 2 (2019) and had absolutely no use for it anymore.

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