DTSFab.com (Desert, Trail and Sand)
Automotive Powered Off Road (AKA: Buggys, Jeeps, Trucks, Etc,Etc. ) => "AP" Member Project Logs => Topic started by: Baloo on May 14, 2017, 08:09:33 AM
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ok I decided to go ahead and build something road legal for use here in the UK
I like this
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi259.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh311%2Fandyhaycock%2FHoppa%2520Buggy%2Fmkj.jb_zpsrmw3ac8n.png&hash=7247b6e4c5561764da2918752ff4b12030297714) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/andyhaycock/media/Hoppa%20Buggy/mkj.jb_zpsrmw3ac8n.png.html)
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi259.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh311%2Fandyhaycock%2FHoppa%2520Buggy%2Forange61_zpslmbybxhw.jpg&hash=c9bb7657b02905d65af4aca1176a889541404ed3) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/andyhaycock/media/Hoppa%20Buggy/orange61_zpslmbybxhw.jpg.html)
so one of the days as I was passing cornwall I stopped off and picked this up
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi259.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh311%2Fandyhaycock%2FHoppa%2520Buggy%2FIMG_20170407_153726791_zpsunnrpy6p.jpg&hash=cbce99e57eed38ce67876810912ef9eb177454ff) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/andyhaycock/media/Hoppa%20Buggy/IMG_20170407_153726791_zpsunnrpy6p.jpg.html)
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next we need to find something to mount it on, its designed to drop on a beetle floor pan but I don't have a beetle and if I did I don't think I would want to chop it up
so needed some a bit more modern that had disc brakes and power steering etc, Suzuki sidekick seemed about the right size and has lots of things in its favour like all the fat boy alloys so I can have fat wheels, it comes with a multitude of engines so lots of diff ratios are freely available oh and they are cheap cheap
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the way the law works in the uk regards what is and isn't road legal allows use to take a vehicle that has a separate chassis remove the body and replace with another and as long as we make no changes to the chassis it remains road legal, there are a few exceptions like we can move engine mounts body mounts etc we can also add in cross members to strength but not remove any, so I have to make the body shell drop on to an un modified swb Suzuki chassis
now you will have to bear with me for a bit as I didn't have a swb Suzuki but was given a lwb for free I mealy chopped it down to the same length as a swb so I could start, I wont be able to use this on the road but its fine for mocking up and can switch to a swb chassis later
here's a sidekick chassis with no clothes on
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi259.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh311%2Fandyhaycock%2FHoppa%2520Buggy%2F019640x480_zpsv5rwdq24.jpg&hash=675c55a7fa48973876a6e68af965e53b4287b24e) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/andyhaycock/media/Hoppa%20Buggy/019640x480_zpsv5rwdq24.jpg.html)
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now being 4wd obviously means there has to be a front axle which in turn means the engine has to be mounted high up to clear it leading a high bonnet line that I don't like
good time to go 2wd me thinks easy as they come as 2wd as well, remove the front axle pull the driveshafts and hey presto its 2wd. now we can move the engine back which allows it to be mounted much lower down much lower
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi259.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh311%2Fandyhaycock%2FHoppa%2520Buggy%2Funtitled4wt_zpsimcarttf.png&hash=cd525644730ba861646f437e19f3f8eb00cb2a8e) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/andyhaycock/media/Hoppa%20Buggy/untitled4wt_zpsimcarttf.png.html)
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ok clearly that pic is a rover V8 or buick to you guys but I have been learning about all things lexus and that will be the way I am going with a 3uz-fe
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi259.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh311%2Fandyhaycock%2FHoppa%2520Buggy%2FIMG_20170408_154823410_zpstgnowkq2.jpg&hash=139475e1c4ae9812f93b3a1db91239066e01ae42) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/andyhaycock/media/Hoppa%20Buggy/IMG_20170408_154823410_zpstgnowkq2.jpg.html)
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ok first hurdle to over come is the body shell is designed to fit on a shortened beetle floor pan that is 78" or 2000mm wheelbase the vitara is 2200mm wheel base so a little stretch is in order
although looking at the pics it dosent look 200mm or 8" adrift but it is
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi259.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh311%2Fandyhaycock%2FHoppa%2520Buggy%2F2017-04-08%252002.30.32_zpsw1idtuwd.jpg&hash=891d3e2504d7aa220f19f6bfce53cf6e8a2c3562) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/andyhaycock/media/Hoppa%20Buggy/2017-04-08%2002.30.32_zpsw1idtuwd.jpg.html)
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi259.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh311%2Fandyhaycock%2FHoppa%2520Buggy%2F2017-04-08%252001.31.00_zpsysbs19eb.jpg&hash=9bfd46ec4825e9a594b9aa8ab3edb0b9137eda5c) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/andyhaycock/media/Hoppa%20Buggy/2017-04-08%2001.31.00_zpsysbs19eb.jpg.html)
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Keep the pics/info coming baloo! Always enjoy your builds for sure. Out of curiousity,is there no way possible to retain the 4WD?
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I assume you will stretch the body just in front of the rear wheel wells?
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Keep the pics/info coming baloo! Always enjoy your builds for sure. Out of curiousity,is there no way possible to retain the 4WD?
hi Master yes it would be easy to keep the 4 wheeldrive just not with a 300 hp lexus engine the front diffs explode easy enough with a Suzuki 100 hp engine, you can get steel front diff from the diesel engine variants that would probably take it, but this is all about sideways driving and steer with your right foot
maybe the next one will be 4 wheel drive, Suzuki do a 2.7 v6 engine with just shy of 200 bhp that would one be the base vehicle to choose
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I assume you will stretch the body just in front of the rear wheel wells?
you have the side recess there and it all slopes down hill to the front making re alignment tricky
don't know if you can see it well in this pic
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi259.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh311%2Fandyhaycock%2FHoppa%2520Buggy%2F2017-04-08%252002.26.29_zpsrqpk7n5o.jpg&hash=997462b95bdf193c213a61141d81a29ea0095fdb) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/andyhaycock/media/Hoppa%20Buggy/2017-04-08%2002.26.29_zpsrqpk7n5o.jpg.html)
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how ever they is a flatish section at the front where I reckon I could get away with it
like this lol
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi259.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh311%2Fandyhaycock%2FHoppa%2520Buggy%2F2013-01-19%252007.33.12_zpsnf874bdw.jpg&hash=906e6fb66f6850f9e79be3a2d9f3be507d38fe12) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/andyhaycock/media/Hoppa%20Buggy/2013-01-19%2007.33.12_zpsnf874bdw.jpg.html)
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but before cutting it I needed to make some patch panels in fiberglass, so I pulled a few moulds of various places so l could lengthen and widen the shell
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi259.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh311%2Fandyhaycock%2FHoppa%2520Buggy%2F2013-01-01%252021.36.54-1_zpsxiafcc72.jpg&hash=881e1cf5089fe236aee0a37e0e5d3ed3d5fd49fd) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/andyhaycock/media/Hoppa%20Buggy/2013-01-01%2021.36.54-1_zpsxiafcc72.jpg.html)
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi259.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh311%2Fandyhaycock%2FHoppa%2520Buggy%2F2013-01-01%252021.37.09_zpsuqaucrmt.jpg&hash=5b5b37faf227e6da7910983598f7de6bc08c2878) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/andyhaycock/media/Hoppa%20Buggy/2013-01-01%2021.37.09_zpsuqaucrmt.jpg.html)
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small patch panels made
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and with the panels glassed in
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I am having trouble with photobucket, are there any other hosting sites you recommend ??
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Nice work on the stretch! I never use any host to post pics. I just attach them directly to DTS under the additional options under the reply box. Click on Additional Options ,click on browse,select pics you want to post from whatever file you saved them in and you are done.
I resize my pics to about 1/3 size using paint and save them to desktop (or wherever you wish on your computer) to make the pics load faster.
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and some serious rubber
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That it is. What's the projected weight? I'm thinking awesome HP per pound(kilo ;) ;D ;D ).
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That it is. What's the projected weight? I'm thinking awesome HP per pound(kilo ;) ;D ;D ).
not really sure on the finished weight but less than a ton I would guess, standard engine is 300bhp twin turbos will bring that up to around 450 which should be plenty
so 6" was the amount decided on to add into the width for several reasons
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oh i really like this one! really makes me miss my fiber glass buggy
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not really sure on the finished weight but less than a ton I would guess, standard engine is 300bhp twin turbos will bring that up to around 450 which should be plenty
so 6" was the amount decided on to add into the width for several reasons
And I was about to ask if you were going to find different offset wheels. I shoulda known!!! I'm liking it.
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I like your shop also. It's in a perfect state of organized disorganization. Just my style!! 8) ;D ;D
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not really sure on the finished weight but less than a ton I would guess, standard engine is 300bhp twin turbos will bring that up to around 450 which should be plenty
so 6" was the amount decided on to add into the width for several reasons
Wow, really cool project! How do you line the body up straight when you glue(mold/splice) it back together.
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Wow, really cool project! How do you line the body up straight when you glue(mold/splice) it back together.
hi well the length stretch was the easy one really, the shell has flat cills ( rocker panels ? ) that allow it to sit flat on the table I made, then I screwed down some ally angles to locate the cills and then screwed a piece of timber under the nose cone so when the front was separated it just sat there, then I just moved it forward between the ally angles the required amount and glassed the new pieces in easy really, but the next bit is a lot more complicated, I have tack welded 8 scissor jacks to the chassis which I can wind up and down by hand to position the body shell where I want it
once I am happy I will try and glass/screw/bolt the body together well enough that I can put it in the spit that I originally made to rotate the rolling chassis complete, once I can get it upside down I can finish the glassing then spin it over and bondo the joins, hope that made sense
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I like your shop also. It's in a perfect state of organized disorganization. Just my style!! 8) ;D ;D
its a bit of a mess embarrassingly but I was moving some 40' shipping containers at the weekend and I threw most of the stuff out of them in the shop to get them light enough to drag to where I wanted them
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ok the reasons for widening the body are at least 3 fold,
1 the tyres stick out way to far past the arches
2 I couldent get the front of the body low enough as the suspension towers where fouling the body
3 the clincher: when I dropped a pair of seats in they touched in the middle, clearly an air cooled beetle dident need a propshaft from the gear box to the back axle but I defiantly do so I had to make a way through for it
I don't see glassing patch panels as to difficult the windscreen though is a different matter cant just glue a bit on but I have a cunning plan involving a Chrysler pt crusier screen/dash/scuttle
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ok the reasons for widening the body are at least 3 fold,
1 the tyres stick out way to far past the arches
2 I couldent get the front of the body low enough as the suspension towers where fouling the body
3 the clincher: when I dropped a pair of seats in they touched in the middle, clearly an air cooled beetle dident need a propshaft from the gear box to the back axle but I defiantly do so I had to make a way through for it
I don't see glassing patch panels as to difficult the windscreen though is a different matter cant just glue a bit on but I have a cunning plan involving a Chrysler pt crusier screen/dash/scuttle
There was a big old tunnel between the seats for the shift linkage in a beetle that should have been enough room for a prop shaft. I agree though that widening the body is a good thing. You won't regret doing it. Now for the wind screen......................................have fun . ;)
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don't have any experience with widening a fg body as you clearly do but i do have a little Experience with windscreens lol if it's flat....no big deal....if it's curved then you have to ask a glass shop to search by block size and the person on the phone will have to have enough experience to invision which windshield will even be close to look one up for the block size lol ;)
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Cutting down a curved one is a bitch even if an experience glass cutter. It's not impossible by any means,just close to it.
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hi guys
not much to report other than I have worked out what I am doing and it involves no cutting of windscreens
I have been and bought the front half of a Chrysler pt crusier , I know I know not well liked but hey they are a funky shape and close to my buggy shape so the plan is to use the front bulkhead and dash board complete with the steering column pedals etc, remove the front inner wings but leave the top rail the front wings bolt to and the slam panel grill etc, now this means the bonnet will clearly fit and have hinges already there, the front scuttle panel in front of the windscreen has all the wipers washers etc hell I will be driving it next week lol
so I think I will fit the pt front bulkhead to the chassis and alter the fiberglass shell so it just drops over the screen and off we go
need to remake the front wings so they resemble the buggy ones
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like this
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dunno why last pics doubled up
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actually looks like a damn good idea! good eye there
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Interesting concept. Will be interested in how it works out. Out of curiosity,what wind screen was the body as produced designed to use?
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its was designed to take a fiat 126 screen, bit thin on the ground as well but a few on ebay
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the other car I looked at to "borrow" a front end off was the mazda RX8 like this one, A post forward rx and backwards buggy, quite a nice front end shape
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hello guys
well I got my pt cruiser front end needless to say it wasent as easy as I hoped it would be, I had hoped to use it unaltered but the bulkhead just wouldent play ball at all, the brake servo fouled the rocker cover the steering column wouldent go past the exhaust manifold and as it was front wheel drive it dident have much of a transmission tunnel at all etc etc, so not to be deterred out came the angle grinder and away went the bulkhead completely, may as well have one designed to miss/clear everything, luckily all the dash assembly bolts to a steel frame that inturn attaches to the A posts so all that is still usable, it all looks doable
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi259.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh311%2Fandyhaycock%2FHoppa%2520Buggy%2FDSC00084_zps1bn7lebb.jpg&hash=6d80c444f55d052eac5bc27a39a89378ae909e27) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/andyhaycock/media/Hoppa%20Buggy/DSC00084_zps1bn7lebb.jpg.html)
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi259.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh311%2Fandyhaycock%2FHoppa%2520Buggy%2FDSC00086_zpsq5ghn2me.jpg&hash=fdc53f45481345fbc74a8169e3195b2b83c383e1) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/andyhaycock/media/Hoppa%20Buggy/DSC00086_zpsq5ghn2me.jpg.html)
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi259.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh311%2Fandyhaycock%2FHoppa%2520Buggy%2FDSC00088_zpsyddmeubs.jpg&hash=59108737caefc803d5c147876b1d969d1cb242db) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/andyhaycock/media/Hoppa%20Buggy/DSC00088_zpsyddmeubs.jpg.html)
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi259.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh311%2Fandyhaycock%2FHoppa%2520Buggy%2FDSC00092_zpsptwjwit6.jpg&hash=6cbf8294fef9258133765343446692d05a05ebf7) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/andyhaycock/media/Hoppa%20Buggy/DSC00092_zpsptwjwit6.jpg.html)
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and the engine and box from the gs 430 is out and on the stand, what a mission, you cant belive the number of wires in a modern car
(https://dtsfab.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi259.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh311%2Fandyhaycock%2FHoppa%2520Buggy%2FDSC00074_zpst1226qj3.jpg&hash=5fc40f9039aece0ba29b696b51d68afa02c6ed51) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/andyhaycock/media/Hoppa%20Buggy/DSC00074_zpst1226qj3.jpg.html)
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I don't envy you and the task ahead. Looks like you ,as usual,have a working plan though. Very interesting for sure! How long is that serpentine belt? About 5 meters? Wow. rofl
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Awesome build!!! Other buggy sites have gone stale. No one building things it seems. Can't wait to see more
Justin
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Very cool build, and yes, it looks like a lot of work getting all that to fit together. You have a great imagination! Love the right hand steer