Author Topic: Build from scratch: where to start?  (Read 6128 times)

Harrison

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Build from scratch: where to start?
« on: August 26, 2019, 01:01:10 PM »
A lot of people on this board who have turned out one or more vehicles that function reliably and as intended, all of which have impressed me a lot over the years. I'm overdue for an all-tube thing, and am going to get two axles, a drivetrain, some tube and start at it this winter. Decided I do not want to buy a chassis, I want to work through everything myself from start to finish.

Looking for some general guidance on where to get started. Not so much looking for an an exact recipe, but more some guidelines and general approach. I see myself doing what Smike did with the main parts and a lawn chair and then not knowing where to really start after that. I have looked at builds similar to what I'm going for and have some general ideas. I see how well everything comes together in the end and can't tell if some of that is seat of the pants as it comes and how much of it is a well laid plan. I feel confident that once I get a foundation started I will hit my stride and move right along.

M4wdFab

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Re: Build from scratch: where to start?
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2019, 01:59:26 PM »
accessibility and serviceability! 

keep it simple-  make your links all the same size, make your hydro hoses all the same size.... things like that




Wingman

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Re: Build from scratch: where to start?
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2019, 02:10:45 PM »
Get the big bits laid out and build around them
Retired

TrailTamer

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Re: Build from scratch: where to start?
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2019, 02:34:15 PM »
Get the big bits laid out and build around them

And maintain accessibility and serviceability! 

mr.mindless

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Re: Build from scratch: where to start?
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2019, 02:49:22 PM »
It's really nice to work on things that need 3 sizes of tool for the whole thing.

with engines being what they are, that dream isn't possible anyway.

second that interchangeability as a goal, but not a must.
I fully support serviceability. Most of the big changes made to 571 have been to improve access for repair and cleaning. Trans and tcase out without removing engine for example. Keep something long enough and you'll need to get it apart. Knowing you, you'll keep it for a while.

Bigger question is what do you want?
moon?
racecar?
hillkilling rock bouncer but with dignity and visibility?
rockbouncer?
tubejeep?
rec wheeler between a racecar and tubejeep?

if you have goals, lay them out first.
if you have inspirations, find the details.
see what people wish they'd done the first time and take note.
Quote from: etk300ex
oh lord!

M

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Re: Build from scratch: where to start?
« Reply #5 on: August 26, 2019, 02:53:34 PM »
Buy one complete from Erik Miller and be done with it  :o :-X 

mr.mindless

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Re: Build from scratch: where to start?
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2019, 03:05:01 PM »
#deeppockets
Buy Jeff Brown's if that's on the table ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Quote from: etk300ex
oh lord!

M4wdFab

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Re: Build from scratch: where to start?
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2019, 03:26:46 PM »
plates still?

Harrison

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Re: Build from scratch: where to start?
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2019, 03:47:21 PM »
Goal is something similar to Moose. Steering 60s F/R. Narrowed, shaved, minimal truss on top to mount links and single ended ram. VW 1.8T. Has 4.XX diff ratio, dime a dozen, lots of aftermarket, torquey, and has bolt on, fixed CV flanges. 39s from the XJ. Two seater (obviously) and as little as possible to make it all work.

No plates. The only purpose I see for that is out west trips and realistically that is probably going to be once every 2-3 years at best - not something worth building around. No racing.

There is a ton of terrain within a 3hr radius of me where small, light, maneuverable rigs on reds dominate.

I have gotten 9 years of hard wheeling from my Jeep and plan to get another 1-2 out of it. Things can always change, but I see having this buggy for years to come.

mr.mindless

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Re: Build from scratch: where to start?
« Reply #9 on: August 26, 2019, 05:06:22 PM »
Quote from: etk300ex
oh lord!

mr.mindless

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Re: Build from scratch: where to start?
« Reply #10 on: August 26, 2019, 05:07:45 PM »
I'm getting closer to my plated 1.8t build... I'll probably regret the constraints I'm giving myself a bit but it's gonna be notable and hopefully useful.
Quote from: etk300ex
oh lord!

Harrison

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Re: Build from scratch: where to start?
« Reply #11 on: August 26, 2019, 05:29:35 PM »
My Jeep hasn’t had plates since 2014. And I barely drove it the last two years it did have them. Meh, Comanche and old junk of the like fully fills my road driving fun meter.

M4wdFab

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Re: Build from scratch: where to start?
« Reply #12 on: August 26, 2019, 08:15:49 PM »
sounds like your on the right track to something cool!  cant wait to see it

TrailTamer

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Re: Build from scratch: where to start?
« Reply #13 on: August 26, 2019, 09:03:29 PM »
14b front and rear and be done with ring & pinion breakages.

It must be a tube’d chassis buggy? What about a ‘truggy’?


M4wdFab

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Re: Build from scratch: where to start?
« Reply #14 on: August 26, 2019, 09:07:53 PM »
i think is going for half the size and weight of that unit....