I’m seriously considering selling my current chassis (K30 frame/cage/suspension) and using the money to help pay for steel to start over with a full custom buggy. This would initially use my 350TBI/Th400/203/205/square 1410 shafts/D60/C14FF/4.56/Detroits/42” TSLs and my existing 4 seats. This would also have a front and rear multi-link with coils. I want adjustable link mounts for tuning and adjustable height for the spring mounts. May go with a LS1 or other late aluminum V8 in the future, might also sell the D60/C14FF for a set of 404 Mogs (or 1300s! /forums/images/graemlins/eek.gif) This may also get full hydro and sell my redneck ram setup. For the body, tube will be mostly 1.75 x 0.120 HREW and 1” since those are the dies I have. I may even use DOM in some high impact/stress areas, but that remains to be seen. I *DO NOT* want to have an HREW vs. DOM (or anything else) discussion here. It also needs to be fairly narrow and low since that is one of the problems I have with the existing truggy. No mid-engine, or terribly radical stuff either.
Those are the basic parameters.
I would like comments in general, sketches, pics of similar rigs (fairly narrow and low 4 seat specifically), things you like or have seen, whatever. So if it’s related within reason, don’t worry too much about “off topic”. But there are a few things I would specifically like to discuss.
1) Square base frame. We’ve had part of this discussion before. I’m thinking 2 x 3 x 0.188 rectangular mild tubing for the main frame. This would be from rear link mounts, forward to the engine mount location. And it would be fairly narrow, about like the stock GM frame. Design would be rigid, with cage used as a “space frame” for added rigidity and I want the engine, trans, and case solidly mounted. Obviously, I don’t want to be ripping it apart or having to change/fix it after building, but I also don’t want to add *too* much weight. Though it would be “down low” and so not as bad as up high. Maybe 2 x 4 would be worth the extra weight? Or 0.250 wall? The rest of the body will be all round tube, but I just don’t see any value to be had with round tube for the main frame since it makes mounting stuff tougher. Also, the majority of loads at that level are going to oriented more-or-less perpendicular to the frame, making square stronger lb for lb.
Anyone see a problem with steel selection or have any comments?
2) Unique design elements you would love to incorporate if you could start with a clean slate. I’m mostly interested in function for most and above all, but looks are worth considering if it’s not too much harder, more money, or compromising function. I’ve got ideas and pics of cool consoles, cross members, cage/body sections, and so forth that I’ll be combining as possible. I’ve seen nice frenched gussets where he b-pillar meats the upper halo, cool swoopy console/clusters, adjustable suspension tricks, and all that sort of thing. But not anything that requires more than the basic fab tools (i.e. I have no access to mill, lathe, or CNC water jet). Integrated (lockable) storage is also big on my list. Stuff that works well and helps make use of every available inch.
Basically, lets just talk about clean sheet buggy design, based on the previous parameters, with the thought in mind that I may well try to build it.
Those are the basic parameters.
I would like comments in general, sketches, pics of similar rigs (fairly narrow and low 4 seat specifically), things you like or have seen, whatever. So if it’s related within reason, don’t worry too much about “off topic”. But there are a few things I would specifically like to discuss.
1) Square base frame. We’ve had part of this discussion before. I’m thinking 2 x 3 x 0.188 rectangular mild tubing for the main frame. This would be from rear link mounts, forward to the engine mount location. And it would be fairly narrow, about like the stock GM frame. Design would be rigid, with cage used as a “space frame” for added rigidity and I want the engine, trans, and case solidly mounted. Obviously, I don’t want to be ripping it apart or having to change/fix it after building, but I also don’t want to add *too* much weight. Though it would be “down low” and so not as bad as up high. Maybe 2 x 4 would be worth the extra weight? Or 0.250 wall? The rest of the body will be all round tube, but I just don’t see any value to be had with round tube for the main frame since it makes mounting stuff tougher. Also, the majority of loads at that level are going to oriented more-or-less perpendicular to the frame, making square stronger lb for lb.
Anyone see a problem with steel selection or have any comments?
2) Unique design elements you would love to incorporate if you could start with a clean slate. I’m mostly interested in function for most and above all, but looks are worth considering if it’s not too much harder, more money, or compromising function. I’ve got ideas and pics of cool consoles, cross members, cage/body sections, and so forth that I’ll be combining as possible. I’ve seen nice frenched gussets where he b-pillar meats the upper halo, cool swoopy console/clusters, adjustable suspension tricks, and all that sort of thing. But not anything that requires more than the basic fab tools (i.e. I have no access to mill, lathe, or CNC water jet). Integrated (lockable) storage is also big on my list. Stuff that works well and helps make use of every available inch.
Basically, lets just talk about clean sheet buggy design, based on the previous parameters, with the thought in mind that I may well try to build it.
