GM500hprat's Buggy Build w/ updated pics

[gm500hprat]

Well after having twins and then another kid I decided my truck just wouldnt cut it anymore, after an attempt to sell it they way it sat with no real use to anyone I decided I was just going to build it the way I wanted.

Criteria was:
Accommodate 4-5 people
Utilize as much of my existing truck parts as possible
Link the rear
Get some flex out of the front
Low CoG because it would be sand duning 90% of the time

Components so far were:
2.5in JJ's w/1 1/4 stud
BTF bungs, 14bolt truss, angled lower link tabs
Ballistic Fab adjustable upper frame and lower crossmember mounts for JJ's
Currie 4in HD XJ springs and upper and lower coil buckets
2in .25 DOM tubing for upper and lower links
Stock 52in rear springs

Im going to use my old stock 52in springs up front just because I have seen so many people getting decent travel out of them. I was told that Campbell runs leafs on the front of his recreational rigs and lots that he builds for his customers and that they add stability to the rig, when you would normally have to add antiswaybars, so I figured the wer free might as well try them.

Here are some progress pics


Here is how my truck used to look

Here are some updated pics of the sheetmetal templates and hood tweakin to fit the chassis.

Here is tear down and rebuild.

Here is a rear shot with the frame cut off

Side shot with frame torched off. This may get cut up to the crossmember if it gets in the way of the upper links, if not I will add another crossmember and box it in.

Side shot of chassis to frame supports

Crossmember tacked in

Front shot

In cab shot

Crossmember mount bolts

Rear approach angle shot

Wheelbase shot 112" well see what it ends up once I do my 52" swap.
YES this is just a quick reference!!!!! Thanks to all those concerned.

The heartbeat 468 hiding for now

Here are my scrap piles

 

[76zimmer]

thats looking pretty ambitious.

Keep the posts coming.

 

[gm500hprat]

ttt

 

[ramjet gmc]

wow keep us posted this is what i would like to do to my rig

 

[jk3078]

Sweet! I might do somthing similar to this on my truggy some day..... Keep us posted.

 

[Chrisblazzer89]

Awsome

 

[sled_dog]

just please tell me thats not your actual way of measuring wheelbase and you just did it for our refernce?

 

[gm500hprat]

just please tell me thats not your actual way of measuring wheelbase and you just did it for our refernce?

Yeah, it was just for reference, tape measure isnt even straigt I just layed it on the ground for a quick reference to see where I was at.

 

[bigbluesuburban]

How then?

just please tell me thats not your actual way of measuring wheelbase and you just did it for our refernce?

Ok, I have left this thread and come back to it 4 times. Each time I leave I think, "I hope someone else will ask this" but then they don't. So, I am going to ask.

How do you measure wheelbase?

 

[gm500hprat]

Here is what I planned on doing and maybe someone could school me if this isnt the proper way.

What I planned on doing was to measure for tdc of the top of both axles from front to back on both sides to make sure they are both even so I know my axles are straight and it will give me my wheel base as well.

I planned on doing this once I got my 52in swap done in the front, right now my wheelbase was around 112 but Im sure thats not where it will end up.

 

[runamok151]

good looking build. whish i had the talent and experience to do that.

btw. good looking husky, dont forget room for a doggie seat!

 

[gm500hprat]

good looking build. whish i had the talent and experience to do that.

btw. good looking husky, dont forget room for a doggie seat!

Dang it I knew I would forget something, I guess the wife is going to have to ride her quad!!

Thanks for the compliments, its really not that hard.

 

[76zimmer]

Ok, I have left this thread and come back to it 4 times. Each time I leave I think, "I hope someone else will ask this" but then they don't. So, I am going to ask.

How do you measure wheelbase?

I figure you measure center of axle to center of axle (wheels straight of course)

 

[gm500hprat]

I got my upper and lower link arms cut, picked up new lower coil buckets from currie and 40 more feet of 1.75 .120 tubing. Boxed the rear of the frame in.

 

[Greg72]

I got my upper and lower link arms cut, picked up new lower coil buckets from currie and 40 more feet of 1.75 .120 tubing. Boxed the rear of the frame in.

What are the details on the coils you're using? Spring rate, uninstalled height.....stuff like that??

I have my own selfish reasons for wanting to know!

 

[gm500hprat]

What are the details on the coils you're using? Spring rate, uninstalled height.....stuff like that??

I have my own selfish reasons for wanting to know!

They are Curries 4in lift HD TJ coil springs. Im not sure about the spring rates . The uninstalled height is 16in. John Currie gave me these, if they dont work I'll try some from an EB or something. The rear of my rig will be pretty light with the unpsrung weight of the 14bolt being the heaviest thing. My twins are only 4 and weigh nothing so the only sprung weight back there will be the 22 gallon fuel cell and gas.

 

[gm500hprat]

Some more pic updates. Im selling my house so I havent done much just a little mocking up.


Here is a pic of the coil spring mocked in place. Im still debating whether to make them adjustable or not. They way the threaded stud sits now is just tacked in place it would shear of the way it is currently.

Here is a rear shot with the lower link arms tacked in place and the uppers set in place.

 

[nvrenuf]

I know it has been that long but any updates?

 

[gm500hprat]

Nah, Just waiting for parts to come in. I was originally going to use a 1" allthread about 9in long to make the ride height adjustable for sag or what ever. But I decided to use an acos coilover adjustor for a TJ, waiting for it to come in, john at currie is geting it for me. Should work pretty good. My realtor told me someone is putting a bid on my house tomorrow so if they do I got about 4-6 weeks to get my truck in good enough condition to roll it on a trailer or car dolly, whatever I can find to get it to orange county. I'll be living with my dad for a while which means I will be getting more done and faster, depending on where my rig will be on his priority list because hes working on a 71 k5 and a sandrail right now. I'll post more pics when I get the acos on.

 

[nvrenuf]

Cool, I really like those chassis's and can't wait to see how yours turns out.