Link material

[Hogback Fabrication]

Start building a desert race truck rather than a rock/mall crawler and it may make a difference. On our 330 lb race car we have to find ways to cut every ounce out of it

Light weight is everything for performance in pretty much any motorsport, save tractor pulling etc.

Most four wheelers don't care, and honestly, it really doesn't matter until most of the ultimate parts are in place: big tires, lockers front/rear, deep trans/t-case gearing, etc.

But once all those things are maxed, the lighter vehicle always makes everything easier on parts, more reliable and more capable. But, of course, big tires, strong axles, etc. kinda lead towards a heavier vehicle. It's all a balance.

 

[twoslo4five0]

Who cares about the 20 lb difference on a 6000 lb truck anyway?

I wouldnt buy 7075 over HT out of weight, I would buy them because they would eliminate a possible faliure point, a weld in adapter. They also dont rust and they look . Plus I have a friend who works at WOD hense why I wouldnt order from branik, I could get my buddy to make me a set for probably less that 4130 and tube adapters. That being said they still cost mucho bucks.

That kind of thinking, over the hundreds of parts on the truck, is part of why they end up at 6K

But links are a good place for the weight

Couldnt have said it better, Im currently stripping everything I dont need. I would LOVE to be 5k or less by done. Now that being said heavy ass links are fine by me because of COG

 

[kennyw]

I have been building race cars for a couple years that started out in the 600 lb range and we have them down to 340 lb this year. I understand where it starts to matter. However, if you care about weight that much, why did you start with a K5?

 

[blazinzuk]

Probably same reason I did. Couldn't stop modding what I had and don't have the cash to start over.

I much prefer steel links buts that is just an effect of the type of rocks we have. They move around a ton so everything underneath gets gouged pretty bad.

I am just waiting for a steel sleeved carbon fiber link. Never seen that yet

 

[kennyw]

Carbon fiber tubes are easy to get a hold of. You could make your own fairly easy. We use a tile saw at school for cutting the carbon if it fits under the guard. Some good 2 part epoxy will bond aluminum ends to the carbon tube. But, you don't want to hit them on a rock!

 

[blazinzuk]

Carbon fiber tubes are easy to get a hold of. You could make your own fairly easy. We use a tile saw at school for cutting the carbon if it fits under the guard. Some good 2 part epoxy will bond aluminum ends to the carbon tube. But, you don't want to hit them on a rock!

I have actually sleeved carbon tubes for a certain look on some strut braces and front splitter and wing apps.

Have also read about some newer hybrid forms of carbon fiber that sound like they would be awesome but none of this are actually in production. Yet

 

[Greg72]

.....I would buy them because they would eliminate a possible faliure point, a weld in adapter. They also dont rust and they look

Yes.....they do.

......you know you want to. Join me on the shiny-side.


-G

 

[twoslo4five0]

I have been building race cars for a couple years that started out in the 600 lb range and we have them down to 340 lb this year. I understand where it starts to matter. However, if you care about weight that much, why did you start with a K5?

the rig I'm building have very little chevy, boxed frame and a gutted cab. No front clip,glass, dash or factory steering coloum. Basicslly a buggy with a chevy cab for looks

 

[twoslo4five0]

got them whipped up tonight. 28 pounds a piece. 2.25x 3/8s sleeved and plug welded