TheSamba.com :: View topic - New Mid-travel Manx Body & Chassis

Fri Nov 24, 2006 1:25 pm

Working on finishing the rack and roof stuff. I still have to put a couple of bars in still, and I plan on putting an aluminum panel in the bottom of the rack to finish out the storage area. The back section fits the spare tire nicely, and I should have plenty of space for camping gear. What do you guys think so far?

Fri Nov 24, 2006 2:31 pm

dan can i come work for you? please :)

Fri Nov 24, 2006 7:48 pm

I say.... SWEEEEEEET!!!! 8)

Fri Nov 24, 2006 8:43 pm

I really like how the Manx is finishing out so far, but its difficult to not have it look like everyone elses. I really want to finish it so I can start on the bug. The prostock should be ready for the track by x-mas, and the manx should be running as well. I have been collecting alot of parts for a new baja build, and will be starting that from the ground up but will post more about that in another thread.

Hey Dan, we need some better videos of your out in the desert... lets see it working that suspension....

Sun Nov 26, 2006 6:53 pm

The car is looking great!
I'm just curious, that aluminum plate on the roof, does it have a rolled bend on the edges?
I'm trying to find someone to roll bend some aluminum diamond plate for me as rocker gaurds on my van, but I'm not haveing much luck with that.
Can you heat up aluminum and bend it easier. I only have short peices to bend.......1 foot longs with about a 3" radius bend.

Sun Nov 26, 2006 8:15 pm

Honestly, all I did was sheer the top just oversized of what i wanted, put a couple of strips of duc-tape down the edge. Put in the dzus tabs, and got out my rubber hammer. Rolled it perfectly. Just start from the center and work towards the outside. Bend the entire length (A LITTLE), and then start over until it rolls all the way over. Im sure someone has a better way, but I have been doing that way for a long time...

Sun Nov 26, 2006 8:50 pm

How thick is that plate? I'm trying to bend 1/16" diamond plate. I was able to bend up some plates that I put to protect my back doors in the manner which you have desribed, but it was much narrower and with a larger radius bend. Somehow I kept imagining it would not work on a tighter radius and wide sheet. I guess I'll have to give it a try again. I was thinking of rigging up a pipe in the vise and then trying to muscle it around the pipe.

Sun Nov 26, 2006 9:23 pm

Steve; it's looking good, can't wait to see it on the road. I'll be out in the desert on Dec. 9 (if I can get the main-shaft bearing fixed in my trans in time) and I'll try to get some better video of the suspension working.

Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:29 am

I would say try a small piece and see if it goes. If not stop by a local racecar fab guy and see if he has any ideas. I know that means putting on more than boxers and a t-shirt and not clicking your mouse, but it might be ok...

I am working on the dash and have the main parts mocked up and will try to post a few pics later today some time.

Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:31 pm

Here is the start of the dash. I will work on it some more tonight and post some of that soon. I also cut the front skid plate today. I will try and finish that tonight or tomorrow, but I figured I would give you guys something to look at...

Wed Nov 29, 2006 6:55 pm

Hey Steve it's looking great. Here's a pic of the dash in my buggy.

Wed Nov 29, 2006 7:04 pm

steve, im jealous

Sun Dec 03, 2006 6:45 pm

Well, got a litttle more work finished. The dash is starting to come together. The big hole on the side is for the new GPS that is on the way. I got the roof rack welded up and the we figured out how to make it remove easily. I still have some work to do on the dash, but will wait to finish it up until the body and chassis come apart again.

Sun Dec 03, 2006 7:15 pm

Nice work, keep the pics coming. Seems so weird but funny to see little girl shoes in that last shot. Good to see Daddy has a helper. Nice dash panel.

Sun Dec 03, 2006 7:50 pm

Which GPS did you buy? There has been some discussion on "another" board about Lowrance discontinuing the Globalmap Baja 480C...

Mon Dec 04, 2006 6:41 am

going with the global map, you guessed it.... Should be in the dash by x-mas! I also decided to go all push button switches to help keep out some of the dirt. They offer lifetime replacement on all parts. Have you guys used them?

http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category2_10001_10002_28145_-1

Sun Dec 10, 2006 10:47 am

Actually that was my lil helper(Summer) and a friend of hers on shop night at our shop. Here is a photo of her playing with the welder. She jumps a little when she pulls the trigger, but she has figured out how to spot weld, and write her name pretty well. Every time I get the welder out, she wants to use it. The hardest part is getting her fingers in the gloves, we need to find a smaller pair....She is only 4, but she already does really well around the shop. She has no problem getting tools, bending aluminum, drilling holes, etc. Always remember the eye and ear protection, and tie the hair back! Start them young, they are smarter than we think!

Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:17 am

just figured I would throw up a few pics from the weekend. The manx is legal and just about finished up. I will be re-valving shocks this week, but other than that we have most of the bugs worked out. We took it out for a spin this weekend, and the weather got a little cold, but it sure was alot of fun!

My co-pilot could only make it so far....

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Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:42 am

Glad to see it finished, it came out great.

Here's some pic's of Steve M. and Steve R. a-arm cars

Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:25 am

Awesome rides! I like the dash panel in the blue buggy with the brow over the speedo. Does the body kit not come with a fiberglass dash panel?

Dan,
Just say you've got your MT Manx for sale? What gives...that would be like selling one of my children for me.