Help this FNG make a choise

brooksinc1976 · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2014 4:54 pm Post subject: Help this FNG make a choise

I have a old tired dune buggy that is ready for some repairs. That said my wish bone is about rotted out from previous owner's neglect. I found a thing rear end (torsion tube back) for 350. Do you think that is a fair price is looks like I should be able to weld it right on and will probably have to do a brake job. I heard the thing rear is stronger and has beefer brakes. I can do the fab work myself; might not be pretty but fully functioning.

Whats your opinion??? Thanks

thesatelliteguy · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 1:02 pm Post subject:

If your putting a roll cage in it, I don't see a reason to get the beefier rear wishbone ( the frame horns and torsion tubes right?). Just tie the roll cage into the rear of the frame horns and torsion tubes and it'll be pretty strong.
Can you provide a pic?
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thesatelliteguy · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 1:05 pm Post subject:

The thing brakes are better then bug brakes. I assume they are included? But really all you need is the backing plates. The rest of the stuff you can still buy new.
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brooksinc1976 · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 1:33 pm Post subject:

Yes the thing rear has everything from torsion tube to wheel studs. I'll try and get to a computer to add a pic.

brooksinc1976 · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 1:40 pm Post subject:

Ok. I've uploaded them hopefully they will show up on the thread. If not they are in my gallery.

brooksinc1976 · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 5:19 pm Post subject:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Ok A lot easier on a computer rather than my I phone...
These are the best I have of the rear. I'll try and get some additional pics later. I think I am going to jump in waist deep and get a new rear (wether it be the Thing or something else) and extend it adding a back seat. I have 3 squealers and like to take all of them with me. I'm thinking a bench in the back so I can put 3 seat belts back there that way my lovely bride can ride too.
Where would y'all recommend putting the fuel tank and the battery? Do you think mounting it under the bench would be ill advised?
Thanks

thesatelliteguy · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:43 pm Post subject:

Well Good Sir, i think it is pretty cool you talk about your wife and kids like that. You must be a good man.

A gas tank under the rear seat isnt a horrible idea. I guess it depends on how much rough stuff you'll be getting into, what the tank is made out of and how well protected it is. Personally, my biggest fear is me or my passengers going up in flames, Id rather drown or be killed by impact thank you very much.

With that frame, it dosnt really look like you could do much as far as extending it. But dont take my word for it.
From what im seeing, id say put the new rear section in the same place, put a back seat over the transmission so the butt's of the seat would be right in front of where differential is in the transmission. Squeeze that tank right behind the rear seat and move the battery to the passengers side foot area, right behind the front beam.

Being that that tank looks like plastic and my fear of fire, id change out the headers/exhaust so it dosnt get any where near the gas tank.
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ORANGECRUSHer · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 5:58 am Post subject:

It's kind of a bummer but I'd say sell it and get a bigger buggy or at least something with a more substantial frame. That frame is so minimal you will have basically rebuilt the whole thing from the ground up by the time you're done. But then again, there's not that much to it so modifying it will be pretty simple. I think it could be redone easily while ending up 150% stronger than before it just depends on your skill level. I'll elaborate in a minute...
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ORANGECRUSHer · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 6:37 am Post subject:

If you have the means and as long as you have to replace your rotted torsion anyway this is how I would rebuild. I would cut out all of the roof/windshield/hoops and the rear. I would add a foot or more depending on how much room you need for the back seat onto the tubes that make up the floor pan and side rails keeping in mind that they will need to hit the torsion tube in the right spots. Good thing is those look like they're just straight tubes right now so only some slight bends may be required. Add some bracing from side to side behind the seats to protect the occupants. The upper tube should extend straight back to the back of the engine to form a cage for that. Then the best part would be redesigning the roll cage so that it is made up of two bent tubes running from front to back instead of side to side. You may need to go taller than the original hoops were but your roof will be a lot stronger. The gas tank would have plenty of room behind the back seat.
hopefully my scribbles aren't too confusing. It's pretty straight forward. You'll have to extend things like your shift rod, brake lines, and throttle cable.

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Brian H.
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OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja ~~1835cc~~

ORANGECRUSHer · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 6:39 am Post subject:

Oh yeah and most importantly, I would paint it orange. Laughing

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brooksinc1976 · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 7:16 am Post subject:

Great pic thx. I like your ideas. That's kinda what I was thinking. Bows the best time ever. Can't go orange though and dang sure not Burt orange I'm a UofH grad so I'm partial to red. Next week I drag her out and take some better pics so you can help me scetch. Ha. I have 2 more questions. What type of pipe should I use. I was thinking 1.5" or 2" sch 20 or 40 pipe. Also, what's the best way to get my bends. I can make arches but not 90's at my shop. Thx

ORANGECRUSHer · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 7:24 am Post subject:

Don't use pipe. Use 1-1/2" .095 tubing or heavier. Bend it with a mandrel tube bender not a conduit bender. Do some searches on those topics and learn what you need. Not a bad idea to join an off road fab forum for more specific info. I found the off-road fabrication network to be a place to find a lot of friendly helpful pros.
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I may not know everything,but I will try to help if I can
OrangeCrushER Berrien Warrior 2.4L Quad4
LAZY MARY 1970 Baja ~~1835cc~~

JabaDubRider · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 7:40 am Post subject:

How about Hooked on phonics. LOL Jk
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brooksinc1976 · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 3:52 pm Post subject:

HEY, I resemble that...Ha

brooksinc1976 · Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 7:02 am Post subject:

here's another question:
What is ya'll's opinion about Z'ing the frame to get a little more clearance in the center. I've seen a lot of guys z the frame of their A models getting that slammed look and I was thinking of doing it the opposite direction to prevent High center.

brooksinc1976 · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 9:07 pm Post subject:

This pic sux but got this this week. It is different from my current rear. What do I have and what rear is this. Mine has a torsion tube that is wide enough into interfere with the tires. This stops short. Also, this has a diff suspension and a covered or bigger trans axil. Pls help if the two and how do you think this will work.

brooksinc1976 · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 9:29 pm Post subject:

And here's another question... I was thinking about just building a new frame all together. I always see them build out Of round tubing. Is square tubing a major no no or is that safe to use. If so what guage or thickness

71StandardReduction · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 9:38 pm Post subject:

What you have there is a step backwards as far as transaxles.
It is a swing axle transaxle out of an earlier model.
Though its Definitely not a type 2 bus transaxle.

They only operate okay at stock ride height, or the axle tubes parallel with the transmission.
If you go past that then you can easily crack a side gear in te differential,

I just rebuilt my swing axle to find a cracked side gear which did cause some damage to the differential carrier itself.

But if its all you can find...
You can how ever buy the IRS conversion brackets and convert you old transaxle to fit the torsion housing.
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brooksinc1976 · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 7:07 am Post subject:

Well you sure put a wrench in my works. Haha. I'm so confused. Ha. I did get a BUNCH of stuff on the cheep and will post picks later. I need to get an inventory and see what I want to keep and what I'm gona sell.

By saying a step back am I loosing performance? I'm not getting real radical with the buggy. I usually keep it at our storage and do donuts and tool around with my kids. It is street legal and I do drive it on the street. If I'm gona do this I want to do it once and do it right.

Mal evolent · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 8:01 am Post subject:

that swingaxle is a rollover waiting to happen.

was me, I would get a new 4 seater chassis and start moving stuff over. saving up for an 002 bus trans later.

I would unass those dual cannons for a tri-mil with a quiet muffler

and do a lot more studying before I did any more spending

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