My buggy project.

Glasser · Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 8:53 pm Post subject: My buggy project.

I bought this buggy with the intentions of pulling it apart and making a project out of it. I miss getting my hands dirty and want this to be something I can say "I" built.

After buying it I got it register and insured, got that out of the way. Now I can confidently put some money into it and don't have to worry about registration or insurance issues.

The car runs fine but after the tear down I found a few "issues" with it. Not that it mattered as it was all getting trashed anyway. I'm making my own tube frame and converting the car to an IRS rear suspension set up. I'm planing on tying the entire car into a complete cage and lowering it to an inch of its life. So far I have the rear adjusters in and I'm working on narrowing the front beam two inches. I've got the frame as low as it will possibly go (The tires are just touching the body) and will weld in the adjusters so I have all up adjustment from there. Everything it tack welded so far. The body has been off and on half a dozen times checking engine cover clearances etc. The lower portion is just about complete. One final check for squareness and wheel base.

Yikes, the electrical was a rats nest. It was amazing it worked.

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

Separation anziety.... For me not the car Smile

This isn't doing much.....

Right torsion tube is "tweaked"

Pan has seen better days....

Frame construction....

Rear adjuster.... I drilled two holes and welded in some small diameter pipe for access to the adjusting screws.

Front beam cut in half.... what a mess!

GetPsycho · Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 9:47 pm Post subject: Re: My buggy project.

Nice project! Are you going to keep it the same color?

I really like the tail lights.

_________________
SOME MORNINGS IT'S JUST NOT
WORTH CHEWING THROUGH THE
LEATHER STRAPS!!

Glasser · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 7:06 am Post subject:

The paint is actually in pretty good shape so paint will be down the road, not enough funds right now. The original color was a traditional metallic blue (heavy fleck) . If I was to paint it I have no clue what color I would go. It's not like you have to match up anything to an interior color. Freedom!

The tail lights really suit the car IMOP. They had blue dots in the middle. I took them out and added a tinny Red LED light for added brake lights because, well the wiring didn't allow brake lights. Only the center brake light worked. This will all be addressed and done properly.
I would like to find out what the lights are out of. I'm thinking an AMC product. Not the Gremlin but.......AH can't think. I believe it was a four door car.

The dual exhaust is going and I will be using a merged header. I will use the cut outs in the engine cover and sneak a rear bumper bar out the notches.

Glasser · Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 7:26 am Post subject:

Matador, that's it! 1974. http://www.fedrelandsvennen.no/amcar/brochures/misc/74_1.html

Glasser · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:19 pm Post subject:

Got the front end narrowed. I'm not exactly sure where I want the adjusters yet so Angle iron and some hose clamps will hold it in place for now.

I cut up some 2X3 tub and used it to box in the wishbone.

I put that body back on tonight with the help of my neighbor. Everything is looking good. I re checked squareness, parallelism, heights and clearances. I'm satisfied all looks good. Next is to weld everything solid (Everything is just tack welded right now.)
I also borrowed a rim from my neighbor. I was hoping to be able to tuck 10" rims under the back..... no go so 8's it is.

MURZI · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 8:24 pm Post subject:

I love the frame!!! How are you going to tie in the front end on the top tubes? Don't forget to add some positive caster.....when you do it.

Awesome I like!!!! How much do you have in materials $$$ for the frame??

Keep the pics coming.
_________________
62 vert
2276
Tim’s welded heads
45 Dells
A1 sidewinder
Fk44 cam

joescoolcustoms · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:28 pm Post subject:

I have said it once before and I am going to say it again....the next buggy I build will not have pans. Now that I look at Glasser's approach, I doubt that I will even have a tunnel.

Puts a new spin on doing a "Raising the Tranny" project also.

Hats off to thinking out of the box Glasser.
_________________
Bad News Racing 2018 NORRA 1000 3rd in Class
Best Day Ever Racing 2022 NORRA 1000 2nd in Class and first All Female team to complete the race

Everyone is gifted. Some just do not open the package.

Looks like it was painted with a live chicken,polished with a brick and buffed with a pine cone

Glasser · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:29 pm Post subject:

Thanks Murzi.
I plan on tying the entire car together with the cage. This will also tie in to the upper bars on the front suspension.
My friend had a shim for the caster so I will start with the beams perfectly vertical, measure the shim and this is the amount I will tilt the suspension back for the caster adjustment. Thanks for the heads up! I think I have all the basses covered but then again maybe not so I appreciate the tips.
I bought some other material at the same time (receipt didn't brake it down) so I'm not sure what the frame is costing me so far. I have used 24 feet almost to the inch.
I spent $173.00 and brought home 48 feet of 2X2 and 20 feet of 1X1 to give you an example.(Some more material for other projects).

Thanks Joe. I'm sitting on the fence if this will have a console down the center. I was thinking about having everything exposed , might look kind of neat. However I'll probably end up with a thin sheet of plate covering everything up to give it a clean appearance.

Brent

joescoolcustoms · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:45 pm Post subject:

If you would leave the center exposed, a Hurst Vertigate shifter or the MSE shifter would look wild!!

Both the vertigate and the MSE replace the front nose cone on the tranny and run three rods out the front. All three rods go to the shifter and the shifter side mounts instead of horizontal base mounting. Both shifters have a main stick for the 4 forward gears and a separate smaller shift lever for reverse. They shift in a straight line, not a "H" pattern.

Most of the pro stock drag bugs use a Vertigate or the MSE and they look so cool exposed.

Hmmmm, got me thinking about that next buggy................
_________________
Bad News Racing 2018 NORRA 1000 3rd in Class
Best Day Ever Racing 2022 NORRA 1000 2nd in Class and first All Female team to complete the race

Everyone is gifted. Some just do not open the package.

Looks like it was painted with a live chicken,polished with a brick and buffed with a pine cone

Glasser · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:58 pm Post subject:

I know what you are refering to. Yes, that would look super cool. Cool

GetPsycho · Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2007 7:00 am Post subject:

I think it would look awsome to leave it exposed,
and chrome all the linkage Cool

.
_________________
SOME MORNINGS IT'S JUST NOT
WORTH CHEWING THROUGH THE
LEATHER STRAPS!!

hotair65 · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 4:41 pm Post subject:

what about a center tunnel that is fastened with dzus clips? removable and keep everything hidden for easy repair?

MURZI · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 4:53 pm Post subject:

I would incoporate the stock tunnel out of the old chassis to keep "the man" off my back...you dig??
_________________
62 vert
2276
Tim’s welded heads
45 Dells
A1 sidewinder
Fk44 cam

Mr Bs Bug N Buggy · Samba Member Joined: August 06, 2007 Posts: 208

Here's ours with NO tunnel......

OH, sorry about the mess, we was busy having FUN...... Very Happy

_________________
Darren (aka Mr. B)
Fiberglass Buggy and some parts.

Glasser · Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 8:41 pm Post subject:

Glasser · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:55 am Post subject:

Yet again another mock up. I have new wheels on order which should tuck the rear tires inside the fender (I have about 1" of travel on the back still). This is the lowest the car can go. Well, I will be cutting the front snubber off so it could actually ride at this heaight..... but better stay away from the bumps. I just want to be able to slam the thing down for say a car show or event. In the "real" world I'm sure I will keep it much higher. Nice to have the option though.
My off road 16" fronts (To the left) make it look even lower LOL.

yona_usti · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:10 pm Post subject:

heheh...I was going to ask you if you wired the dog up to the welder and chassis to check for a good ground.....YIP!!

tgodber · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:09 am Post subject:

When I saw your link for RH Racecars I realized that is where I got my rollbar made. Nice guy. Did a good job of fitting the rollbar to my buggy.

_________________
My wife said I never listen to her.
Or something like that!

Glasser · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 7:27 am Post subject:

alexh · Samba Member Joined: October 30, 2005 Posts: 304

Glasser....very nice build as u already now!! I like the way u ran the front frame tubes straight into the front beam lower mounts to achieve drop. And also on the rear raising the torsion housing over the frame/pan.

On the 2x2 square tubes used for the frame rails what guage/thikness/schd did u use?
On the 1x2 what guage?

thanks!!


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