Manxter #127 -Build

[RedBaronofRedBud]

[Iguana]

Looking good, maybe you should aim to make it to Big Bear

Then your Manxter can meet all the others that show

[dbsmith]

Iguana,
We're you at the hot air ballon festival and bus show in lake havasu in January? I started talking to somebody from Valley Center but got interrupted. And later thought it could have been you.
Buggy won't make Big Bear this year, too many 1K bills to finish. But I have been to the last two and got to ride in the Peppertree Automotive 49 car last year. The one in the Manx Mania this month What a blast. It keeps the motivation going on my build.
And I plan on driving the raffle prize home from Big Bear..

Thanks for everybodies support..

David
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dbsmith
SoCal
#127 Manxter - 99.5% done....

[Iguana]

Hi David,

Wasn't me they don't let me out of the shop long enough to get that far afield.

So whats left to do ? I am cutting Manxter Dash Panels week after next so if you know what gauges you are going to run I can same you some effort and send you one cut to size to keep your spirits up

Go the Manxter ....

[dbsmith]

OK let me know if I get any of this incorrect..
Brad,
That would be awesome. I’ve been thinking of the Speedhut Legacy gauges, almost the same layout as you have in the picture. I’ll finalize it and get it to you by the end of the week. I should be able to make a run down to Valley Center to pick it up. I can call you or shoot you an email. Also would love to pick your brain on a few things.
Your Turnkey Manx website looks great

www.turnkeymanx.com
[email protected]

My progress:
A few minor things to get the pan finished then I can fabricate the 2” lift. Oh what a joy it would be to get the body mounted.
Thanks again, it's helping with all the stress and crud going on now.
David
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dbsmith
SoCal
#127 Manxter - 99.5% done....

[Iguana]

Thanks for the feedback, we are staying giving it our best shot .... have put over 30 floorpans out the door this year alone so I guess there are some buggy builds going on.

Anyway I dropped you a PM thing with some details in it.

Buggy On !!!

[dbsmith]

Scott ,
Boy did I get my buggy fix yesterday. I went down and saw Brad at Turnkey Manx. Wow. What a vast knowledge of buggy information he has. He ended up cutting out my dash and I got an access plate to weld into the tunnel at the pedal cluster. The part that is amazing from this buggy world I have entered, is that he has a good shop building buggies, but spent 2 hours with me, giving me ideas, showing me parts and just talking buggy..he really is passionate about what he does.
All for now.
David
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dbsmith
SoCal
#127 Manxter - 99.5% done....

[jsturtlebuggy]

Brad,
Your dash picture is backwards for Manxter's used in the USA.
_________________
Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960

[Iguana]

[sbussard]

Very cool! Brad graciously offered me a dash plate when I was building mine, but I didn't take him up on his offer. I probably should have. I've been to his site many times and day dreamed. I bet his operation is something to see in person. Glad you were able to spend some time there. Hopefully it will be the kick start you needed to get building again!

Buggy people are the best.
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Manxter #122
First time, garage built, and living out the childhood dream of owning a life-size Hotwheel!

Check out my build thread-->My Manxter 2+2

[Iguana]

[sbussard]

David - any updates?

Scott
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Manxter #122
First time, garage built, and living out the childhood dream of owning a life-size Hotwheel!

Check out my build thread-->My Manxter 2+2

[dbsmith]

Been able to find a little buggy time lately. I got the 2" lift completed and ready to install the body. I'm going to install the body without the lift, then put the 2" lift on, then cut and modify the horn support and side bars to fit. Spent way too many hours planning and thinking. Hope it works.

Ok so here's my take on the body and roll bar installation.
1. Install trans horn support
2. Install side bars
3. Bolt body down as far forward as possible.
Cage
4. Install 'C' support first. Drill through the outside horn support into the fiberglass. Insert bolts to draw tight. Use spacers if too tight.
5. Install 'A' and 'B' supports in the same manner. Drill from the outside into the fiberglass.
6. Use spacers as needed as not to put too much stress on the fiberglass.
7. Check front tub for fit at the front and onto the roll cage
8. Use bottle jack to push 'A' hoop feet into place.
9. Push 'B' feet as far back as possible and bolt down.
10. Tighten all bolts.
11. Have a couple of beers

Even though the #127 won't be ready, We still made our reservations for Big Bear. Should be a great weekend. Looking forward to putting people's faces to all the forums.

P.s. Brad's dash wasn't backward, just Metric
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dbsmith
SoCal
#127 Manxter - 99.5% done....

[sbussard]

Sounds like a plan. The C hoops is where I did not use spacers, but should have since it spider cracked the FG there. I had to use a drift pin and a crowbar to get the holes to line up on the A & B posts, through the side of the buggy. Went against everything I thought should have occured, but it was the only way I could get them to line up. I sure hope yours goes better. Mounting the body forward, and the cage to the back should help.

I don't have any experience on the body lift, so hopefully other will chime in.

Keep plugging away, you'll be driving soon. Have fun at Big Bear.

Scott
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Manxter #122
First time, garage built, and living out the childhood dream of owning a life-size Hotwheel!

Check out my build thread-->My Manxter 2+2

[Iguana]

looks like you are back onto it, you can make big bear just stop sleeping and interacting with anyone but your buggy for the next 4 weeks

With the Lift kit I would do it a bit different if I was you and I think you might find it a bit easier

Step 1 - bolt the rear support frame to the pan after putting the supplied cross member on. Then bolt the side support bars to these and the front beam and then put the roll cage in place and use 4 of the supplied body spacers under the feet to lift it up and act like the fiberglass.

Step 2 - Bolt this all together and make sure everything aligns and all your holes are where they should be, just ignore the pan at this stage. Adjust the side bar clamps and bolts time you are happy.

Step 4 remove the roll cage BUT leave the rear support frame and side bars in place. Put the roll cage to the side.

Step 5 drop the body into the barwork and onto the pan.

Step 6 Drop the roll cage back in and then drill the fiberglass to mount the roll cage to the body. At this stage you can bolt the body to the roll bar as you drill each hole, do not do it up tight just enough to get alignment.

Step 7 - drill the feet plates of the roll cage and drop bolts through them.

Step 8 - pull it all off together ( roll cage still in body side bars on, all come off with body. ) and then put on your lift kit

Step 9 - put the body and roll cage etc back on and bolt it down to your lift kit / floor pan by the roll cage bolts. Once you have it in place then remove your side bars and rear support and address the new height issues.

Your side bars will need to be cut and extended due to angles and the fact you are moving diagonally up and away. Your rear support can be extended down of you can make a new rear cross member with the holes 2" higher and then your factory frame will just bolt back on, it angles slightly but there is enough play in it all.

Your Manxter steering support will work with the 2" lift just drill your hole 3/4" lower than where you would have factory which was about 2 1/2" down from the lip.

Your front Z bars cane just be spaced out of your front beam and your rear shock towers aren't an issue on the Manxter as nothing bolts to them anyway.

Rest of the kit will go together as per normal without issue. Unless you have side pods

Anyway if you get stuck let me know and I can help you out.

[dbsmith]

Thanks Brad,
Your advice is always welcome

I'll try to get some pictures up soon

David
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dbsmith
SoCal
#127 Manxter - 99.5% done....

[dbsmith]

Here are a few pictures of the 2" lift we built. I'm about ready to get back at it. Been side tracked lately

I got the access hole in the front from Brad at Turn Key Manx

And the last picture.. Yes it was Father's Day..

David

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dbsmith
SoCal
#127 Manxter - 99.5% done....

[Iguana]

Looking good, your lift kit came out well

[dbsmith]

Well,
We spent last weekend in Big Bear.. wow.. When we got home I went to the garage and was overwhelmed by the amount of work mine need's to be road worthy. Have to take 1 step at a time..ok back to Big Bear. What a great time. I think the best part was meeting the ECVW crew and putting faces to the posts and replies. I got to visit with Tom and Kathleen, Joe and Dave, and Paul and Stephanie (hope that's right). What a great bunch of people.

David & Bobbi
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dbsmith
SoCal
#127 Manxter - 99.5% done....

[dbsmith]

Got a good buggy day in. Time to start drilling fiberglass.
Drilled and secured the body to the pan.
Drilled the holes for the cage. Didn't line up as well as I had pre planned.
Removed the cage, lifted the body and put the 2" lift kit in. Marked the holes for the body to pan.
Lifted the body again and remove the lift kit. And drilled the 2" lift
Cut the rear trans support and the side bars to raise for the 2" lift
It doesn't sound like much, but took me most of the day. But making progress

David
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dbsmith
SoCal
#127 Manxter - 99.5% done....