- Thread starter
- #121
Hard to argue the price....and no complaints as far as build quality.
Still playing with mounting ideas, may just have SHO tig a few threaded bosses on it and mount it that way.
Build JHF Trail Chassis
- Thread starter woody
- Start date
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Still playing with mounting ideas, may just have SHO tig a few threaded bosses on it and mount it that way.
- Thread starter
- #122
Have some "used" aluminum laying around, decided to cut out a "severe" duty hood panel. 1/4+" thick is a bit much...but no worries about standing on it 
Need to add a handful of tabs to mount it, and call 'er done. (and maybe some vinyl so it's pretty...haha)
More 1/4" alum, test fitting for the side-skids. Two per side, welded in, 3/16" AR450 plate will be the final plan. PLENTY solid. Notice the keyhole....need to enlarge that to 3/4".
And the REASON for the keyhole...the rear seat mounting rod Pull one cotter pin, and the rod slides out. Allows for very easy seat removal.
DXF files attached for the skids. Rear is "final", front might need a tweak yet (and both need fillets on the corners for weld clearance) (plan change, files pulled)
Need to add a handful of tabs to mount it, and call 'er done. (and maybe some vinyl so it's pretty...haha)More 1/4" alum, test fitting for the side-skids. Two per side, welded in, 3/16" AR450 plate will be the final plan. PLENTY solid. Notice the keyhole....need to enlarge that to 3/4".
And the REASON for the keyhole...the rear seat mounting rod
Pull one cotter pin, and the rod slides out. Allows for very easy seat removal.DXF files attached for the skids. Rear is "final", front might need a tweak yet (and both need fillets on the corners for weld clearance) (plan change, files pulled)
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Thank you!
Scooter
Loves Light Bars
Really dig the seat mount rod, I will likely copy it. (I picked my chassis up a couple weekends ago)
You going to machine your ram bodies like Jesse does or clearance the mounting cups?
You going to machine your ram bodies like Jesse does or clearance the mounting cups?
- Thread starter
- #125
You have to machine them...they don't fit otherwise
Had mine done last week at Sand Hollow Offroad in their lathe.Today's projects included cutting the roof material (1/4" aluminum), plasma cutting lower link braces, plasma cutting skid tabs (90s done, designing the balance), and tossing around why my inset side skids are a terrible idea (tube exposure) and ways to solve that without running a one-piece skid outside the tube. Tomorrow will likely be all experimental with the plasma table
- Thread starter
- #126
Fuel cell and fuel cell skid, mocked/mounted. The skid plate is 16ga, 20" x 20.75", plasma cut with the edge scallops and 25 1-1/2" holes, ready to dimple. My new Langmuir Crossfire and PrimeWeld Cut60 made the cutting process super simple. (and, I learned a ton in Fusion360 too).
Dimples were a bit tougher, since my press could only handle 21 of the 25....the last 4 had to be done with a hand jack. Put some 1-1/2" - 1/4" angle into the corners of the slide to wedge it to the top bar, then ratchet-strapped it snug. The 4-ton was awkward, but it worked for those last 4.
I didn't like any of my "clamping" ideas for the fuel cell, so I finally opted to have Steve from Sand Hollow Offroad use his amazing tig skills and weld on 3 threaded bungs so I could bolt it in. Makes for a very clean install. Cut the 3 tabs out of some 3/16" plate.
And finally, the cell tacked in and the skid zip'd into position. Will make for a perfect tray for recovery gear and a cooler bag, plus offer decent protection for anything that pops up from below when out wheeling.
Dimples were a bit tougher, since my press could only handle 21 of the 25....the last 4 had to be done with a hand jack. Put some 1-1/2" - 1/4" angle into the corners of the slide to wedge it to the top bar, then ratchet-strapped it snug. The 4-ton was awkward, but it worked for those last 4.
I didn't like any of my "clamping" ideas for the fuel cell, so I finally opted to have Steve from Sand Hollow Offroad use his amazing tig skills and weld on 3 threaded bungs so I could bolt it in. Makes for a very clean install. Cut the 3 tabs out of some 3/16" plate.
And finally, the cell tacked in and the skid zip'd into position. Will make for a perfect tray for recovery gear and a cooler bag, plus offer decent protection for anything that pops up from below when out wheeling.
- Thread starter
- #127
Need to order the correct button head hardware and finish the 4 B pillar bolts, but the roof is done. (Well, and do the quilted headliner, but that's much later...)
Ignition coils are mounted as well.
Adjusted the fuel cell position too, minor adjustments (and gapped the mounts for some nylon washers)
Ignition coils are mounted as well.
Adjusted the fuel cell position too, minor adjustments (and gapped the mounts for some nylon washers)
- Thread starter
- #128
Today's progress...
Found the 1/4-20 flange head cap screws and installed those in the roof.
Side panels? FRP? Cheap, and easy....I'll build out some nicer aluminum panels for the long term, but these are the perfect solution for the initial breaking....and if I wreck one, it's off to the hardware store with $40 to replace it. (even blingier, I could switch sides and put the rough side out!!)
And yes, there is a foot cut out. Don't hate me. I'm old.
Next, the 387th rendition of seat mounting...uugh. I agonized over seats and positions and all that early on, and have now struggled with the mount itself. Finalized tonight: the front seat tabs are now slotted and fit between the fork'd front seat tabs...and the rear is one single 3/8" solid rod for each seat. Super easy removal.
And finally, cooling....the fan/shroud will be "clamped" to the edges of the radiator (no holes)...my 10-24 nutserts were not deep enough however so it's off to the hardware store tomorrow. If I can't find those, 1/4" bolts will drop in easy enough.
F
Found the 1/4-20 flange head cap screws and installed those in the roof.
Side panels? FRP? Cheap, and easy....I'll build out some nicer aluminum panels for the long term, but these are the perfect solution for the initial breaking....and if I wreck one, it's off to the hardware store with $40 to replace it. (even blingier, I could switch sides and put the rough side out!!)
And yes, there is a foot cut out. Don't hate me. I'm old.
Next, the 387th rendition of seat mounting...uugh. I agonized over seats and positions and all that early on, and have now struggled with the mount itself. Finalized tonight: the front seat tabs are now slotted and fit between the fork'd front seat tabs...and the rear is one single 3/8" solid rod for each seat. Super easy removal.
And finally, cooling....the fan/shroud will be "clamped" to the edges of the radiator (no holes)...my 10-24 nutserts were not deep enough however so it's off to the hardware store tomorrow. If I can't find those, 1/4" bolts will drop in easy enough.
F
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whiterhino
Wheel'in since 1976
It's coming together. Where did you find those flanged head bolts?
- Thread starter
- #130
Blase
Spotter Required
Looking great!! What is FRP?
- Thread starter
- #132
Fiber Reinforced Plastic....basically, bathroom wall paneling
knapp870
Spotter Required
Mcmaster Carr also has a good price on stainless flanged button heads like what you got of various lengths.
Broski
Spotter Required
I think your on to something, My guess is those black ones well rust in short order
Mcmaster Carr is a great resource, excellent customer service & super fast shipping. BEST OF ALL not Amazon
- Thread starter
- #135
Rust, in the desert?I think your on to something, My guess is those black ones well rust in short order
Mcmaster Carr is a great resource, excellent customer service & super fast shipping. BEST OF ALL not Amazon
I ran these black screws on my FToy as well, 4 years with zero issues. Climate does help however. Stainless will all depend on the quality/grade....and stainless is particularly susceptible to thread galling. Pick your poison I guess
Alloy steel (per McMaster) is also 2x as strong as Stainless.
McMaster-Carr
McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.
knapp870
Spotter Required
I did have issues with the stainless locking up during install but found if i ran them in the extruded U nuts first alone or a dab of antiseize all was good.Rust, in the desert?
Stainless will all depend on the quality/grade....and stainless is particularly susceptible to thread galling. Pick your poison I guess
Alloy steel (per McMaster) is also 2x as strong as Stainless.
McMaster-Carr
McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.www.mcmaster.com
Broski
Spotter Required
Ya, the Climate well make the difference, where I live those would be toast in short order. fore sure the alloy steel is stronger, in your application probably not necessaryRust, in the desert?
Stainless will all depend on the quality/grade....and stainless is particularly susceptible to thread galling. Pick your poison I guess
Alloy steel (per McMaster) is also 2x as strong as Stainless.
McMaster-Carr
McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.
whiterhino
Wheel'in since 1976
I have stainless Philips head screws right now and over time the heads are getting sloppy and burrs are on several. (using a cordless impact for fast and easy install doesn't help) Plus each one has a stainless washer under the head, which always get lost LOL. I like the female hex and flange all in one. Probably gonna give them a try. I agree that stainless tends to gall and although I use anti-seize a lot, I don't want to use it on all of my panels.
SteerAndStuff
Spotter Required
I used 1/4" stainless machine screws and rivnuts for all my panels on last buggy. Used a milwaukee m12 screwdriver gun with a clutch and found setting 12 was just right. Used antiseize and naver had one stick. A few screws the head started looking rough after going in and out lots of times but a bag of like 50 screws was $10. Also had a few rivnuts slip and spin but same thing, they are $.25 each and easy to replace. I'd have no problem using them again but will probably do something a bit more exotic for the side panels this time. Roof and interior will likely use the ss screws.
whiterhino
Wheel'in since 1976
I have a bunch of left over SS bolts. Eventually I will change them over but too many other things to worry about now. At some point I need to start a thread with all the changes I have made to my "turn key" buggy. LOL
- Thread starter
- #141
Remember like a year ago when I claimed the seat mounts were done? I lied....but this rendition works perfectly. So again, I claim they are done.....
You can see the welded/tabbed front bar, the notched front seat tabs, and the rear slide-bar.
Upper radiator mount, version 3ish... The radiator is sandwiched with 1/8" rubber.
Side panels are both installed, just need some trimming.
Power steering resi mounted. Hole in the hood pending... If I have measured correctly, the 3-3/4" diameter hole will JUST clear the resi-cap when the hood gets pulled. I may have to cut a few pieces of alum scrap to test this....
And a front winch....the Warn 9.0Rc is the perfect fit.
You can see the welded/tabbed front bar, the notched front seat tabs, and the rear slide-bar.
Upper radiator mount, version 3ish... The radiator is sandwiched with 1/8" rubber.
Side panels are both installed, just need some trimming.
Power steering resi mounted. Hole in the hood pending... If I have measured correctly, the 3-3/4" diameter hole will JUST clear the resi-cap when the hood gets pulled. I may have to cut a few pieces of alum scrap to test this....
And a front winch....the Warn 9.0Rc is the perfect fit.
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- Thread starter
- #142
Updates from the past few days...
3.75" hood hole cut on the plasma for power steering reservoir. Sitting at 1.75" of stickout, and it clears with the resi-cap installed. Pull the breather line, and viola!
Also took a wood router with a 1/4" roundover carbide bit and smoothed the top/bottom edges of the hole....and the entire topside of the hood too. Beveled the bottom-side, added a some small round notches for the takeout-tube as well. Add a file and some time, and it's pretty decent. Good HD bash-level hood quality.
Mocking up the Optima battery location....this is immediately behind the passenger seat, angled the same as the radiator. Driveshaft clears, links clear, seat clears, etc etc. Best of all, from the drivers position, you can still see 100% of the leading edge of the tire. Not perfect for visibility, but it will work (until I come up with a better idea....)
Radiator fan mounted too...2400cfm puller I had laying around, custom shroud, sandwich-mounted to the radiator with #10 flanged allen cap screws. The radiator edges also have some thin rubber trim on them for no direct contact and minimal air issues.
....looks like I need to clean up those edges too....note to self....
Coming soon, headers....yay? Have a mock-up muffler under the drivers seat and planning a resonator below the fuel cell....SUPER silent is the goal
3.75" hood hole cut on the plasma for power steering reservoir. Sitting at 1.75" of stickout, and it clears with the resi-cap installed. Pull the breather line, and viola!
Also took a wood router with a 1/4" roundover carbide bit and smoothed the top/bottom edges of the hole....and the entire topside of the hood too. Beveled the bottom-side, added a some small round notches for the takeout-tube as well. Add a file and some time, and it's pretty decent. Good HD bash-level hood quality.
Mocking up the Optima battery location....this is immediately behind the passenger seat, angled the same as the radiator. Driveshaft clears, links clear, seat clears, etc etc. Best of all, from the drivers position, you can still see 100% of the leading edge of the tire. Not perfect for visibility, but it will work (until I come up with a better idea....)
Radiator fan mounted too...2400cfm puller I had laying around, custom shroud, sandwich-mounted to the radiator with #10 flanged allen cap screws. The radiator edges also have some thin rubber trim on them for no direct contact and minimal air issues.
....looks like I need to clean up those edges too....note to self....
Coming soon, headers....yay? Have a mock-up muffler under the drivers seat and planning a resonator below the fuel cell....SUPER silent is the goal
OldRocDoc
Spotter Required
- Dec 26, 2016
- 54
You are having FAR too much fun and challenging activities
SteerAndStuff
Spotter Required
Whats the details on the radiator? I was looking at some off the shelf options like Honda radiators.
- Thread starter
- #145
Northern 4038 15x19 core, custom done by Armstrong Radiator in Hurricane.
- Thread starter
- #146
Headers....due to an extreme lack of space, log-style similar to OEM was the best option. Still a fair amount to do, but pleased with how the two are coming along.
- Thread starter
- #147
Minor updates:
Drilled/tapped the steering joints....1/4-20 knurled set screws with locking nuts should do the trick
Remote oil filter and electric hydro steering valve are coming soon....just waiting on a few more fittings that arrive tomorrow.
The valve is from HydraForce.
Relocating the hydro steering cooler is on tomorrow's list too...
Headers are mostly welded, and busy mocking up the crossover....
And tabs were cut/tacked for the Artec battery box, immediately behind the passenger seat. Should be a good spot for it.
And lastly, the Holley Hydramat is installed properly and ready for fuel....including my idiots guide to what's what for connections
Drilled/tapped the steering joints....1/4-20 knurled set screws with locking nuts should do the trick
Remote oil filter and electric hydro steering valve are coming soon....just waiting on a few more fittings that arrive tomorrow.
The valve is from HydraForce.
Relocating the hydro steering cooler is on tomorrow's list too...
Headers are mostly welded, and busy mocking up the crossover....
And tabs were cut/tacked for the Artec battery box, immediately behind the passenger seat. Should be a good spot for it.
And lastly, the Holley Hydramat is installed properly and ready for fuel....including my idiots guide to what's what for connections
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- Thread starter
- #149
Sunday Funday...
Power Steering return hoses in place, with the cooler. 300psi Continental pushlok hose. -8 for the return to the cooler, and to the reservoir.
More Continental pushlok, -12 (3/4") from the res to feed the pump. Clearances are perfect, and it's nice straight-ish drop for good flow. Also installed the pulley onto the CBR PSC pump...interestingly, the pully sits down fully with the CBR, where it needed to be gapped out a shade with the TC I was mocking up with earlier. Much better belt alignment with the CBR.
Skid plate for the fuel cell, and for gear storage. Need driveshafts to be SURE on clearances, but the trans cooler is likely going to mount below this.
Picked up a 60mm Evil Energy electric fuel pump clamp off Amazon, and with a thinner rubber spacer, it fits the remote res for the brake master perfectly. This will be mounted behind the drivers seat with a 36" 3AN hose to the master (which is below the front edge of the seat)
Amazon product ASIN B07YV3RJPW
And some 1/2" ORB 90 fittings to -6 JIC for the hydro ram connections. These mean NO clocking needed for the hoses when they are made, since one end is straight. Eliminates a bunch of headaches. Ordered these (and much more) from Hydraulics Direct | Online Hydraulics Store
And lastly, the remote oil filter is mounted up front....above/behind the winch plate, with easy access to the filter for removal/service. Needed some "low" profile 90's for the remote filter mount on the engine block, and found these from Vibrant Performance via Summit Racing:
Power Steering return hoses in place, with the cooler. 300psi Continental pushlok hose. -8 for the return to the cooler, and to the reservoir.
More Continental pushlok, -12 (3/4") from the res to feed the pump. Clearances are perfect, and it's nice straight-ish drop for good flow. Also installed the pulley onto the CBR PSC pump...interestingly, the pully sits down fully with the CBR, where it needed to be gapped out a shade with the TC I was mocking up with earlier. Much better belt alignment with the CBR.
Skid plate for the fuel cell, and for gear storage. Need driveshafts to be SURE on clearances, but the trans cooler is likely going to mount below this.
Picked up a 60mm Evil Energy electric fuel pump clamp off Amazon, and with a thinner rubber spacer, it fits the remote res for the brake master perfectly. This will be mounted behind the drivers seat with a 36" 3AN hose to the master (which is below the front edge of the seat)
Amazon product ASIN B07YV3RJPW
And some 1/2" ORB 90 fittings to -6 JIC for the hydro ram connections. These mean NO clocking needed for the hoses when they are made, since one end is straight. Eliminates a bunch of headaches. Ordered these (and much more) from Hydraulics Direct | Online Hydraulics Store
And lastly, the remote oil filter is mounted up front....above/behind the winch plate, with easy access to the filter for removal/service. Needed some "low" profile 90's for the remote filter mount on the engine block, and found these from Vibrant Performance via Summit Racing:
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- Thread starter
- #150
Trans cooler mount is tacked...located immediately behind the passenger seat. Should be safe enough and allow for good airflow.
Rear steer valve is also tacked....located just ahead of the passenger seat and below the floor. Easy enough access and simple hose routing.
Rear steer valve is also tacked....located just ahead of the passenger seat and below the floor. Easy enough access and simple hose routing.