new tube buggy from across the water

tomcat404 · Nov 13, 2013

Evening all,

I have been on this forum for a number of weeks now watching with great interest the quality work that your guys are building. :****:

Buddy build in the UK has only really taken off in the last few years, mainly down to a lack of terrain and the type of events available. That said I have started a tube buggy build from scratch and wanted to pick your brains and share some of the build with you.

Spec :
Custom tube frame ( MSA spec in the UK)
Crate LS3 with custom ECU to talk to the gearbox.
6l90 E auto with high stall torque and sports shift for racing
Atlas 2 speed with custom PTO shaft install
2 x spidertrax pro knuckle series axles 4 Wheel steer,
Custom portal boxes to fit the spidertrax out of RQT 701 and en24T
44 boggers on double beadlock rims
40 Stickys
2 x twin motor winches and single mid mount winch
14" coilovers all round
14" triple bypass all round.

Now the build has progressed quiet nicely and i'm not a fabricator by trade... just a sparky, but i would like you advice on a couple of point as i go through the build photos.

SO... let the chaos commence :flipgotcha:

tomcat404 · Nov 13, 2013

Very early build photos just to show you the base shape ;D

tomcat404 · Nov 13, 2013

few more later on with the build

marczuk · Nov 13, 2013

love the chassis.

Sawzall · Nov 13, 2013

Great looking chassis and fab work.

zjtrey · Nov 13, 2013

what are the chassis specs?

mdo817 · Nov 13, 2013

Nice tight joints flashemifyougotem

, sweet looking build.

payne97 · Nov 15, 2013

That winch is ****ing awesome drool
Buggy look good 2

tomcat404 · Nov 16, 2013

thanks for the praise lads... its been a very long journey to get the buggy built without breaking the bank

the tube is 2.5" cds from memory from my local supplier who is also the leading rollcage maker in the uk for MSA spec trucks! wheel base is 112" from memory.

The winches are made by another good friend of mine and visually look like a warn 8274 high mount from a distance. Thats where the similarities end. Its a full hydraulic winch, 2 speed, with air free spool and air -gear activation. Awesome bit of kit for winch challenge events.( Let me know if you want any more info or prices )

well i think its time for more updated pictures and maybe some portal action too :****:

get the tissues ready

tomcat404 · Nov 16, 2013

bit of before and after photos :****:.. again, pulling in another favor from a friend with a CNC.

portal on the spidertrax for the first time and with 44's the steering lock. Very cool day :dblthumb:

ratedX · Nov 16, 2013

Wow them axles are cock bud and cock means cool :****:

tomcat404 · Nov 18, 2013

right gents i need your thoughts on how to mount the shocks please.

They are currently mounted on single sheets of laser cut 5mm and then cycled to ensure they clear and use the full travel of the shocks.

I have 1 x 14" triple bypass and 1x 14" 2.5 coilover in each corner and these mounts need to be rock solid.

Do i laser cut another 3 sides for each corner and make box mounts with dimpled gussets to hold both shock in double shear? and then panel them in? or do i tube the mounts and save a little bit of weight?

I need to consider the winches front and rear and i also want to brace the mounts against each other on the back and on the front, brace them across as part of a tube engine cradle?

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

P · Nov 18, 2013

. Nice work !

Lil ugly · Nov 18, 2013

tomcat404 said:
right gents i need your thoughts on how to mount the shocks please.

They are currently mounted on single sheets of laser cut 5mm and then cycled to ensure they clear and use the full travel of the shocks.

I have 1 x 14" triple bypass and 1x 14" 2.5 coilover in each corner and these mounts need to be rock solid.

Do i laser cut another 3 sides for each corner and make box mounts with dimpled gussets to hold both shock in double shear? and then panel them in? or do i tube the mounts and save a little bit of weight?

I need to consider the winches front and rear and i also want to brace the mounts against each other on the back and on the front, brace them across as part of a tube engine cradle?

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

If you use 3mm sheet in the manner that you mentioned your weight should be about the same as the tube would be. Very nice work on the buggy really like the lines. The axles bits are some sexy parts for sure.

tomcat404 · Nov 19, 2013

thanks for the advice.... I have a mate coming round this weekend to look at some tube work a sits easier to fit in the tight space i have to mount the shock .

Question....

Does anybody have any experience with spidertax steering arms? any good ? what are the other options out there?

Also the ls3 i have is a corvette engine and im thinking of adding a baffled sump? any suggestions?