205 replies to this topic

[Twister]

Well this build has gone so many different ways and had so many upsets I think we've finally got on the right track.


  This is what we started with  

A unimog based buggy. A chassis built on top of a unimog frame tranny and suspension. It did have a chevy v8 conversion.



   The Job:  Fix the wiring change the rear tube work to fit rear passengers

Then we decided to raise the roof because Fraser was too tall for the chassis. which moved onto changing the portals and putting an 8 bolt conversion etc..








Interesting we learned that there is a left and right side portal. Also we learned that when put in the rear they need to be swapped to rotate on the correct side of the gear. Weird since that's not how a normal diff works.


  

[Twister]

42 inch pitbulls and stazworks rims got added to the change ups. And then It was decided that maybe we should change the whole chassis to a new one. Since so much was going to be changed anyway. Because of my work load and trying to get the Reaper build done and Bonedust I called a friend in to help. Ryan Northcott. He is an energetic, smart younger welder with cad experience. I build in my head not through a computer drawing. I figured I'd give the new fangled tech a shot. So I spent time with Ryan and we drew a cool looking buggy out. A cross between Twister and Scarrow. It was pretty bad ass.




We were going to keep the unimog tranny, torque tubes and suspension and change up to an auto,atlas and links later. The chassis had to be designed around the right mounted engine and mog tranny. Just ment a little wider frame rail.

[Twister]

I have about four hours more to put into this write up so I'll finish up tonight.

[Twister]

I can't remember 100 percent but Fraser was traveling down from Fort Mac to see the chassis. He'd seen it once and liked it. It just happened that me being me I was up in Fort Mac working on the Reaper. I'd been there a few days installing seats and building the rear bumper when I got a phone call that he was on his way to Calgary. We finished up what we were doing and booked it to Calgary. When I showed up after the 8 hourdrive  he was waiting. (Sorry Fraser) We started to test  fit him in the chassis. Then the cow chasing insued but finally we got to buisness.

  

And this is where as a builder or buisness owner you heart stops, your skin feels ice cold, you can even feel your ears pull back like a scoulded dog. You search for words but nothing. Normally if I'm an inch to tight I'll cut the buggy apart. How do you fix the fire wall being at his knees.

   I felt Shame.

[Twister]

I'm going to shoot way ahead hear because the story of the build is long and I know he's waiting to see what it looks like today. No one else pay attention to these.

[Twister]

Back to the build

After a week or two of deliberating what to do and how to fix the problem of no foot room the choice to start over was made. A week or two after that maybe even a month the next change was made. Since we had missed the season and it was going to be ready till Early 2011 we might as well dump the tranny and tourqe tubes and link it.



More pictures of the 8 lug portal conversion from Exact. Pretty sweet set up.

[mogman]

That back looks killer!!!  Great job!!!  Can't wait to see in person in 2 weeks.

[mogman]

Well, Clay got a bunch more tubework done recently and I'd have to say that my buggy is turning out to be the best looking 4 seater  I've ever seen considering design and tubework!!   It will have a few new items such as a Mercedes grill, front and rear winches and lightforce & rigid lights.  Here's some more pics...
















The buggy's name as of now is EvoMerc  but would like some more suggestions from anyone. Hopefully before i order my switchpanel for dash since it will be engraved.

Any other ideas appreciated. Thanks!

[Mr.Duck]

Love the back half, can't wait to see how the hood turns out

In keeping with the German theme

Der Kommisar = The commissioner

or

De Kompressor,   may require a supercharger or a turbo

[Twister]

"Das Buggy"  So with about 4 days into I made a break  through  on the front. I'd post pictures but it's hard to see where it's going.  Maybe  later today.  I'm pretty excited. I made about 40 pieces weld stuff on cut stuff off ,liked stuff hated it then out of no where bam ! It was tough because the dash is so high and low at the same time and the nose needed to be raised to make the lights look good without having them in hrams way of the tires.

[adrenaline269]

this is looking sick keep it up, mogman is gonna have a sweet ride this year, not that it wasn't before but this is stepping up into the big boys

[mogman]

Der Kommisar? I like it!  
I can't wait to see how the front turns out either! Feel free Clay to change the headlight positions if it makes it easier to fit everything.  I'm not stuck on anything.  If the grill or the 4 lightforce lights don't work, scrap it and do whatever works for you or what u think looks best.  I called McNeil Racing for ideas on mounting that dash.  Just waiting on the pics from them. Hopefully soon.

[Soup Man]

Make a little backwards ballcap for the roof of the rear passengers...incorporate lights and whatnot into it too

[Twister]

He has LEDs that are going in the luggage wrack style rail on the back deck. The roof in the back is real roomy. I was worried about the back of rhe head getting whacked but theres tons of room. However the revers ball cap  might have a look to it.

[mogman]

adrenaline269, on 15 February 2011 - 12:32 PM, said:

this is looking sick keep it up, mogman is gonna have a sweet ride this year, not that it wasn't before but this is stepping up into the big boys

Stepping up to the big boys?? Haha I wish!  My long range plan for this buggy was different axles and 54s but I'm gonna run this buggy the way Clay finishes her and if I'm snapping axles or portal boxes in the next year or two then I'll prob look into an upgrade where needed.  The thing about huge tires up here are a lot of the trails are tight so I'm thinking the 42" tires with rear steer should be perfect fit. 54s might be a bit much.  I guess we'll see in spring.  I'll be posting a ton of video on the site when time comes!!

[adrenaline269]

You are out of ft Mac if I remember right. Will have to come play some time since I'm about half way between Edmonton an the Mac

[mogman]

That would be awesome!!!  I should know the trails a lot more by then and be able to show you around. There's one trail I did with a buddy of mine last fall in my fj 40, v8, front locker on 33s and it took us 7 hrs. Once the  buggy is done I'm hopin to do it in under an hour!  Should be a lot less getting stuck!! Haha

[Cody Ford]

Looks killer, cant wait to see the finished product .

Clay, whatca going to do with the first version, looks way to good to let it go to waste.

[Twister]

I think Ryan sold it ? It was a great chassis just certain dimensions didn't fit the big guy.

[mogman]

My original red two seated chassis is for sale though.