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FINALLY! I got around to taking some pictures of the buggy so far. I'm shooting to have it done by my wife's birthday in late August. Luckily, she's a very understanding woman and has forgiven me in advance if I don't make the date.

Anyway, the chassis is a Berrien Warrior knock-down kit I purchased from Fisher Buggies here in Tampa. The chassis went together very well I think. I also am using Berrien's tree bars, front bumper, brace kit, shifter and steering brake mounts.

Anyway, here she is:




Here's my home-fabbed torsion. The actual housing was fine, but the horns were rusted to hell. I built the chassis using the complete torsion, then did my under bars for the engine cage. I tied that to the rusty horns using a solid rear mount. Once the tranny mount and engine cage were in place, I cut away the horns and welded 1.5" 095 (I think) tubing in place. I then gusseted with 3/8" plate and then tied the new horns into the main chassis with diagonal bars that sit just forward of the axles (so removal of the swingaxle is still easy). It should hold up fine for the relatively slow trail riding we do in Florida. Note also a factory late bus rear mount welded to my engine cage to help support the T4 motor I'll be using.


This shot shows the battery location (mount done but not shown). It also shows how I mounted the seats. Its got a bit of spring to it, but it will hold up well.




These show off my cool Harbor Freight lights as well as the Berrien tree bars and front bumper.

Here's a link to a thread showing the electrical portion of the build.

http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=111842

fl_buggy that rail is looking sharp and so is the thread showing the electrical portion of the build.

Man, here I thought I was doing good having a ice machine in my shop and here I see you have a Coke Machine, Looks like bottles man would love to have that. Rail is looking nice, good color, needs a little white an blue to go with it Keep it up and keep us posted.

Funny story about that machine. My wife used to teach at a private school. They had that Coke machine there but it kept jamming when kids would stick god knows what into the coin slot. The lady that owned the school was tired of paying someone to come fix the thing so she asked my wife if she knew anyone that would take it to the dump. My wife (a very smart woman by the way) called me and I immediately went down with a friend to load it up. We opened it up (it came with the key) and the changer was full of change so I ended up making money on the deal. Its a neat machine because its got a bottle opener on it as well as a catch area for pull tabs. The machine can also be configured to dispense cans or bottles. I think its from the early 80's, but its definitely a cool piece.

NICE!!

Thanks! It was very easy to do as well.

One thing I didn't point out before, the eyelets I welded in for my clutch cable. They are just parts store eyelets I cut the threaded portion off of to make them round, then I just welded them to the frame. 2 is all it took to clear the seats and the frame.

What is the latest on the the red rail? I know we have got to of made some progress.

Nothing picture worthy. I put the motor and tranny in so I can get the exhaust built. I spent last weekend cutting and fitting the stock bus exhaust stubs so they'll fit backwards. I have to get the rest of my exhaust parts (some pipe and reducers) and hope to get it finished this weekend.

I also got my wife to scrape the grease and paint from the front beam and steering box. I'm getting that stuff ready for paint so I can install it.

Got the wife involved did ya? Smart man you are. Hey if you don't mind post a how you did your exhaust, some here have been called "Just Horrible" but seems are not going to help solve that problem Like to see what you come up with. Has to be a better way then spending 700 bucks on exhuast.

My wife is a VERY good woman to me. She is not afraid to get dirty and is turning into a VW fan as well (brought home a super beetle vert that we picked up free, we were going to cut it up. She sees it and says "you're not cutting up that car! So now we have a new project).

I will definitely take pics once the exhaust is further along. I was planning on putting the pics in the T4 forum and linking it in this thread.

I feel the same way about the comments. Certain people tell you how much a design sucks, but won't elaborate on what the design should incorporate. I'm not saying mine will be optimal, but it will fit my design criteria, was built pretty easily and cheaply, and by myself.

Here's a link to a thread in the T4 forum documenting my 78 amp GM alternator install.


http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic ... 824#815824

How much did that floor weigh?

I never weighed it, but one person can move a whole sheet by themselves. If I had to do it over again, I'm not sure if I would use the expanded metal or sheet metal. I like the idea of expanded, but I'm not sure if I'll get a face full of dirt every time we ride.

Exhaust is almost wrapped up. I should have completed pics this weekend.

That is my concern, I have the aluminum in mine now, no problems with that but always looking. Let us know about the mud and dirt part though.