More 2-Car Garage Crawler Episodes
Xtreme 4x4 Builds
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Join the PowerNation Email NewsletterParts Used In This Episode
A&A Manufacturing
Steel Tab Mounts in Various Sizes and Configurations
Goat Built
Goat Built - IBEX 4 Seat Chassis
Goat Built
Ibex floor/firewall assembly
ORI Struts
ORI STX Strut, 14" Front
ORI Struts
ORI STX Strut, 16" Rear
Pitbull Tire Company
Pit Bull Rocker - Bias 42x15-16.5
Pro Comp
Pro Comp SEL-Series LED Light Bar
PSC Motorsports
Derale 13253 Single-Pass Heat Sink Cooler Kit, 12"
PSC Motorsports
PSC Motorsports Trail Series 2.5" Double End Steering Cylinder Kit with P-Pump
The Industrial Depot
Industrial Depot - Fasteners, Hardware, and Shop Supplies
Trail Worthy Fab
Custom Hummer Wheels with Rock Rings, PVC Inserts, and Custom Finish
Episode Transcript
(ANNOUNCER)>> SO YOU WANT A
RIG THAT CAN DO THIS BUT YOU DON'T HAVE A GARAGE FULL
OF METAL WORKING TOOLS. THAT'S NO PROBLEM WITH
THIS DIY BUGGY KIT. PLUS IF YOU GET MARRIED AT
AN OFF ROAD PARK, YOU'RE DEFINITELY XTREME
4X4 MATERIAL. WE'VE GOT THE PERFECT WEDDING
GIFT FOR THIS NEWLYWED AND WE'LL EVEN HELP INSTALL IT.
(IAN)>> TODAY WE'RE BACK IN OUR SMALL TWO CAR GARAGE SPACE WHERE WE'RE BUILDING A 100 PERCENT CUSTOM TUBE BUGGY, ALL USING COMMON HAND TOOLS, AND ONE WELDER, AND A GRINDER. IT ALL STARTED WHEN WE TOOK DELIVERY OF A BUGGY IN A BOX. A PREBENT, PRENOTCHED CHASSIS THAT WE ASSEMBLED WITH THE CHASSIS' INVENTOR DREW BURROW. THEN WE TOOK A TRIP TO OUR LOCAL SCRAP YARD AND PICKED UP THE COMPLETE DRIVETRAIN, 14 BOLT AXLES FRONT AND REAR AND A USED FIVE POINT THREE LITER ENGINE. THEN IT WAS TIME TO BUILD SOME CUSTOM AXLES. CUTTING UP A DANA 50, WE TURNED OUR 14 BOLT INTO A STEERING AXLE.
AND THEN WE DROPPED THE ENTIRE DRIVETRAIN INTO THE BUGGY WITH THE MOUNTS THAT CAME WITH OUR KIT. NOW WE'RE GONNA START TODAY BY WORKING ON ALL THE INTERIOR PANELS FOR OUR BUGGY, THE FLOOR, TRANSMISSION TUNNEL, AND THE FIREWALL. NOW QUITE OFTEN THIS IS THE MOST TIME CONSUMING PART OF ANY BUGGY BUILD BECAUSE WE'RE DEALING WITH A LOT OF COMPLEX ANGLES, BUT NOT SO MUCH WITH THE GOAT BUILT CHASSIS. THEY OFFER A COMPLETE FLOOR AND FIREWALL PACKAGE. AND JUST LIKE THE BUGGY, IT COMES LASER CUT AND PUNCHED WITH ALL THE MOUNTING HOLES, AS WELL AS NUTSERTS INSTALLED
AT ANY SECURE LOCATION. NOW IT'S COVERED WITH A PROTECTIVE FILM WHILE THEY LASER CUT IT, BUT WE LEAVE THIS IN PLACE. THAT WAY WHEN WE'RE DONE INSTALLING IT WE CAN JUST PEEL IT BACK AND WE'LL HAVE A NICE, SHINY LOOKING ALUMINUM FLOOR. ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS BASICALLY BOLT IT ALL TOGETHER AND WELD IN A COUPLE OF MOUNTING TABS. ONCE THE CENTER PANEL IS INSTALLED, THE REST OF THE FLOOR SIMPLY FALLS INTO PLACE. NOW IT DOES TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO GET ALL THE PIECES IN THE RIGHT POSITION AND IN THE RIGHT ORDER. JUST TAKE YOUR TIME AND LOOSELY ATTACH THEM WITH THE FASTENERS INCLUDED. THEN THE TABS CAN BE WELDED ONTO THE TUBE FOR THE FIREWALL. WITH OUR FIREWALL IN PLACE, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND MOUNT THE ORBITAL VALVE THAT IS THE CONTROL FOR OUR FULL HYDRAULIC STEERING SYSTEM. NOW THE VALVE WE WANT OUT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH ALL THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSES AWAY FROM THE DRIVER. BUT THE CONTROL WE WANT INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OBVIOUSLY TO HOOK UP TO THE STEERING WHEEL. SO WE'LL SIMPLY SANDWICH IT INTO THAT FIREWALL USING THIS BRACKET THAT CAME WITH OUR HYDRAULIC STEERING KIT. NOW EVERYTHING ELSE WE HAVE IS PRETTY NORMAL TO WHAT WE'VE USED BEFORE, ALL FROM PSC. AN EXTRA LARGE RESERVOIR TO HOLD MORE FLUID, A COOLER TO KEEP IT COOL, A NEW HIGH PRESSURE PUMP, AND A DOUBLE ENDED HYDRAULIC RAM THAT WE MOUNT DOWN ON THE AXLE. BUT PSC HAS BEEN REALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO HOW THE WORLD OF OFF ROADING HAS CHANGED. WE NO LONGER JUST BUILD ROCK CRAWLERS. QUITE OFTEN IN THE SOUTH WE BUILD BUGGIES THAT HIT HUGE LEDGES, HAVE LOTS OF HORSEPOWER, AND SPIN LARGE TIRES AT A HIGH RPM. SO THEY'VE GONE AHEAD AND MADE SOME CHANGES TO THE PUMP, NAMELY ON THE PRESSURE AND FEED SIDE. ON THE PRESSURE SIDE THEY'VE UPSIZED IT TO A DASH EIGHT AND THEY'VE ENLARGED THE FEED FOR THE PUMP AS WELL. THIS JUST ALLOWS MORE VOLUME OF FLUID TO TRANSMIT THROUGH THE SYSTEM. IT MAKES SURE THAT YOU DON'T END UP STARVING THE HYDRAULIC RAM WHEN YOU NEED IT THE MOST, ON THAT BIG LEDGE BOUNCING
OFF THE REV LIMITER.
NOW WITH ALL THESE UPGRADES TO THE STEERING SYSTEM, WHERE YOU MOUNT COMPONENTS IS VERY IMPORTANT. I TOLD YOU BEFORE, THE RESERVOIR NEEDS TO BE AS CLOSE TO THE PUMP AS POSSIBLE. BUT WITH THIS OVERSIZED FEED, YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, THERE'S NO PRESSURE ACTING ON THE FLUID AS IT LEAVES THE RESERVOIR AND HEADS DOWN TO THE PUMP, JUST GRAVITY. SO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT FEED HOSE IS AS STRAIGHT AS POSSIBLE. YOU ALSO WANT TO KEEP THE STEERING VALVE AS CLOSE TO THE PUMP AS YOU CAN JUST TO MINIMIZE THE DISTANCE THAT PRESSURIZED FLUID HAS TO TRAVEL. AND THE OF COURSE WE'LL MOUNT OUR COOLER RIGHT UP IN HERE TO GET GOOD AIR FLOW, BUT ALSO KEEP THE RETURN LINES AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE GETTING BACK TO THE RESERVOIR. BY KEEP THESE THREE KEY ITEMS CLOSE TOGETHER WILL TAKE CARE OF ALL THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS UPGRADED SYSTEM.
(ANNOUNCER)>> HID, LED, HALOGEN, THERE'S SO MANY CHOICES, BUT WE'LL HELP PICK THE BEST ONE ON THIS
WEEK'S DRIVEWAY RESCUE.
(ANNOUNCER)>> NEED HELP SOLVING A PROBLEM WITH YOUR PROJECT? HERE'S DRIVEWAY RESCUE, BROUGHT TO YOU BY FOUR WHEEL PARTS DOT COM.
(IAN)>> PICKING ALL THE PARTS FOR YOUR PROJECT, THAT CAN BE A LITTLE BIT TRICKY.
PICKING PARTS FOR SOMEBODY ELSE PROJECT, THAT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE GONNA HELP WITH TODAY ON DRIVEWAY RESCUE. WITH ALL THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE IN OFF ROAD LIGHTING, I SWING BY OUR LOCAL FOUR WHEEL PARTS STORE TO HAVE A LOOK AT EVERYTHING AVAILABLE. LOADED UP OUR DRIVEWAY RESCUE VAN AND HIT THE ROAD. NICOLE AND HER HUSBAND JUST GOT MARRIED A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THEY HAD THE CEREMONY AT A LOCAL OFF ROAD PARK. NOW THEY LOVED TO GO FOUR WHEELING TOGETHER AND SHE WANTED TO GET THEM SOME LIGHT AS A WEDDING PRESENT. WELL WE'RE HERE TO HELP.
HI NICOLE!
(NICOLE)>> HEY, HOW ARE YOU?
(IAN)>> GOOD, HOW ARE YOU?
(NICOLE)>> GOOD!
(IAN)>> SO THIS IS THE TRUCK RIGHT?
(NICOLE)>> THIS IS IT, THIS IS THE TOYOTA.
(IAN)>> ALRIGHT, TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT.
(NICOLE)>> WELL IT'S A 2000 TOYOTA. COLIN GOT IT BRAND NEW FROM THE FACTORY.
(IAN)>> SO WHAT'S HE DONE TO IT SO FAR?
(NICOLE)>> WELL THE BIGGEST THING WAS DOVETAILING AND BOBBING THE END SO IT GETS THROUGH THE TRAILS A LITTLE BIT EASIER. HE PUT AN FJ 80 REAR AXLE UNDER IT WITH AN ELOCKER. IT'S STILL IFS, WHICH IS HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT IT'S GOT THESE 37 INCH TIRES ON IT.
(IAN)>> NOW THIS WAS THE WEDDING TRUCK RIGHT?
(NICOLE)>> IT WAS, WE GOT MARRIED IN HARLAN, KENTUCKY, AT THE BLACK MOUNTAIN OFF ROAD PARK, AND THIS GOT US UP TO THE TRAIL. WE GOT MARRIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A LITTLE ROCK GARDEN AND IT WAS A GOOD TIME. WE OCCASIONALLY DO SOME NIGHT WHEELING. SO IT'D BE NICE TO HELP US SEE WHERE WE NEED TO GO ON THE TRAILS.
(IAN)>> OKAY, WELL I'VE GOT THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LIGHTS FOR YOU TO LOOK AT. YOU GET TO PICK WHICH ONE.
(NICOLE)>> SOUNDS GOOD.
(IAN)>> OKAY, OUR FIRST LIGHT IS A HALOGEN LIGHT. LIGHT'S BEEN AROUND FOREVER.
IT'S GOT A SMALL BULB IN HERE, LITTLE FILAMENT THAT'S GONNA GLOW WHEN YOU TURN IT ON, REFLECTS OFF A REFLECTOR INSIDE.
NOW THE REALLY ONLY BENEFIT TO A HALOGEN LIGHT NOWADAYS IS THE FACT THAT THEY'RE CHEAP. SO IF YOU DO BREAK IT WHEN YOU'RE OUT WHEELING YOU'RE NOT OUT A LOT OF MONEY. OKAY SO THAT'S OPTION ONE.
(NICOLE)>> OKAY!
(IAN)>> THE SECOND ONE IS AN HID, HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE LIGHT. NOW THIS IS A LITTLE BIT SIMILAR TO A HALOGEN LIGHT BUT INSTEAD OF A FILAMENT INSIDE HERE THERE'S A SMALL BOTTLE OF PLASMA THAT ACTUALLY IGNITES WHEN YOU TURN IT ON.
THAT'S WHY THEY HAVE THAT BLUE LOOK TO THEM WHEN YOU FIRST TURN THEM ON. NICE AND BRIGHT, BUT TO GET A LOT OF LIGHT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A BIG FIXTURE LIKE THIS. AND ON A TRUCK LIKE YOUR TOYOTA IT'S PROBABLY GONNA BLOCK A LOT OF AIR FLOW INTO THE RADIATOR. NOW HERE'S THE LAST ONE. THIS IS THE ONE THAT I THINK YOU'RE GONNA WANT.
THIS IS AN LED LIGHT BAR. IT'S WHAT'S CALLED A DOUBLE STACK BAR. SO THERE'S TWO STACKS OF LED'S, ONE ON TOP OF EACH OTHER, AND THIS IS A MIXED BAR. IT'S GOT BOTH FLOOD AND SPOT LIGHTS IN IT. THEY'RE SUPER BRIGHT, AND IT'S SUCH A LOW PROFILE IT'S NOT GONNA BLOCK ANY AIR FLOW INTO THE RADIATOR. OTHER NICE THING ABOUT IT IS IT DOESN'T DRAW A LOT OF AMPS. SO IF YOU HAD IT TURNED ON WHEN THE TRUCK WAS TURNED OFF, WHEN YOU JUMP BACK IN IT, IT'S PROBABLY GONNA START RIGHT BACK UP. SO THOSE ARE YOUR THREE CHOICES, WHICH ONE DO YOU THINK YOU WANT TO GO FOR?
(NICOLE)>> DEFINITELY THIS ONE.
(IAN)>> I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, ALRIGHT, LETS PUT IT ON.
(NICOLE)>> OKAY.
(IAN)>> ALRIGHT, THE BAR'S GOT THESE LITTLE MOUNTING FEET ON IT. THEY KINDA SIT RIGHT ON TOP OF THIS HOOP IN THE FRONT. SO I THINK THAT MOUNTING IT UP HERE IS A GOOD SPOT. IT'S OUT OF THE WAY OF THE WINCH, WON'T BLOCK THE RADIATOR, AND ALL WE'LL HAVE TO DO IS DRILL YOUR FRONT BUMPER, TAP IT, BOLT IT IN PLACE.
(NICOLE)>> HELLO! THAT SCARED ME!
(IAN)>> AFTER DRILLING AND TAPPING THE FRONT TUBE BUMPER, WE'LL APPLY SOME BLUE LOCTITE TO THE STAINLESS STEEL FASTENER AND BOLT THE LIGHT BAR DOWN.
(NICOLE)>> GOOD?
(IAN)>> YEP! WIRING THE LIGHT BAR IS VERY EASY THANKS TO THE INCLUDED HARNESS. HOOK IT UP TO THE BATTERY POST. THEN WE'LL MOUNT THE RELAY ONTO THE FENDER. WE'LL FEED THIS ONE ALONG THIS SIDE OF THE RADIATOR AND DOWN BEHIND THE HEADLIGHT IT WILL POP OUT AND PLUG IT IN. THEN WE'LL HOOK UP THE SWITCH AND MOUNT IT IN THE LOWER DASH. ALRIGHT NICOLE, YOU'VE NOW INSTALLED A LIGHT BAR ON THE
FRONT OF YOUR HUSBAND'S TRUCK, HOW DO YOU FEEL?
(NICOLE)>> I FEEL GOOD, I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL HE GETS HOME.
(IAN)>> ARE YOU HAPPY THAT YOU GOT THIS DONE?
(NICOLE)>> YEAH, I DID A GOOD JOB.
(IAN)>> YOU DID A GREAT JOB, YOU DID, AND YOU GOT IT ALL HOOKED UP RIGHT AND IT'S WORKING. NOW I AM GONNA LEAVE YOU WITH SOME HOMEWORK.
(NICOLE)>> OKAY.
(IAN)>> THESE LITTLE HALOGEN LIGHTS, YOU KNOW THEY'RE NOT THAT GREAT ON THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK BUT THEY DO WORK GREAT
UP IN THE FENDER WELLS AS ROCK LIGHTS. I'LL LEAVE YOU WITH TWO SETS OF THESE. MOUNT THEM UP IN THE FENDER WELL. JUST FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS, HOOK THEM UP JUST LIKE THIS, AND THEN I WANT A PICTURE OF THE TRUCK ON THE TRAIL WITH ALL THE LIGHTS ON IT.
(NICOLE)>> NO PROBLEM.
(IAN)>> ALRIGHT, THANKS NICOLE.
(NICOLE)>> THANKS SO MUCH, BYE!
(IAN)>> BYE, BYE!
(ANNOUNCER)>> COMING UP, INNOVATIVE AIR STRUTS TO STAY
IN CONTROL ON THE TRAIL.
(IAN)>> NOW EVEN THOUGH GOATBUILT HAS ALL THE MAJOR COMPONENTRY FIGURED OUT FOR THIS BUGGY, THERE'S GONNA BECOME A TIME WHEN YOU WANT TO CUSTOMIZE THE CHASSIS, ADD THINGS TO IT.
SOMETHING LIKE A GOOD SET OF OFF ROAD LIGHTS LIKE THIS SINGLE LED LIGHT BAR THAT WE GOT FROM PRO COMP. MAYBE YOU WANT TO MOUNT A COOLER INTO THE BACK, OR SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS A SET OF SPEAKERS IN THE BACK TO LISTEN TO MUSIC WHEN YOU'RE ON THE TRAIL.
NOW BUILDING CUSTOM TABS TO MOUNT ALL THIS WILL TAKE A LONG TIME. THE BETTER OPTION IS TO ORDER SOME PREMADE TABS LIKE WE HAVE HERE FROM A&A MANUFACTURING. THEY HAVE A COMPLETE LINE OF PREMADE TABS TO MOUNT ANYTHING FROM A LIGHT BAR TO A DOUBLE SHEAR MOUNT FOR A FIVE POINT HARNESS TO KEEP YOU GOOD AND SAFE. AND ALL YOU NEED TO PUT THOSE ON YOUR BUGGY IS A WELDER, WHICH WE HAVE.
NOW THE REASON WE'RE SPENDING TIME WELDING ALL THOSE TABS ON THE CHASSIS IS TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS DONE BEFORE WE TEAR IT DOWN FOR POWDER COATING. IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO BOLT ON SOME TIRES AND WHEELS AND FLEX THE SUSPENSION BEFORE YOU DO THAT. NOW FOR TIRES AND WHEELS FOR THIS RIG WE OPTED FOR THE TYPICAL 42 INCH TALL PIT BULL ROCKER. NOW IT'S 15 INCHES WIDE AT THE TREAD AND THE REASON THAT WE USE A LOT OF THE ROCKERS ON OUR DEDICATED TUBE BUGGIES IS CAUSE THEY JUST FLAT OUT WORK. LARGE AGGRESSIVE OPEN BLOCKING IN THE TREAD MEANS IT DIGS LIKE A PADDLE TIRE WHEN YOU'RE IN LOOSE DIRT OR MUD. THE HEAVY DUTY SIX PLY CONSTRUCTION AND FOUR PLY SIDEWALL MAKE IT INCREDIBLY STRONG. NOW THE SIZE OF WHEEL FOR THIS TIRE IS ACTUALLY A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. WE'RE GONNA BE RUNNING A 16 AND A HALF INCH TALL RIM. NOW THE REASON THAT'S DIFFERENT IS BECAUSE OF THE WHEELS THEMSELVES. THE PLAN ALL ALONG WAS TO RUN A SET OF THESE TRAIL WORTHY FAB RECENTERED HONE TRUE DOUBLE BEAD LOCKS. NOW THIS WHEEL STARTS LIFE AS AN ACTUAL HUMMER HONE DOUBLE BEAD LOCK WHEEL.
THEY BLAST IT PERFECTLY CLEAN, PRESS A NEW EIGHT ON SIX AND A HALF CENTER INTO IT, CHECK IT WITH A DIAL INDICATOR, AND THEN FULLY WELD IT. THEN THEY MACHINE THIS PLASTIC INSERT FOR THE SPECIFIC BRAND OF TIRE THAT'S GONNA BE RUN. SO YOU HAVE THAT TRUE DOUBLE BEAD LOCK CLAMPING FORCE ON BOTH LIPS, GUARANTEED THAT YOU'RE NOT GONNA BLOW A BEAD OR EVEN SPIN THE RIM INSIDE THE TIRE. BUT MOST IMPRESSIVE IS THE FACT THAT NOT ONLY CAN THEY POWDER COAT THESE WHEELS, THEY CAN ACTUALLY PERFORM A PROCESS THAT'S CALLED HYDRO DIPPING. THAT MEANS ONCE IT'S POWDER COATED, THEY JUST APPLY THIS IMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF IT.
THERE'S TONS OF DIFFERENT CHOICES. WE JUST THOUGHT THE ORANGE WOULD GO WITH THE ORANGE POWDER COAT WE'RE PUTTING ON THE BUGGY AND SKULLS, WELL THAT'S JUST FLAT OUT MEAN.
(IAN)>> NOW GOATBUILT DOES GIVE US SPECIFIC MEASUREMENTS FOR ALL OF OUR SUSPENSION LINKS. BUT BECAUSE WE'RE USING A DIFFERENT AXLE AND TRUSS ASSEMBLY THAN THEY NORMALLY USE, WE WANT TO GO AHEAD AND BUILD SOME MOCK UP LINKS JUST TO DOUBLE CHECK THINGS BEFORE
WE ORDER OUR CUSTOM ALUMINUM 7075 PIECES. NOW YOU CAN BUILD MOCK UP LINKS OUT OF JUST ABOUT
ANYTHING, SOME SCRAP TUBING, OR EVEN PIECES OF ANGLE IRON. BUT STILL THE CHEAPEST WAY TO DO IT IS GONNA BE WITH SOME PVC PIPE AND SOME ENDS THAT YOU GET AT YOUR LOCAL HARDWARE STORE. AFTER MEASURING FOR EACH LINK, CUTTING THE PVC PIPE TO LENGTH, THE HEIM JOINTS ARE THREADED INTO THE ENDS AND THEY'RE INSTALLED INTO THE CHASSIS.
THE SHOCK PACKAGE FOR THIS BUGGY IS RATHER UNIQUE. ON ALL FOUR CORNERS WE'RE GONNA BE INSTALLING OFF ROAD
INNOVATION'S AIR STRUTS. NOW THESE WORK VERY DIFFERENTLY THAN ANY OTHER SHOCK THAT WE'VE HAD HERE IN THE XTREME SHOP. THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT IS IT'S AN AIR SHOCK WRAPPED AROUND ANOTHER AIR SHOCK. THERE'S A NITROGEN FILL PORT AT THE TOP, WHICH INTRODUCES NITROGEN PRESSURE TO THE OUTSIDE AREA OF THE SHOCK TO GIVE US THAT SPRING RATE. BUT AT THE SAME TIME THERE'S ANOTHER NITROGEN FILL PORT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SHOCK THAT WORKS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. BASICALLY YOU HAVE TWO NITROGEN CHARGES PUSHING TWO DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. ONE AIR SHOCK IS HOLDING THE CHASSIS UP IN THE AIR WHILE THE OTHER AIR SHOCK IS PUSHING DOWN ON THE AXLE. NOW THERE'S SOME BENEFITS TO THIS DESIGN.
THE SHOCK DOESN'T UNLOAD ON SIDE HILLS, KEEPING THE BUGGY VERY STABLE. THE RIDE HEIGHT IS INFINITELY ADJUSTABLE BECAUSE ALL WE'RE CHANGING IS THE AIR PRESSURE IN EITHER THE UPPER OR LOWER CHAMBER.
AND BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THIS SETUP, WE DON'T NEED TO ADD A SWAY BAR OR ANY BUMP STOPS TO THIS RIG. THAT'LL JUST SAVE US A LITTLE BIT OF CASH. THE SHOCKS MOUNT USING THE TABS THAT WE GOT FROM GOATBUILT AND WE'LL SET THE SUSPENSION AT FULL COMPRESSION. SO WITH EVERYTHING MOUNTED TO THE FRONT OF OUR BUGGY, YOU CAN REALLY SEE THAT THE SUSPENSION PACKAGING IN THIS DESIGN IS REALLY WELL THOUGHT OUT.
WITH THE SUSPENSION AT FULL COMPRESSION, THE UPPER LINK MOUNTS AND THE TRUSS FIT PERFECTLY BETWEEN THE CHASSIS' MAIN RAILS. THERE'S LOTS OF ROOM BETWEEN THE ENGINE'S HARMONIC BALANCER AND THAT FRONT AXLE. THERE'S ALSO LOTS OF SPACE UP FRONT FOR A GOOD FRONT MOUNTED RADIATOR THAT'LL GET LOTS OF CLEAN, FRESH AIR ACROSS IT TO KEEP THE ENGINE FROM OVERHEATING. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, WE'RE PRETTY MUCH DONE WITH ALL THE MOCK UP ON THIS BUGGY. WE HAVE TO DO A FEW OTHER THINGS. ADD SOME MORE TABS FOR THE FLOORS AND THE FIREWALL AND GO AHEAD AND FINISH OUR REAR SUSPENSION MOUNTS. BUT THE NEXT TIME WE'VE GOT THIS BUGGY BACK IN THE SHOP, IT'LL BE TIME TO COMPLETELY TEAR IT ALL APART, TOUCH UP
SOME OF THE WELDS, AND THEN WE'LL SHOW YOU WHAT IT TAKES TO TAKE THIS BUGGY FROM BARE STEEL TO SHINY METAL. FOR DETAILS ON ANY OF THE PRODUCTS SEEN IN TODAY'S EPISODE, HEAD ON OVER TO POWERBLOCK TV DOT COM.
Show Full Transcript
(IAN)>> TODAY WE'RE BACK IN OUR SMALL TWO CAR GARAGE SPACE WHERE WE'RE BUILDING A 100 PERCENT CUSTOM TUBE BUGGY, ALL USING COMMON HAND TOOLS, AND ONE WELDER, AND A GRINDER. IT ALL STARTED WHEN WE TOOK DELIVERY OF A BUGGY IN A BOX. A PREBENT, PRENOTCHED CHASSIS THAT WE ASSEMBLED WITH THE CHASSIS' INVENTOR DREW BURROW. THEN WE TOOK A TRIP TO OUR LOCAL SCRAP YARD AND PICKED UP THE COMPLETE DRIVETRAIN, 14 BOLT AXLES FRONT AND REAR AND A USED FIVE POINT THREE LITER ENGINE. THEN IT WAS TIME TO BUILD SOME CUSTOM AXLES. CUTTING UP A DANA 50, WE TURNED OUR 14 BOLT INTO A STEERING AXLE.
AND THEN WE DROPPED THE ENTIRE DRIVETRAIN INTO THE BUGGY WITH THE MOUNTS THAT CAME WITH OUR KIT. NOW WE'RE GONNA START TODAY BY WORKING ON ALL THE INTERIOR PANELS FOR OUR BUGGY, THE FLOOR, TRANSMISSION TUNNEL, AND THE FIREWALL. NOW QUITE OFTEN THIS IS THE MOST TIME CONSUMING PART OF ANY BUGGY BUILD BECAUSE WE'RE DEALING WITH A LOT OF COMPLEX ANGLES, BUT NOT SO MUCH WITH THE GOAT BUILT CHASSIS. THEY OFFER A COMPLETE FLOOR AND FIREWALL PACKAGE. AND JUST LIKE THE BUGGY, IT COMES LASER CUT AND PUNCHED WITH ALL THE MOUNTING HOLES, AS WELL AS NUTSERTS INSTALLED
AT ANY SECURE LOCATION. NOW IT'S COVERED WITH A PROTECTIVE FILM WHILE THEY LASER CUT IT, BUT WE LEAVE THIS IN PLACE. THAT WAY WHEN WE'RE DONE INSTALLING IT WE CAN JUST PEEL IT BACK AND WE'LL HAVE A NICE, SHINY LOOKING ALUMINUM FLOOR. ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS BASICALLY BOLT IT ALL TOGETHER AND WELD IN A COUPLE OF MOUNTING TABS. ONCE THE CENTER PANEL IS INSTALLED, THE REST OF THE FLOOR SIMPLY FALLS INTO PLACE. NOW IT DOES TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO GET ALL THE PIECES IN THE RIGHT POSITION AND IN THE RIGHT ORDER. JUST TAKE YOUR TIME AND LOOSELY ATTACH THEM WITH THE FASTENERS INCLUDED. THEN THE TABS CAN BE WELDED ONTO THE TUBE FOR THE FIREWALL. WITH OUR FIREWALL IN PLACE, WE CAN GO AHEAD AND MOUNT THE ORBITAL VALVE THAT IS THE CONTROL FOR OUR FULL HYDRAULIC STEERING SYSTEM. NOW THE VALVE WE WANT OUT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH ALL THE HIGH PRESSURE HOSES AWAY FROM THE DRIVER. BUT THE CONTROL WE WANT INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OBVIOUSLY TO HOOK UP TO THE STEERING WHEEL. SO WE'LL SIMPLY SANDWICH IT INTO THAT FIREWALL USING THIS BRACKET THAT CAME WITH OUR HYDRAULIC STEERING KIT. NOW EVERYTHING ELSE WE HAVE IS PRETTY NORMAL TO WHAT WE'VE USED BEFORE, ALL FROM PSC. AN EXTRA LARGE RESERVOIR TO HOLD MORE FLUID, A COOLER TO KEEP IT COOL, A NEW HIGH PRESSURE PUMP, AND A DOUBLE ENDED HYDRAULIC RAM THAT WE MOUNT DOWN ON THE AXLE. BUT PSC HAS BEEN REALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO HOW THE WORLD OF OFF ROADING HAS CHANGED. WE NO LONGER JUST BUILD ROCK CRAWLERS. QUITE OFTEN IN THE SOUTH WE BUILD BUGGIES THAT HIT HUGE LEDGES, HAVE LOTS OF HORSEPOWER, AND SPIN LARGE TIRES AT A HIGH RPM. SO THEY'VE GONE AHEAD AND MADE SOME CHANGES TO THE PUMP, NAMELY ON THE PRESSURE AND FEED SIDE. ON THE PRESSURE SIDE THEY'VE UPSIZED IT TO A DASH EIGHT AND THEY'VE ENLARGED THE FEED FOR THE PUMP AS WELL. THIS JUST ALLOWS MORE VOLUME OF FLUID TO TRANSMIT THROUGH THE SYSTEM. IT MAKES SURE THAT YOU DON'T END UP STARVING THE HYDRAULIC RAM WHEN YOU NEED IT THE MOST, ON THAT BIG LEDGE BOUNCING
OFF THE REV LIMITER.
NOW WITH ALL THESE UPGRADES TO THE STEERING SYSTEM, WHERE YOU MOUNT COMPONENTS IS VERY IMPORTANT. I TOLD YOU BEFORE, THE RESERVOIR NEEDS TO BE AS CLOSE TO THE PUMP AS POSSIBLE. BUT WITH THIS OVERSIZED FEED, YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER, THERE'S NO PRESSURE ACTING ON THE FLUID AS IT LEAVES THE RESERVOIR AND HEADS DOWN TO THE PUMP, JUST GRAVITY. SO YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT FEED HOSE IS AS STRAIGHT AS POSSIBLE. YOU ALSO WANT TO KEEP THE STEERING VALVE AS CLOSE TO THE PUMP AS YOU CAN JUST TO MINIMIZE THE DISTANCE THAT PRESSURIZED FLUID HAS TO TRAVEL. AND THE OF COURSE WE'LL MOUNT OUR COOLER RIGHT UP IN HERE TO GET GOOD AIR FLOW, BUT ALSO KEEP THE RETURN LINES AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE GETTING BACK TO THE RESERVOIR. BY KEEP THESE THREE KEY ITEMS CLOSE TOGETHER WILL TAKE CARE OF ALL THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS UPGRADED SYSTEM.
(ANNOUNCER)>> HID, LED, HALOGEN, THERE'S SO MANY CHOICES, BUT WE'LL HELP PICK THE BEST ONE ON THIS
WEEK'S DRIVEWAY RESCUE.
(ANNOUNCER)>> NEED HELP SOLVING A PROBLEM WITH YOUR PROJECT? HERE'S DRIVEWAY RESCUE, BROUGHT TO YOU BY FOUR WHEEL PARTS DOT COM.
(IAN)>> PICKING ALL THE PARTS FOR YOUR PROJECT, THAT CAN BE A LITTLE BIT TRICKY.
PICKING PARTS FOR SOMEBODY ELSE PROJECT, THAT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE GONNA HELP WITH TODAY ON DRIVEWAY RESCUE. WITH ALL THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE IN OFF ROAD LIGHTING, I SWING BY OUR LOCAL FOUR WHEEL PARTS STORE TO HAVE A LOOK AT EVERYTHING AVAILABLE. LOADED UP OUR DRIVEWAY RESCUE VAN AND HIT THE ROAD. NICOLE AND HER HUSBAND JUST GOT MARRIED A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THEY HAD THE CEREMONY AT A LOCAL OFF ROAD PARK. NOW THEY LOVED TO GO FOUR WHEELING TOGETHER AND SHE WANTED TO GET THEM SOME LIGHT AS A WEDDING PRESENT. WELL WE'RE HERE TO HELP.
HI NICOLE!
(NICOLE)>> HEY, HOW ARE YOU?
(IAN)>> GOOD, HOW ARE YOU?
(NICOLE)>> GOOD!
(IAN)>> SO THIS IS THE TRUCK RIGHT?
(NICOLE)>> THIS IS IT, THIS IS THE TOYOTA.
(IAN)>> ALRIGHT, TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT IT.
(NICOLE)>> WELL IT'S A 2000 TOYOTA. COLIN GOT IT BRAND NEW FROM THE FACTORY.
(IAN)>> SO WHAT'S HE DONE TO IT SO FAR?
(NICOLE)>> WELL THE BIGGEST THING WAS DOVETAILING AND BOBBING THE END SO IT GETS THROUGH THE TRAILS A LITTLE BIT EASIER. HE PUT AN FJ 80 REAR AXLE UNDER IT WITH AN ELOCKER. IT'S STILL IFS, WHICH IS HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT IT'S GOT THESE 37 INCH TIRES ON IT.
(IAN)>> NOW THIS WAS THE WEDDING TRUCK RIGHT?
(NICOLE)>> IT WAS, WE GOT MARRIED IN HARLAN, KENTUCKY, AT THE BLACK MOUNTAIN OFF ROAD PARK, AND THIS GOT US UP TO THE TRAIL. WE GOT MARRIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A LITTLE ROCK GARDEN AND IT WAS A GOOD TIME. WE OCCASIONALLY DO SOME NIGHT WHEELING. SO IT'D BE NICE TO HELP US SEE WHERE WE NEED TO GO ON THE TRAILS.
(IAN)>> OKAY, WELL I'VE GOT THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LIGHTS FOR YOU TO LOOK AT. YOU GET TO PICK WHICH ONE.
(NICOLE)>> SOUNDS GOOD.
(IAN)>> OKAY, OUR FIRST LIGHT IS A HALOGEN LIGHT. LIGHT'S BEEN AROUND FOREVER.
IT'S GOT A SMALL BULB IN HERE, LITTLE FILAMENT THAT'S GONNA GLOW WHEN YOU TURN IT ON, REFLECTS OFF A REFLECTOR INSIDE.
NOW THE REALLY ONLY BENEFIT TO A HALOGEN LIGHT NOWADAYS IS THE FACT THAT THEY'RE CHEAP. SO IF YOU DO BREAK IT WHEN YOU'RE OUT WHEELING YOU'RE NOT OUT A LOT OF MONEY. OKAY SO THAT'S OPTION ONE.
(NICOLE)>> OKAY!
(IAN)>> THE SECOND ONE IS AN HID, HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE LIGHT. NOW THIS IS A LITTLE BIT SIMILAR TO A HALOGEN LIGHT BUT INSTEAD OF A FILAMENT INSIDE HERE THERE'S A SMALL BOTTLE OF PLASMA THAT ACTUALLY IGNITES WHEN YOU TURN IT ON.
THAT'S WHY THEY HAVE THAT BLUE LOOK TO THEM WHEN YOU FIRST TURN THEM ON. NICE AND BRIGHT, BUT TO GET A LOT OF LIGHT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A BIG FIXTURE LIKE THIS. AND ON A TRUCK LIKE YOUR TOYOTA IT'S PROBABLY GONNA BLOCK A LOT OF AIR FLOW INTO THE RADIATOR. NOW HERE'S THE LAST ONE. THIS IS THE ONE THAT I THINK YOU'RE GONNA WANT.
THIS IS AN LED LIGHT BAR. IT'S WHAT'S CALLED A DOUBLE STACK BAR. SO THERE'S TWO STACKS OF LED'S, ONE ON TOP OF EACH OTHER, AND THIS IS A MIXED BAR. IT'S GOT BOTH FLOOD AND SPOT LIGHTS IN IT. THEY'RE SUPER BRIGHT, AND IT'S SUCH A LOW PROFILE IT'S NOT GONNA BLOCK ANY AIR FLOW INTO THE RADIATOR. OTHER NICE THING ABOUT IT IS IT DOESN'T DRAW A LOT OF AMPS. SO IF YOU HAD IT TURNED ON WHEN THE TRUCK WAS TURNED OFF, WHEN YOU JUMP BACK IN IT, IT'S PROBABLY GONNA START RIGHT BACK UP. SO THOSE ARE YOUR THREE CHOICES, WHICH ONE DO YOU THINK YOU WANT TO GO FOR?
(NICOLE)>> DEFINITELY THIS ONE.
(IAN)>> I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, ALRIGHT, LETS PUT IT ON.
(NICOLE)>> OKAY.
(IAN)>> ALRIGHT, THE BAR'S GOT THESE LITTLE MOUNTING FEET ON IT. THEY KINDA SIT RIGHT ON TOP OF THIS HOOP IN THE FRONT. SO I THINK THAT MOUNTING IT UP HERE IS A GOOD SPOT. IT'S OUT OF THE WAY OF THE WINCH, WON'T BLOCK THE RADIATOR, AND ALL WE'LL HAVE TO DO IS DRILL YOUR FRONT BUMPER, TAP IT, BOLT IT IN PLACE.
(NICOLE)>> HELLO! THAT SCARED ME!
(IAN)>> AFTER DRILLING AND TAPPING THE FRONT TUBE BUMPER, WE'LL APPLY SOME BLUE LOCTITE TO THE STAINLESS STEEL FASTENER AND BOLT THE LIGHT BAR DOWN.
(NICOLE)>> GOOD?
(IAN)>> YEP! WIRING THE LIGHT BAR IS VERY EASY THANKS TO THE INCLUDED HARNESS. HOOK IT UP TO THE BATTERY POST. THEN WE'LL MOUNT THE RELAY ONTO THE FENDER. WE'LL FEED THIS ONE ALONG THIS SIDE OF THE RADIATOR AND DOWN BEHIND THE HEADLIGHT IT WILL POP OUT AND PLUG IT IN. THEN WE'LL HOOK UP THE SWITCH AND MOUNT IT IN THE LOWER DASH. ALRIGHT NICOLE, YOU'VE NOW INSTALLED A LIGHT BAR ON THE
FRONT OF YOUR HUSBAND'S TRUCK, HOW DO YOU FEEL?
(NICOLE)>> I FEEL GOOD, I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL HE GETS HOME.
(IAN)>> ARE YOU HAPPY THAT YOU GOT THIS DONE?
(NICOLE)>> YEAH, I DID A GOOD JOB.
(IAN)>> YOU DID A GREAT JOB, YOU DID, AND YOU GOT IT ALL HOOKED UP RIGHT AND IT'S WORKING. NOW I AM GONNA LEAVE YOU WITH SOME HOMEWORK.
(NICOLE)>> OKAY.
(IAN)>> THESE LITTLE HALOGEN LIGHTS, YOU KNOW THEY'RE NOT THAT GREAT ON THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK BUT THEY DO WORK GREAT
UP IN THE FENDER WELLS AS ROCK LIGHTS. I'LL LEAVE YOU WITH TWO SETS OF THESE. MOUNT THEM UP IN THE FENDER WELL. JUST FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS, HOOK THEM UP JUST LIKE THIS, AND THEN I WANT A PICTURE OF THE TRUCK ON THE TRAIL WITH ALL THE LIGHTS ON IT.
(NICOLE)>> NO PROBLEM.
(IAN)>> ALRIGHT, THANKS NICOLE.
(NICOLE)>> THANKS SO MUCH, BYE!
(IAN)>> BYE, BYE!
(ANNOUNCER)>> COMING UP, INNOVATIVE AIR STRUTS TO STAY
IN CONTROL ON THE TRAIL.
(IAN)>> NOW EVEN THOUGH GOATBUILT HAS ALL THE MAJOR COMPONENTRY FIGURED OUT FOR THIS BUGGY, THERE'S GONNA BECOME A TIME WHEN YOU WANT TO CUSTOMIZE THE CHASSIS, ADD THINGS TO IT.
SOMETHING LIKE A GOOD SET OF OFF ROAD LIGHTS LIKE THIS SINGLE LED LIGHT BAR THAT WE GOT FROM PRO COMP. MAYBE YOU WANT TO MOUNT A COOLER INTO THE BACK, OR SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS A SET OF SPEAKERS IN THE BACK TO LISTEN TO MUSIC WHEN YOU'RE ON THE TRAIL.
NOW BUILDING CUSTOM TABS TO MOUNT ALL THIS WILL TAKE A LONG TIME. THE BETTER OPTION IS TO ORDER SOME PREMADE TABS LIKE WE HAVE HERE FROM A&A MANUFACTURING. THEY HAVE A COMPLETE LINE OF PREMADE TABS TO MOUNT ANYTHING FROM A LIGHT BAR TO A DOUBLE SHEAR MOUNT FOR A FIVE POINT HARNESS TO KEEP YOU GOOD AND SAFE. AND ALL YOU NEED TO PUT THOSE ON YOUR BUGGY IS A WELDER, WHICH WE HAVE.
NOW THE REASON WE'RE SPENDING TIME WELDING ALL THOSE TABS ON THE CHASSIS IS TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS DONE BEFORE WE TEAR IT DOWN FOR POWDER COATING. IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO BOLT ON SOME TIRES AND WHEELS AND FLEX THE SUSPENSION BEFORE YOU DO THAT. NOW FOR TIRES AND WHEELS FOR THIS RIG WE OPTED FOR THE TYPICAL 42 INCH TALL PIT BULL ROCKER. NOW IT'S 15 INCHES WIDE AT THE TREAD AND THE REASON THAT WE USE A LOT OF THE ROCKERS ON OUR DEDICATED TUBE BUGGIES IS CAUSE THEY JUST FLAT OUT WORK. LARGE AGGRESSIVE OPEN BLOCKING IN THE TREAD MEANS IT DIGS LIKE A PADDLE TIRE WHEN YOU'RE IN LOOSE DIRT OR MUD. THE HEAVY DUTY SIX PLY CONSTRUCTION AND FOUR PLY SIDEWALL MAKE IT INCREDIBLY STRONG. NOW THE SIZE OF WHEEL FOR THIS TIRE IS ACTUALLY A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. WE'RE GONNA BE RUNNING A 16 AND A HALF INCH TALL RIM. NOW THE REASON THAT'S DIFFERENT IS BECAUSE OF THE WHEELS THEMSELVES. THE PLAN ALL ALONG WAS TO RUN A SET OF THESE TRAIL WORTHY FAB RECENTERED HONE TRUE DOUBLE BEAD LOCKS. NOW THIS WHEEL STARTS LIFE AS AN ACTUAL HUMMER HONE DOUBLE BEAD LOCK WHEEL.
THEY BLAST IT PERFECTLY CLEAN, PRESS A NEW EIGHT ON SIX AND A HALF CENTER INTO IT, CHECK IT WITH A DIAL INDICATOR, AND THEN FULLY WELD IT. THEN THEY MACHINE THIS PLASTIC INSERT FOR THE SPECIFIC BRAND OF TIRE THAT'S GONNA BE RUN. SO YOU HAVE THAT TRUE DOUBLE BEAD LOCK CLAMPING FORCE ON BOTH LIPS, GUARANTEED THAT YOU'RE NOT GONNA BLOW A BEAD OR EVEN SPIN THE RIM INSIDE THE TIRE. BUT MOST IMPRESSIVE IS THE FACT THAT NOT ONLY CAN THEY POWDER COAT THESE WHEELS, THEY CAN ACTUALLY PERFORM A PROCESS THAT'S CALLED HYDRO DIPPING. THAT MEANS ONCE IT'S POWDER COATED, THEY JUST APPLY THIS IMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OF IT.
THERE'S TONS OF DIFFERENT CHOICES. WE JUST THOUGHT THE ORANGE WOULD GO WITH THE ORANGE POWDER COAT WE'RE PUTTING ON THE BUGGY AND SKULLS, WELL THAT'S JUST FLAT OUT MEAN.
(IAN)>> NOW GOATBUILT DOES GIVE US SPECIFIC MEASUREMENTS FOR ALL OF OUR SUSPENSION LINKS. BUT BECAUSE WE'RE USING A DIFFERENT AXLE AND TRUSS ASSEMBLY THAN THEY NORMALLY USE, WE WANT TO GO AHEAD AND BUILD SOME MOCK UP LINKS JUST TO DOUBLE CHECK THINGS BEFORE
WE ORDER OUR CUSTOM ALUMINUM 7075 PIECES. NOW YOU CAN BUILD MOCK UP LINKS OUT OF JUST ABOUT
ANYTHING, SOME SCRAP TUBING, OR EVEN PIECES OF ANGLE IRON. BUT STILL THE CHEAPEST WAY TO DO IT IS GONNA BE WITH SOME PVC PIPE AND SOME ENDS THAT YOU GET AT YOUR LOCAL HARDWARE STORE. AFTER MEASURING FOR EACH LINK, CUTTING THE PVC PIPE TO LENGTH, THE HEIM JOINTS ARE THREADED INTO THE ENDS AND THEY'RE INSTALLED INTO THE CHASSIS.
THE SHOCK PACKAGE FOR THIS BUGGY IS RATHER UNIQUE. ON ALL FOUR CORNERS WE'RE GONNA BE INSTALLING OFF ROAD
INNOVATION'S AIR STRUTS. NOW THESE WORK VERY DIFFERENTLY THAN ANY OTHER SHOCK THAT WE'VE HAD HERE IN THE XTREME SHOP. THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT IS IT'S AN AIR SHOCK WRAPPED AROUND ANOTHER AIR SHOCK. THERE'S A NITROGEN FILL PORT AT THE TOP, WHICH INTRODUCES NITROGEN PRESSURE TO THE OUTSIDE AREA OF THE SHOCK TO GIVE US THAT SPRING RATE. BUT AT THE SAME TIME THERE'S ANOTHER NITROGEN FILL PORT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SHOCK THAT WORKS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. BASICALLY YOU HAVE TWO NITROGEN CHARGES PUSHING TWO DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. ONE AIR SHOCK IS HOLDING THE CHASSIS UP IN THE AIR WHILE THE OTHER AIR SHOCK IS PUSHING DOWN ON THE AXLE. NOW THERE'S SOME BENEFITS TO THIS DESIGN.
THE SHOCK DOESN'T UNLOAD ON SIDE HILLS, KEEPING THE BUGGY VERY STABLE. THE RIDE HEIGHT IS INFINITELY ADJUSTABLE BECAUSE ALL WE'RE CHANGING IS THE AIR PRESSURE IN EITHER THE UPPER OR LOWER CHAMBER.
AND BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THIS SETUP, WE DON'T NEED TO ADD A SWAY BAR OR ANY BUMP STOPS TO THIS RIG. THAT'LL JUST SAVE US A LITTLE BIT OF CASH. THE SHOCKS MOUNT USING THE TABS THAT WE GOT FROM GOATBUILT AND WE'LL SET THE SUSPENSION AT FULL COMPRESSION. SO WITH EVERYTHING MOUNTED TO THE FRONT OF OUR BUGGY, YOU CAN REALLY SEE THAT THE SUSPENSION PACKAGING IN THIS DESIGN IS REALLY WELL THOUGHT OUT.
WITH THE SUSPENSION AT FULL COMPRESSION, THE UPPER LINK MOUNTS AND THE TRUSS FIT PERFECTLY BETWEEN THE CHASSIS' MAIN RAILS. THERE'S LOTS OF ROOM BETWEEN THE ENGINE'S HARMONIC BALANCER AND THAT FRONT AXLE. THERE'S ALSO LOTS OF SPACE UP FRONT FOR A GOOD FRONT MOUNTED RADIATOR THAT'LL GET LOTS OF CLEAN, FRESH AIR ACROSS IT TO KEEP THE ENGINE FROM OVERHEATING. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, WE'RE PRETTY MUCH DONE WITH ALL THE MOCK UP ON THIS BUGGY. WE HAVE TO DO A FEW OTHER THINGS. ADD SOME MORE TABS FOR THE FLOORS AND THE FIREWALL AND GO AHEAD AND FINISH OUR REAR SUSPENSION MOUNTS. BUT THE NEXT TIME WE'VE GOT THIS BUGGY BACK IN THE SHOP, IT'LL BE TIME TO COMPLETELY TEAR IT ALL APART, TOUCH UP
SOME OF THE WELDS, AND THEN WE'LL SHOW YOU WHAT IT TAKES TO TAKE THIS BUGGY FROM BARE STEEL TO SHINY METAL. FOR DETAILS ON ANY OF THE PRODUCTS SEEN IN TODAY'S EPISODE, HEAD ON OVER TO POWERBLOCK TV DOT COM.