Next Project

**Lug-Nuts** · 10-14-2016 01:41 PM

Nice work! I like the pile of left over parts from other projects.

**Xbird** · 10-15-2016 07:58 PM

thanks Lug, there's a little from every build I've done going into this one. The existing bolt together roll cage will become nerf bars (they always seem to work well in that application) and provide some mid size tubing pieces. What's on the floor is all I have to work with at the moment. My buddy across the river at 1/2 scale dragsters will be bending up the fore and aft cage hoops once I finalize the layout.

**Xbird** · 10-27-2016 03:40 PM

Used up a dozen or more bits from the pile o scrap and got all of the front end structure tied together. Original upper shock mount on the LTZ was too narrow, so i chopped off pieces from my old rear upper shock structure, bolted them together and ground them to a uniform profile. otherwise location is a bit higher than stock LTZ in order to pull the a-arms up about 1/2 inch out of full droop extension to avoid stressing the ball joint. The plate bracing the peak of the mounts is mower blade (always fun to cut hardened steel) and the rearward and cross supports are old yerfie pieces.

Took the original front to rear bars and made a single side to side hoop for the front

Lines look much better than the original "truck" profile. Anywhere tubing butts together is slugged and drilled/plug welded and also has gotten or will get another tube coming in at the junction.

Today's project will be to clean up the remainder of the original cage tubes, trim the curve off and add them in as the front-to rear bars. I have enough metal to triangulate the base of the front hoop. beyond that, i've got to get some more for my mid-size pieces. Since i used up the cage bars, nerf bars will be done the same as the Sunl-zuki, using angle stock which i have plenty of.

**Xbird** · 10-28-2016 04:21 AM

got going on the cage profile today. ended the night off with a quick layout.

**MASCMAN** · 10-28-2016 11:53 AM

Looking much better!

**Xbird** · 10-28-2016 12:18 PM

yeah it was an ugly pug to start with, that's for sure.
Basic idea of the next tubing runs, dashed line is the cross tube for the steering column. doesn't show the top cage cross tubes that will go in. Don't really like long top spans like i have here and bent tubing, but it works and i'll have it braced. told the lil one she'll have to get used to climbing in. It will be getting body panels.

**Xbird** · 11-09-2016 11:35 AM

Picked up 40' of 1-inch tubing from PA steel and got going on the cage work again. I was able to utilize the old cage parts to create the hoops, so no need to have anyone do any bending work for me. Got the top rail finished on one side. Still needs a few support tubes from the second to the top rail, then it will be time to put in the rear hoop supports and rear upper shock mounts. The latter will be very similar to what i did with the rockhound when I ran the Fox podiums at the back--which is also the shocks it will have.

I did myself no favors a couple years ago when I chopped the other Sunl swingarm assembly for rear end parts on the rockhound. I'm using the axle from that old buggy on this one since it's wider and is a very stout, nice piece. The swingarm likewise was quite sturdy and well constructed. However, unlike nearly all other 150cc buggies out there, the axle was designed with a more centrally mounted sprocket and has a wider bearing hanger spread. Using the narrower swingarm means new hangars, got them plated in and will be adding supports up top to strengthen the connection to the frame. Most of the upper tubing will have to be chopped off and moved to get the engine sprocket to align with the axle. Had I kept the old one intact, it would've been a bolt-on no work deal

**darwinpayne2000** · 11-09-2016 04:19 PM

Keep the posts coming!!!

**Xbird** · 11-09-2016 08:30 PM

Did an "on all 4" mockup this morning. Overall liking how it's coming together. I had the sloping front hoop support tube at 90* to the hoop but felt it carried too far rearward and made for an awkward continuation below the lower rail. Appearance wise I liked that better than the more abrupt angle I put in, but so be it, nothing critical affected. top rail will have a short continuation most likely right in the same line into the curved support tube. Thankfully, the rear shock alignment lands in a position that allows me to add a rearward sloping support tube to the rear hoop of the roll cage to triangulate the corners. I hate hoops that look likely they can just fold backwards with nothing to counter it.

52" front track (outside to outside) 48" rear, overall length is 8-feet with a 6'-6" wheelbase