3j7"s trail buggy build

3j7 · Apr 5, 2014

hey guys... figgered I would post up some pics of my build. this is my first buggy build, done a jeep and a couple of s10s. comments or questions are always welcome.

specs
2007 aluminum 5.3 jims performance harness and tune
mild th350
atlas 3.8
d60 front 4.56 e-locker
14 bolt rear, spool
40 inch somethings, possible stickies
17x9 kmcs
aluminum links
blah blah blah
on to the pics

started here built a small chassis table and built some square rails

flipped to weld

rub rails and drivetrain mounts

3j7 · Apr 5, 2014

continued...

engine skid

started axles

y pipe

3j7 · Apr 5, 2014

psc

rear truss

rear suspension mockup

started building up

3j7 · Apr 6, 2014

removable seat frame

tranny "crossmember"

3j7 · Apr 6, 2014

rear suspension fab

unfortunately this pretty much brings us up to date... way way edited down from 500 plus pics. forgot to mention this will be a 4 seater with a removable rear cage section (for the fam). I currently have right at 210 hours in it... this will be a pretty slow thread seeing as the only time I get to work on it (other than the odd occasional weekend) is between 5 and 6 am before I go to work... once again questions and comments are welcome, thanks

Hammer Kustomz · Apr 6, 2014

Love ur build brother wondering if u have been getting after it and just curious dnt wanna scab on ur build but was curious what u went with for a rise in ur rails my # is 9896002109 if ur bored and wanna share on ur build bad ass rig thanks hope mine turns out that gd

ridered3 · Apr 6, 2014

Build up is looking good. Curious to see the removable section of the cage/tube work!

3j7 · Apr 6, 2014

thanks guys, hammer I will give you a holler sometime this week when I can for sure... no buggy time this weekend, had to work on my neglected daily driver yesterday and today took delivery of another project which after the buggy is #4. sad thing is they are all my junk. by the way rise on the framerails is 12 inches from bottom of the lower tube to bottom of the top tube. angled piece is at 45 degrees.
removable section will just be bolt on with a couple of tube couplers and clamps, but will be WELL supported... I am only counting on it to take on hit like a jeep cage. kids are 6 and 1 and don't plan on hitting anything hard with them, just general trailriding and street driving.

3j7 · Apr 29, 2014

hammer I am sorry I haven't called you, I swear I will when I get a chance...

small update, rear coilover placement finalized. front links mocked up... coilover placement on the front is next. all upper links are the same, front lowers will be 1.5 inches shorter than the rear. not a big deal but my ocd is screamin
ride height

flexed a bit one way

front

nother

radiator is here, also will be ordering bumpstops later this week. also trying to get the new driver done so I can work on the buggy on weekends rather than that thing...

3j7 · Jun 7, 2014

borrowed a couple of wheels and tires for mockup/motivation

almost looks like it could possibly aspire to try to be a roller some day!!

3j7 · Dec 1, 2014

haven't updated in a while, jealous of you guys who are getting your stuff built so quick! making progress, fighting through setbacks. the worst being the rear 60 housing I started with was no good, after all that work too. decided to go with a 14 bolt, working on that now. been plugging away at all the little stuff too, plus buying a bunch of parts. haven't tackled the rear cage yet because I am putting as much time as I can into just getting it rolling, then i'll worry about finishing it out...

3j7 · Dec 1, 2014

more

still hitting it hard as I can in the am... got to the point where it feels weird to work on it in daylight!

jp fan · Dec 2, 2014

I can't wait to see this rig as a roller maybe even some outside pics ;D great job on this rig lots of thought put in on this

tommy450r · Dec 2, 2014

Is that a barnes4x4 shave cover??

3j7 · Dec 2, 2014

yeah it's barnes, it's not sitting on there in the right place if it looks funny... also got their truss and brake brackets.

jp fan said:
I can't wait to see this rig as a roller maybe even some outside pics ;D great job on this rig lots of thought put in on this

thanks man... yeah, me too! ready to actually wheel instead of ride...

tommy450r · Dec 2, 2014

Na it looks good I'm about to order one myself is the reason I asked . I have wondered how much of the lip u loose with one of there covers

dpdave · Dec 5, 2014

3j7 said:
haven't updated in a while, jealous of you guys who are getting your stuff built so quick! making progress, fighting through setbacks. the worst being the rear 60 housing I started with was no good, after all that work too. decided to go with a 14 bolt, working on that now. been plugging away at all the little stuff too, plus buying a bunch of parts. haven't tackled the rear cage yet because I am putting as much time as I can into just getting it rolling, then i'll worry about finishing it out...

Don't feel too bad about others getting through there builds so fast; I just checked, and made the first post of my build thread on the 10th of May, 2013. I am still FAR from finished. Almost have a roller though.

Keep whittling away, and it'll come to you.

3j7 · Dec 5, 2014

thanks man, keeping at it... once I get the 14 bolt mocked up and cycled I will be able to order my links (wod) and it will be a roller... if only I could go without sleep this thing would be done!

3j7 · Dec 12, 2015

Hey guys, haven't posted in my thread in a long time, but still making progress... may be driving it in the next month or so. Or not

the way it's been going...

it's actually further along than these pics, a lot is ready for fluid...
Brakes are done
Oiling is done
Steering is done
Tcase/transmission is done
Rear axle needs shafts bolted in and drive shaft (on the way)
Front needs aligned and lubed, and drive shafts (also on the way)
Carrier bearing/mid shafts is done
Waiting on springs and Wiring (60% done)
also working in interior skins but almost got the front licked (all I care about right now)

Just trying to get it wheel able for now then I will finish out the skins and rear cage later, I am sick of sitting at home and hearing stories, and I gave up riding passenger a year ago...