Re-Construction - Truggy Build

[Dune-Track-N]

RuffStuff and yes I'll be hitting rocks even with 2WD

 

[Dune-Track-N]

patiently waiting on parts, hope to get back on it this weekend with trip to pick-a-part saturday

 

[Dune-Track-N]

woo hoo parts showed last night

still trying to figure out a adjustable column
found this from GoatBilt $240 just seems overly long into cab and also easy enough to fab my own version

 

[Dune-Track-N]

Progress!

got all the block offs and bypasses on and the serpentine belt routed

figured out the fueling system

now waiting on parts again, but tomorrow pick-a-part and engine fitment 

 

[Dune-Track-N]

Engine is in but the stock exhaust manifolds are not going to cooperate.

might need a car pan too for skid plate clearance 

off to PickApart

 

[Mike E]

Gen 5 Camaro pan. It holds 8 quarts and is significantly shorter than your truck pan

 

[Dockmaster]

Curious; are you using a TH400 because you already had it? Yes, they are strong and reliable but only a 3 speed. Wondering if you will be happy with the jump from second to third and back? 

 

[Dune-Track-N]

Curious; are you using a TH400 because you already had it? Yes, they are strong and reliable but only a 3 speed. Wondering if you will be happy with the jump from second to third and back? 

Yes, but it was also always the plan to use a TH400 in all the build ideas I've had.
Simple no need for electronics or tuning nighmares with the 4L###'s. I have more then one friend who cannot keep or get the trans tune right on their rock buggies. The VSS signal, transfercase's and gear ratios just seem to be a wild card. I know there are PRO's and people with zero issue's but I just have always planned on the 3-speed and simple.

 

[Dune-Track-N]

Well PickAPart was basically a bust........ they had what I wanted but wouldn't deal on the prices. They wanted more then new price from vato-zone, so.... vato-zone for the win!

Got the TH400 bolted up and started working on the mount and link brackets.
The Th400's output shaft is going to be almost perfectly inline with the link brackets!
Link brackets are way to big and aren't going to work so ordering new "smaller individual" links from Barnes 4WD

 

[Dune-Track-N]

On the hunt no for headers center exit so I can route them out over the frame rail then down under the floor/side panel.
The next question is to if to run CATs or not. Old age i've gotten used to not smelling exhaust fuel burn HA HA :dunno:

 

[Dune-Track-N]

Yes, but it was also always the plan to use a TH400 in all the build ideas I've had.
Simple no need for electronics or tuning nighmares with the 4L###'s. I have more then one friend who cannot keep or get the trans tune right on their rock buggies. The VSS signal, transfercase's and gear ratios just seem to be a wild card. I know there are PRO's and people with zero issue's but I just have always planned on the 3-speed and simple.

@Dockmaster just for fun I ran the calculator for 1st gear speeds.
Stock gear 3.73


big gear 5.20 45mph


Most my driving will be in the 40-60 mph range anyway, so this looks OK to me.

 

[Rockwood]

Would block hugger style ones work?

 

[Rockwood]

Or maybe some zoomies... :biggrin:

 

[Dune-Track-N]

@Rockwood I think the block huggers might work. For $200 it's not a bad option to try, but.... EBAY has C6 Vette manifolds for $130-200

Summit has these https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sdm-pce316-1061

I'm worried the "height" of these will still not clear the frame at the collector. All the reviews say these hit the motor mounts and if you look at my frame rail thats where it also transitions wider. A lot going on in that space...

 

[Dune-Track-N]

here's more on gear ratio and speeds, pretty sure I can make any gear set between these work for me, test and tune will determine what we like

The stock axle has a 3.73 in it from a mercury cougar
 way to fast....
 

I've got a 5.20 gear on the shelf that's why I'm using it to compare.
 probably OK
 cruising speeds

 

[Rockwood]

@Rockwood I think the block huggers might work. For $200 it's not a bad option to try, but.... EBAY has C6 Vette manifolds for $130-200


Summit has these https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sdm-pce316-1061


I'm worried the "height" of these will still not clear the frame at the collector. All the reviews say these hit the motor mounts and if you look at my frame rail thats where it also transitions wider. A lot going on in that space...

Yeah, I was looking for "hot rod" headers like these:

But couldn't find anything.

 

[Dune-Track-N]

Decided on a tire. I was planning a 35 or 37" on a 17" rim, but since I bought the 18" wheels I finally found a solution

36"x10R18 this should work pretty well and is way cheaper then the truck all-terrain or mud tires that are common

System 3 Offroad 521513 - System 3 Off-Road XCR350 X-Country Radial Tires @ https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s3o-521513

 

[Dune-Track-N]

picking up a set of fox DSC shocks from a canam x3 this weekend!

 

[Dune-Track-N]

Got the corvette C6 exhaust manifolds today (ebay buy), looks like they are gonna work! but.... of course ran into something unexpected. I went to just bolt them up and found out the heads on this engine have a few busted off bolts and cross-threaded holes for the exhaust... well this is gonna suck to try and fix.

 

[Dune-Track-N]

a few parts finally showed up (late sunday...), new link mounts and got the shocks saturday! had to bolt one up  :1904:

made a fuel system mounting plate and got all the exhaust bolt holes fixed but one (short bolt required)