ok, where is everyone at??? I got the engine in the buggy frame and with nothing else around it, it looks tall. From the ground to the center crank bolt, I have 37" and 28" at the flat belly. This is with 37" MTR's @ 30 psi. So...from the ground to the center crank bolt, what do you guys have?

i'm at 33" at the crankshaft center bolt. 4.3,38 swampers.

Originally posted by Wilson
and 28" at the flat belly. This is with 37" MTR's @ 30 psi. So...from the ground to the center crank bolt, what do you guys have?

That seems way too tall..I'm shooting for 20-24" max.

Originally posted by Joel K®

I'm shooting for 20-24" max.

Me too.

Good thread Wilson.:)

Originally posted by Joel K®


That seems way too tall..I'm shooting for 20-24" max.

At that height my oil pan and hydro ram would be doing some serious love making. I'm running leafs in the front now, links and coilovers are on the schedule for next year, then I can push the axle another 5 inches. I already mounted the motor as rearward as I was possibly willing to go. For reference, the front lip of the main pulley is 17" back from my spring hanger and the motor mounts are approx 2.5" rearward of the axle centerline.

Just checked... my hi-steer tie rod is 24.5" off the floor, right now. My ram is going in the same spot (double ended).
I expect the springs to settle in another 3-4" based on what they did holding up my 3.0. They are now holding up a 350, sm465 and 2 cases, but no body.

Originally posted by Joel K®


That seems way too tall..I'm shooting for 20-24" max.

just measured the belly at 23"s,might gain 1/2" or so depending on the t-case mounting.

Camo, I'm calling you out, you're/ were running a similar setup as far as a flat belly on a partial toy frame with a sm tranny.......

30" at the crank bolt...with 18" under the diff.
I dare someone to come up with a closer spread of crank-bolt-to-diff. height :flipoff2:
22-24" under the center skid plate, depending on how it's set-up.

Originally posted by JR
30" at the crank bolt...with 18" under the diff.
I dare someone to come up with a closer spread of crank-bolt-to-diff. height :flipoff2:
22-24" under the center skid plate, depending on how it's set-up.

Dammit..I thought I might have had you..but I just measured and mine will be 30" @ crank & 18" @ diff:mad: :flipoff2:

Originally posted by Wilson
Just checked... my hi-steer tie rod is 24.5" off the floor, right now. My ram is going in the same spot (double ended).
I expect the springs to settle in another 3-4" based on what they did holding up my 3.0. They are now holding up a 350, sm465 and 2 cases, but no body.

Wilson,

Sounds like you have the motor way too far forward. Most people place the front pulley directly over the center of the axle. I placed my behind a few inches because my set up is much closer than most. I realize that you have dual t-cases and this causes some issues with d-lines, but I'm sure that can be figured out. WHat wheelbase are you shooting for?

-Joel

I dare someone to come up with a closer spread of crank-bolt-to-diff. height :flipoff2:
Paging TEX to General4x4... :p

::insert pic of long-chassis mud dragster here::

Randii

I'm building it at 105" WB now, which will allow me to extend the front another 5" to 110" when I do coilovers in the front too. I will then be able to drop everything down a bit more. I should be patient and do it right the first time, but I really had no complaints about my leaf springs in my truck. The rear is getting linked for departure angle and axle control.

With the front axle in and the rear mocked into place, my drivelines are almost exactly the same length now, which was my plan for spare purposes. I also plan to run toy cv's and ujoints on both shafts, making them identical.

There are so many things to consider with building a buggy. I don't really want the engine further back because it would make for a longer nose (as well as the things I mentioned previously). I'm just glad I don't have to worry about fitting this drivetrain into a truck body. As it is now, my distributor would have been sticking through the dashboard of my toyota!

You portal guys really have your work cut out for you, when building a buggy. Joel, got any pics of what you're doing?

Update....... I got the engine height down to 30" Looks nice and low now.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=2056523