Veterans, what have you changed on your F-Toy?

[Albuquerque Jim]

This one's for the veteran F-Toy owners/builders...what have you changed on your rig since you built it?

Or, what will be your next change?

[ToolBox Guy]

This one's for the veteran F-Toy owners/builders...what have you changed on your rig since you built it?

Or, what will be your next change?


Don't get any ideas, we aren't even done with yours yet.:flipoff2:

Besides I am the one making the plans!:laughing:

[Albuquerque Jim]

LOL, I just want to do it right the first time...

[EarlKann]

subscribed. :flipoff2:

[RE:Todd]

For #006, ask DToy and JCA, but they'll tell you everything has been changed :D :D

[m016324]

I bought mine (#5) and there are several things that I would change, but most of them are for rule changes that weren't in effect when the truck was built.

-in board springs
-rear discs
-hydro assist
-I would like to lower it a little especially in the hood area.
-probably change to propane to facilitate lowering the hood and simplicity
-put arb switch within reach without having hand off gear shift
-some kind of e-brake
-recess the winch some
-lay the radiator back for some more clearance

I'm sure there are more but those stick out in my head right now. Works great as a trail buggy but wouldn't be as competitive in events

-ben

[azyota]

The small stinger up front. I have been hung up on that thing more than I ever would have imagined. Eventually I'm going to cut it off and redo the winch mount and lights.

[benttoy]

Everything but the trans/t-case, driver and spotter

[FYRDUDE]

:laughing::laughing:EVERYTHING:laughing::laughing:
Check out the build in my sig. And it will change again.

[a2b]

i could write a book on this.

[Pook]

i could write a book on this.


Do it... lets us hear what Hobies ultimate comp ftoy build would be if he could start from scratch ;)

[benttoy]

Do it... lets us hear what Hobies ultimate comp ftoy build would be if he could start from scratch ;)

Do we really want to go there again?:D

[a2b]

Do it... lets us hear what Hobies ultimate comp ftoy build would be if he could start from scratch ;)

thats another book. and that depends on what you want to build it for. as far as comps go, its all relative. mine, the way it is, is setup great for what i want to attain during comps and trails. the last 2 years have proven that it works too. but there were a couple very key elements that my ftoy was missing that would improve performance that i never got around to installing.

he just asked what we changed over the years. i have fully rebuilt mine 3 or more times in certain areas.

[Albuquerque Jim]

but there were a couple very key elements that my ftoy was missing that would improve performance that i never got around to installing.

Please elaborate:D

he just asked what we changed over the years. i have fully rebuilt mine 3 or more times in certain areas.

Did you rebuild things because they wore out, broke, or upgrades?

[toy86]

just wait a little bit till the front range f-toy is finished, copy it and you wont do any better than that

[Im4yotas]

We got pretty lucky with #20. Only thing Sean really changed later was switching to a 2 piece front driveshaft and full belly pan, and adding some cushy bumpstops. It's been a while, so I might be missing something. I'm sure Brett can elaborate. I know he put some red label Krawlers on there, that had to make a huge difference from the old SX's.


I guess we did put a Diamond housing in with chromo shafts after running a while, then some cryo'd gears...

[mtbrjon]

Please elaborate:D



Did you rebuild things because they wore out, broke, or upgrades?

He rebuilt the rig because he was able to overcome the bootyfabatosis that plauged him in his younger days.

Hobie's rig needs TG housings front and rear (rear is on the way) and front and rear winches to suck the suspension down. Front is on and will be rerouted to attach to the axle and rear winch has been purchased and will be installed soon. I can't think of another thing I would change.

[benttoy]

I belive this is where hammer hog is supposed to post pedal mount pic

[mtbrjon]

I started to put a "insert pedal mount pics here" in my post!:laughing::laughing:

[a2b]

just wait a little bit till the front range f-toy is finished, copy it and you wont do any better than that

no, dont do that. dont copy for the sake of copying, copy what people have done if it fits your needs.

brian's rig is awesome for what it does, it doesnt mean that everyone needs one built like that. his rig cant do some stuff that mine does great, and vise versa. even brian will tell you that.

my rig was short and turned better than any other ftoy this year, but i know of some northern guys that dont want a 103" wheelbase.

there isnt one best way to build an ftoy.

the right way is to build it for what you want to do with it.

[desertoy]

no, dont do that. dont copy for the sake of copying, copy what people have done if it fits your needs.

brian's rig is awesome for what it does, it doesnt mean that everyone needs one built like that. his rig cant do some stuff that mine does great, and vise versa. even brian will tell you that.

my rig was short and turned better than any other ftoy this year, but i know of some northern guys that dont want a 103" wheelbase.

there isnt one best way to build an ftoy.

the right way is to build it for what you want to do with it.

Also, there is alot of things that we do for competitions rigs that I wouldn't do on a trail rig because it costs to much or it makes things less comfortable.
The best idea is to look at as many build threads as you can. Ask questions. Then take all of the ideas that you like and implement them on your chassis.

[Brian Ellinger]

Agreed.

Ours bellied at Donner once, and had to take a back. I watched marlins rig either light or no touch on the belly in the same spot.

As for copying ours, or anyone elses for that matter, couple tips:
decide what you want for final rig (height, places to compromise, etc.)
Look at other rigs, that meet what you are trying to do.
Build from there.

I can tell you right now, copying parts of ours, and parts of another is not going to work. As with all that are built, there is a compromise in what you get in the end. Thats part of the beauty of this class, is one rig will do well in one area, and fall short of another in a different area.

As for changes we plan to make:
-a good engine, rather than a knocking, worn out, mockup motor!
-re mounting rear shocks, (temporary in the first place)
-adding 3rd CV, in shaft from tcase to carrier bearing, so we can run 80 in 4wd.
-aluminum fuel cell, plastic works, and was a time consideration
-adding 1 or 2 seats in the back.
-more belly pan for the engine and behind the tcase

One other thing is look at other builds, even outside this class. We didnt look at ftoys for ideas and ways to build, I looked at the pro mod that I drove, and an unlimited, rear steer buggy as well.

As for how ours works, things we're not happy with, rear suspension droop for high speed, the back end gets light, and comes of the ground too easy. Again a compromise, works great in the rocks, but I want the performance for faster stuff. We've got a couple ideas, but have to work on the above list first.


no, dont do that. dont copy for the sake of copying, copy what people have done if it fits your needs.

brian's rig is awesome for what it does, it doesnt mean that everyone needs one built like that. his rig cant do some stuff that mine does great, and vise versa. even brian will tell you that.

the right way is to build it for what you want to do with it.

[Jeep07]

One other thing is look at other builds, even outside this class. We didnt look at ftoys for ideas and ways to build, I looked at the pro mod that I drove, and an unlimited, rear steer buggy as well.

Thats a good idea.

Mine is built for fun, enjoyment and reliability (hopefully). I'm not concerned about trying to win werock or anything, just to have a good time and enjoy myself. Anything I would change on the rig? Well yes one thing. PRP seats... That will happen by may i'll bet.

[Albuquerque Jim]

I concur with the "don't copy" philosophy. That wasn't the intent of this thread. The intent was to learn from what experience has taught the vets here.

I have read every possible F-Toy build several times and a lot of the recent Toy Builds on PBB. I haven't read many of the Comp. builds, good idea on that, thanks Brian.

Keep it comin'!

[Hammer Hog]

As it's been said before, build what will fit your needs.
Comp, trail, duel...

I've made tons of changes. Nothing major, but just improvements...like propane conversion, rear disk, removed belly pan for tucked cross-member, lower R&P gears, rear ARB, Diamond front housing, etc.

I have built mine as duel purpose...but not necessarily trail, unless you count the Hammers as "trail."
I have made it F-Toy comp legal, but it's also built for family. I installed a removable rear seat, more floorboard areas for kid protection, heater (wify), etc., all of which I would not have done if it was strictly a comp buggy.

Just make sure you have fun on your build, and realize that you WILL make changes down the road.

Good luck on your build:D

[a2b]

i talked to jim earlier and his plans are to build a nice 4 seater family trail rig...comp legal.

therefore, one of many suggestions was to not flat belly the tcase.

how many of you have driver a ftoy with the regular 2" drop bud built crossmember? i have and the first thing i noticed was the amount of leg room in the cab. and more importantly was the fact the ftoy had fat man prp seats in them that fit easily. the fat man seats dont fit at all with the tcase flat bellyed. and you dont have to fab up a weird floor on the passenger side to accomodate for the tcase and you have more room for the exahaust.

[SanDiegoCJ]

i talked to jim earlier and his plans are to build a nice 4 seater family trail rig...comp legal.

therefore, one of many suggestions was to not flat belly the tcase.

how many of you have driver a ftoy with the regular 2" drop bud built crossmember? i have and the first thing i noticed was the amount of leg room in the cab. and more importantly was the fact the ftoy had fat man prp seats in them that fit easily. the fat man seats dont fit at all with the tcase flat bellyed. and you dont have to fab up a weird floor on the passenger side to accomodate for the tcase and you have more room for the exahaust.

Although mine is far from a legal F-Toy I found I had to drop the engine/trans/T-case
down 2" from where I had it originally to have room for the seats. This is a valid
reason to not go flat belly unless you absolutely have to.

[handlebar]

The 042 car has learned a few lessons from last years comps, I think the biggest was tires. We started with MT Claws, not good, we now run BFG Krawler KX ,the half tread version. Kind of $$ but worth the money. Power assist steering is mandatory { not really but really} The only other mod was the bug deflector and rear view mirror.

[Stealthrunner]

:evil::evil: And the next mod to be done to F-Toy # 56....................:evil::evil: 39" bfg krawler!!!!! this weekend!!!!!:grinpimp::grinpimp:

[MT4Runner]

For a trail rig, and my first trip on the trails, I found that not having any built-in storage was a pain in the ass!!

I tried ratchet-strapping down tool and gear bags, and found myself very jealous of the built-in storage and bolted-in ammo cans on Jeremy Farrell's / Gettintheretoy's Ftoy 003.

I'm going to build a low-profile "trunk"!!

[Tarbaby]

For a trail rig, and my first trip on the trails, I found that not having any built-in storage was a pain in the ass!!

I tried ratchet-strapping down tool and gear bags, and found myself very jealous of the built-in storage and bolted-in ammo cans on Jeremy Farrell's / Gettintheretoy's Ftoy 003.

I'm going to build a low-profile "trunk"!! x 2 major pain in the ass not having any storage.

[Jeep07]

For a trail rig, and my first trip on the trails, I found that not having any built-in storage was a pain in the ass!!

I tried ratchet-strapping down tool and gear bags, and found myself very jealous of the built-in storage and bolted-in ammo cans on Jeremy Farrell's / Gettintheretoy's Ftoy 003.

I'm going to build a low-profile "trunk"!!

Storage is a pain unless you mount your tanks like hobie did and that gives you tons of room. I however have saved my back seat area for a seat so I just bought one of the black and red tuffy storage bin things from walmart and mounted it between my tanks. It works really well for my tools and fluids and I strap my cooler or bag to the top of it. I have some room under the tanks and I probably need to find some good storage boxes to throw under there..

Here you can see the little tuffy box thing.
426359

One thing I'm wanting to change is my winching switches. I've realized when I need to winch is when I'm up sideways about to fall over and leaning forward to the dash to hit the winch in switch is really a pain especially when I'm having to run throttle and clutch and steering at the same time and have my 5 point harness on which really makes leaning forward impossible. I need to build a nice center console to cover the trans and mount some switches in there along with eLocker switches. Time to call 12 V guy for another panel...

[Im4yotas]

I had the same storage issue. I was strapping soft coolers and tool bags all over the place. Looked like crap and usually didn't stay strapped in very well either!

Best trail rig style mod I've made is building this tool box. Holds my spare U joints, TRE's, tool bag, tow strap, some rags, small cold weather gear, a few quarts of fluids, TP and trash bags. I also made a basket as part of my tank mounts to make strapping little things down easier and more effective.

And there are several bicycle bags strapped to the buggy out of the way that carry snacks and water, cell phones, wallets and our emergency GPS for KOH (topo map:D).

[ftoy507]

I may attempt to put my radiator in front of the winch. I hope this will increase airflow (car does not overheat) and allow the winch a better path to pull on the front axle.
I may go cheap and easy and rig a pulley system or use a bar across the frame to route the synthetic cable and not get good life out of winch rope.

Got any good pics of a front suck down winch?

My PRP fat man seat fits pretty good on the drivers side with a flat belly. The passenger is a skinny man seat and the unique mounting allows storage of a backpack under the seat. Add a winch bag in front of the seat, (under the passenger legs) using a bungee to attach it to the seat mount, and I am in pretty good shape for most runs. Lucky for us on the east coast your rarely more than 30 minutes at 40mph from camp.