John Deere Buggy

[Johndeerebuggy]

I am building a rock buggy. This is where I am starting. I picked up a 1996 Corvette Lt1 engine form a local corvette salvage yard. I ripped all the stock accessories off of it and replaced the driver side accessory bracket. I went with a Camaro style, passenger side accessory bracket. I worked with PSC motor sports to put together a steering pump to power a ram for my Dana 60.

Here is my next step I am about to rip it all off again to put a new distributor on it. I have done a lot of homework. The stock opti-spark is a piece of junk I hear. MSD makes a good replacement. I have not read anything on the board about The Dynaspark. http://www.dynaspark.net I have read great things, other then its price. This thing is sealed tight and will ruin under water as long as the vent hose is not submerged.

Is anyone running this Dynaspark distributor? How does it hold up to wheeling?

Thanks,

Before picture with stock vette bracket and accessories




After




I am trying to finish up my engine right now while my space is occupied by an 82 CJ7. I am going to be selling it soon. This will be a Trail Buggy for the AZ desert and surrounding areas. I want to go with a low narrow body 2 seat design. As of now I have to get the old rig out to make room for a new chassis. Then it’s BUILD ON!!! This will not be a kit buggy. I want to build it. I have my front and rear axels my link aluminum, engine, transmittion.

Project name
John Deere

Paint
Just like a tractor

Chasis
All custom tube chassis.
Wheel base of 112”

Suspension
Triangulated 4 link front and rear. Aircraft grade Aluminum links. Heim joints
Lower link arms 2” Upper link arms 1 ¾”
16” coil overs.
Rear sway bar

Drive Line
Corvette LT1 V8
TH350
Atlas 4 speed
Rear radiator

Axels
Front Dana 60 – Ford Kingpin High Pinion. Trussed
Rear GM 14 bolt shaved and trussed

Steering
Full hydraulic double ended ram.

Tires
42" Tires

[RATHEFSJMAN]

damn that is farm boy style its name should be tractor

[charliechuck]

this is one of the coolest things ive seen and if the rest of the build goes like this i will be in love!

[comeonstart]

Got a question for you, why do you spend all this time and money that ends up as free advertising for another company?
________
Web shows

[TommyGp]

Unless you do a lot of water crossings or end up with a leaking water pump, I'd just run the stock optispark. The MSD and others don't fix the actual problem with the opti. The electrical traces are too narrow and close together, so once any moisture gets in there it's toast.

I have your exact engine (without the combine paint scheme) and always figure the opti is going to take a dump but it's been fine so far. The PO wheeled it for 3-4 years before I bought it and never had an issue.

When it comes time to replace it, I'm going this route http://www.delteq.com/products_opti.htm

I picked up the coils on eBay for around $50 and am just waiting until it craps out to pick up the rest of the stuff.

The '96 has a better system than previous LT1s that seems more durable. One thing that will kill it is low-voltage. Make sure the charging system is in good shape and you'll be fine.

[Johndeerebuggy]

Originally Posted by comeonstart

Got a question for you, why do you spend all this time and money that ends up as free advertising for another company?

I assume by free advertising you are refering to the john deer paint scheme? I have no good explination other then I love John Deere. I just wanted to go with something that would really say what a Deere nut. Make it look cool and break it.

[ROXROES]

Originally Posted by Johndeerebuggy

I assume by free advertising you are refering to the john deer paint scheme? I have no good explination other then I love John Deere. I just wanted to go with something that would really say what a Deere nut. Make it look cool and break it.

It's your rig and your dime. Just make the rest of the rig "deere" quality.

[MonsterSeven]

ya, fight club is a great movie.

[Johndeerebuggy]

TommyGP,

Thanks for that info. I am going to look into the LT1 OPTI-DIRECT IGNITION SYSTEMS.

[misfitmarty]

Looks nice, How about some specs on what you plan on building.

[VB CJ 5.7]

I am going to paint my CJ Deere green... so I am looking forward to this build. Just dont say you are going to run loader tires on it!

[xjemily]

im also a fan of john deere products,and although an lt1 is a nice start,it would be cool to here what your plan for this build is,w/out that info im afraid
this thread may start to sawk

[AQHACowboy]

I have a LT1 in my 89 YJ and I have also posted about different set ups on LT1 forums. From what I have read and been told by the different companies that make upgrades for your Opti Spark. You will still run the Opti Spark distributor and the aftermarket system uses it like a cam sensor. So with that said you really are not fixing the problem of the Opti spark at all. The PO who put the LT1 in the YJ used a 94 sealed Opti spark. It had 98k miles on it before I swapped in a new one and the PO use to mud race the YJ with this set up. Your best be for more info would be to read some of the LT1 forums and also call the companies that you are looking at. That is just my .02 on the Opti Spark.

The LT1 looks sweet and I like the JD Green also.

[TommyGp]

Originally Posted by AQHACowboy

From what I have read and been told by the different companies that make upgrades for your Opti Spark. You will still run the Opti Spark distributor and the aftermarket system uses it like a cam sensor. So with that said you really are not fixing the problem of the Opti spark at all.

Not to take this thread too far off track, but until he actually posts some other build details I guess it's still OK to beat this horse.

Actually, the opti-direct system does fix the problem. By taking the high voltage out of the Opti it experiences significant increases in longevity and durability when subjected to moisture. The high voltage arcs across the traces and burns them up, thus destroying the opti. This is well documented in the LT1 forums.

Now, I personally haven't had any problems with mine, and the PO hadn't either. I will freely admit that I haven't done much wheeling lately though due to schedule conflicts.

[Johndeerebuggy]

Originally Posted by misfitmarty

Looks nice, How about some specs on what you plan on building.

I have updated the post.

TTT

[Kyron]

pictures or it never happened

[Dookey]

Originally Posted by AQHACowboy

I have a LT1 in my 89 YJ and I have also posted about different set ups on LT1 forums. From what I have read and been told by the different companies that make upgrades for your Opti Spark. You will still run the Opti Spark distributor and the aftermarket system uses it like a cam sensor. So with that said you really are not fixing the problem of the Opti spark at all. The PO who put the LT1 in the YJ used a 94 sealed Opti spark. It had 98k miles on it before I swapped in a new one and the PO use to mud race the YJ with this set up. Your best be for more info would be to read some of the LT1 forums and also call the companies that you are looking at. That is just my .02 on the Opti Spark.

The LT1 looks sweet and I like the JD Green also.

Although the delteq system still uses the stock opti for the trigger it is still a superior setup. The optical trigger inside the opti isn't the problem area with the LT1 opti spark.

[jpfrk2001]

need more pics

[AQHACowboy]

Dookey you are right once again, I rechecked my info and you are right and I might goto the Delteq system if my Opti Spark goes out. It costed me $600 for a whole new OEM set up from Advance Auto Parts, that was for the cap, rotor and the Opti Spark distributor if you want to call it that.

[ROXROES]

So why is this in the "Jeep-Hardcore Tech" section?

Spec's outline a cool build, I'm just rattling your chain about no Jeep association.....................

[75johndeere]

love the motor i still need to paint mine to match the rest of the jeep