Considering building UTV

[ColdChuck]

Folks,

After seeing these big price tags on used and new UTV's, I am considering building UTV for hunting and riding around the acreage and national forests.

I am considering the use of Subaru EA82 engine and powertrains as the basis. These parts are plentiful and cheap around here. The problem I am having is that I like to limit the wheel width to 60 or so inches, my calculation shows when using standard 8" wide ATV wheel that I would have limited turning radius. So, my option is to find different narrower engine or raise transmission high enough to clear those wheel but at severe drive axle angle.

Any thoughts? This will be limited to no rock crawling or jumps or high speed driving - just pure utility use in narrow trails.

Thanks.

[ColdChuck]

One thing I failed to mention is that I need to have 4x4. I thought about having 4 wheel steering put in the design to help compensate for limited front wheel turning clearance (approximately 4" clearance between tires and engine valve covers according to my calculation).

I am willing to entertain any other options in regards to engine and transmission choices.

Thanks.

[doco4114]

I don't know what your fab skill/budget is, but how about using some offset gear reducers as portal outers?

Then you'd get a couple benfits

reverses rotation - this puts the engine in the back, giving you all the clearance you need for your steering setup.

offsets wheel output - yay portals

gives you an extra gear stepdown - more torque at the wheel, or larger tires if you want em.



example of offset gear box (I'm not endorsing these guys, it's just the first link I found that fit my needs): http://www.rinomechanical.com/gearbox_in-line-spur.htm

[ColdChuck]

Doco,

thanks for providing the link to the gearboxes. I looked at the PDF of the gearboxes. I cannot help but wonder how much these gearbox runs? I do not have access to machining equipment so I have to have someone to make me something to work.

Using this gearbox may allow me to use perhaps a small 2WD engine and transmission for rear wheel drive car instead of using Subaru engine and transmission?

This will be a budget build. I figured that I would put in maybe 2 or 3 grand into this project recyling much components as possible. I initially thought I would probably use 4 of Leone front wheel hubs as 4 wheel steering and install 3 cylinder hydraulic steering system (2 cylinders up front and 1 double ended cylinder in rear). All four wheel is independent suspension just like factory subaru and other factory UTV. I would like to pattern the design based on Polaris Ranger style not RZR or other high performance type.

thanks

[jstandle]

Here's a China built Rhino Clone, I think it's a GIO. Ad says they use Suzuki samari differentials.

Might look it over and see if you can design it more cheaply off what they did. I think with the parts list you'll be in it well over half the price of a used Rhino, plus your labor, it might not be worth the hassle to build one.

[ColdChuck]

Okay, I am eying a Sidekick early 1990's perhaps for running platform to build UTV. We would like to have IFS system, small FI gas sipper engine. I can get upgrades to suzuki drivetrain like lockers at later date. any thoughts about that?

I was thinking about hunting. Here in CO, we have to unload and case firearm when riding in OHV. Motor vehicle we dont have to but the chamber has to be empty. So i think Sidekick based UTV will do because i keep registration and plates but I am not sure about the requirements of having DOT tires.

thanks

[jstandle]

How can you keep reg and plates if you're only using the drivetrain of the sidekick? Not sure about Colorado but I was thinking most states thats tied to the frame/VIN stamp?

[ColdChuck]

What I had in mind was to keep some of the body (it is unibody, yes?) and do some modification to the body to resemble 4 seat Polaris Ranger with dump bed. So, I think I should be able to keep regs and plates for this vehicle.

Maybe narrowing the body by few inches and stretch the wheelbase by few more inches would be better?

[bigo1966]

I built this EA-82 buggy from a wagon, total investment was 2000.00 and 500 of that was tires.

http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...rch_type=&aq=f