CO- Formula4 Build

[ColoradoToy91]

Started working on mounting the chassis

[VolcomCO]

Look good, can't wait to see the finished rig! I'm seriously thinking of going the same route

[ColoradoToy91]

Looking for some advice on my drive shafts-

The Front from flange to flange is 40"
The Rear from flange to flange is 52.5"

I am thinking about doing a 12.5" rear shaft to a carrier bearing and then a 40" shaft to the rear third. This will allow me to run the same length shaft front and rear. It sounds good to me, but I am unsure about the length of these shafts since this is the first long wheel base rig I have built/worked on.

Constructive feedback? Will a 40" shaft on either end be a rock anchor?

Wheel base came in at 119" btw

[chvyhs]

I have a 119" wheel base on my Formula Four and I run two single drive shafts. The front shaft is square tube and can be used in the rear. I never worry about them on the rocks. You just have to pick the best line for your rig.

[artj123]

lots of the ftoys run a carrier bearing on the front shaft for that reason. the only thing i can think of being a down fall is the tube in the rear holding the bearing. you might want to run a little longer shaft to take the angles alittle better. if you do it right 10'' of travel is possable with leafs so think about full droop. also longer shafts dont change lenth as drasticly so you could save on the slipshaft if you can recycle oem stuff. i bought an 18" slip from extream enginering and had them do it for me because didnt have a lath at that time and it was like $250. just a thought.

[seriousscout]

Originally Posted by ColoradoToy91

Looking for some advice on my drive shafts-

The Front from flange to flange is 40"
The Rear from flange to flange is 52.5"

I am thinking about doing a 12.5" rear shaft to a carrier bearing and then a 40" shaft to the rear third. This will allow me to run the same length shaft front and rear. It sounds good to me, but I am unsure about the length of these shafts since this is the first long wheel base rig I have built/worked on.

Constructive feedback? Will a 40" shaft on either end be a rock anchor?

Wheel base came in at 119" btw

i did the same thing in my four seater two 39'' just have to buy two long slip yokes

[noahfecks]

I ran full length square drivelines in mine, they did occasionally make contact with a rock or two. The beauty of the square drivelines is that they are as tough as the rocks. Some may recall an incident where I repeatedly tried to make a climb in Tucson bringing the full weight of the rig down on the driveshaft over and over. Driveshaft had a slight bend. From time to time it was also nice to put the driveline on a rock intentionally and walk the rig over. Obviously the speed limitations are the downfall of the squares. If you decide to go that route I still have three of them I am tripping over on the garage floor, one has a slight bend.

[ColoradoToy91]

Originally Posted by noahfecks

I ran full length square drivelines in mine, they did occasionally make contact with a rock or two. The beauty of the square drivelines is that they are as tough as the rocks. Some may recall an incident where I repeatedly tried to make a climb in Tucson bringing the full weight of the rig down on the driveshaft over and over. Driveshaft had a slight bend. From time to time it was also nice to put the driveline on a rock intentionally and walk the rig over. Obviously the speed limitations are the downfall of the squares. If you decide to go that route I still have three of them I am tripping over on the garage floor, one has a slight bend.

What are the lengths?

[ColoradoToy91]

Got a lot more done over the past few weeks. I need to take the chassis over to Blast Tech to get the rust removed before I mount it permanently. I made the decision to skip the carrier bearing for the rear shaft. This will be street legal so I am going to have to try and balance a heavy wall rear drive line. Some Pictures:

Overall shot as a roller


Front Shackle Angle


T-case is ~1/2" below the frame. Not a flat belly for two reasons- 1. I don't have a 10* rotated adapter due to the single case 2. And as a result to get the passenger seat to fit decent the t-case had to be lowered from flat belly height.



Drive Train Shots






Started Working on the Taurus fan for my radiator

[MT4Runner]

How about that rust convertor primer? I don't think the rust was that deep.

You're not planning to powder coat it, are you?

[ColoradoToy91]

I hit a large part of it with one of these


and it took the rust off. IT was super time consuming though. I have never heard of rust converter primer

Edit: Not powder coating- spray paint and maybe some roll on hammered paint

[MT4Runner]

Originally Posted by ColoradoToy91

I hit a large part of it with one of these


and it took the rust off. IT was super time consuming though. I have never heard of rust converter primer

Edit: Not powder coating- spray paint and maybe some roll on hammered paint

When I first finished my buggy, I wished I had powdercoated it.
Now that it's 4 years old, I like being able to touch up spray paint. Whatever color you pick, buy a half dozen extra cans for touchup (just in case your favorite hammertone paint gets discontinued or something).

[ColoradoToy91]

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...ght=phosphoric

[ColoradoToy91]

$16 at Home Depot
http://www.homedepot.com/Cleaning-Re...&storeId=10051

[noahfecks]

Originally Posted by ColoradoToy91

What are the lengths?

They collapse down to 36" and they would still maintain 10" of engagement extended out to 48". Would be alright for your front but it sounds like your needing something balanced for some speed.

[ColoradoToy91]

Is 1x1- 0.0747 wall thick enough for the flooring support?

[ColoradoToy91]

Made a mount for the fuel cell, completed half the floor, started the master cylinder/ booster mount

[ColoradoToy91]

Originally Posted by ColoradoToy91

Is 1x1- 0.0747 wall thick enough for the flooring support?

Also, can any one give me the measurements of the red lines on the grill tube shown below

[ColoradoToy91]

What gauge steel are people using for the floor, roof, and side panels? 20 gauge, 16 or ???

I am to cheap to shell out the coin for fancy aluminum

[Mr Roxy]

I used .063 aluminum as that's what everyone said to use. I found it up by Denver for 80.00 dollars for 4 sheets that were 4X10 I believe. When I get a chance I will see if my wife still has the reciept with the name on it. It was a steel place in someones back yard and really cheap.

[Mustard Dog]

Originally Posted by Mr Roxy

It was a steel place in someones back yard and really cheap.

Did he sell spools of copper and 'used' car parts too

[dwishart505]

looking great, you are catching up with our build.

what fuel pump are you going to run?

[ColoradoToy91]

Originally Posted by Mr Roxy

I used .063 aluminum as that's what everyone said to use. I found it up by Denver for 80.00 dollars for 4 sheets that were 4X10 I believe. When I get a chance I will see if my wife still has the reciept with the name on it. It was a steel place in someones back yard and really cheap.

The name of the place would be great. I was going to price sheets from
Alreco, 11299 Brighton Road, Henderson, CO 80640 (303) 287-7210. I was thinking of using steel because I can weld it, unlike aluminum.

Originally Posted by dwishart505

looking great, you are catching up with our build.

what fuel pump are you going to run?

Some external fuel pump from napa that I ran on my truck it is black and noisy

[Mr Roxy]

Originally Posted by Mustard Dog

Did he sell spools of copper and 'used' car parts too

As a matter of fact he might have But the price was right.

[ColoradoToy91]

Figure two months was a good wait for an update . I have bee trudging away and make as much progress as I can working on it one day a week. I am leaving on vacation this weekend and won't touch it for a few weeks.

Anyways, almost done with the floor, not bad for my first sheet metal work:


Front End:




Booster mount: