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OSP's Small-ish light-ish Zuk Buggy

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Discussion starter · #181 · (Edited)
Have to say I'm very impressed with the stickies.

Adding another 100-150 lbs with the stickies was a concern because I really enjoyed the less strained effort to get up to the rocks when I shaved all that weight with the rebuild. This felt like I was taking a step back in that regard. Indeed it was a step back, but the stickies and beadlocks were a bunch of steps forward. Night and day, really. It's what I was told beforehand, but it was still hard to imagine. These things are like velcro on the rocks, and it's so nice not to worry about loosing beads all the time (which was getting really irritating with the narrow swampers). While it's a little slower on the logging roads, it's a smoother, cushier ride. Overall a good 5-6 steps forward, maybe 1 step back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWHkrHBu2jE&feature=youtu.be

In other news, I bent one of my front links. They are 1.5" sch80 poo-pipe. I'll probably make some new ones out 2" .25 wall square tube like the rears. Or even just bend it back for now.

Goal for next wheeling trip: Pay more attention to lug nuts?

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#183 · (Edited)
Ju said:
Have to say I'm very impressed with the stickies.

Adding another 100-150 lbs with the stickies was a concern because I really enjoyed the less strained effort to get up to the rocks when I shaved all that weight with the rebuild. This felt like I was taking a step back in that regard. Indeed it was a step back, but the stickies and beadlocks were a bunch of steps forward. Night and day, really. It's what I was told beforehand, but it was still hard to imagine. These things are like velcro on the rocks, and it's so nice not to worry about loosing beads all the time (which was getting really irritating with the narrow swampers). While it's a little slower on the logging roads, it's a smoother, cushier ride. Overall a good 5-6 steps forward, maybe 1 step back.


In other news, I bent one of my front links. They are 1.5" sch80 poo-pipe. I'll probably make some new ones out 2" .25 wall square tube like the rears. Or even just bend it back for now.

Goal for next wheeling trip: Pay more attention to lug nuts?
Click to expand...
A lot of people talk about how hard stickies can be on parts, which is very true. However, with careful driving stickies can make things more easily, crawling things that otherwise would have to be bumped, ect. It that regard, they can almost be easier on parts.
 
Discussion starter · #184 ·
Well, I noticed that both front links were bent so I just pulled the less bent one and bent it more in the kinker to match the other side. Neither one seems too bent to wheel so I figure if I'm careful I might be able to get another couple runs out of them before I need to replace them. Will probably make some square links like the rears. The fronts are 2" SCH80. Obviously not ideal for long term use.
 
#187 ·
Ju said:
hmm.. chassis width I think is about 47" outside. 100" WB. About 16-18 belly I think.

Always had 4.30 diff gears and 6.5 sammy tcase.
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Awesome thanks.

How's it do with the 4.30s? Saw you mention 5.29s, so guessing you desire a little more.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
 
Discussion starter · #188 · (Edited)
Built some protection for the shocks. Had a couple close calls already. If I ever build a buggy again, I will outboard the shock hoops.

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Also the suitcase storage is a real pain to access. So, building a nice lightweight, easy-access trunk. Hopefully no more than 15lbs. Found some old fencing in the back yard. Gotta scrounge for some sheet metal to cover it, tho.

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Discussion starter · #189 ·
It crawls easily and I can bump over some stuff when I need to, but it's obviously not a rock bouncer. It has exceeded my expectations so I'm really happy. I'm also really glad that the upgrades have made such significant improvements and that the design choices I made were the right ones.

A 16valve zuk engine will be ideal when/if I end up going that route. 5.29's would probably be good, too. Full hydro and rear-steer if I stick with it, but the IFS box seems to steer ok.
 
#190 ·
Ju said:
It crawls easily and I can bump over some stuff when I need to, but it's obviously not a rock bouncer. It has exceeded my expectations so I'm really happy. I'm also really glad that the upgrades have made such significant improvements and that the design choices I made were the right ones.

A 16valve zuk engine will be ideal when/if I end up going that route. 5.29's would probably be good, too. Full hydro and rear-steer if I stick with it, but the IFS box seems to steer ok.
Click to expand...
I'd turbo your 8v over the 16v route... 1.6L 8v w/ propane and a turbo would be :smokin::smokin::smokin:
 
Discussion starter · #192 · (Edited)
Well, I managed to cheap out and get really "island spec" with this storage container build. I hacked up an old multimedia cart i got from work to get some enough sheet to cover the large panel. Then I scabbed together some leftover 20g sheet that I had lying around and did some further scabbing of the cart to build the lid, complete with a nice lip. 32" hinge $6 at Home Despot. Not too happy adding 25lbs to the buggy, but the convenience is gonna be worth it. I also added some tie-down anchors to strop a chainsaw or something to the top/lid and some wing nuts to keep it closed. Just waiting for the Tremclad to dry now.

The whole truck/gas tank section could do for a complete rebuild down the road if I ever get around to swapping in a small fuel cell.

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Discussion starter · #198 · (Edited)
Misc photos:

Storage box finished. Works great.
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USB plug installed... haven't used it yet, but can keep my iPhone GPS charged. Might put some speakers or something in at some point.
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My passenger side quarter panel kept getting smashed and I've been wanting to make the screen a big stronger for safety, but I didn't have anymore sheet metal and I figure I tend to avoid the mud and puddles anyway, so now I get more visibility out of the passenger side. I'm also planning to attach some sort of storage pocket, like an old camera bag, on the door panels - should be easy with the expanded metal.

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Ju
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