ok guys not sure you are all going to like this as it doesn't contain any beetle bits :o :o :o
I have always liked the idea of a beach buggy, time and circumstance has finally come round that allows me to build something
a short list of things I think I would like
swb
rear wheel drive and probably front engine
a vee engine of reasonable capacity,( I have always subscribed to the eight is great theory )
wants to sit on a modern chassis that can all mod cons like power steering, abs brakes, traction control etc
wants to bear some semblance to a beach buggy but upto date looks and dashboard etc
quiet an ask really but always up for a challenge, so heres the body I have decided on, street hoppa,
(https://s19.postimg.org/rs29zp8gz/,mkj.jb.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/ywu8qi4v7/orange61.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
so I had a chat with the guys at hoppa and a deal was struck, next time I was passing Devon I called in and picked a nice new shiny body in white
(https://s19.postimg.org/frd7bim1v/IMG_20170407_153726791_(1).jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/6jkyutezj/)
a couple of pics of the way the guys at hoppa produced the moulds for the body
(https://s19.postimg.org/68lfhnb4z/concept_1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/jqsbtxnab/concept_4.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/g8gbxjmeb/concept_7.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
next was what to sit it on, was trying to avoid having an iva so what ever I used needed to stay mainly unmodified
Suzuki vitara was what I had in mind, wheelbase is 2200mm whilst the buggy was intended for a 16" shorter than usual beetle floorpan which is 2000mm I think
so theres my first hurdle
(https://s19.postimg.org/l0q58zh2b/019640x480.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
vitaras can be 2 or 4 wheel drive, the 2 wheel drives just have the front axle and driveshafts missing like the picture above
however the engine still sits up high to give axle clearance, now I wanted a fairly low bonnet line so the engine needs to come back and down a bit like this
(https://s19.postimg.org/97xul97vn/untitled4wt.png) (https://postimages.org/)
clearly that's a rover but I was planning on keeping it all Suzuki and using a 2.7v6 out of the vitara xl7, nearly 200bhp and all alloy,
intending to use the whole wiring loom as well to keep it simple
but before we get that far we have some body issues to take care of, not only does the body need stretching 200mm it needs widening up a tadge to as a vitara is quite a wide animal,
so before I got the trusty angle grinder out I made up a whole bunch of moulds of the existing shell so I could make up patch panels to aid the stretch
(https://s19.postimg.org/gw6aqly5f/2013-01-01_21.36.54-1.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/cpq1p0nxf/2013-01-01_21.37.09.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/47glkohen/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/g48855jc3/2013-01-01_22.06.48.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/3plg4trtr/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/sjdvvcxsz/DSC00003.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/jblnenqqn/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/6b9wi846b/DSC00004.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/hnmi00cv3/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/wkuz10q3n/DSC00005.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/5zsg5gnq7/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/vl99j20bn/DSC00008.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/klo27g9wf/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/i6dax56oz/2013-01-19_00.31.35.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/d7psim2vz/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/slevsbehv/2013-01-19_00.31.00.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/h92aaj5sv/)
now stretching the length was the easy one the width is a lot more involved
I staggered the cut to help with the realignment, the result was pretty good you cant tell where it was cut,
looks a little longer which oddly make it look faster even when its sat on the bench lol
(https://s19.postimg.org/smotlqgbn/2013-01-19_07.33.12.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/toz049z4v/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/rw1njzdpf/IMG_20170512_073306403.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/a5zyyy04f/)
This is looking very good. Like the idea of the hopper with a modern chassis
hi
so the length was easy to alter to match the vitara chassis, however the width needed a bit to,
first to get the body to sit better over the tyres as they were protruding a bit to far for my liking
(https://s19.postimg.org/bilaoackj/2017-04-08_01.22.30.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/hwadrjhgf/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/u1zl1xw6b/2017-04-08_01.28.04.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/zdehmni8v/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/mv2zqq42r/coloured.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/7z4gj4snz/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/i2so8dfz7/2017-04-08_02.26.54.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/wlzt9s93z/)
secondly it needed widening as when I dropped the seats in they touched in the middle leaving no room for a propshaft to make its way to the back axle
and thirdly I needed the body to span across the front suspension towers so it would sit lower
(https://s19.postimg.org/qii8pviub/2017-04-08_02.26.38.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/qii8pviu7/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/i2so8dfz7/2017-04-08_02.26.54.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/wlzt9s93z/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/9n3lxs6jn/2017-04-08_02.27.44.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/ss6v7jl7j/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/gg8k7smqr/2017-04-08_02.33.36.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/pb9eibbj3/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/jykk46nmr/2017-04-08_02.32.57.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/i6rl9a49r/)
splitting and widening the body throws up the windscreen, how do you widen a fiat 126 screen by 5" lol
with out stating the obvious as it was rear engine and aircooled as designed it dident need a front grill, but I do
(https://s19.postimg.org/jykk46nmr/2017-04-08_02.32.57.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/i6rl9a49r/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/t8jclvb4z/IMG_20170419_165207280.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/s6963bsbj/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/53n8hwg83/IMG_20170513_163636486_(1).jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/hv1eoepzz/)
Looks like a Chrysler grand voyager grill
Quote from: Shaggy on June 04, 2017, 06:18:10 PM
Looks like a Chrysler grand voyager grill
close, its Chrysler PT Cruiser, grill curvature is the same as the hoppa front end, which means the bonnet is also and following that on the windscreen too !!!
(https://s19.postimg.org/53n8hwg83/IMG_20170513_163636486_(1).jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/hv1eoepzz/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/d5l4anuoz/IMG_20170513_164234701.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/h1yg6nfof/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/76t2btqn7/IMG_20170419_170823235_HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/ci7ywjcpr/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/y9loq4c9v/DSC00092.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/prc8ls5r3/)
That will look awesome when it's done 😀👍
Anything that requires the destruction of a PT Cruiser to build it is ok in my book.
PT Cruisers are pitifully awful goddamned creations that should be burned with Thermite.
Quote from: ben_w on June 04, 2017, 08:27:35 PM
Anything that requires the destruction of a PT Cruiser to build it is ok in my book.
PT Cruisers are pitifully awful goddamned creations that should be burned with Thermite.
Ha Ha I haven't met anyone yet with a good word to say about cruisers yet, must be one out there somewhere :-\ :-\ :-\
Looking good!
Liking this build a lot especially when it involves thinking outside the box! ;-)up
Quote from: targabuggy on June 05, 2017, 03:12:28 PM
Liking this build a lot especially when it involves thinking outside the box! ;-)up
Box ? you mean there's a box I should be thinking in ;D ;D ;D I think not, never been one for doing that lol
right plan A got changed fairly early on that was the Suzuki v6 engine, nothing wrong with them at all just something more interesting fell into my lap
I tripped over a lexus Gs 430 what a car drove it round on a test drive for 9 weeks just to make sure all was tickerty boo
it was, ok in a car that weighs 2.2 tons it will accelerate to 60 in around 5 and a half seconds and will power on to nearly 160 mph should enable me to keep up with the traffic in a sub 1 ton buggy
(https://s19.postimg.org/6t51y2tr7/2017-04-08_02.31.22.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/vz604wv1b/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/979ylsr37/DSC00083.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/y0jimga3j/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/th6ru0ysj/DSC00179_(Large).jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
just out of interest I strung up on the scales the 4 pot oil burner that Suzuki fit as standard in there diesel models, its a mazda derived engine for this vintage
the lexus V8 although wider and longer was 40kg lighter, the swap would be worth it on those grounds alone let alone being pinned in my seat with a stupid grin from ear to ear !!!!!
(https://s19.postimg.org/kohl5599f/IMG_20170401_171051664.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/lqrrnos2n/)
Fantastic concept, looking forward to the rest of the build
Re
Quote from: baloo on June 04, 2017, 08:40:16 PM
Quote from: ben_w on June 04, 2017, 08:27:35 PM
Anything that requires the destruction of a PT Cruiser to build it is ok in my book.
PT Cruisers are pitifully awful goddamned creations that should be burned with Thermite.
Ha Ha I haven't met anyone yet with a good word to say about cruisers yet, must be one out there somewhere :-\ :-\ :-\
I actually really like them - cos no matter what I am in they make it look better
And people worry about drilling the first hole in a new shell you have gone slightly further than that.
Well done looks a great project ;-)up
Quote from: ben_w on June 04, 2017, 08:27:35 PM
Anything that requires the destruction of a PT Cruiser to build it is ok in my book.
PT Cruisers are pitifully awful goddamned creations that should be burned with Thermite.
actually I have a confession to make :o crusiers have been growing on me :o :o :o :o I know I know its probably curable with tablets or shock therapy ;D
if Chrysler had made them rear wheel drive with a separate chassis and a big horsepower engine perhaps they would be more appealing, who knows :-\ :-\
I had been hunting around for a cheap convertible for my screen as the frame is reinforced to take a rollover but in the end I bought a front chop as I couldent find a cheap one, well one that was near enough to fetch, why would I want I convertible complete ? well I am getting far far in front here but I was looking at the tub shape of a convertible with the roof down and its not a million miles away from the shape of my hoppa buggy shell, now if l could alter/reshape my shell to mimic the cruiser I could take the power roof off a cruiser and use it on my hoppa and as I am using a cruiser screen and surround it would all marry up and lock into position,
any way that's far far in the future for now I accept that skin is water proof and if it rains I will either get wet or not go out lol
ok this might jump about a bit, the plan all along was to use a Suzuki mk2 swb vitara rolling chassis un modified preferably, but when started" I dident have
one, but I did have a vitara mk 1 lwb rolling chassis so I started with that and chopped out the centre of the chassis to make it the same length as a swb, simples !!
no not really lol there were so many differences between a mk 1 and a mk 2
(https://s19.postimg.org/i4qjosb37/IMG_20170402_121757917.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/99ppe9man/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/n4nzwqgpv/IMG_20170404_181522183.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/88pgp55b3/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/5dgyw0qoz/IMG_20170404_181600496.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/x0toa4bvj/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/p2z98gylf/IMG_20170408_144245285_HDR.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/p2%3Cbr%20/%3E%3Cbr%20/%3Ez98gylb/)
now I need a wider screen that the shell was designed for looked at a few but was after something with a lot of curve in it to match the rest of the hoppa buggy
and that's how I arrived at a pt cruiser screen nice and curved, once I had a screen well I decided I might as well have the bonnet as well and use the original bonnet hinges wipers and dash for that matter
(https://s19.postimg.org/xxzmzm6g3/DSC00084.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/myefo0g0v/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/orhccc17n/DSC00086.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/4wvaq7lzz/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/qbr9ogyzn/DSC00088.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/vzxkfd3bz/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/izltixgrn/DSC00091.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/e0yb4ecyn/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/y9loq4c9v/DSC00092.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/prc8ls5r3/)
this is just a prototype chassis as I have cut it and chopped it about, a real unmolested one will be along shortly
Quote from: baloo on June 03, 2017, 08:30:20 PM
ok guys not sure you are all going to like this as it doesn't contain any beetle bits
Who said it had to ? :-\
I`m loving this build - its absolutely awesome and so refreshing to see something different that is still a Buggy ;-)up ;-)up
If you are that bothered by the lack of beetle bits put one of those silly based on the dashboard - simples
Loving this thread, keep it coming
Dave
I had one of the first PT cruisers in the country and at teh same time got the same reaction as my buggy did, with peole stopping, staring and waving.
THe originals were great cars, except they were slightly underpowered and thristy with it. They were in all ways, a really nice Cruiser.
I did really like mine. So there, you have found someone.
And the build looks great too.
Chad
sometime around now a mk2 vitara turned up
(https://s19.postimg.org/bbl4vedyb/DSC00030.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/jtukzqkgv/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/x832i11r7/DSC00021.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/esilkmnmn/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/hw6akplib/DSC00100.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/svrhwbbxb/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/5vkujze3n/DSC00102.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/56227mdjz/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/dcu1z73mr/DSC00101.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/mkmafwaov/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/ovjfhbnkz/IMG_20170607_192803184.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/50xdv78db/)
well i just called in to add some updates and it seems photobucket has now changed its policy unless you cough up $500 a year you cant link onto forums ::) ::)
can I attach photos to this post ?
Quote from: baloo on July 15, 2017, 07:31:57 PM
well i just called in to add some updates and it seems photobucket has now changed its policy unless you cough up $500 a year you cant link onto forums ::) ::)
can I attach photos to this post ?
ok I found your thread about photobucket
chassis went of to the shotblasters and came back al shiney and new looking, I do like cleaning things lol
I had to modify my "spit" I built for my dax rush as it wasent long enough so I whopped 10" in the middle
to be able to lock the spit in any position I added a transmission braking of a landrover, afterall if theres one thing a landrover is good at its breaking lol ;D
anyway that enabled me to mount the Suzuki chassis so that I could spin it over to paint properly
(https://s19.postimg.org/ck0a8x82r/DSC00175.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/jn85ojdi7/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/foscye80z/DSC00152.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/ybra0ticj/DSC00153_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/jm6fwbg2r/DSC00154_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/9q5cwoaar/DSC00155_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/pi0djpvdv/DSC00156_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/3t1hfut5v/DSC00157_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/6luozvtib/DSC00158_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/tysqie9lv/DSC00159_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/ejtpf9w6b/DSC00160_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/xq6wigco3/DSC00172_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/fonrknin7/DSC00173_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/ennivj1nn/DSC00174_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/feg91b40z/DSC00175_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/nmi6mavxf/DSC00177_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/jc3iqpqub/DSC00178_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/th6ru0ysj/DSC00179_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/4vg9c51cz/DSC00183_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/a853q9p9f/DSC00184_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/9wnndi8tf/DSC00185_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/6r7n11fkz/DSC00186_Large.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
(https://s19.postimg.org/yv5k1koir/DSC00188.jpg) (https://postimage.org)
Loving this thread. I'll be awesome when finished ;-)up
How did you post your new pics :-\
Paul
Quote from: pepsi81 on July 31, 2017, 09:04:13 PM
How did you post your new pics :-\
Paul
was easy lol, I looked in the thread on here about photobucket and some one suggested postimage.org so I uploaded everything that I had on pb onto there instead so when my other pictures disappear again after the 2 weeks concession they have made I will just link to postimage instead
if I can edit on here that is
I'll give it a go . Thanks ;-)up
(https://s19.postimg.org/57zfh4f8j/gs430_vitara.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/fi1ugd53z/)
engine and box are almost in the right place. well they were sitting about 10mm above the front crossmember but I have decided to drop the sump off and modify it just a little which will then allow the engine to drop down another 75mm, may as well have it as low as possible, there is plenty of room under the bonnet on the buggy but after this I fancy a fugitive style buggy same vitara chassis but with tube frame work and that will need the engine right down low to get the long low bonnet look
something like this with front engine low down to get the fugitive look
any fugitive fiberglass panels out there ?
(https://s19.postimg.org/e958mmfc3/p3837705_zps9oybehoa.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/6gekun9cv/)
Quote from: pepsi81 on July 31, 2017, 09:32:19 PM
I'll give it a go . Thanks ;-)up
if I can do it every one can do it I am a dinosaur when it comes to computers I still think a cookie is something I have with my milk at bedtime ???
Done it ;-)up Don't know if the pics will stay on the forum :-\
I like to dunk my cookies too ;D
Thanks
Paul
Quote from: pepsi81 on July 31, 2017, 10:02:10 PM
Done it ;-)up Don't know if the pics will stay on the forum :-\
I like to dunk my cookies too ;D
Thanks
Paul
great stuff, looking at postimages front page it describes them as PERMANENT LINKS one could be forgiven for thinking permanent was a long ish time lol
but then again I thought photobucket was free lol
Thanks ;-)up
can admin grant me access/permission to edit my posts so I can go back and delete the links to photobucket and add in the ones from postimage
so we don't loose all the images ?
Quote from: baloo on August 01, 2017, 05:53:14 PM
can admin grant me access/permission to edit my posts so I can go back and delete the links to photobucket and add in the ones from postimage
so we don't loose all the images ?
MODIFY button should now have appeared for you ;-)up
Keep up the good work as absolutely loving this build ;-)up
cool, thank you, will work my way through re instating the pics
edit: first page done will look a second page in a bit, might have added few extras in, its tricky remembering what was there lol
been working my way through the suspension components and painting them black, think I must have been a cleaner in a previous life as I really enjoy cleaning stuff up lol, not sure you can see just how shiny the axle is in these pics but here we go anyway
(https://s19.postimg.org/7evg3ug4j/IMG_20170806_160832576.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/cdiyidjxb/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/iuraoa0pv/DSC00201.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/75nb0b9r3/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/nmwilz603/DSC00200.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/prgvn27mn/)
(https://s19.postimg.org/j8smnvktf/DSC00198.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/7jomzwtun/)
I have said this before , there are some clever buggers on here, and you sir are one of them !, I love this one , sort of lotus elise at the back meets judge dread at the front! Great work and great vision, cant wait to see this one finished 👍👍
Great work! cant wait to see it all together :D ;-)up