Ranger tough truck racer

[donaldcon]

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I hope you don't take any of my comments and suggestions the wrong way, I'm want to see you succeed in a safe manner.
I wonder what your rules say about the rad in the cab. Every set of rules I've looked at specify no fluid lines in cab. It doesn't take much more hose to run it behind the cab, and make the line connections face away from the seat as much as possible. Nothing like scalding hot water to take your attention off winning the race. My research has told me to keep the cap or some fill point as the highest point in the system to avoid problems with air pockets and overheating.
I think you might want to add a diagonal to your rear hoop, from top drivers side to bottom passenger side.
As well I would suggest that you raise your shoulder belt mount. You don't want the shoulder belt to compress you into the seat, it's meant to keep you from hitting the dash. Your lap belt is what's supposed to keep you in your seat. There is a good article about this subject in the tech section at Pirate 4x4. do research elsewhere as well, it's always good to have more than one point of view. If you haven't already bought a 5-point harness, I would suggest Hooker harnesses' ratcheting system http://www.hookerharness.com/racingaccessories.php . It's pricey, but IMO the best bet so far.
Looking good so far, I can't wait to see video of you racing.

Richard

 

[donaldcon]

When I am done ill be seperated from the radiator everything beside me will be closed in we have no rules. stock frames and dot tires are our only limitations.

 

[donaldcon]

Havent touched this thing in a few weeks, had other thing son my plate. Tax return will be here in a few weeks and then It''l get finished!

stay tuned.

 

[Andres629]

This thing is/will be cool. Good work so far!

 

[donaldcon]

Finally got back to work on this thing. Got the coolant lines ran and the new tires and wheels installed friday

Today I started on the interior, becuase the radiator is inside the cab I had to box it in to keep from getting myself int rouble should a hose or something blow.
I dont have any fancy tools at my place so it snot as good as I could have done at my cousins shop but it will do. Top panel is screwed on so it can be easily removed to allow better access to the radiator and battery. Though the door does still open for quick access.

In this pohoto some of the stuff isnt all the way riveted down ( I ran out of rivets) so it looks a bit off but you can tek what im attempting to do atleast.

Hoping to get that stuff finished tommorrow so I can spray a coat of paint on it all and get my seat and belt permantely mounted by days end.

Hoping to start exterior finishes weds and have it painted thursday.

 

[86 slo-vo]

how are you getting air to the radiator if its closed up in the cab?

 

[donaldcon]

Air comes in through the fire wall and exits out the back of the cab via several 2" holes i drilled.

I let it idle for over 2 hours yesterday before boxing the cab in and it only made it to 150 degrees. We are on the truck for under a minute in most cases. I ran for 4 years without a radiator, I dont think I'll have any cooling issues. But I did think about it and if thats why I made the filler between the cage and the firewall 2 pieces. If I have cooling issues I can pull the one piece out and build a "tunnel" to force the cool air in.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Glad to see your back on it.

Richard

 

[99RangerOffRoad]

You could always make a forced induction type scoop on top of that box to force air into the radiator, assuming you don't run a windshield.

 

[donaldcon]

You could always make a forced induction type scoop on top of that box to force air into the radiator, assuming you don't run a windshield.

Thats the plan if I have any cooling issues. But building one in my shop without the metal brake and proper metal shears would be tough so it needs to go to my cousins for that. Once I get it done I'm goig to go baja it through my woods for a couple hours to check cooling and any other weak points

 

[CountryBoy78]

looks like a fun toy, are you going to put some padding around that tin box? hate to see you slice yourself open getting bounced around in the cab.
What size tires you running on it now?

 

[bilzy7]

Call me an idiot. Is it like off road racing or some kind of destruction course? Either way sounds fun. I'd love to blow a grand get a used Mack truck and plow through the idiots who brought cars...

 

[kris97ranger]

this thing looks awsome... i wish we had events like that around here. we barly can get a mud bog together.

you going to put bedsides on?

 

[donaldcon]

I wont be getting bounced around the cab, i'll be tucked tight into a 5 point harness, cage around me will get padding.

Tough Truck racing is sor tof like motorcross mixed with monster truck racing. Typically you run a single lap with only you on the track best time wins. Obsticals rang from frame twisters, long jump, whoops, mud pits, log crossing, ect. Kind of like an obstical cours eI guess. A mack truck would be stuck on the first jump, if you can drive a car you can out run the 20,000$ trucks, they just dont make it more than a single run.

If I can fidn bedsides on the cheap I want to put some on, but its not a priority at the moment.