New guy, new project: 1988 BII wheeler

[JohnnyU]

Poly cells aren't that expensive really. I'd rather buy a fuel cell than have to build one, that's a bit sketchy....

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/8-GALLON-FUEL-CELL-WITH-CAP,446.html

 

[leumas12]

Wow youre right thats not bad haha. Most ive seen (aluminum) are $200+. For $100-150, it might be worth it haha. Now i just need to find one that's narrow, and tall rather than wide... Thanks alot man

 

[pickuptrucker]

wow this thing is a beast awsome b2!

 

[spaz1879]

any luck on find a fuel tank for your truck? i think you could make one if you tested it to be water tight couldn't be that hard to weld up a box water tight

 

[leumas12]

no luck finding a tank in the shape i need (long and tall). I will worry about it more when i get there, but i may try my hand at making one. They have gas tank sealants that i can cover the welds with just to make sure there are no pinholes or anything. First thing i have to do right now is get my suspension all set up. I think those dakota springs are gonna flex like mad for me but still be pretty stable

 

[pickuptrucker]

we could build you one at our school, if you pay for the cost of matierals and make any donation size you want to the welding program. we would have to ship it from oregon but it would be good quality for sure!

 

[leumas12]

hey thanks man. i will definitely consider that offer

 

[pickuptrucker]

sweet thanks
we need some more donations were running out of BBQ money
ha ha thats just one of the things we use the program money fore. and field trips and things like that. and we learn

 

[spaz1879]

anymore progress on the build its been sometime with out some update pics im Fiending for some lets see some

 

[leumas12]

Not much to update . Its been storming like crazy around here lately and its made welding and/or any work outside of the garage pretty much impossible. Its driving me crazy! We got some decent weather today (no rain at least) so i started making the spring hangers for the leaves. Pretty simple, should have em done saturday if not friday . The truss has also been modified so when i do break out the welder, that will get burned in too. Rear axle MIGHT be ready to rock this weekend... We'll see!! Thanks guys

Sam

 

[leumas12]

Well still not a lot to update, still working on spring hangers and reworking the rear truss.

I did look at the front axle though. With the height of the truss, theres only about 3" between it and the frame rail. That means that this thing will pretty much be riding on the bump stops and not really have any uptravel. Obviously this wont be enough. To address this problem i plan on raising the truck up about 1.5". Still isnt going to be too tall. Also, i think i am going to notch the frame about 2.5". Here is what im thinking:

The vertical line is my approximate axle center line. The other line is the cut im thinking of making. This is going to give me another 2.5" of clearance above the truss, increasing the overall clearance from 3" to 7". Of course the front portion of the frame will be boxed also to make up for any lost strength. Thats about it, hopefully i will have more to update tomorrow. Thanks guys!

Sam

 

[spaz1879]

That seems like a good idea to me if your going to box the front of the frame. I dont think it would hurt having more clearance.

 

[Crazy_Bronco_2]

WOW. this build is awesome!!!!
Good job, bud!!
keep up the good work!!

 

[leumas12]

Thanks alot guys

The rear axle is all done. Moved the spring perches in so that now they sit directly under the frame rails and shortened the truss to fit.

Heres how it started:

And here it is after the change:

By being shorter its less effective in keeping the housing straight but still will do its job in keeping the tubes from spinning. Leaf springs are ready to bolt up so whenever the weather around here permits (we've had 50% of our average ANNUAL rainfall in about 2 weeks). Hopefully this week/weekend i can get the springs bolted up and figure out the hangers. Thanks guys

Sam

 

[spaz1879]

to solve your problem i did some reading you can just get a bar from the bottom of the axle to a cossmember that is on the frame to reduce the "axle wrap" (which is the changing of the pinion angle) incase some people didnt know. This can cause breaking of yokes driveshafts u-joints ect.

i know you might not want to go with this design because you might lose some ground clearnce but i figured i would shoot this out there to provide some support. Hurry and finish so i can nominate this BEasT for TOTM



<http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/susp/axlewrap/>