Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

I have been wanting to build a moonbuggy for awhile, literally years actually. Recently Tedo started a cone dodger (1:1 comp rig) build thread and it got me thinking more on the subject. I recently got a new TIG and I've been ITCHING for something to build. I have plenty of projects that need to get done of course but sometimes I just want to work on something new :roll:

Last year I competed in WERock Grand Nationals in the Stock Mod class. One of the unlimited teams out there was Justin Hall with Team Rock Hard. I talked with Justin and shot some video at the event. Their car was originally the Campbell moonbuggy that ran many of the XRRA events back in the day. Seemed like a great car to model a build after!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.n...77774143_n.jpg

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/NvfJpNnjGpA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Pretty insane little climb, I'm sure the pucker factor would be QUITE high.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/pGsrzGj3F7M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

Videos:

Video 1 - Introduction
<iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/iPQdHUXB59Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

Current Setup:

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

The new TIG is the Razorweld 160P. It's a high frequency start machine that also has the pulse function. I've only got a few chances to weld with the machine so far and absolutely love it.

https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/...29354725_n.jpg

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/w8Ut8D5B9pw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Really looking forward to building a full chassis with this machine.

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

I called Justin and asked him to shoot some pictures for me. It was nice to work right with him to make sure the details of the chassis were right.

I started as I normally do lately, with a CAD design. I scaled the chassis off the Wraith wheelbase and skid plate. I did have to stretch the center section a little to cover the skid adequately. After that, the chassis came out to be right at 1:7 scale.

It took 3 shots before I was happy with the design and Justin was finished telling me details I had missed :ror: The top design is the final model. Although it will still require some additional bracing as well as panhard mounts and such.

https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/...57825691_n.jpg

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

Justin is a cool kid. Look forward to this build. Glad to be involved with him as one of his sponsors. And I just got a set of 38.5 Falken stickies today.

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

From the CAD model, I remove each tube and create easy to follow templates. These allow me to cut the tubes to the right length, bend them to exactly how I had them drawn, and match the angles when constructing. It's almost cheating!

https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/...96307835_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/...37997308_n.jpg

https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/...93559789_n.jpg

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

Very cool! It's always interesting to see the guys involved in the full size world over here playing with toys. It was nice to meet Justin and his family.

So what are your stickies going on? I've seen them on Justin's and Matt Messer's rigs so far. Looks like they worked well for Justin at the first event.

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

Very cool. Thats a nice buggy.

The fun part is trying to hide a axial trans and electronics in one with a 3D interior.

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

This is a big chassis so I should have a decent advantage but I agree it will still be a challenge!

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

Sa weeet!

I just sold cone dodger to BigBaller, because my heart is to make an 4WS Unlimited rig instead of the Promod. I have my Elmo buggy, but it's more of an XRRA short Course racer by design.

Are you doing CMS? on this?

Will you be providing the pdf of the schematics like previous builds?

I am really torn between the old school cool of the campbell buggies, and Jesse Haines's Unlimited.

Very cool!

So you did get something done this weekend...
Clock is ticking....

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

I will be running an axle mounted servo but hope to keep it super low and possibly incorporate a couple of ideas I've been wanting to try.

PDF template is hosted on my site now. It is labeled as a DRAFT until I actually build one and test that it works.

Link to the templates:
Unlimited Moonbuggy | Harley Designs

I've always been obsessed with the Campbell buggies. I think the first offset one was actually called Tiny (not a campbell) but I know them mostly from the CE crew. Jesse's old unlimited has a cool style too, but I have to have to build one of these, just have to do it.

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

Still running the Mattzilla for the TTC, unless somehow a miracle happens and I get this done and those guys OK it for use.

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

Cant wait to see this take shape! If you need any other info Josh. Let me know!

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

Almost any event I go to guys are playing with these after wrenching on their 1:1. ;-)

They are going on my 2013 JKU. :ror:

http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1da97708.jpg

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

Started to throw some rod at the project. Local supplier only had 1/4" chromoly tubing so I went in the direction of availability and used my standard 3/16" cold rolled.

I thought since this thing being all kinds of out of square it would be much easier to fabricate. WRONG. Making the roof lines match up while being so drastically different from one side to the next was a HUGE pain in the ass. I ended up scrapping the entire first attempt at the chassis.

After the second shot, this is where I'm at. Pretty happy with the current status of the chassis and it matches the templates very closely.


There is also a video link in the 2nd post. 8)

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...43377294_n.jpg

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

Here's a few more angle around the top half.

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...00477638_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...19582964_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...75196733_n.jpg


Quick relative size check.
https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...07800404_n.jpg

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

I bet this will come out looking smaller then a Wraith. By the looks of it (in your vid), it may be the same width, but it is shorter (which will make the wheel base shorter), and I bet the cage will be lower, giving it that low-slung comp stance. Run droop, and there ya go!

Also, you should do the battery tray behind the cab with a "2-D" motor cover (like you again mentioned in the vid). This what I did with my 2.2 comp buggy:
http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/h...IMAG0721-1.jpg.

Works pretty good at concealing.

I'm sure with that printer, you could make even a better battery tray cover...

Glad you are doing this man!

Re: Harley's Wraith Moonbuggy
 

It is definitely considerably shorter. The height will be pretty close to the same though. I plan to run near full droop, I want to get a pair of the RC4WD shocks like you ran on that right it looks like. I think I have a pair but need another at the minimum.

I do plan to run the battery in the rear in the area of the motor cradle on the 1:1. Still lots of details to go and if I can get it built to a roller soon I can vet those things through quickly.