Herbie the "THUG BUG" Baja style

[CODYBOY]

I have been collecting parts for this build for a while, so guess it is time I get started! If you have looked at some of my other builds you'll know that I like to step out of the box a little!!
I'm planning on showing my new version of the MIP front axle mod, build a rear open diff, and a few other thing that are floating around in my head. I don't put together an elaborate build list, because I don't know what all is going into it. I'm doing this thread to hopefully pass on some skills and technique to some of the new guys. It will probably bore some of you experienced builders!!!!

Here is what I'm starting with, bought it on here a couple months ago.



A few parts I have so far.



Some parts I have been working on.



The engine I think I will use.



And parts for the rear open diff.



I'm going to build a whole new rear axle so I can switch from open diff to locked.
That's where I am as of today. Always open to any suggestions or questions.

[johnnyh66]

Nice!
I'm looking forward to this build.
Where did you get that motor?
Knight Customs makes some nice VW stuff on Shapeways.

[CODYBOY]

Originally Posted by johnnyh66

Nice!
I'm looking forward to this build.
Where did you get that motor?
Knight Customs makes some nice VW stuff on Shapeways.

The motor is off of a Goodwill dune buggy find. It may be just a little big scale wise, so I may need to take another look at the Knights Custom motor. I was going to try and stay away from it cause I know Hardline is doing a similar build using one of their motors.

[bilinvic]

Sub'd.....looks like a cool build is coming up.

[Sr.Irie]

It has already been informative for me I knew nothing of the knight customs motor.
I live in the dark and fed,,,,,well you haven herd it befor
Looking forward to it

[89redranger]

Following along here...

[CODYBOY]

Thanks guys, first up, I have to stop staring at parts, and start building!! "Maybe I have builders block."I want to build a full tube chassis/cage, but not sure how to deal with the IFS and get all the geometry right! Brian, do you want to come down the hill and help!

[CODYBOY]

Today I got the traxxas steering mounted on the top plate and the front diff bolted in place.
I wanted to step out of the box a little here. I have a 1/8" stainless plate that I drilled and mounted the IFS rear hinge pin bracket to. It weighs in at about 4.5 oz. It is also my skid plate, two speed trany mount, and the base for my tube chassis/cage. Weight down low..............but is it to much? I will get some photos up tomorrow.

[CODYBOY]

Originally Posted by CODYBOY

Today I got the traxxas steering mounted on the top plate and the front diff bolted in place.
I wanted to step out of the box a little here. I have a 1/8" stainless plate that I drilled and mounted the IFS rear hinge pin bracket to. It weighs in at about 4.5 oz. It is also my skid plate, two speed trany mount, and the base for my tube chassis/cage. Weight down low..............but is it to much? I will get some photos up tomorrow.

Well, no input good or bad, so guess I will go with it. I get pics up later.

[89redranger]

1/8" stainless is probably a bit much, but should be nuke-proof. If stainless is a must look for a sheet of 16 gauge. If not, aluminum @ 1/8" would probably be perfect. I personally found that the original tub is 2mm thick, and that 0.080" plate is an almost exact match for a smooth transition between the plastic diff case and the "tub" of the chassis. Either way, keep moving forward. Oh, and post some pics so I have SOMETHING to drool over. Lol.

[CODYBOY]

Thanks for the input Brian, I want to be able to solder to the plate and it will be my skid plate so alum is out for those reason (alum tends to grab rock).

Here are some photos of what I have so far. Turned some pins for the new steering. I'm not going to go into much detail here, SIR IRIE makes a much better steering upgrade that is probably a better product than what I could show you.







Steering mounted to the top plate. Using my other hammer steering upgrade as a template.



Here is the front diff with the MIP upgrade mounted to the top plate.



Now I have the tranny, front diff, and standoff mounted to the skid plate/ IFS set up.





Some photos of how it will all look under the bug body. Notice the kick up of the B5M rear arms, this helps line up the front spindles with the drive shafts. This is why I like using them. More about that later in the build.
















Next is to give a shot at stretching the body so I have a wheel base to work with. Thanks for looking.

[Poprivet]

Great build so far. Honestly this is my first time in the Twin hammers section. Nothing against them, I've just never owned one.

Sub'd, I gotta see what a twin hammers can become in your capable hands. Plus I loves the vee dubs!

I'm very interested in seeing how you stretch a beetle. I chopped a 1:1 beetle 6" a few years ago. Came out sick, but there is alot of convex curve there. It was not easy. And I had to chop up a donor bug.

Ps. Wanna ship me that lathe for the weekend? I'll ship it back...I promise.

[CODYBOY]

Well then welcome to the Hammer site Poprivet! I Have another build on here that I did a couple years ago, if you have time check it out.

Here is how I stretched the bug 1 1/4" and a few other subtle changes to the body.

I wanted to lower the top a little to start THUGGING the body, but I distorted the top and rear window, so went ahead and took it off completely.









11" wheel base.



This is the layout for the body in relationship to the skid plate. Shows rock skids and inner tube mount.




A start on the tubing, I'm sure there will be a hundred adjust. You know how it is "One step forward and Two steps back"! The good thing is that I'm not trying to copy a 1:1.







Oh, Poprivet, I need your address so I can ship the lathe to you. You should probably get it the second Tuesday of next week.

[CODYBOY]

I haven't worked on the BUG for the last couple days. Been busy on a few other projects.
One was some new sliders for Natedogs Ascender.

[snowman13]

Get back in your cage and to work on the bug!! ....but nice sliders by the way. Maybe a tease of the Jeff bars you'll build for the bug?��

[CODYBOY]

Originally Posted by snowman13

Get back in your cage and to work on the bug!! ....but nice sliders by the way. Maybe a tease of the Jeff bars you'll build for the bug?��

Patience grasshopper! I will have some new photos up of progress tonight.
By the way, What are Jeff bars? I'm always looking for something different.

[snowman13]

Uh...I guess my spell check doesn't know what nerf bars are. I didn't proofread either

[CODYBOY]

No worries bud, computers, gotta love them. I have a love - hate relationship with mine.

I made some adjustments to my cage. Like Poprivot says "One step forward and two steps back".
I added some cross bracing on the top and the brace for the lower links.






Body on shots.




Starting to like the roof profile.





More tomorrow, thanks for looking.

[Dick Dragon]

I really like this build!

I built a rock racer a while back from this same body...love the realism of it

[CODYBOY]

Thanks Dick Dragon, I'm really enjoying working on it.
Do you have photos of your racer?

Got some more shop time today, and worked on the rear link mounts.
Lower links.



Getting the upper links mount lined up and centered.



Uppers mounted on the cage. A little tip here, when I'm attaching a heavier gage material to a lighter gage, I pre-solder the heavier piece so I know I have a good joint.



Link mounts are done, now to figure out the rear shock mounts.




Shocks and links mounted. To get everything square in reference to the front arms I used the front hinge pin mounting holes to go off of.



Set at about 11" wheel base.







More tomorrow, thanks for looking.