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1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

Old 04-02-2004, 02:06 PM
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Acs_guitars
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Default 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

I started this last weekend... I had been debating for a while wheather to do an MT, an ST, or at one point even a Formula car. But I finally gave in and decided to make a buggy, being my first ground-up RC I figured it would be the most simple. Solid rear axle, chain drive, ridgid rear with a front A-arm suspension. I am waiting on some bearings and drive components at the moment so all I have is an axle, wheels and the bare-bones main frame... gimme a couple of weeks and I'll have more done V- LOOK -V ...tell me what you think!
Oh yeah, it's about 1/4 scale, a 1/10 scale ST is about the size of the block under the rear.[sm=bananahead.gif]
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Old 04-03-2004, 01:23 PM
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Mel Francis
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

Hey, it looks good, but you'll need some rear suspension too, or else it'll hop around too much.

That's one of the problems right now, with my big NASCAR model. I need to install some bump compliance in my rear axle, cause when it hits even small changes in the road surface, the rear end hops and steps out waay too much. Takes all the fun out of it, especially when trying to drive from the cockpit camera.
Old 04-03-2004, 07:47 PM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

I am going with a rigid rear just for simplicity... With a chain drive it will be hard to make a live axle. Any suggestions? My only idea, which is do-able, is a swingarm type set up... simplar to a dirt bike.
Old 04-03-2004, 08:33 PM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

The dirt-bike, or early ATV rear axle setup would be good.

Pivot your live axle from a slightly forward cross-shaft, and use two short chains,
one from the engine to the shaft, and one from that shaft to the rear sprocket.

A couple of mini-bike coil-shocks mounted at the rear axle should do well.

Lots of good drive parts here: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...egoryId=544613
Old 04-03-2004, 08:53 PM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

I think that's what I'll try. I'll just need to order another sprocket and set of bearings. It shouldn't be hard to do at all. Thanks for your advice, any other pointers would be appreciated.
Old 04-03-2004, 09:15 PM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

Glad to be able to help.

This is basically what I'm going to have to do on my own car. I built it with a fixed rear axle, just to get it up and running, but it was too much of a handling compromise.

These big models have all the engineering problems of their full-size versions.

You could probably use thin aluminum sheet for the body panels.

Keep taking photos as you progress. It'll be fun to see it go together.
Old 04-03-2004, 09:42 PM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

I usually try stuff out with LEGO's before I make a design change. It is amazing how much help they can be. What would your suggestion be for a tensioner on the chain... Should I have one on each chain, or just on the swingarm?
Old 04-03-2004, 10:29 PM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

For the section from the engine to the first shaft, just set up the engine with slotted mounts, and adjust the tension with that.

A simple tensioner on the rear chain should work ok.

You can pivot the rear suspension from the second sprocket shaft, using a second set of bearings.

Since this shaft will be spinning with the smaller sprockets, your chain will hold it's tension, through the range of rear suspension movement.
Old 04-04-2004, 01:08 PM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

look at the New Era 1/4 Dune buggy. I went with that chassis style and changed the suspension to independent.
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Old 04-05-2004, 10:20 AM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

The new era buggy is a little different than what I am going for. What I am building is designed with the same type chassis as a real dune buggy. Once I am done I will have a stand-off 1/4 scale buggy that looks near identical to the Baja Bugs.
Old 04-11-2004, 11:29 AM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

how about using a belt tensioner for a full size car to tension the drive chain throughout the swingarm motion, that would both keep your design simple and alleviate the bounce in the rear.
Old 04-17-2004, 10:38 PM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

I finally have a few days off work, so I will try to get some new pics up in a day or so. I have reconfigured my frame for the swing arm set-up and I have all of the drive components that I was waiting on. Hopefully I can have the whole rear suspension and drive train set up by the end of the day tomarrow.
Old 04-17-2004, 11:04 PM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

Cool news....

I eagerly await seeing your setup, perhaps it'll encourage me to break away from my routine and work on my rear suspension too!
Old 04-19-2004, 11:32 PM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

I finished most of the rear suspension components but I didn't get around to taking pics yet... Between a 7hr school day ( I attend Spartan School of Aeronautics) and 8hrs at work it is tuff to find time for anything it seems. I promise some pics soon though.
Old 04-25-2004, 09:06 PM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

I have tried to upload some photos many times and it just won't work... I'll take some more and see if they will upload tomarrow.
Old 04-25-2004, 09:22 PM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

Make sure that your pics are less than 200 KB, or it won't accept them.

If you have editing software, edit the pics down to under 100 KB and you can still have them at a good size.
Old 05-04-2004, 10:38 AM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

I finally got a chance to downsize my pic... here it is, let me know what you think. I still have some bracing and mounting issues to deal with along with creating a tensioner befor the rear is complete.
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Old 05-04-2004, 10:03 PM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

Wow, impressive!

You might need something like a panhard rod, holding the axle in it's side-to-side movement.

Remember, the tensioner should be on the unloaded, or lower side of the chain loop, so when you accelerate and the upper chain section pulls straight, the tensioner isn't affected.

Do you think you'll be able to incorporate some mini-bike coil shocks from the Northern catalog?

Glad you got the pic size worked out.
Old 05-04-2004, 11:17 PM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

I might Have too... I modified some air cylinders into shocks. The Problem I have found is that I cannot seem to find springs to use as coil-overs. They need to ber about 10 inches long with a 3/4 inch inner-dia. There is a local company that makes automotive springs and I was going to call them to see if they could help.
Old 05-05-2004, 09:29 AM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

This is the shock I'm speaking of....12" eye to eye. At Northerntool.com- mini-bike accessories.

I'm picking up a couple of these, and will remove the spring, mounting it on the truck arm and use the remaining shock in the normal position.

$30 each.....almost as expensive as the full size stuff!
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Old 05-05-2004, 11:46 AM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

Hello, I was just checking out other forums and reading on them, this is interesting and well I usually am in the Stadium trucks and Minis forums, I thought maybe I could give you guys and idea for shocks I dont know if anyone has tried this, but maybe for your suspension look at some older oil filled bike forks take them apart or if you want to get into some more spendy stuff the rear shock on full suspension bikes has a good 1 - 3 inches of travel sometimes. maybe something from rockshox or manitou or marzocchi.

hope this helps.
Old 05-05-2004, 11:40 PM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

I am affraid of those shocks being too stiff. At most the whole car would weigh in at 65-85 lbs. Also I am trying to keep to a true stand off scale which the air cylinders are perfect size for. With them I can get up to 4" of up travel and 4" inches down... For small shocks, that much wheel travel is impossible to find. MOst only total 3 to 4 inches in total travel, mine will have 8.
Old 05-06-2004, 12:24 AM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

Yeah, you need something more suited to your lightweight specs.

The 40% Monte Carlo weighs about 130 lbs, so these mini-bike coil-overs will work well for me.

Well, keep the interesting pics coming....
Old 05-17-2004, 07:52 AM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

A rear mtbike shock should work ok for you...especially an airshock,lightweight,and you you can use a low air pressure for a softer shock.Just a thought

Joey
Old 05-20-2004, 08:51 PM
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Default RE: 1/4 Dune Buggy in the works

Well... bad news for my project. The transmission on my big-ole FORD is blown so this project is on hold for a few more weeks, all of my cash is going toward a new trany. I will post some pics as soon as I get back on top of this, keep the ideas coming.... -- ACE

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