| 3 LITER POWERED SANDRAIL! MINIVAN DRIVETRAIN! |
| Look, folks send me stuff all the time. But this is something I just HAVE to post... I got an email from this kid, his Dad adapted a complete minivan drivetrain to work in the rear of his sandrail. And he used the complete front suspension from the van as well. Including the K frame and steering. Pretty darned cool. Read below to see what I would do different! And really, this is COOL! |
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| First off, don't take this as critisism. I haven't done this myself. But here are some thing I might do differently. 1. Reposition the upper strut mounts so there is neutral to slightly negative camber. 2. Install coilover sleeves to allow room for larger tires. 3. Wheel spacers with longer lug studs, or wheel adapters to use a differnt bolt pattern. 4. Equal length axle shafts like those on the 2.2 turbo cars. 5. I gave this one a TON of thought, but I think I would still use the Kframe, but install it backwards. And install the lower control arms backwards too. Then use the stock tierod ends, but bolt the inner end to a bracket that psotions the pivot point in plane with the axlew shafts. Just what I would do differently. And use balljoints that have been relieved for more travel. 6. Limit straps to keep from "topping" the strut. 7. Get rid of the stock airbox... And clean up the wiring and vacuum harness. With more money, perhaps the following: 1. Turbo or supercharged, with a complete rebuild of course... 2. Rebuild the 3 speed automatic with really tight tolerances... 3. Newer F150 4x4 hub and steering knuckle. 4. Custom axles, with outer joints to match the F150 hubs, and Chrysler inner joints modified for more travel... 5. F150 aftermarket coilover shock setup. Surely, there is a TON more stuff one could think of, but these folks did what they could with what they had on hand. If that isn't hotrodding at its best, what is? I can only imagine how much fun this buggy is to drive. And if one could fit bigger tires and wheels, offroad action ought to be a real hoot! Wanna bet this thing could wheelie? This thing just flat out ROCKS! Big, BIG Good on you guys... I'm impressed... Now, I need to get busy and do something like it... |
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