ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum

ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: Memphis on November 09, 2005, 12:04:41 PM

Title: Project: Bushwacked
Post by: Memphis on November 09, 2005, 12:04:41 PM
Hey guys, I have finally cracked and starting to get the Zuk flu. Anywho, I was reading over the "Operation: Rockstar" build up and I am set on designing a Zuk similar to that.

Insurance is not my best friend right now, so I can't afford to put a vehicle on the road, a zuk in particular. Anyway, since my family owns a farm I am thinking of starting a buggy build up and wheeling it there, and towing it to places if I get the chance.

Now the plan is: find a cheap kick (talking in the $500 range) rust isn't going to be a huge factor seeing how most of the body will be getting chopped.

Specs: 33" tires
Rear Axle: hopefully stock, will a welded rear diff hold up to 33's?
Front: Open
Gears: ??? Maybe gears out of an auto to help compensate a little for the huge tires?
Transmission: Manual
4x4
Homebrew 2+2 lift, compliments to Zuwharrie and maybe Digger for their services.

Protection: This is where I want to be extra careful. Now seeing I do not have access to a tube bender, I was thinking. What if I ripped the stock roll bar out of a Heep and put it into the zuk? Would this be possible? If not, what are some of my other options out there?

Custom bumpers front and rear will be added with reciever hitch, or tow hook or some sort.

Do you think this project is going to be a kick in the pants or managable?
Title: Re: Project: Bushwacked
Post by: blacknight on November 09, 2005, 12:21:49 PM
$45 go buy a pipe bender
http://stores.channeladvisor.com/best-choice/items/item.aspx?itemid=3801661
Title: Re: Project: Bushwacked
Post by: Memphis on November 09, 2005, 12:39:12 PM
holy shite! A cheap pipe bender HAHAHA. This could be a very good option. I was told that pipe bending is EXPENSIVE.
Title: Re: Project: Bushwacked
Post by: jason hutchison on November 09, 2005, 01:15:42 PM
there has been huge discussions and debates over pipe vs tube bender.. I don't think anyone ever won...
Title: Re: Project: Bushwacked
Post by: Rhinoman on November 09, 2005, 02:32:35 PM
holy shite! A cheap pipe bender HAHAHA. This could be a very good option. I was told that pipe bending is EXPENSIVE.

depends on how many times it takes to get it right  ;D

I'll bite on the other bit too, whats the difference between a pipe bender and a tube bender?
Title: Re: Project: Bushwacked
Post by: AJMBLAZER on November 09, 2005, 05:23:50 PM
Putting auto gears in a manual equipped Tracker would be going the wrong way.  You'd be putting 4.62 gears where 5.12 gears were.  In other words it'd get even slower.
Title: Re: Project: Bushwacked
Post by: SnoFalls on November 09, 2005, 07:00:01 PM
Putting auto gears in a manual equipped Tracker would be going the wrong way.  You'd be putting 4.62 gears where 5.12 gears were.  In other words it'd get even slower.
well ... it'd get "faster" ... but yea, it's the wrong way to gear if you want performance with larger tires.
Title: Re: Project: Bushwacked
Post by: bandit86 on November 09, 2005, 08:12:01 PM
just put the 2+2 in, chop the fenders out and drive it.  less work and it's safe
Title: Re: Project: Bushwacked
Post by: Digger on November 09, 2005, 10:15:27 PM
Whenever you're ready to buy a set, I got you covered with coil spacers! LOL!
Title: Re: Project: Bushwacked
Post by: mudfkr on November 09, 2005, 11:26:29 PM
I'll bite on the other bit too, whats the difference between a pipe bender and a tube bender?

Tube is hollow section with a O/D measurement where as Pipe is hollow section that is measured by I/D so when you bend tube with a pipe bender it  does'nt fit the die properly and distorts the bend.

Normally the pipe bender wrinkels the inside of the bend.
Title: Re: Project: Bushwacked
Post by: chet on November 10, 2005, 08:16:37 AM
thats not totally correct pipe has a nominal dimension that matches neither ID or OD! Also those cheap benders are whats called a bow & arrow style bender and can kink the pipe. A real tube bender like a JD2 rolls the tube over the dies (hard to explain but easy to see) you get much nicer bends.

I have one of the cheapo ones like shown above and it works great! I built an exo cage for my toyota and am currently building a front bumper for the kick. If I ever get some free time!
Title: Re: Project: Bushwacked
Post by: tsanchez on November 10, 2005, 08:45:31 AM
Okay, I don't want to hijack the thread, but I have a quick question.

I would love to get into bending and welding so I can learn to fab my own stuff.  What size welder does one need to do roll cages, bumpers...etc?

Will 150 or 200 amp work?
Title: Re: Project: Bushwacked
Post by: zaggy on November 10, 2005, 08:47:39 AM
Yes........

It's what I use

Zag
Title: Re: Project: Bushwacked
Post by: chet on November 10, 2005, 11:20:52 AM
yep thats a good range. I have a 180amp 220V wire feed and it will do more than I need. You can get away with a 120V welder on a 20A circuit but its not as good and for thicker stuff you will have to use flux core wire.
Title: Re: Project: Bushwacked
Post by: tsanchez on November 10, 2005, 11:30:06 AM
cool, thanks for the info guys - and as I said, didn't mean to hijack
Title: Re: Project: Bushwacked
Post by: Memphis on November 10, 2005, 05:29:56 PM
Not a problem dude, it actually answered a few of my Q's as well. Keep em coming.