Mike Shull
Let’s go…
I use a tape measure and cardboard. (Autocard?). I wish that I had used a program like this as it would have saved me a lot of rework.
Builds The LF40 Wheeler Build - Twin Turbo & 8 Speed Auto FJ40 (16 Viewers)
- Thread starter DangerNoodle
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- Thread starter
- #1,222
Being able to cut out stuff on a CNC makes things much more repeatable, for sure. Learning to use the software is a bit of time, but it definitely pays for itself in the end.
Mike Shull
Let’s go…
Does your program help you engineer components together so that you can prevent clearance issues when reconfiguring multiple components or does it simply help you draw a design pattern for the CNC?
I’ve seen some of your posts and you seem to have (or access) to some sweet tools. For the hobbiest the Langmuir crossfire plasma table is pretty sweet. Not production quality, but perfect for the home hack. Basics of the free Fusion360 can be l picked up pretty easily. Wish I had it at home, but access to one at work has been clutch.
- Thread starter
- #1,226
It can help with cleanace issues, if you model in what you are working around. I mostly use it for drawing and design verification that what I am planning on building is possible, and that it looks like I want it to before I start burning money.
- Thread starter
- #1,227
Well, the CAD and the Cad that I did worked like a charm.
The crossmember holds itself inplace dead on the money.
Pretty stoked with how it looks and fits.
Uppers fit very nicely as well, so they got burned in and ground.
Got the crossmember burned in as well, waiting for full link fitment to weld to the frame, though.
Fun welds for sure. Running a new Lincoln as well, so that was interesting.
The crossmember holds itself inplace dead on the money.
Pretty stoked with how it looks and fits.
Uppers fit very nicely as well, so they got burned in and ground.
Got the crossmember burned in as well, waiting for full link fitment to weld to the frame, though.
Fun welds for sure. Running a new Lincoln as well, so that was interesting.
- Thread starter
- #1,228
Here is how those upper mounts started. Nice little pile of parts.
Not super great fitment, but I only had about an hour to get them done, lol.
The next little peeve of mine got fixed today. My front link geometry pushed my lowers into the frame, it's a pain in the balls to get this thing on a hoist. Well, no longer.
Made 2 little dudes to stick lift arms on and got them burned onto the frame today.
Very nice.
I also got the new plasma table up and running today, so I will finally get to build stuff with actual reference geometry instead of guessing lmao. Need to learn new setting for this table, as it's all manual.
On the more technical side of things, here is how my geometry is stacking up, currently. Subject to change, but it's roughly there.
I'm hoping to fix my front unloading issues with some upper link changes that are necessary for clearance, but we'll see.
Not super great fitment, but I only had about an hour to get them done, lol.
The next little peeve of mine got fixed today. My front link geometry pushed my lowers into the frame, it's a pain in the balls to get this thing on a hoist. Well, no longer.
Made 2 little dudes to stick lift arms on and got them burned onto the frame today.
Very nice.
I also got the new plasma table up and running today, so I will finally get to build stuff with actual reference geometry instead of guessing lmao. Need to learn new setting for this table, as it's all manual.
On the more technical side of things, here is how my geometry is stacking up, currently. Subject to change, but it's roughly there.
I'm hoping to fix my front unloading issues with some upper link changes that are necessary for clearance, but we'll see.
You have a brilliant future ahead of you. Very nice work. And thanks for sharing!
- Thread starter
- #1,231
Starting to tack everything in for frame side links.
I still need to get the backing plates made to finish the rest of the crossmember, but those will be last in line after final welding for torch access.
Plenty of room to drop out the tcase if necessary, hopefully i won't have to for a while, though.
Started a sticker wall from the past few years of SEMA goodies. There are so many more to put up, and I keep getting distracted by it.
I think I lost something.
Found it.
Lots of room for links, I'm excited to get started.
I started roasting brackets off, but then it was superbowl time so I called it quits before getting to play with a grinder.
Anyways, I'll hopefully get the axle side finished next weekend and start playing with some 12" kings instead. So many fun brackets to be conjured up lmao.
I still need to get the backing plates made to finish the rest of the crossmember, but those will be last in line after final welding for torch access.
Plenty of room to drop out the tcase if necessary, hopefully i won't have to for a while, though.
Started a sticker wall from the past few years of SEMA goodies. There are so many more to put up, and I keep getting distracted by it.
I think I lost something.
Found it.
Lots of room for links, I'm excited to get started.
I started roasting brackets off, but then it was superbowl time so I called it quits before getting to play with a grinder.
Anyways, I'll hopefully get the axle side finished next weekend and start playing with some 12" kings instead. So many fun brackets to be conjured up lmao.
- Thread starter
- #1,232
Thanks! Hoping to get running by Cruise Moab, but we'll see. SAS for sure, though. I'll see you and Karl there!
- Thread starter
- #1,233
I really appreciate it! I don't know how much longer I'm going to keep doing this car stuff. It's a good hobby, but I'm burning out with the amount of time I always seem to end up spending in the shop both on and off the clock. We'll see, I guess.
- Thread starter
- #1,234
Alright, here is the final expected link geometry. Would love some feedback if you guys see anything you think is funky. Nothing is fully burned in yet, besides the frame side lower mounts. Those aren't going anywhere. 
Mike Shull
Let’s go…
I’m excited to hear how the new setup performs. Look what I spotted.
- Thread starter
- #1,236
Sweet! I took that last year on the Kane Creek run I was leading. We had to leave about an hour and a half earlier to make a road closure, so we got some awesome sunrise pics.
- Thread starter
- #1,237
Well, I spent about 1/2 the day cleaning axle brackets and pushing in a new shop project.
I then started on the truss. I highly debated whether or not to bother trussing the axle, but it made upper link brackets a lot easier.
So, I made a mini one lol. I don't need the stiffness, just a mounting point.
Inital test fit.
Top piece cut and bent.
Welded up. I always run outer to outer fitment on joints that I don't want to grind. I can just fill it with a weld and don't need to grind it out at all.
Nice fitment with a little grinding.
Always stitch weld on axles, they can warp on you pretty quicky. I like about a 2" bead with a wet rag to keep the heat from running.
Anyways, welded up.
Next weekend, links will be in for sure.
I then started on the truss. I highly debated whether or not to bother trussing the axle, but it made upper link brackets a lot easier.
So, I made a mini one lol. I don't need the stiffness, just a mounting point.
Inital test fit.
Top piece cut and bent.
Welded up. I always run outer to outer fitment on joints that I don't want to grind. I can just fill it with a weld and don't need to grind it out at all.
Nice fitment with a little grinding.
Always stitch weld on axles, they can warp on you pretty quicky. I like about a 2" bead with a wet rag to keep the heat from running.
Anyways, welded up.
Next weekend, links will be in for sure.
- Thread starter
- #1,238
For those that don't know, I'm also president and fab lead of my university's Baja SAE team. I've been working on the SAE chassis a lot as well, and it's been a fun little project.
It's been a good tube project with a lot of tig practice.
It's been a good tube project with a lot of tig practice.
Pura Vida
What an absolute noob
What engine does baja use again? Isn’t it like a spec 150cc motor or something
- Thread starter
- #1,240
14hp Kohler. Not very much fun lol.
