Builds What the Foo is this???

[nukegoat]

I guess I don't understand the question. If it can handle highway speeds I could just as easily turn your question around and ask why trailer it vs simply driving it?

I haven't seen many 80s that need trailered and was just curious what about OPs landed it in that category. I'm not trying to s*** on his rig (and I've only read pages 30-current) but I haven't seen anything besides the gearing that would have me tote it around like that. He's referenced off-road parks a number of times and having grown up on the East coast with the only real wheeling being such places I suppose it kinda makes sense. Although, personally, I'd just as soon not deal with a trailer anytime I can avoid it.

Shrug. Different mentalities is prob the answer.

Trailering means you can go harder and have a contingency plan

 

[chap79]

It’s a multi day wheeling trip and they’ll be base camping at Southern Missouri Off-Road Ranch (SMORR).

 

[BILT4ME]

I guess I don't understand the question. If it can handle highway speeds I could just as easily turn your question around and ask why trailer it vs simply driving it?

I haven't seen many 80s that need trailered and was just curious what about OPs landed it in that category. I'm not trying to s*** on his rig (and I've only read pages 30-current) but I haven't seen anything besides the gearing that would have me tote it around like that. He's referenced off-road parks a number of times and having grown up on the East coast with the only real wheeling being such places I suppose it kinda makes sense. Although, personally, I'd just as soon not deal with a trailer anytime I can avoid it.

Shrug. Different mentalities is prob the answer.

This is just ONE of his projects and trucks.

Top speed is like 50 MPH at 4000 RPM. The gears are something like 6.52:1, then a 2:1 reduction on the portal part. He's got 39.5 Pitbull tires, but that's just to improve it a little.

I'm not sure what his final drive ratio will be in low range, but he doesn't NEED low range. He's already something like 3X reduction of a standard truck.

I went back in the thread to find the gearing, but couldn't find it.

Watching this thing walk over stuff before was impressive, now the 40's....... and the beadlock wheels!!!!

 

[EvanD]

Gotcha. Truly appreciate the explanation. As I said, wasn't bashing the rig at all. Clearly some serious work has been done.

I've just never considered having a rig that needs to be trailered so it's not a world I know much about. I'm sure if I had the substantial means it's takes I'd love having one, though!

 

[woytovich]

Trailering means a comfort level. If it breaks you can just put it on the trailer and grab a beer

 

[2fpower]

Guess I was driving too much to take some good action pictures.....

 

[2fpower]

I guess I don't understand the question. If it can handle highway speeds I could just as easily turn your question around and ask why trailer it vs simply driving it?

Lots of questions on why I use a trailer. Several reasons. Lets play with the scouting reasons....

1. We live about 3 hours from any good off road park. I like to wheel hard AND we wheel with people that wheel hard, so it is a safety net for my car and for friends. I have driven Foo back before and my friend used my truck to pull his injured rig back, so this is our way to have options. A scout it prepared! A scout is helpful!

2. My truck gets about 16 mpg pulling my rig that gets about 11mpg. I actually save money pulling it. A scout is thrifty.

3. When I wheel, I find that I take the harder trails when I know that the rig will only have to make it back to the trailer. In this immediate case, I pretzeled my steering arm (tie rod) trying to climb the waterfall at SMORR. Bottom line is that I am less concerned with damage. A scout is Brave.

4. In Foo's case, it's max speed is just over 45MPH. Just not safe on a highway for the others on the road. A scout is courteous and Kind! Probably illegal too. A scout is obedient!

5. Finally weather is the final point. When you have a roadster.... this is not a convertible as the top does not pop back on... you are exposed to the elements. I have to work to afford this addiction, so I can't hang out waiting for Kansas/Missouri weather to clear up.... A scout is clean (not soaking wet).

I love folks that drive their rigs to events -- just not how I roll. @Flatlanderfj40 drove his 40 down this weekend and was awesome to see.

@woody used to have a rig with his sleeping quarters on the rear, then pull his rig on a trailer. I always liked that idea, but wanted a travel trailer I can take on trails in Colorado, so that is where I am now, hoping to find a gooseneck just long enough to pull a rig and the travel trailer.

To each their own.

 

[Flatlanderfj40]

I’m borrowing the trailer, and didn’t have the key to be able to open it take out all the stuff to get to the bolts and then unbolt it...

The tires on this trailer aren’t the best, blew one of them on the way down to the off-road park, so glad I did not have the extra weight of the camping trailer

If you ever need trailer tires, I know a guy. Endurance rated at 87mph and made in US. My discount always applies

 

[Flatlanderfj40]

You do good work! I felt safe and scared to death all at the same time! Thanks again.

 

[2fpower]

Straightish....

 

[2fpower]

I have an idea on the tire rod.....

So the Volvo original tire rod end is DOM quarter inch wall 1 inch ID.... I have a heavy duty drag link that has about .8 ID

I have some 1 inch solid stainless steel that I’m thinking about putting inside of the Volvo and inside of this drag link. I will have to chuck it up in my lathe and mill it down to .8 inch OD for the side that will go inside of the new smaller section.

What does the peanut gallery say? Will that work or do I need to plan on sleeve in the outside also?

@nukegoat

 

[nukegoat]

I have an idea on the tire rod.....

So the Volvo original tire rod end is DOM quarter inch wall 1 inch ID.... I have a heavy duty drag link that has about .8 ID

I have some 1 inch solid stainless steel that I’m thinking about putting inside of the Volvo and inside of this drag link. I will have to chuck it up in my lathe and mill it down to .8 inch OD for the side that will go inside of the new smaller section.

What does the peanut gallery say? Will that work or do I need to plan on sleeve in the outside also?

@nukegoat

You're going to turn down a 3-4 foot 1" stainless rod to .8"? I'd just make a new tie rod altogether.

 

[2fpower]

You're going to turn down a 3-4 foot 1" stainless rod to .8"? I'd just make a new tie rod altogether.

No, just a foot. The half sliding in the Volvo side is the correct od. To be clear, because of the end that attaches to the Volvo portal axle, really can’t make a new one. It has a specific bend to the end to work around the portal scrub

 

[nukegoat]

That bend doesn't look overly technical

 

[Broski]

Gotcha. Truly appreciate the explanation. As I said, wasn't bashing the rig at all. Clearly some serious work has been done.

I've just never considered having a rig that needs to be trailered so it's not a world I know much about. I'm sure if I had the substantial means it's takes I'd love having one, though!

Lots of questions on why I use a trailer. Several reasons. Lets play with the scouting reasons....

1. We live about 3 hours from any good off road park. I like to wheel hard AND we wheel with people that wheel hard, so it is a safety net for my car and for friends. I have driven Foo back before and my friend used my truck to pull his injured rig back, so this is our way to have options. A scout it prepared! A scout is helpful!

2. My truck gets about 16 mpg pulling my rig that gets about 11mpg. I actually save money pulling it. A scout is thrifty.

3. When I wheel, I find that I take the harder trails when I know that the rig will only have to make it back to the trailer. In this immediate case, I pretzeled my steering arm (tie rod) trying to climb the waterfall at SMORR. Bottom line is that I am less concerned with damage. A scout is Brave.

4. In Foo's case, it's max speed is just over 45MPH. Just not safe on a highway for the others on the road. A scout is courteous and Kind! Probably illegal too. A scout is obedient!

5. Finally weather is the final point. When you have a roadster.... this is not a convertible as the top does not pop back on... you are exposed to the elements. I have to work to afford this addiction, so I can't hang out waiting for Kansas/Missouri weather to clear up.... A scout is clean (not soaking wet).

I love folks that drive their rigs to events -- just not how I roll. @Flatlanderfj40 drove his 40 down this weekend and was awesome to see.

@woody used to have a rig with his sleeping quarters on the rear, then pull his rig on a trailer. I always liked that idea, but wanted a travel trailer I can take on trails in Colorado, so that is where I am now, hoping to find a gooseneck just long enough to pull a rig and the travel trailer.

To each their own.

I have to totally agree with all of this. I tow my Rig as well for all the same reason exceped my will do 70 down the road & has a roof. But my tow reg with camper on the back towing my 80 get same MPG as the 80 I relly like having my little house with me. My wheeling buddy Noah rolls his 80 down the hwy to the trail and we go to events that over a 1000 mi away. We just got back from Browns camp Oregon for Cruising the Woods A TLCA event.

 

[rockstate45]

Can attest that @2fpower wheels hard. He’s smart about it, but will wheel with the best of em.

It was at exactly this moment, about 7 foot up this waterfall, that he pretzeled his steering arm....

Can’t wait to see the next iteration of the Foo.

 

[2fpower]

You're going to turn down a 3-4 foot 1" stainless rod to .8"? I'd just make a new tie rod altogether.

No, just a foot. And because of the end that attaches to the Volvo portal axle, really can’t make a new one.

 

[2fpower]

I preheated tube before TIG welding and use stainless rod. Took a lot of heat, and my machine isn’t rated for more than 10 minutes per hour Burning in that hot.... ended up pretty good, can always put a DOM sleeve over that joint.... however, don’t see how this will bend very easily... that trail gear DOM was pretty thick walled!!!! Only three-quarter inch ID... next up is I think I figured out how I can add Hydro assist... going to be a basically a skid plate

 

[2fpower]

OK, here is my plan to be able to add Hydro assist. The only spot I can have the ram is in front of the drag link so making a big plate for the bottom and then a smaller plate for the top and brace them together First picture you can see where I’ve bought a clamp the right od for the Volvo stock drag link. Recall this is 1.4” od. 1/4 wall dom.

There is 1/4” clearance behind the differential to the drag link

Here is an image of the cardboard cut out coming from the bottom of the axle out pass the drag link

Then do a slight bend on the front to act like a sort of skid plate

 

[2fpower]

Main piece cut