Gollum II..... The build begins.

[OT]

So, the time has come, as does for all people who are never satisfied, to build a buggy.
I never wanted to be one of those people with full blown rock buggies on big meats, that tower over mortal vehicles, with waaaay too much overkill, and litter the trails like TJs at the mall.
But, alas, here we are.
The buildup begins, or does it?
Will I talk myself out of it later, so I can stick to my roots, or can I build something truely unique that I, as well as others, can enjoy?
The plan is to have fun building it, then have fun destroying it.
Anyway, here's the start........ Yeehaw.......:banghead:

 

[IntrepidXJ]

you gonna become a buggy snob now?

 

[BrettM]

looks long enough to fit an I6, is that the plan?

looks like it needs a few more bars and gusseting, but definitley a solid foundation. i look forward to the progress.

 

[Ramsey]

Traitor

 

[LBEXJ]

Now that is a project I'm sure you will enjoy. Just put an XJ hood on it and call it a Cherokee!

Les

 

[dizzymac]

it doesn't have wheels......ditto on 6 cyl. how about a 4.0, show 'em what a GOOD engine is.

 

[OT]

My initial plans are 3-link rear and 4-link front.
Four seats.
60s
Tire size still undetermined, but leaning toward the 42" Iroks.
TC is still undetermined.
Auto trans.
4.6 stroker.
XJ facia.
XJ fenders.
Original hood from Gollum I.

 

[Ramsey]

Sounds like a good plan. How long do you think its gonna take

 

[OT]

A year?$:dunno:

 

[Rev Den]

Have you cleared this with OP?

Rev

 

[Ramsey]

Is it gonna be like this soon?

 

[OT]

 

[NXJ]

Are you leaving the chassis as is (looks a little awkward), or redoing a lot? I would kink that box tube up in both ends to make room for axles (low stance, up travel).

Oh, and target weight?

 

[OT]

I picked up the frame for a song ($300) and plan to make many changes to it.
Hell, I may even widen it.
The orginal builder planned to have the rear axle set past the end of the frame.
That's more WB than I was wanting, so I'm gonna have to rearrange the puzzle.
I'm not set on how long I want the WB, but it'll be around 115" to 120".

Hell, if I don't do anything with it, I can still sell it for more than I bought it for.

 

[87manche]

Now that is a project I'm sure you will enjoy. Just put an XJ hood on it and call it a Cherokee!

Les

x2, it won't look any different than the one you've got now!

 

[seanR]

That one will look like ass also....

 

[Ramsey]

only if he touches it

 

[OT]

Believe it or not, the less sheetmetal there is, the less gets smashed up.
I damage less and less metal everytime I wheel.
The buggy is significantly narrower than the XJ and will have about a foot more clearance.
This is gonna be a fun rig.

I've already changed my mind on the link setup, though.
I think I'm gonna do triangulated three links in the front and rear.
The triangulated link will be the lower link on both.
They will be mirror images of eachother, with the exception of steering.

 

[FarmerMatt]

That looks like a lot of work... Why not just buggy out G1? That chasis was cheap enough though.

Matt

 

[OT]

That looks like a lot of work... Why not just buggy out G1? That chasis was cheap enough though.

Matt

I thought about that, but I'd rather have G1 to wheel too.
It IS going to be a lot of work, but I have the garage space and loads of time to finish it, while still wheeling in the XJ.