So I jacked up my Lil' Red Turkey the other day to swap back to my rally wheels and mock up a skid plate. Sliding around in the rocks and sand has taken its toll on the underside of my FiST, especially the fuel line protections on the sides.
(Sorry, my potato of a cell phone camera sucks...)
I've looked around the web and I cant seem to find a full body skid plate, which is what I need/want. So out came the cardboard, markers, razors and measuring tape. I took out some screws on the bumpers and drilled through the cardboard and used some push pins to hold up the back to get an idea where it would sit on the front.
Cut out where the wheels will go and where the control arms would rub. Then moved to the middle, bolting up a sheet where those protectors secure too. Measured the holes and had to get a little creative to get the angels and side holes. Finally dropped the cardboard down and cleaned it up a little bit and remeasured.
I want the front to stick out a little bit and fold up, then carry to the rear. I have a plan for the back axle as well, just ran out of daylight to get it mocked up. Once I get the middle figured out, I'll R&D the back end. I have a hinge system in mind that might work.... maybe... only a trial by fire will tell.
Today, I started mocking it up in AutoCAD to try and get a more.... polished version of design. That way I don't have to carry around a huge cardboard cut out of what I want. Plus now I can make sure all the math adds up.
Still need to work on the front shield, but its a good base to get an idea of how it will be. I emailed a shop near me to see if they can help me out, so we'll see what they say.
Preliminary Specifications:
- Aluminium
- 3-5mm thick
- Front bumper to rear bumper
- No openings for oil changes
Not only will it be good for me on the dirt, but more aerodynamic at the track and autocross. I am a little worried about heat and have a few ideas on how to combat that, but I need to see what the shop can do for me first.
(Sorry, my potato of a cell phone camera sucks...)
I've looked around the web and I cant seem to find a full body skid plate, which is what I need/want. So out came the cardboard, markers, razors and measuring tape. I took out some screws on the bumpers and drilled through the cardboard and used some push pins to hold up the back to get an idea where it would sit on the front.
Cut out where the wheels will go and where the control arms would rub. Then moved to the middle, bolting up a sheet where those protectors secure too. Measured the holes and had to get a little creative to get the angels and side holes. Finally dropped the cardboard down and cleaned it up a little bit and remeasured.
I want the front to stick out a little bit and fold up, then carry to the rear. I have a plan for the back axle as well, just ran out of daylight to get it mocked up. Once I get the middle figured out, I'll R&D the back end. I have a hinge system in mind that might work.... maybe... only a trial by fire will tell.
Today, I started mocking it up in AutoCAD to try and get a more.... polished version of design. That way I don't have to carry around a huge cardboard cut out of what I want. Plus now I can make sure all the math adds up.
Still need to work on the front shield, but its a good base to get an idea of how it will be. I emailed a shop near me to see if they can help me out, so we'll see what they say.
Preliminary Specifications:
- Aluminium
- 3-5mm thick
- Front bumper to rear bumper
- No openings for oil changes
Not only will it be good for me on the dirt, but more aerodynamic at the track and autocross. I am a little worried about heat and have a few ideas on how to combat that, but I need to see what the shop can do for me first.
![[popcorn]](/images/smilies/popcorn.gif "Popcorn [popcorn]")
will like to see where this goes
