There will be more bracing added as I go, as I am still designing it and waiting for some parts and measurements to go further. Just thought I would share :1dude: 
Full Version: Rail From Scratch
Well I am starting to gather my parts for building my rail from scratch and I have been working with the Beta version of some new software from Bend-Tech called Bend-Tech Pro which is a design and assembling software for tubing. Working without full documentation here is what I got so far. I am open to suggestions and opinions if you see something you dont like. There will be more bracing added as I go, as I am still designing it and waiting for some parts and measurements to go further. Just thought I would share :1dude:
There will be more bracing added as I go, as I am still designing it and waiting for some parts and measurements to go further. Just thought I would share :1dude:
Looks good!
QUOTE(ChuckZilla @ Nov 24 2005, 11:47 PM)
Looks good! Is the software free for download?
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No it is not free. Their website is www.2020softwaresolutions.com and they have a forum site at www.bend-tech.com/forum/. The release date is suppose to be December 8th 2005. Here is a thread at their forum which tells all about it. Bend-Tech Pro Forum
BMGM37
looks good, only thing I would change is the middle side blue bar, it should intersect with the lower green bracing. Right now, in a flip, the main center section bar could bend the bar it's attached to without the bracing underneath. I guess it depends on how big the gap is between the front bar and the rear bar on the side, if it is fairly close it's not as big of a deal, but if there is a good amount of space, you're gonna want that support from the middle bar to go all the way through the side directly to the floor bar. The brown bar running behind what I think is gonna be the front seats should also intersect the middle side blue bar and lower green bar bracing, they are so close already, just connect them and you look pretty good so far.....
QUOTE(bmgm37 @ Nov 25 2005, 12:51 AM)
QUOTE(ChuckZilla @ Nov 24 2005, 11:47 PM)
Looks good! Is the software free for download?
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[right][snapback]1294841[/snapback][/right]
No it is not free. Their website is www.2020softwaresolutions.com and they have a forum site at www.bend-tech.com/forum/. The release date is suppose to be December 8th 2005. Here is a thread at their forum which tells all about it. Bend-Tech Pro Forum
BMGM37
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Right after I posted I went and looked and found no trialware or the like, that's why I edited my post. I'll have to check out the forum.
looks like a fun project for ya. some great advice allready, and also think ahead about wiring and plumbing if you want a clean install. pre-drilling holes under intersecting frame tubes and leaving a heavy guage pull wire during welding process will save you alot of time and headaches, and a cleaner wiring without exposed wires and/or access holes.
Maybe some cross bracing for the roof, at the C pillar (I think its called a C pillar anyway). And some bracing for the front suspension/shocks.. Looks good
Looks good!! Are you going to have a true A-armfront end? If so, you may run into interfearence with your floor plan. If not, then it looks like everything will work out just fine. Awesome plan!
QUOTE(yoshi @ Nov 24 2005, 11:53 PM)
looks good, only thing I would change is the middle side blue bar,
Thanks for pointing that out Yoshi, I will make the changes you suggested. As I mentioned before, I just got the software and will be adding a lot more bracking, but I just had to post some pics
There will be quite a bit more on the front end once I I start adding shock mounts and pivot points and so on and so on...... Actually the "b" pillars and the top cage X bracing I just threw on the drawing to make the pics look a little better. Fabman, the front end is going to be 90° A-Arms, so it should be fine on clearance. I will post more pics of the drawings when I get more time to work on them.Thanks
Here is a link for a free tube bending program up to 6 bends I use it and it works great http://www.midmoracing.com/bendit.htm
The front cage for the suspension needs some extra support... and x-bracing... as well as the rear cage along w/ suspesions supports and bracing..
Well here is an update, finally been getting time to work on it, but still has a ways to go.
BMGM37
BMGM37
Look good so far. What are the specs??
Nice job! I like the trailing arms. Did you make those trailing arms yourself?
The rail is 129" WB and it will be powered by a 450HP LS1 and have a 2D tranny. The rear arms are made by Oregon Motorsports in Portland OR. The front arms and spindles are Tatum. I started building on 1/21 so it is going pretty smooth so far, just need more free time
BMGM37
BMGM37
congradulations, the project is looking real good. imagine the pride you are going to have when you get in the drivers seat and go for the first dune run. way cool. thanks for posting the pics, and let me just hope my girlfriend doesnt see the bronco in the corner. lol i also have to say i love the shop aswell. can you post any more pics on its construction and size? i am getting ready to build a garage here at the house and i have an idea of about 50' wide, by 28' deep. roll up door needs to be on the face of the 50' section, not at the end like you commonly see in barn type buildings. still debating on either block or wood stud and sheerwall. how do you like the block? cold? im sure it has a better sound proofing atleast. ok, going off on a tangent, sorry. again, congrats on the great work. enjoy the project.
QUOTE(victorfb @ Feb 19 2006, 12:32 PM)
congradulations, the project is looking real good. imagine the pride you are going to have when you get in the drivers seat and go for the first dune run. way cool. thanks for posting the pics, and let me just hope my girlfriend doesnt see the bronco in the corner. lol i also have to say i love the shop aswell. can you post any more pics on its construction and size? i am getting ready to build a garage here at the house and i have an idea of about 50' wide, by 28' deep. roll up door needs to be on the face of the 50' section, not at the end like you commonly see in barn type buildings. still debating on either block or wood stud and sheerwall. how do you like the block? cold? im sure it has a better sound proofing atleast. ok, going off on a tangent, sorry. again, congrats on the great work. enjoy the project.
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Thanks! As for the shop, it is actually the basement of my house. It is about 28' x 70' with 10' ceiling with 2 9x10 rollup doors. If you look at the pics yuo can see the stairway coming down.
I would suggest not having the trans mount tubing hang down from the rest of the frame as you have it. This will really restrict your ground clearance. Looking at your pictures, you could easily change it now and make the trans mount tubes flush with the rest of the floor.
Good luck!
Good luck!
QUOTE(Morgy @ Feb 19 2006, 10:11 PM)
I would suggest not having the trans mount tubing hang down from the rest of the frame as you have it. This will really restrict your ground clearance. Looking at your pictures, you could easily change it now and make the trans mount tubes flush with the rest of the floor.
Good luck!
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Good luck!
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I plan on changing that. The rear bar that came with the trailing arms and mounts already had the tranny mounts and bars attached. I am waiting for my motor and then I will be removing these and bending new ones that do not drop down so far and will follow the lines of the motor. This is why none of the back end has been finished yet. Thanks for the advice though, because now is the time to change things, not later.
BMGM37
Just an update, got a little more done this weekend.
BMGM37
BMGM37
Did you check for bumpsteer yet?
yep 1/16" over full travel. I am using Tatum front arms and plate made up for these arms, so all the geometry is good to go.
BMGM37
BMGM37
QUOTE(bmgm37 @ Mar 5 2006, 04:27 PM)
Just an update, got a little more done this weekend.
BMGM37
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BMGM37
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It looks like it's coming along nicely. I wish I had the skills to do something like that.
that's awesome....
if only I had a bigger garage
if only I had a bigger garage
QUOTE(GlamisSpider @ Mar 5 2006, 04:31 PM)
Did you check for bumpsteer yet?
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how do you check for the bumpsteer??
QUOTE(GlamisSpider @ Mar 5 2006, 04:31 PM)
Did you check for bumpsteer yet?
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how do you check for the bumpsteer??
looks nice 
I would assume that you, cycle the suspension and check for left to right movement of the wheel's steering.
Maybe one of the big dogs will chime in and give a more detailed correct instruction?
Maybe one of the big dogs will chime in and give a more detailed correct instruction?
longacre makes a really nice bumpsteer gauge. You put car on lift, take a tire off and bolt a plate on. Then you put the gauge on the ground with two indicators on each side of the gauge that rest against the plate. Then you cycle the suspension up and down through the full travel and watch the gauges move. These might be overkill for offroading but are still a good tool for anyone building production buggies.
Nice looking car. I really like the rear support for the trailing arms and the support forward of it.
QUOTE(bmgm37 @ Mar 5 2006, 04:27 PM)
Just an update, got a little more done this weekend.
BMGM37
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That thing is looking good. I hope you are using 3M tape for the X bracing on the nose as the off brands may not fair well in a crash... BMGM37
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Any more progress on this yet? Would like to see more pics.
QUOTE(richierichaz @ Apr 27 2006, 02:22 PM)
Any more progress on this yet? Would like to see more pics.
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Things have slowed down a bit because I have been so busy with work, but here are some progress shots.
BMGM37
Dam thats pretty nice...
good job
Looks really good! I like how the front end came out. Are you not going to run bypasses in front? You should at least tab for them now. Keep up the good work. 
QUOTE(bmgm37 @ Mar 5 2006, 05:38 PM)
yep 1/16" over full travel. I am using Tatum front arms and plate made up for these arms, so all the geometry is good to go.
BMGM37
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BMGM37
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You got the front arm and rack mount plates from tatum? How much were the plates?
Nice Job!!!!
The front shocks are Fox internal bypass. I am only wanting to run a single shock up front, and the way these Tatum arms ar designed, I dont think you could fit dual shocks in them. I did not buy the plates, I got the layout from from somebody and then drew them up in CAD myself and had them laser cut. Everything turned out good with them and I just cut them down on the top to fit the cross tube they attach to. Waiting for gas tank to fit, and a few minor brackets for fuel system and she comes all apart for final welding. Thats when I buy beer and pizza for my brother in law that is an awesome welder 
BMGM37
BMGM37
thats is very impressive...wish I had the skillz!
Look svery nice. It is a lot of work, in fact more than most people realize!! We learned that when we built my dads car from scratch! Keep the pix coming!
Its finally a roller. 
Been getting time to work on it finally and making some ggod progress and thought I would post an update. Should have it running pretty soon.
BMGM37
Been getting time to work on it finally and making some ggod progress and thought I would post an update. Should have it running pretty soon.BMGM37
you builded THAT from scratch???..... 
Dang, that is very very nice
i actualy like it better then many of the frames you can buy: it is very well crossbraced
...im sure if you get asked "whodidit?" you will be very proud to answer "Ididit!"
Dang, that is very very nice
i actualy like it better then many of the frames you can buy: it is very well crossbraced
...im sure if you get asked "whodidit?" you will be very proud to answer "Ididit!"
I really like the rear shock mounts. It's looking great!
Very nice! You have a lot of talent to produce something of this caliber from scratch. I am curious, does the cad software give any doc on the cut lengths and bend radius after design?
Lookin sweet!! Keep the updates coming..
QUOTE(sandycrack @ Jun 26 2006, 06:37 AM)
Very nice! You have a lot of talent to produce something of this caliber from scratch. I am curious, does the cad software give any doc on the cut lengths and bend radius after design?
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Thanks! After you draw it up in Bend Tech Pro it gives you the length to cut every tube, and all bend angle and measurement to mark you tube to line up in the dies. Every set of dies have to be calibrated based on the actual radius after a bend is made, then you take measurements of the bend tube and enter them into the program and your bends will come out perfect every time. There is even a printable notching wrap that you can print out, cut out and wrap around the tube to mark for the notch. The program made the whole project a LOT easier without wasting tubing. Well worth the price of the program.
BMGM37
Very nice. The car looks great and very well done. Congrats!!!! 
Cool.
Nice workmanship. Hay we have the same SS tool boxes thanks to Costco for the great price.
DON~~~
DON~~~
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