As I mentioned before, I'd had some thoughts about using long-length laydown shocks to suspend the 'Zilla. I've placed them in at this stage just to have a proper look at the geometry. They fit in there quite well, with just a bit of preload to support the weight of the centre chassis and batteries. As I've arranged things they centre up on the radiused area of the stock axle braces. They're mounted at the bottom someway inboard on the top (stock) swivel hub mount hole.
I think to look better in this arrangement the main frame rails need to be shorter, say an inch or so longer (25-30mm)(on each end) than the centre section itself is. There needs to be enough room on the rail ends for the body mounts to fit (as standard), the cross rails need to go next, and then the top shock mounts themselves mount just ahead of centre body assembly.
What I DON'T WANT TO DO at the moment is to cut down my existing frame rails. I want to build the truck as close to stock as possible to begin with, which means using the suggested and supplied cantilever setup, and then to (perhaps) work away from that, using this system as a benchmark to see I'm developing further in either a positive or negative direction.
When I get a chance I'll draw up the new rails on paper (or a screen). I'd have three options to get them made/make them to my specifications, contact Eric at ESP to see if he likes the idea and what he'd charge to have a go at a pair; try scrounging a suitable piece of similarly sized section and then cut and drill it myself; or go and see my mate Martin, who owns a lovely milling machine and sometimes only charges beer money!
No comments:
Post a Comment