Carlovers Desert Beater Build

Well im starting to source parts and gather up some good stuff. I figured id start a thread just to show everyone that the ideas are. Should be a pretty fun setup when done. Everything will be being built by Brandon at BTF Fab.

The rear will be a 4 link with a panhard bar and cantilever coilovers. Shooting for around 20" of rear travel. Full size van 9", and should be around 3.5" wider per side than stock

Front will be a BTF front setup more than likely with a fully fabbed spindle with d44 hubs and uniball upper and lowers. Should pull around 16-17" of travel. Will be around 5" wider a side than stock.

It will be a fairly slow build due to finances. It will be built in stages obviously and should take around 12-16 months to be fully complete.

 

[Glen4X4]

Nice 1 piece.

 

[Dannyboy]

Love the 1 piece on Exploders! Lookin good.

 

[carlover]

thank for the compliments guys. its not mounted yet, just kinda centered and layed on top. i like the style of it for sure. the next round of fab work will be taking care of alot of the cosmetics so it should all start to come together.

 

[NWOff-Roader]

I just stumbled onto your thread today, very cool build. Looks great!

 

[carlover]

Well looks like the next round of work begins monday. Hopefully after its all done i can get action pics/vids the next trip out.

 

[mounty71]

And offer more rides too.

 

[carlover]

If it lasts more then 5 miles yeah haha. My brother, brandon, and mac are the only ones who've ridden in it so far.

 

[carlover]

some progress

 

[carlover]

some more.

 

[mounty71]

Nice! Have you dealt with the rear end issues yet?

 

[carlover]

Waiting on new snout blocks from the machinist. This time around we are incorporating a swap bar into the mezzanine arms using warn 4x4 hubs.

 

[carlover]

The rear frame will be cut off and rebuilt, lots of support tubes and full rear bumper/tire carrier all tied together. It will be very very strong this time around.

 

[mounty71]

Is there a possible way you could double shear the snouts?

 

[carlover]

No, not really. With plating, and support tubes from the cage work and bumper it will be more then enough. There wasnt much there before which we were asking for trouble with.

 

[carlover]

Start of the rear bumper.

 

[mounty71]

I like it! I was also thinking about ways of building a tire carrier that could still survive being nerfed, of course mine wouldn't see the kind of abuse yours would. Looks like it's low enough for the hatch to still open?

 

[carlover]

the hatch is gutted for the most part. There was no way to keep it opening like normal. It will be secured with hood pins and dzus tabs so it will come off. there is still alot of bracing tubes going to be added, its going to serve as extra strength so the rear doesnt bend again.

 

[carlover]

We should be done with it soon. gonna redo the valving in the shocks and take it out again next weekend hopefully.

 

[carlover]

Bumper is pretty much done.

 

[Tbars4]

...looking good..:biggthump

..Is your X going to be running around half naked at Truckhaven or are you going to slap some glass on her and dress her up?