the legend truck build thread ( offroad )

[mudduck7.3]

so i know i started a small thread on here about the little bit of work that i did to the legends/dwarf truck i bought. but that was just to get it running and driving, this thread will be the same truck but this is about me building it the way i want it, not how i bought it. so if the moderator of this site wants to delete the old thread thats fine.

anyhow,here's whats up. i picked up an old suzuki samurai a couple days ago and towed it home with my pickup ( literally )

but anyhow it came with a bunch of extra parts, extra pair of zuk axles, driveshafts, trans, steering box, steering shaft. and im pulling the axles trans, tcase and leaf springs out of the samurai anyhow so needless to say i have everything i need to make the legend truck 4x4 and still be super lightweight.

so here is the start of the build as it is now and ill be posting pics as i go. hope you all enjoy....

getting ready for the tear down

 

[mudduck7.3]

and just to let you guys know, when its all done the plan is to put all the necessary lights and what not on it, get it inspected and registered ( yes its legal to do in iowa ) and drive it on the road. would be a blast to cruise and mess with the ricer cars.

 

[jwheels14]

Are you going to narrow the axles or are they ok the way they are? This should be pretty cool to watch this build, something very different, I'll keep checking in on this one.

 

[mudduck7.3]

stock width for a sami axle will be just about right for this project so im leaving them how they are.

 

[mudduck7.3]

last nights progress

 

[CustomShifter]

That isn't the ride height right? because I loved it low and sleek as it was

 

[mudduck7.3]

actually it will be slightly taller than that, im trying to keep it as low as possible but theres only so much i can do with the room i have. im really trying to keep the center of gravity as low as possible, really the only thing that is going to dictate how much higher it sits is tire size, but i already have my tires picked out. you'll all see them later in the build.

 

[mudduck7.3]

heres some more pics of what ive got done today, ive almost got the rear 3 link done just have to weld in shock tabs and panhard bar brackets.the rear of the frame turned out to be a pita being as the original rear axle was on top of the frame and obviously i can't run the new rear axle that way as i wouldn't have the driveshaft clearance and the right amount of lift to make this setup work. so i had to cut most all the rear frame out and start over. flip flopped on how i wanted the frame horns mounted but finally decided on the horns to be mounted as high as possible to keep them out of the way of the axle when the suspension cycles up.
a couple pics of how it was earlier

how the rear frame was originally

cut out

a couple different ways i was considered welding the frame back in

the last pic is how i ended up welding the rear frame back in. but im just finishing up the upper link mounts and shock tabs and panhard bar mounts then more pics of that will be up tonight.

 

[mudduck7.3]

rear 3 link done

 

[mudduck7.3]

in those pics the rear is sitting on its own weight

 

[mudduck7.3]

went n got the new 4 link bars and brackets for the front axle today, i was hoping to get away with a double triangulated 4 link in the front and not have to use a panhard bar but the engine sits to low for that unless i put about 12" more of lift on it which im not willing to do. so its getting a parallel 4 link with panhard. should be mostly done tonight but the brackets need to be drilled out to accept the bigger bolts that the heim joints require

 

[mudduck7.3]

also flipped the bracket around on the bottom of the rear shocks to lessen the angle. looks much better.

 

[tvaughan]

That is amazing.
What kind of horses is that putting out??

 

[mudduck7.3]

not entirely sure but if i remember right a stock early 80's gs750 is right around 70-80hp, not sure if anything is done to this engine or not but it moves along pretty well.

 

[mudduck7.3]

didn't end up getting much done so far tonight, but here is an idea of what the front link bars and shocks are going to end up looking like.

and just to make it clear before anyone asks, yes i am going to take the header off and rework it. the previous owner did a terrible job building the exhaust.

 

[bighead]

It's going to be killer. Super killer..

 

[fowler]

Looking good

Have u got any pics of the drive train

 

[mudduck7.3]

ill get some today but its pretty simple. just putting the transfer case from the samurai about a foot and a half behind the bike trans. IF theres room im going to shorten and narrow down the samurai trans and fit it between the bike trans and the transfer case to give me reverse and pretty much infinite gear ratios.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

what size tires are you putting on this? looks good

 

[mudduck7.3]

7x16 ag tires, can get em shipped to my door for 450$ brand new. they measure up to 31" or 33" don't remember for sure
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FOUR-7x16-7...=230777515080&ps=63&clkid=7975267312210783134