Grand Daddyish build

TNThomas

TNThomas

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Denny said:
Make sure you take plenty of pictures! And have fun!
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Will do, the weather is going to be great for half of the week, so I may only get a few parts done, but I'll prep the metal on the rest if I hit too cold of weather to paint the rest. But I'll get at least some if it done so I can see what the paint looks like.
 
Jacka$$withawrench

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fuzzy said:
Thanks, I wanted to give it more buggy feel than what the plans had. A arms were lengthened and spread some too due to the tire size. Stub axle is from a trailer kit, cut the shaft with a whole saw and welded to 1.25"OD x .625"ID DOM to make a spindle, a arm ends are 5/8" heims. Other end of arms are 1.5" pipe where we poured the polyurethane bushings. That is the end where I would have used weld bungs and pre-made attachments, but my girls learned a lot about polyurethane and hardness. Tabs welded to frame are 1/4" plate, just have a stick of 2" wide bar stock I use for everything, way overkill for a kart. Rear tab at each joint has a gusset back to frame to take rearward loads, 5/8" bolts used on a arms, 3/4" bolts used on rear swing, all castle nuts. I have a 2" diameter rod of polyurethane I cut for washers/spacers between suspension parts to soften, all coated with silicone grease.

No pro tips here, my method is lots of tacking and try again and looks at what everyone is trying here. Biggest thing about size I have found is finding coil overs that provide the load capacity I want, but stay within a decent budget. The front can travel 10" stop to stop, but I really can't find a coil over in the range I want to spend that can utilize that much.
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Maybe used dirtbike shocks? You can rebuild them pretty cheap with standard spacers and washers.
 
Jacka$$withawrench

Jacka$$withawrench

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TNThomas said:
Hey folks new to Karts and new to welding. Im building the Grand Daddy from Spider Carts. I stretched the main cabin/frame a foot, and generally beefing everything up everywhere. The plans call for 1×1" and 1-1/4x1-1/4" 14 guage, but im using way more of the 1-1/4 for extra support. Im a big dude at 6-8 340lbs. Im primarily building this for traveling distance on groomer snowmobile trails in Idaho, and sand dunes in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

With that in mind im going BIG for the tires. 22x11-8 all around. I know these will be tough to steer, but ive had great success in sand with this before on different vehicles. Im also making my own beefy spindles/steering brackets with this in mind.

Im for sure doing at least a 420, or 440cc. But im slightly worried Ill be under powered when riding around with my 330lb Dad. By myself im sure the 440cc would be killer, even with my 3 year old. Should I just bite the bullet and get the 670? My wallet says no, but long term it's probably the right choice.

Two crazy ideas im still entertaining: putting an extra axle in the back for extra weight distribution on axles, extra float, and extra traction, it would be connected via sprocket to the primary axle. 6 wheels total. (Im thinking of building skis for the front in snow).

Last crazy idea is a 3rd "gunner" seat above and to the rear of the main cab, very similar to the Chenworth military buggy. Spacially this would work well with the 6 wheel idea. One thing I like about the 6 wheel 3 seater idea is that while it will cost more, it would make my buggy totally unique, allowing me to sell it for more if I ever decided.

Part of me wats to go big with 6 wheels, 670cc, 3 seats, but part of me says go standard 2 seats, 4 wheels, save money and get the 440cc. Thoughts?

Dune photo is my old beater 1999 Ford Escort. Movie theatre seats in the back.
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Could you use ride-on lawnmower rear-differentials for the 6x6 rear? Like the one on the Craftsman Lt2000?
 
D

Denny

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Jacka$$withawrench said:
Could you use ride-on lawnmower rear-differentials for the 6x6 rear? Like the one on the Craftsman Lt2000.
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Dude, he’s already ridden it and tested it! He’s just taking it apart for paint and final finish. It’s been a multi year build he’s been having fun building! Along with all the attachments. Especially the bbq smoker that attaches to the front of the buggy. He’s going to send me a beef brisket when he’s done! I can’t wait!
 
TNThomas

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7 coats. 3 black base, 2 intercontinental w/rainbow metal flake and violet pearl, 3 coats clear. Really cool color, and pics don't do it justice. From a distance it looks black, up close in sunlight it looks purple, under led lights it looks blue, and the whole time there are the little rainbow sparkles. 20240401_022100.jpg20240402_114811.jpg20240402_114733.jpg
 
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TNThomas

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Still taking everything off. Got the axle off today. She is a tough one! I had to break out the old "Freedom Punch." Cut down 50 BMG case riding on 1/2" extensions. Worked great! I don't have any brass punches, so I have been using bullet cases ontop of steel lately.

20240409_161909.jpg20240409_161921.jpg20240409_162432.jpg
 
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CrazyAirborne

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TNThomas said:
Welcome in! I hope they help! Are you building something, or planning on it?
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I purchased a used grand daddy last week and Im doing some slight modifications to it to make it "better" and fix the few "issues" i see with it. at this point the shocks are too soft and the brakes need to be bled properly. also adding seatbelts. my nice to haves would be to get the electric start working (predator 420) and add some headlights and taillights. I also really would like to improve the turning radius/steering response. (I have too many toys!)

20240414_201416.jpg
 
Master Hack

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CrazyAirborne said:
(I have too many toys!)
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Whatever! either yer young and haven't had time to collect "too many" toys or yer just an amateur!

pfft-whatever.gif

BTW, there is no such thing...


I think the membership dues are double if you buy a nice machine rather than cobbling together some POS errrr ahhh I mean building something,
like the rest of us!

Disclaimer:
To be clear I am not referring to the build in this thread, when I referred to cobbled together POS.
There always has to be someone to make the rest of us look bad!
 
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CrazyAirborne

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Master Hack said:
Whatever! either yer young and haven't had time to collect "too many" toys or yer just an amateur!

View attachment 147289

BTW, there is no such thing...


I think the membership dues are double if you buy a nice machine rather than cobbling together some POS errrr ahhh I mean building something,
like the rest of us!

Disclaimer:
To be clear I am not referring to the build in this thread, when I referred to cobbled together POS.
There always has to be someone to make the rest of us look bad!
Click to expand...
if only you could convince my wife!

4 Motorcycles, a track car, a truck, a commuter car, a 90's coupe, a project 280ZX, ATV, MiniBike, and now this go kart. Im well past her limit for toys!
 
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