Karts with 46 inch wheelbase

[Beetlefreak]

I am building a VW beetle bodied go kart and the body has a 46" wheelbase. Does anyone know of a kart with a 46" wheelbase?

 

[Denny]

Nope! Stretch the body.

 

[Beetlefreak]

Nope! Stretch the body.

What is a "standard length" wheelbase to stretch the body to?

 

[Denny]

The fact is it varies quite a bit. Your best bet is to buy a kart and make the body fit. Or build a custom chassis.

 

[redflash]

wait until you have completely built the kart......then cut the body at an appropriate place, and fibreglass in the center portion, matching the contours....piece o cake.


Da redflash

 

[BaconBitRacing]

@Beetlefreak, please show us when it’s done! I can get a measurement of the wheelbase of my Streaker (short) and my friend’s MANCO (medium-long) if that would help you out.

 

[pearl111]

I would buy a used kart that you like best ......to the closest length to the wheelbase you need.
Then I would shorten or make longer the chassis to fit your needs.

But whatever you choose to do, I'm sure that the DIY forum group, will be glad to help you with your project.

 

[Beetlefreak]

@Beetlefreak, please show us when it’s done! I can get a measurement of the wheelbase of my Streaker (short) and my friend’s MANCO (medium-long) if that would help you out.

Thanks for the reply. I have purchased a murray and will be cutting 11" out of the length and will be posting pictures when complete.

 

[madprofessor]

Then I would shorten or make longer the chassis to fit your needs.

I'd just start from scratch. Easier to make it your way from the start, instead of trying to adapt someone else's start to fit your needs. Get some steel round or square tubing (square is easier) from a local metal scrapper/sales yard, use an angle grinder with some metal cutoff wheels to chop it up, and a cheap plug-into-the-wall electric welding machine and make it your own.
Ironton ARC80 Stick Welder with TIG function — Inverter, 120 Volt, 20–80 Amp Output | Northern Tool
Antra 3.86 in. x 1.73 in. Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet with Viewing Size AH6-260-0000 - The Home Depot
4.3 Amp, 4-1/2 in. Angle Grinder with Slide Switch (harborfreight.com)
4-1/2 in. x 1/16 in. x 7/8 in. Type 1/41 Metal Cut-off Wheel, 10-Pack (harborfreight.com)

 

[Beetlefreak]

Thank you for taking the time to make those excellent recommendations. As of yesterday I have removed 10” sections from the frame and rejoined the front and rear assemblies. Final fitting today. My welder, flashmask and gloves arrived yesterday. I’ll do some practice welds on the scrap pieces that I cut out of the frame and if all goes according to plan I will have a shortened frame by the end of the week.

 

[Functional Artist]

Howdy &

Um... first of all sounds like a really kool project
...second thing

Pics...pics...we need...pics!

 

[BaconBitRacing]

 

[Beetlefreak]

Cutting the frame

 

[Beetlefreak]

Just a mock up

 

[Beetlefreak]

Now I’m inspired!

 

[Bansil]

That is BadAZZZZ

#53????

 

[redflash]

as cool as the body is.....if your over 4 ft tall you're going to hate driving this......it would have made more sense to build the Kart that is comfortable.
.......................and extend the fb body to match....oh well, nobody listens when they've made up their mind.

Short wheelbase equals...A.. uncomfortable B.. rough ride C.no room for suspension D.. quick sale to get a more comfy Kart. !

Da redflash

 

[BaconBitRacing]

as cool as the body is.....if your over 4 ft tall you're going to hate driving this......it would have made more sense to build the Kart that is comfortable.
.......................and extend the fb body to match....oh well, nobody listens when they've made up their mind.

Short wheelbase equals...A.. uncomfortable B.. rough ride C.no room for suspension D.. quick sale to get a more comfy Kart. !

Da redflash

Ta ta Red. That kart is for looking at and showing off, not "driving" per se. This is something for a car show and such. Not every kart needs suspension...

 

[Bansil]

Car shows and town parades and let's not forget going to the dock or neighbors house for the win

 

[Beetlefreak]

I bought the fiberglass body at a VW show and thought it would be an attention grabber for my business (selling VW toys). The simple idea was to buy a go kart with the same or similar wheelbase and mount the body to that but the 4 foot wheelbase is shorter than anything I could find. I did consider building a chassis from scratch but if you have priced steel and build components lately you will understand why I chose to shorten an existing kart. I got a pretty good deal on the Murray Explorer with a couple clones. The parallel frame rails made shortening 10 inches easy but that didn't leave much room for my but so I moved the pedals forward 4" and the seat back 3" making it doable. (I am not a big guy) On to the engine compartment. YIKES there is not much room back there for the engine, electric start, F&R gearbox and custom exhaust. This is starting to feel like 10 pounds of crap in a 5 pound sack but I am still confident that it can be done....