murray explorer project.

[Dougthewelder]

thanks for the kind words guys!

i was sitting behind a dodge durango in traffic today and was looking at its rear suspension. its quite interesting how its set up. they seem to have solved one of the main problems that i had when designing the suspension on this kart. mainly that the cross link at extreme articulation causes the rear suspension to travel in an arc.

By vitamaxx at 2010-01-10

this new mechanism prevents lateral movement and allows movement in the vertical direction in a straight line.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Must have been a newer one. I've got a '99 Durango, I don't think there's anything particularly special going on under her arse end... But now I gotta go pop the garage door open and see. THANKS ALOT!!! Kidding.
At any rate, that's a very interesting diagram, I'm going to have to go back and stare at it awhile. Cheers- Chris

PS most auto and truck manufacturers stuck to the basic Panhard bar design, Like yours but straight. Probably because stock suspension travel is usually minimal at best.

 

[nerfo]

I've seen those Durangos at stop lights in traffic myself and I wonder if the pivot on the axle is actually an integral part of the differential cover or there's something else going on there. At any rate, it IS a pretty cool ida!

 

[Dougthewelder]

new video! =)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd-qs6rkZ0E

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Good stuff!

 

[Hendersonjk]

its a watts link suspension they usem on hot rods

and mini trucks. you made one? thats awesome and on sway bars the longer the better if anyone uses your previos ideah

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Yeah, after that post I did some homework. I'm very likely going to use a Watts link on the project I've recently started. I just have to nail down some details.

And Doug- I've had and epiphany with the "C-clamp" brake thing. After I get my s#!t together, I'll start a thread. Cheers, guys!

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Yeah, after that post I did some homework. I'm very likely going to use a Watts link on the project I've recently started. I just have to nail down some details.

And Doug- I've had and epiphany with the "C-clamp" brake thing. After I get my s#!t together, I'll start a thread. Cheers, guys!

If your serious about making your own mechanical caliper, i would be more than happy to get you some pictures of how my mechanical caliper was set up on my sled, it uses threads much like a C clamp, pretty simple. I also have mechanical disc brakes on my exciter, and that thing has an automatic brake adjuster, no clue how it works but ill probably take it apart some time.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Thanks, Kaptian, I'm a glutton for info. It's all academic, though. I have hydraulics on my kart, and will on my next one. It was more of a proof-of-concept thing, might use it on the kids' kart if the prototype looks promising...

 

[Blazkowiez]

Pretty cool the modifications you've done so far, 2 things.

1. WTF is a dragon punch?

2. Your kart is not a Murray explorer, it is a Murray but a different model, it was the pre-cursor to the Nitrox model. Still cool, but inaccurate title.

 

[Dougthewelder]

hmmmm well i defer to your vast knowledge of murray gokarts! =P

and i think it's a street fighter thing!

 

[tyman12323]

hey can you post a video of it articulating on rocks or cinder blocks something, that would be really awesome

 

[tyman12323]

oh yea and nice cart haaha

 

[Dougthewelder]

this is the closest thing i have to that =)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDkzJ1nbRTI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXmriwh36qU

 

[fowler]

i like the back end but does the seat hit the tank

also does the front end have shockys
id hate to drive on a corrugated road without them

not trying to pick holes in the design i think its great but just wondering

 

[T-man]

hey Doug, something interesting for you to look up in Google. Ford Model A suspention.

 

[Dougthewelder]

Fowler

there are no "shocks" on this kart only springs. the goal was not my own comfort but the integrity of the frame and wheel traction. that being said the ride is not bad at all and my own body is enough to dampen the kart.

oh and no the tank does not hit the seat. thats something i measured before i implemented the rear suspension. =)

T-Man

i have seen that old style suspension before on those old cars and thought about using it but it seemed to me that it would be critical to chose just the right leaf spring in order for it to work right as well as being kinda limited in its possible suspension travel. its a cool design though and there are no shocks on that one ether!

 

[redsox985]

Even though this was a year old bump, I love the suspension. It's like semi-IRS. Can you post some closer photos of how you got the rear end to pivot so that each side could compress independently?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Even though this was a year old bump, I love the suspension. It's like semi-IRS. Can you post some closer photos of how you got the rear end to pivot so that each side could compress independently?

I won't spoil it, but Redsox, you are going to LOVE the beautiful simplicity!!!

 

[redsox985]

It surely looks simple. 2 shocks and some kinda crazy arm thingy. I want to see some close up shots of it!