Project RatKart

[Da Fisch]

What started out as a bet with a friend turned into a massive build. Hello everyone! my name is DP and I live just outside of Chicago. I am 20 years old and have been wrenching away since I was 16. I have a 1000 hp camaro, modded jeep, and am working on a 79 mg midget as well as a 73 datsun 240z resto-mod. However, taking a break from it all I decided to try and build a Go kart!

To start it all off was a bet with a friend. I shot him a text asking if he wanted to have a build off. Right away I got a text back, "no." 2 hours past and I received another one. "Just got finished watching 2 hours of videos on youtube, let's do it."

-We sat down and made some rules. 500$. wait no, that won't cover it 650.
-Single cylinder engines only
-4 wheels

With that we were off. I went to harbor freight to look at honda clones. Looking at the 13 hp and 6.5 hp I scooped up a 6.5 for 89 dollars as a pre black friday sale. Then we made our way over to Adams Steel and picked up some 2x2 square tubing to make frames. Knowing right away I wanted to make something cool I started looking at rat type builds. I looked all over craigslist for a used metal wheelbarrow. Without luck I stumbled upon a fiberglass t bucket on ebay. I knew It had to be mine. From there we ventured out again on craiglist looking for 4x4 frames to make suspension/braking as well as get some wheels and tires. I found an add for a stripped ATV and within a day we hooked up the trailer to go and pick it up. Knowing that I wanted more power to haul my soon to be 300 lb go kart I purchased a stage 4 predator kit online. Time for some serious power! Here are pics that I have taken thus far. I will continue to update it as I go!

First I cut and welded frame (before I got tub)
http://i.imgur.com/f5R6yUa.jpg
After getting tub I realized the frame I made needed to be 11 inches shorter and 5 inches skinner. I cut it and the tub fit perfectly!
http://i.imgur.com/OUMH4No.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gOomdRY.jpg
Fiberglassing and Bondo on the tub to make it pertty
http://i.imgur.com/35x77cT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/x586zCp.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/9UuasWO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6s3GAL1.jpg
Cutting the atv frame in half, and disassembling it
http://i.imgur.com/W6gxJbU.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/AhtpxFs.jpg

Stay tuned for More!

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

This is going to be fun. Keep the updates coming.

 

[2SlickNick]

Looking good. I am subscribed!

 

[Poboy kartman]

Looking good. I am subscribed!

NOT ME!!!! I don't care if he's rebuilding Mt. Rushmore....I won't be back until he uses thumbnails.....I can't waste 5 mins. waiting for pics to load every time I visit this thread.

 

[Zombient]

NOT ME!!!! I don't care if he's rebuilding Mt. Rushmore....I won't be back until he uses thumbnails.....I can't waste 5 mins. waiting for pics to load every time I visit this thread.

5 minutes? You gotta upgrade your computer from that Po'tium II processor.

 

[Poboy kartman]

5 minutes? You gotta upgrade your computer from that Po'tium II processor.

Well.....I paid $149. for my "Computer" ....and it fits in my shirt pocket, and answers phone calls....

As big an issue though....is my server.....

But....REGARDLESS!!!!!..... I'm not alone on this.....it affects quite a few members....and....IF YOU HAVE A CASE TO MAKE AGAINST THUMBNAILS.....well....jump froggy!!!!!

 

[chancer]

This looks like it might ne cool. but yes. please use thumbnails even on my 17" flatscreen computer this is annoying.

 

[Denny]

I see it fine, to heck with the whiny Texan and Calefernian.

Denny

 

[Da Fisch]

Sorry, new photos will be thumbnails. First post on this forum, not sure how to do that. I got some more work done last night and will post it up

 

[OzFab]

cool build but, I don't see why it's not in the main project section... moved...

This looks like it might ne cool.

See, we all make typo's every now & then...

even on my 17" flatscreen computer this is annoying.

Why are you living in 1996?

 

[Da Fisch]

Alright so I had some more time to work on the kart today and I Got some work done. I bolted the tub to the frame, dismantled the ATV front suspension and then fabricated some suspension components for the front. I got a some grill mounts and found a grill from some 30's tractor and decided to throw that on there. I also made a custom bumper from metal so that when I hit something it uses compressing springs to help and take some of the "oof" out of your crashes.
Next I have to order some parts to make a rear suspension for this thing. Hoping to finish it by New Years! (on my christmas break from school)
http://i.imgur.com/p8QKBL3.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/gxELNo8.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5qqQyLq.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/pBFMWOo.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5yWpyyR.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/NUCbxCK.jpg

 

[landuse]

It is coming along nicely

To post thumbnails, click on the "Go advanced" button, then click on the "Manage Attachments" button. You can paste your links in the place provided for URL's. Then click upload. Done!

The images you have are so large that it takes forever to load, and people will not look at your thread because of it. I have fixed them for you so long.

 

[Da Fisch]

Got it, thank you!

 

[Poboy kartman]

SOOOOO much faster and easier to follow your posts now, and this is gonna be epic!

Looking good !!!!

 

[WhiteMustangGuy]

I'd suggest making steering arm extensions to correct the ackermann xD

---------- Post added at 10:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:35 PM ----------

Missed a few welds brahski

---------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:36 PM ----------

Close the garage and turn on the heater before saturday night, its cold outside

---------- Post added at 10:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:38 PM ----------

How's that budget treatin you? xD

---------- Post added at 10:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:38 PM ----------

To everyone reading this, I'm the friend on the other end of this bet (see original post)

 

[chancer]

[/COLOR]To everyone reading this, I'm the friend on the other end of this bet (see original post)

Well where is your entry. We want to help you too. Afterall this is an equal opportunity poke fest.

 

[WhiteMustangGuy]

I'll start it on Saturday night after he and I do some more work and I can get some more pictures (as we're building them together at his house)

 

[supermanotorious]

this is going to be amazeballs!