The iKart build

[BigBlockRanger]

Seats are mounted:

All the way forward

And All the way back

Next job is to finish the spindles.

 

[88s10Durango]

Looking good , you think mayby you should put a gusset on the side where the back rest meets the bottom part you sit on ??

 

[88s10Durango]

In this area I marked with the arrow ?? Bill

 

[BigBlockRanger]

Yeah I might add a little brace there, but they are dang stong as is. You can lay them on the floor like this ^ and stand on the peak and they do not flex.

 

[88s10Durango]

I don`t doubt there not strong , if it was mine I would just weld in that little extra triangular gusset for overkill , lol , Bill

 

[freakboy]

very nice work NOW FINISH IT hahaha.




\wow 209 post in about two months i talk to much ahahah

 

[BigBlockRanger]

Just bought a HFT blue motor at the sidewalk sale. Not the deal I was hoping for, but at $129 it's hard to complain for very long.

 

[88s10Durango]

How many HP is this new motor ?

 

[BigBlockRanger]

6.5 Should be more than enough to get my kids in trouble.

 

[BigBlockRanger]

Finally got some time to work on this thing again. I found out the steering is a little more tricky than I first thought.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THESE TIE ROD ENDS! I thought I was doing good by buying these tie rod ends at Lowes for 8.99 for a pkg of 2. I assumed since the package said 3/8" that both the tie rod and the mounting bolt was 3/8". WRONG. The mounting bolt is 3/8 fine thread and the tie rod was a 7/16" fine thread. I had intended to just use 3/8" all thread for the tie rods. Ever try to find 7/16' fine thread all thread? Well, me neither because it is just not available at local hardware stores. So what to do? I was just about to go back to the store to find something to make these work (since I already mangled the packages beyond return) when I stumbled upon some 7/16 fine thread flywheel bolts I had. So, I drilled a locating hole in the end of each bolt head and welded some steel rod I had into the end of each bolt. I will add a locknut in there to secure them at a later date.

Note ackerman type steering.

I used 2 large nuts, one welded on and 1 with a set screw to control thrust on the steering wheel.

I had to add a brace to the steering mast since it wanted to wobble fore and aft. It does not wobble now. lol

Turing left:

Turning right:

I also cut out seat bottoms/backs and inserted the T-nuts and now am ready to get some foam and vinyl and cover them.

I used the plasma cutter to taper and notch the angle iron for the spindles. Dang I love that thing. These also double as steering stops.

 

[Tommy Boy]

Very nice.

 

[PyroKart]

cool build

 

[frederic]

BigBlockRanger...

I would recommend you make one big tie rod between the two spindle arms, and attach another tie rod off your pitman arm (on your steering shaft) to the far (right) spindle arm.

The reason is, because tie rods of unequal length introduce some steering anomilies that depends on the ratio of length between the left and right and right tie rods. Your left tie rod is quite a bit longer than your right tie rod, so these artifacts will be obvious.

The amount of work to do this isn't very great, and I hope you don't mind the suggestion. If your kart will be used off-road exclusively this may matter less, but on pavement it's important to have things be as stable and intuitive as possible. From your pictures it looks as though you took ackerman angles into consideration... good for you!

 

[BigBlockRanger]

Yes I noticed some differences due to the fact the tie rods are different lengths. This kart will be driven 99% of the time out at my dad's place on the dirt, so I decided it's probably not a big deal, but I will keep your suggestion in mind. Thanks!

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

I dont think the steering will be that big of a deal on dirt. My kart that is also driven off road has a bend spindle on one side (atleast 5* of positive camber because of it), and the tie rods are also bent so that there is a lot toe out, but i really dont think it handles too bad. Anyways, i would suggest Heim Joints instead of those tie rod ends you have, the style your using is very weak, and i have had a few give out on a riding mower (5mph).

 

[BigBlockRanger]

Arrg. Don't tell me that! lol

Ok motor mounts are fabbed and mounted. Felt I needed to raise it up a little to have adequate clearance. The brake stud is on and the chain has been cut to the right length. Gotta come up with some pedals and a floor pan next.

 

[BigBlockRanger]

Update, but no pics.

Seats are covered.

I made pedals yesterday and connected the throttle and brakes. Next thing is the floorpan.

Then..... TEST DRIVE!!!

 

[freakboy]

just make a plywood floor pan.

 

[BigBlockRanger]

Hey look, I finally worked on it again!

 

[frederic]

It's looking really good there.... I like what you've done to it. Nice craftsmanship!