'wittle 'wesistor (Mini Jeep)

[Functional Artist]

What's the final paint color?

...or maybe even make 'er "flip"

Like blue to green
...or green to gold

...or maybe just some "flippin'" accent stripes (as Denny suggested (a few years ago) in the thread below)

Still...(thinkin'...& thinkin...)
https://www.diygokarts.com/community/threads/color-shifting-paint.41047/

 

[BaconBitRacing]

...or maybe even make 'er "flip"

Like blue to green
...or green to gold

...or maybe just some "flippin'" accent stripes (as Denny suggested (a few years ago) in the thread below)

Still...(thinkin'...& thinkin...)
https://www.diygokarts.com/community/threads/color-shifting-paint.41047/

This is gonna take some thunkin', huh?

 

[Functional Artist]

Here are the Mini-Jeep wheels, with hubs

The (2) on the left, are the rears
...& (2) on the right, are the fronts

 

[Denny]

Oh Barbie! Here we come!

 

[BaconBitRacing]

Lookin' good! Those wheels. and tires were definitely the right choice.

 

[Functional Artist]

Did anyone notice that (3) of the hubs (for this low speed "parade vehicle") have bearings in them?
...& only the furthest one, to the left, has a keyway?

Front Hub w/Bearing

Rear Hub w/Bearing

Rear Hub w/keyway

 

[BaconBitRacing]

You don't have keyways all the way around? I haven't followed this all the way but I thought 4WD.

 

[Functional Artist]

You don't have keyways all the way around? I haven't followed this all the way but I thought 4WD.

No, 4 x 4
...it gets complicated & expensive real quick like

I did a 4 x 4 kart a couple of years ago
Lunar Rover

For this vehicle, I just wanted it to look like a real Jeep (just mini) for parades & such
...& for driving in parades, maneuverability at low speeds, is very important

So, I used a "live" axle for mounting the sprocket(s), brake drum & rear wheels
...but, "if" both rear wheels were "keyed" it would dramatically reduce the steering "action" at low speeds
...so, only (1) of them is "keyed" to help alleviate this issue

So, basically it's set up as a "1 wheel peel" kart
...but, it's a secret
...so, don't tell anyone

 

[BaconBitRacing]

Should be good for parades.

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

I noticed right away. Do I get a prize?

 

[BaconBitRacing]

I noticed right away. Do I get a prize?

A one gallon bucket of Saw-Glu is on the way to your house for personal consumption. You’re on earth right now, correct?

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

For the time being. This thread hijacking is a slippery slope. Back to our regularly scheduled programming...

 

[Functional Artist]

I wasn't totally happy with the stamped grille(s) that I made
...so, I re-worked the jig a bit (doubled the depth)

...& re-enforced the "clamping action" (with 1/4" steel plates on both sides & 1/2 bolts with 1/2" "Hella'Nuts")

...& inserted another steel "blank" (actually, I think they are Galvanized & not Stainless) w/1 Die on top

Stood 'er up, to actuate the "clamping bolts
...& used a torque gun to press the Die into the Mold (with the steel "blank" in between)

It came out like this

I then, added another 3/4" "layer" to the Die

This how it came out

Another view

...& another

Yup, Ima likin' that a bit better now that it has more structure &/or depth
...& I'm thinkin' that I can use some of the "extra material to establish some mounting "tabs"

 

[Functional Artist]

Next, I drilled out the holes for the light sockets

The (2) hole saws on the left are for cutting out the sockets in the Dies
...& the (2) on the right are for cutting out the holes in the steel blank

Like this

Then, pressed 'em out with this
...& a 1/2" nut & bolt

...& then, they looked like this

Notice the mounting flanges

...& we also have a nice wide top surface to kinda "cradle" the front of the hood

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

This is making me very happy. Continue.

 

[Functional Artist]

Ta makes the Slots, I placed the "piece" on the lower "fixture"
...& put the upper Grill Slot "fixture" over top of it

Wrapped some cardboard around a pencil

...& used it to mark the cut lines, in the center if the slots

...then, cut the lines, with a cut-off wheel

Like this

Minor mess up

Major mess up

Shiz Shiz Shiz

 

[Denny]

If you close your eyes you’ll never see it!

 

[Functional Artist]

I re-installed the upper Grille Slot fixture

Covered the "slot puncher" with some scrap steel (the edge of the slots kept getting caught on the wood "puncher")

I went ahead & "punched" the slots out anyways

Yup, I had ta make another one

OK hopefully I finally have that out of my system now
...& now we can move on

 

[Functional Artist]

Head Lights & Marker Lights

Back to the CAD

Cur 'er down to size

Profile

CAD template dry fit in the Grille

Other side

CAD template transferred to steel

Steel inserts dry-fit in the Grille

Head Light & Marker Lights installed in the steel inserts (front & rear view)

 

[Functional Artist]

Here is the Grille with lights

Another angle/view

Back side

Another angle/view