'wittle 'wesistor (Mini Jeep)

[Functional Artist]

Still workin' on the body panels

Another view

Still gotta do some adjustments (where the side panel & Cowl intersect)

Here is where the wiring harness comes up thru the body

Yup, got some cargo, in the cargo area already

I found a couple of (little) mess-ups
I cut the wheel well out a bit too big (on both sides, of course)

Um... many Jeeps have added rubber wheel well "flares"
...yea, that's the plan

 

[BaconBitRacing]

It looks like a Jeep! I wanna drive! CAD really does the trick, don't it? This is your first kart body, right?

 

[Functional Artist]

It looks like a Jeep!

Yup, itsa lookin' quite Jeepy

CAD really does the trick, don't it?

Yup, the steel body isa lookin' pretty close to "Splash" (CAD Jeep Art)

...& the fuller size CAD model too

This is your first kart body, right?

Yup, again (that's 3 for 3)
...the closest thing to a body, that I've made so far, is the fiberglass hood on the mini-Slingshot

 

[Functional Artist]

This workmanship is way beyond my hack style!

Well, thats kinda why I jabber so much
...& post so many pics

Just atryin' ta describe, explain & show how stuff "can be" done
...& the outcome or the end product

My hope is that others pick up some ideas, concepts &/or tricks, to use in & on their own creations & projects
...& IMO it seems that you do kinda the same (in your own way &/or style)

* My left brain has been secretly workin' on Morgana (looks around-nervously) that's all I can say for now)
...but, maybe you can/will have a bit more input, on that build

 

[BaconBitRacing]

Well, thats kinda why I jabber so much
...& post so many pics

Just atryin' ta describe, explain & show how stuff "can be" done
...& the outcome or the end product

My hope is that others pick up some ideas, concepts &/or tricks, to use in & on their own creations & projects
...& IMO it seems that you do kinda the same (in your own way &/or style)

* My left brain has been secretly workin' on Morgana (looks around-nervously) that's all I can say for now)
...but, maybe you can/will have a bit more input, on that build

You and Hack have definitely inspired me, and I've learned some stuff. Y'all have lotsa to say and it's quite useful.
I really couldn't tell if you wanted to make a Morgan

 

[Master Hack]

* My left brain has been secretly workin' on Morgana

Oh that'll be fun!

For me, I'm just hopeful that my junk will inspire some of the young'ns to put down the video game and got out to the garage and figure out how to actually make something. It doesn't take a lot of money, just some creativity.

 

[G.W]

Still workin' on the body panels
View attachment 139286
Another view
View attachment 139287
Still gotta do some adjustments (where the side panel & Cowl intersect)
View attachment 139292
Here is where the wiring harness comes up thru the body
View attachment 139288
Yup, got some cargo, in the cargo area already
View attachment 139289
I found a couple of (little) mess-ups
I cut the wheel well out a bit too big (on both sides, of course)
View attachment 139291
Um... many Jeeps have added rubber wheel well "flares"
...yea, that's the plan

Honestly that doesn't look like a large gap. The gap on my jeep is quite large and it doesn't look bad.

P.S if ya want some pics of those flares let me know.

 

[Functional Artist]

Honestly that doesn't look like a large gap. The gap on my jeep is quite large and it doesn't look bad.

P.S if ya want some pics of those flares let me know.

Gap?

If ya talkin' about the side panel & Cowl intersection
...the bottom bend on the Cowl should have been ~1/2" higher (bent at the line)

The Cowl & side body panel are supposed to come together, nice-n-even, to create a hidden bolting flange
...but, as you can see, the Cowl is ~1/2" too low
...that'sa why the side panels are kinda leanin' outwards, toward their tops

Yes, pics of Jeep wheel well flares would be helpful & appreciated

 

[G.W]

Gap?

If ya talkin' about the side panel & Cowl intersection
...the bottom bend on the Cowl should have been ~1/2" higher (bent at the line)
View attachment 139322
The Cowl & side body panel are supposed to come together, nice-n-even, to create a hidden bolting flange
...but, as you can see, the Cowl is ~1/2" too low
...that'sa why the side panels are kinda leanin' outwards, toward their tops
View attachment 139323
Yes, pics of Jeep wheel well flares would be helpful & appreciated

I was talking about the gap between the wheel and the fender.

 

[Functional Artist]

I was talking about the gap between the wheel and the fender.

OK & yup wheel well flares should work to "cover up" my mistake

This is how the Cowl to side panel junction should look

...& the hidden bolting flange

 

[Functional Artist]

Curvin' the rear end of the panels is up next
...but, I am kinda leary (not 100% sure) about it (don't wanna mess 'em up now)

So, Ima gonna do a "test bend" (or 2) first on a piece of scrap

This is (1) of the "doorway" cut-outs
...& has the same 1 1/2" flange as the body panels (it should it came off of (1) of them)

I measured & marked the side panel, about where I figured the bend should be

...& I figured (4) "relief" cuts ~1/2" apart, should help 'er bend

Tools for the job

Bendin' aid (I first tried just (2) "relief" cuts but, ended up needed all (4)

Yup, that seems pretty close

 

[Functional Artist]

I took the "test piece" over to the kart

...& used it to line up where the bends needed ta be (on the panel)

...but, it looks like where it actually needs ta be (dark line) is "off" a little bit from where I thought it shoulda needed ta be (long thin line)

So, I dida some adjustin'

...& went "off of" the new mark

Cut the (4) upper & (4) lower slots

...& got ta rollin' (found that I had ta bend the tabs out of the way)

Rolled

 

[G.W]

Can't wait to see it done.

 

[Functional Artist]

Here's a coupla more pics

Top view

 

[Master Hack]

Thats some purdy nice sheet metal work. I worked a short time at a sheet metal shop doing QC. Those guys got nothing on you. l haven’t seen a pic, but you must have a brake and a shear?

 

[Functional Artist]

Thats some purdy nice sheet metal work. I worked a short time at a sheet metal shop doing QC. Those guys got nothing on you. l haven’t seen a pic, but you must have a brake and a shear?

Thanks again!

No shear
...but, I gotsa Harbor Freight sheet metal bender with ~30" width capacity

For the side body panels I "picked my battle" by having the place I get my steel from, do some of the shearing
...& also, the long (upper & lower) bends on the side panels

As per this shearing diagram

...& this bending diagram

FYI: most of my "art" work is done in the "great outdoors" on a workbench (solid door)

...under a carport type structure

* I know, Ima still workin' on cleanin' up
...its a "work in progress"

 

[G.W]

Thanks again!

No shear
...but, I gotsa Harbor Freight sheet metal bender with ~30" width capacity
View attachment 139402
For the side body panels I "picked my battle" by having the place I get my steel from, do some of the shearing
...& also, the long (upper & lower) bends on the side panels
View attachment 139399
As per this shearing diagram
View attachment 139403
...& this bending diagram
View attachment 139404
FYI: most of my "art" work is done in the "great outdoors" on a workbench (solid door)
View attachment 139406
...under a carport type structure
View attachment 139405
* I know, Ima still workin' on cleanin' up
...its a "work in progress"

My shop is always "a work in progress." It is always a bit messy because of the small space and lack of workbench space.

 

[Master Hack]

You have no idea what a real cluttered mess is….

ever heard of or done “bump bending”?

 

[Functional Artist]

I gots the rear "curves" done on both side body panels

...& they seems ta be pretty close

Well, lets see "if" or how well, they fits on the Jeep

Another view

Dry fit the floorboards (just ta make sure everything fits together)
Front

Rear

 

[Functional Artist]

ever heard of or done “bump bending”?

Um...nope
...please elaborate

When assembling these steel panels, I have found this bolt hole "alignment" tool ta be very helpful

Sometimes the bolt holes in (2) different panels just don't quite line up (but, they did a little bit ago)

Well, just insert this "handy-dandy-little-tool into the offending junction
...& (wait for it)

Ok, now ya can look, the holes have been aligned (no levers or buttons or nuthin')