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PostPosted: July 2, 2018, 3:44 pm 
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Joined: January 18, 2015, 4:48 am
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Location: Carlsbad, CA
Thinking out loud here...

I noticed a few companies offer expensive and not thoroughly engineered 4 wheel conversion kits for the polaris slingshot.

I was thinking if you started with a used slingshot and put in a bit of effort, you could have a light, fairly low cost tube frame car, with minimal time and labor compared to a full build. The front of the car seems fairly well done, suspension wise.

My first thought was to lift the rear diff, halfshafts, uprights, suspension arms, etc out of a pontiac solstice, weld up a rear subframe, scrap the polaris driveshaft and belt drive converter box, toss in a longer driveshaft, and voila - awesome car. Stock slingshot is supposed to be 1750ish lbs so figure you could get it under 2000 easy.

I am going to attach some photos below to get the juices flowing. Feel free to add any comments.

stock slingshot

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slingshot chassis

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slingshot stock drivetrain

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solstice rear suspension

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other companies attempts at 4 wheel conversions:

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PostPosted: July 2, 2018, 5:10 pm 
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I can't view most of your pics, but keep in mind when you put that 4th wheel on it no longer is a motorcycle and you'll have different licensing laws to have to deal with.

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PostPosted: July 2, 2018, 5:38 pm 
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Exactly what I was thinking. While nobody would stop you putting it on, a cop would likely pull you over for a motorcycle plate on a car. I think if you were to get in an accident, your insurance company would disavow you.

While you could try to get it re-registered as something else, generally most dmvs do not approve motorcycle parts on cars.

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PostPosted: July 2, 2018, 5:50 pm 
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I agree, the dmv/getting pulled over is certainly the drawback to this option. It is so intriguing to me otherwise though...


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PostPosted: July 4, 2018, 11:31 am 
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carguy123 wrote:
I can't view most of your pics, but keep in mind when you put that 4th wheel on it no longer is a motorcycle and you'll have different licensing laws to have to deal with.


I guess that depends on where it's registered. Here in BC the Slingshot is registered as a car already so it wouldn't change anything.


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PostPosted: July 4, 2018, 12:35 pm 
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Just thought I'd add that many states now have a 3rd category called autocycle. In Illinois:
Quote:
An autocycle is a three-wheeled vehicle that has a steering wheel and seating that does not require the driver to straddle or sit astride it.
THe Polaris is now registered as an Autocycle here.

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PostPosted: July 4, 2018, 11:17 pm 
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Joined: July 4, 2006, 5:40 pm
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Location: Novato, CA
I didn't think the Slingshot could get any more unattractive, but 4 wheels does it.


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PostPosted: July 5, 2018, 3:24 am 
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nick47 wrote:
I didn't think the Slingshot could get any more unattractive, but 4 wheels does it.


3 or 4, it doesn't come close to what we build here.

Kinda reminds me of the Nabob coffee bean commercial, "Many are picked, but few are chosen"

You can't compare apples to oranges, Locost 7's are in a league of they're own and I'm proud to say that.

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PostPosted: July 5, 2018, 2:12 pm 
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Joined: July 17, 2006, 3:09 pm
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Location: Holly, MI
I'm pretty sure I have driven the one pictured with the white rear subframe and Michigan plate. One of my customers brought it to a track day and asked me to drive it for him. I can get you in contact with him if you want more real world feedback.

I thought the car drove OK. It needed a few tweaks, mainly the mounting of the rear shock. The shock was bottoming out under normal driving, causing some erratic behavior. The owner says the car was much improved after putting on longer shocks and redoing the mount.

Ken


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PostPosted: July 5, 2018, 10:09 pm 
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Joined: June 30, 2018, 3:13 pm
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Location: USA-California-Riverside-Hemet
Just saw a frame and suspension on Craig's list LA...

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