LocostUSA.com

Please don't make that a habit. I worked with a woman once who'd buy a dress, go to a party, then return it. That one habit told me more than I ever wanted to know about her. Then there was the guy who'd return his "broken" six-month old laptop to Costco, over and over. Twice a year he'd have a new laptop. Guess what, they discontinued the policy of accepting stuff back due to that crap.

Please don't. Sorry, but I had to speak my mind. On the web, silence implies consent.

_________________
Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

Ok, I'm not like that but I felt I had good reasons. Allow me to explain.

1. I was once overcharged about 20 bucks at my local HF. They would not refund the money to my bank card, and to file a protest with the bank would mean no bank card for a week. Not acceptable.

2. My bad experience.... I had a wheel bearing go bad in the dub and went to a local shop to press it. Well, they wanted cash and little did I know it was because they wanted no record of the work. The mechanic cracked the race. When you do that... they dont make noise. I found out about this about two months later (and less than 5k miles) when I heard a horrible grinding in the front of the car. Brakes, rotor, caliper carrier, and two new tires were in order.... not to mention a new bearing, spindle, and hub. 700 dollars and I was without a car for a week. not fun.

3/4. Thats a big mofo press. I simply do not have space to store it right now. Money is also tight as I try to pay down debt and maintain a racing addiction.

I figure after this Karma, HF and I are even. Next time I need a press I'll think ahead a little more or just buy it.

So, take that as you will. I'm not a bad guy, just a bad-a guy.

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If it has tits or tires it will cost you money.

Well, I missed my goal of making a rolling chassis today but just a little. FYI 15 inch alloy wheels don't fit the rear of the car Will 16's? I hope. 17's are too big for this thing IMHO.

I figured out the steering after looking at the instructions, who knew? Didn't get a chance to fab it though.

Pretty un eventful, just a bunch of work. Pics for your enjoyment.




-Brad

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If it has tits or tires it will cost you money.

I think you better consider using wider tires...

I expect the rear uprights to eventually crack from flexing.

There is a stiffener on top center. There are much stiffer DIY designs on this site. Four, .125" x .750", drilled ribs (plates down each side from uca pivot to lca pivot) could be just as light yet much stiffer.

If you don't want to strengthen it, at least keep an eye on it.

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

Along those lines, you could add 4 ribs from the center ring to the 3 pivot brackets. This should essentially box it all in. Ideally the lower ribs would be to the outer flange of the pivot brackets but it may break through space and not look too elegant. See the red lines. I would also add in a rib across the bottom tying the 2 lower pivot points.

To save a bit of weight you could trim the outer plate closer to the new ribs.

Pardon the aspect ratios in the picture, I just drew something based on the views I could see.

When you get to that point, I would also find a way to tie the brake caliper mounting ears to the boxed section rather than just welding them to the outer face plate.

Just a suggestion....

_________________
Chuck.

“Any suspension will work if you don’t let it.” - Colin Chapman

Visit my ongoing MGB Rustoration log: over HERE

Or my Wankel powered Locost log : over HERE

And don't forget my Cushman Truckster resto Locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=17766

Well, I think I'm close to connecting the steering wheel to the front wheels. Got my adapter fabed up with the help of a friend and it *just* kisses some frame. After some work with the flap wheel it should fit fine.

sorry no pics today

-Brad

_________________
If it has tits or tires it will cost you money.

Thanks for pointing that out. I'll add it to the list. Like the front LCA pick up has already had issues on some cars.



Thanks for the info!

_________________
If it has tits or tires it will cost you money.

I think i may have the brakes figured out. Such a basic thing... run a hydraulic system. But then you have different flares, an to brake to pipe thread adapters, one end standard the other may be metric... wow.

For you guys building though..... I got this from an ebay seller. http://www.longacreracing.com/catalo...d=551&catid=18

available in -3 and -4. I priced some parts out and it seems like a pretty good deal. Now just to figure out what adaptor fitting I need and the rear and order that from summit.

_________________
If it has tits or tires it will cost you money.

Holy crap, all the time I was looking at them I thought they were just templates for alignment and the 'real' ones get fitted later!

Your right, it does look like a well made template.

_________________
Miata UBJ: ES-2074R('70s maz pickup)
Ford IFS viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13225&p=134742
Simple Spring select viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11815
LxWxHt
360LA 442E: 134.5x46x15
Lotus7:115x39x7.25
Tiger Avon:114x40x13.3-12.6
Champion/Book:114x42x11
Gibbs/Haynes:122x42x14
VoDou:113x44x14
McSorley 442:122x46x14
Collins 241:127x46x12

I have too many wheels in my garage....

_________________
If it has tits or tires it will cost you money.

That is one ugly Exo - not sure how the same company can make the beautiful Sonic and this?

If you redesign the rear uprights, consider mounting the outboard end of the shock directly to the upright. That gets rid of all bending loads on the lower arm and bearings.

_________________
Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/