Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F wrote:
chrisser wrote:
Looking at a Ford 8.8 IRS for the rear. Plenty of ratios available.
This will be AWD/4WD so the front will most likely have less availability, especially if a reverse cut gearset is required.
For ratio, to maximize the torque available in each gear and still reach triple digits near the hp peak (4100rpm), 3.73-4.10 would be better. It makes a big difference in how responsive the car is in any gear.
As for awd, it sounds like you want to rebody a cj or tracker. Why not just build a cj?
Well, not to go too far off topic, but weight distribution, CG and independent suspension primarily. Most of my drive is fun, curvy roads that are 55mph. About 25%, including the road we live on, are one-lane dirt/gravel with steep hills, ruts, rocks, mud, ice and little maintenance. Maybe 10% is Interstate driving at 70mph speed limits. I have a Cherokee, and while it's great on the dirt, it rides hard with the straight axles on pavement and doesn't lend itself to spirited driving. The engine is completely above and partially forward of the axle centerline and is a heavy cast iron lump. Also has a pretty short wheelbase.
I also have a FS 4wd Silverado. It has a long wheelbase and is more stable than the Jeep most of the time, but it actually gets stuck easier than the Jeep. I think the weight is the differentiating factor. That and the weight bias so heavily forward.
My wife drives an AWD Escape (2013), which one would think has the potential to be a better vehicle for our drive, but it's actually the worst. Ground clearance too low, AWD too managed and tires too wide. I got it stuck in a mud puddle once on flat ground because the computer refused to put power to the two tires that had traction when it detected slip on the other two. I will say the Escape handles admirably for what it is. Most of the winter, its stuck in the garage because we can't get it down the road safely either because it doesn't have the ground clearance or doesn't have the traction.
So, taking in my observations from our current livery and seeing what works and what doesn't in what others around me are driving, I'm trying to build something that handles reasonably well on pavement, at least better than the Cherokee which is a pretty low bar, but I can still get to/from home 90%+ of the time, with the Cherokee in reserve for the worst weather or when I need to tow/haul something. Seven-ish inspired vehicle has the engine and passengers low in the chassis, it's very lightweight, has a fairly long wheelbase and independent suspension. With taller wheels/tires I think I can get the ground clearance to where I need it. I only need the 4wd for low speed traction.
Mine will likely not be the pure sports car others have built, but I think it will be an interesting project that might have broader appeal than people outside this part of the country realize.
A lot of people in WV, KY, NC, southern OH and eastern TN are in the same boat I am. Either have a long, rough driveway or live off the pavement on some combination hilly, narrow, rough rural roads. We end up driving 4x4 pickups or SUVs just so we can get to pavement, but then most of the time we're driving a larger, heavier, and more ill-handling vehicle than we need because nothing more nimble can get from the pavement to home. Subarus are probably the closest solution, but even they aren't always viable and seem to be designed with less ground clearance every year.
We also don't have much in the way of entertainment out here in the sticks, so this will keep me out of trouble for awhile. Kind of trying to mash up a sports car with a sporting trials car I guess and add a little hot rod inspiration.
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