The "trophy husband" pro mod buggy build

Per @mbryson post in 2025 goals:

Let's help with manageable goals/milestones here:
What's the current status? What's the next steps on each system?
Engine: already have wiring harness. Need to figure out some accessory mounts and belt routing
Cooling system: Need to have mounts welded on radiator that I already have and then mount it. Run hose and pipe. Figure out water neck connections
Trans: built and installed. Already have shifter and cable ready to install, needs fluid
Transfer case: Atlas is in but needs shifters installed and fluid
Driveshafts: need them. Ordered carrier bearing to start on 2-piece front shaft
Fuel system: mounts for fuel cell are done. Have hose. Need to figure out pump/filter sitch
Steering: currently working on tie rods. Already have steering shaft/orbital mount tacked on. Need to mount pump that I already have and plumb it. Already have steering wheel.
Brakes: have all rotors/calipers/pads and poly lines. Need caliper mounts for front axle. Have cutting brakes. I don’t think I have a master cylinder and pedal
Interior: need to finish skeleton and then start laying out controls and panels
Seats/belts/safety: seat mounts are done. Need belts and mounts. Also need fire extinguishers/mounts and safety net on d-side
Rotten status of current tires: brand new but will need some spinning to break them in
Appearance/body panels: yeah…
Other things I missed: loads of bolts need to be sized properly.

There’s sooooo much more it’s depressing to see it all “on paper” actually. Lol I feel worse now

The first step in the 12 step process to recovery from ignoring your build is to accept where you are at and start knocking things off that list........that bit of counseling will cost you $1.23

N-Smooth said:

Per @mbryson post in 2025 goals:

Let's help with manageable goals/milestones here:
What's the current status? What's the next steps on each system?
Engine: already have wiring harness. Need to figure out some accessory mounts and belt routing
Cooling system: Need to have mounts welded on radiator that I already have and then mount it. Run hose and pipe. Figure out water neck connections
Trans: built and installed. Already have shifter and cable ready to install, needs fluid
Transfer case: Atlas is in but needs shifters installed and fluid
Driveshafts: need them. Ordered carrier bearing to start on 2-piece front shaft
Fuel system: mounts for fuel cell are done. Have hose. Need to figure out pump/filter sitch
Steering: currently working on tie rods. Already have steering shaft/orbital mount tacked on. Need to mount pump that I already have and plumb it. Already have steering wheel.
Brakes: have all rotors/calipers/pads and poly lines. Need caliper mounts for front axle. Have cutting brakes. I don’t think I have a master cylinder and pedal
Interior: need to finish skeleton and then start laying out controls and panels
Seats/belts/safety: seat mounts are done. Need belts and mounts. Also need fire extinguishers/mounts and safety net on d-side
Rotten status of current tires: brand new but will need some spinning to break them in
Appearance/body panels: yeah…
Other things I missed: loads of bolts need to be sized properly.

There’s sooooo much more it’s depressing to see it all “on paper” actually. Lol I feel worse now

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What's the current status? What's the next steps on each system?

TLDR

In for completed buggy pics

I’ve been continually working on this thing here and there, just picking little things to get off the list. I built some more tabs to connect the motor (oil pan) to the engine skid structure.

This piece has been a huge headache and one of those sit back and stare at it for hours parts of the build. The way the drivetrain is mounted, this whole piece has to come apart to remove it so that complicates things. I have some AR400 at Ryan’s shop I need to cut and then I’ll place that on the bottom and start tabbing it out. I already made a template out of cardboard for this skid and the rearmost skid. So that’ll be nice to have done.

Then I started messing with Onshape some more because I wanted to give SendCutSend a try. Also learning CAD was one of my goals for ‘24 and I still have some more to learn.
I designed some tabs for various suck down winch tasks and plates for mounting the master cylinder/pedal assembly and the cutting brakes. Nothing too crazy but still, it took time and effort. I’m getting better at it though! Those were just shipped today.
Not anything exciting visually but here’s a little screenshot anyways lol

I also started messing around with new cutting brake handles. I have the stupid Wilwood push/pull cutters and they have super lame, giant handles. They also look like something a zesty guy like @Hickey wants to sit on
So the idea is to cut at the top line and bolt a new handle (where hardware is sitting) that stop at the bottom line. Also went 6” longer on the new handles for leverage. The idea was to have them look like the handles Jesse makes- like this.

I think I landed on a design I’m happy with and I even added speed holes because ‘Merica.

If Ryan has me order 6 of them for him too, they’re CHEAP! Strange but .250 6061 was the plan per Jesse’s recommendation but .313 is actually cheaper. I’ll take a little extra width for comfort (that’s what Hickey said)


Hopefully I’ll have some more exciting updates soon-ish or in like 3 years

Oh and I started designing a bolt-on pedal extension for my brake pedal. Some companies sell longer pedals for more leverage since manual brakes suck. I figure I’m at my computer “working” anyways so I may as well be messing around in OnShape. If I get the parts and I don’t like the fit and finish, meh.

Appreciate the mention. I’m a little jealous of you rich kids and your cutting brakes. I just have a rear brake bias valve that doesn’t work for squat.

Hickey said:

Appreciate the mention. I’m a little jealous of you rich kids and your cutting brakes. I just have a rear brake bias valve that doesn’t work for squat.

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I was just going to say they’re not expensive at all but apparently they’re $320 each and I have two of them

N-Smooth said:

I was just going to say they’re not expensive at all but apparently they’re $320 each and I have two of them

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Baller!

Hickey said:

Baller!

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If you stretch out the cost of a buggy build over several years it doesn’t feel that expensive. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks.

N-Smooth said:

If you stretch out the cost of a buggy build over several years it doesn’t feel that expensive. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks.

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Yea. A $40,000 rig over a 20 year build is only $2000 a year. Great thinking.

kmboren said:

Yea. A $40,000 rig over a 20 year build is only $2000 a year. Great thinking.

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I really don’t know how much I’m into my build nor do I care to know, just like my shop build. As long as I’m not going into debt for it and my kids are fed/clothed, all is well

But my buggy hasn’t been THAT expensive.

N-Smooth said:

I really don’t know how much I’m into my build nor do I care to know, just like my shop build. As long as I’m not going into debt for it and my kids are fed/clothed, all is well

But my buggy hasn’t been THAT expensive.

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Even cheaper per year than, Awesome. With inflation it will be worth that much?