ghetto's backwards buggy

So I sold my old rig last year. I wanted to build something smaller. With 42's and one tons it felt kinda like a monster truck wheeling with the Sami buggies I go with. I have been kicking around the idea of a mid/rear engine rig for awhile. I couldn't decide on a drivetrain for it though. A guy I know had a 2000 Tacoma that he wrecked so I got that from him. I haven't ran any of the newer toy stuff though. I had a supra 7mgte in my last rig but it was pretty easy to hook up.
Once I had the motor and tranny figured out I decided to keep it simple and go Toyota. I got a set of axles from zukijames. They had 5:29s and Arb's installed. I decided to go with a single t-case and 4.7gears. I wanted to do double but I don't have room with the engine where it is at. I hope with the automatic it should be fine. I am building the chassis out of 1 1/2 Dom. Ill try to get some pics up as I go. I started about a month ago so I have a couple.

 

[zukijames]

i see.. they dont make a hi pinion in the axle im using so i guess i cant do much ..im jealous !

 

[Karnage Fab]

are upside down 3rds gonna oil the pinyon bearing properly?

 

[ghetto]

It is a crawler so I am just going to overfill a little. I've seen some mods to help it oil but i am not worried about it for what I am going to do with it.

 

[ghetto]

I have made a little more progress. I moved and moved all my stuff so I had to reset up my shop and find all my parts and tools. Since last time I posted I put in a bunch more gussets. Got the front and rear axles shaved and new covers built. The rear is all welded up and the front is all mocked up. Got the floor put in and the pedals mocked up. I have been working on the wiring. I got it to fire up on starter fluid. It seemed to run good for a few seconds. I need to hook up the actual fuel before I mess with that too much more. I had a gas tank built that would fit under my seat to keep the weight low. I'm sure a few other little things but here's some pics

 

[ghetto]

Couple photos of how much I shaved off.

 

[ghetto]

And the front with the ram and the winch mount.

 

[mesha]

Looking awesome.

 

[Greg]

Good to see this thread getting updated! The buggy is looking good, hope to see it out on the trail this Summer.

 

[mombobuggy]

Looking good so far, I have always liked the mid engine concept. Unbeatable vision of the trail. Always reassuring to be able to see what your getting into. Like the way all the heavy stuff is down low.

 

[ghetto]

Good to see this thread getting updated! The buggy is looking good, hope to see it out on the trail this Summer.

I hope so too. I'm shooting for ejs. I was last year too but then work got in the way and then I moved soooo...... now I'm trying again.

 

[zukijames]

Awesome hopefully you get it done.. I also was trying to get mine done for ejs last year and have about given up on this year

 

[ghetto]

Don't give up. You still have a month.

 

[ghetto]

Got my winch and my sweet light bar

 

[mombobuggy]

I really dig the front shock mounts. The tubing part. cool idea.

 

[ghetto]

I'm from Texas. It's my longhorns!

 

[mombobuggy]

That is funny that is exactly what they made me think of. Nice touch I love the south.

 

[ghetto]

So I rebuilt my transfercases tonight. I put in marlin crawler chromoly 4.7 gears, longfield 300m rear output shaft, and marlin crawler chromoly 30 spline front output. I have marlins twin stick for it but I will need to modify the shifters for clearance. I am having trouble getting the inchworm adapter to work though. The couplers outside diameter seems to big so I will have to call him Monday.

 

[ghetto]

Pulled the motor out. Going to weld everything up.

 

[zukijames]

Such a sweet buggy

 

[ghetto]

Got some new parts.
Flipped it over for welding and building my skid plates. Ran out of gas for my welder