Rick's Back Flip off Rock Pile

[madcow246]

No, not at all. Rick bought the rig already built. The guy that built it did a very nice job, but Rick and I both felt that the cage needed a lot more bracing. I'm glad we did it! Our next major modification to it will be tweaking the suspension a bit and pushing the rear axle back 6 or 8 inches. As it sits now, wheelbase is only about 97". Overall, the rig works great, but it is a bit short for some of the bigger verticals.

Jeff, thanks for the props on the bulid, and I like the extra bracing on the cage. I will definitely incorporate some of those aspects in the next rig I build for my wife (the Samurai was her rig).

As I told Rick, I originally built the rig with function and aesthetics evenly split. The rear wheel well opening was the driving aesthetic reason for the axle placement. Any further back, and the opening's radius and spacing from the tire didn't match. With the axle placement as is, it allowed for a 98.5" wheelbase, and nearly a 90 degree departure angle, while keeping enough height for decent break-over clearance. The additional length should easily overcome the added weight transfer of the spare tire that I saw was added, but may hinder the break-over clearance.

As for the suspension tweek, I'm interested in what you come up with. I'm incorporating air shocks into her next rig, but I want to keep the overall stance low again, making for an extremely stable rig. I'm still designing (in my mind) the replacement rig, and have yet to purchase a platform, but she liked the Samurai so much, I'm leaning towards another. I created a monster by building her that rig, all she ever wanted to do was 'wheel hard core trails!

Hopefully I'll at least have my FJ40 finished by Fall, and we'll make a trip down your way to play.

 

[drtsqrl]

Jeff, thanks for the props on the bulid, and I like the extra bracing on the cage. I will definitely incorporate some of those aspects in the next rig I build for my wife (the Samurai was her rig).

As I told Rick, I originally built the rig with function and aesthetics evenly split. The rear wheel well opening was the driving aesthetic reason for the axle placement. Any further back, and the opening's radius and spacing from the tire didn't match. With the axle placement as is, it allowed for a 98.5" wheelbase, and nearly a 90 degree departure angle, while keeping enough height for decent break-over clearance. The additional length should easily overcome the added weight transfer of the spare tire that I saw was added, but may hinder the break-over clearance.

As for the suspension tweek, I'm interested in what you come up with. I'm incorporating air shocks into her next rig, but I want to keep the overall stance low again, making for an extremely stable rig. I'm still designing (in my mind) the replacement rig, and have yet to purchase a platform, but she liked the Samurai so much, I'm leaning towards another. I created a monster by building her that rig, all she ever wanted to do was 'wheel hard core trails!

Hopefully I'll at least have my FJ40 finished by Fall, and we'll make a trip down your way to play.

I love the way you did the build, and overall it works very well! In fact, I am planning on linking my wife's samurai this winter, and I am going to use many of your ideas!

As for stretching the wheelbase, we have learned from experience that anything under about 102" or so is pretty short for stuff like Rockpile or even White Knuckle or Widow Maker (although Rick has climbed White Knuckle as it sits now). The "tweaking" I was refering to would mostly just be raising it an inch or so to help overcome the decreased breakover angle with the longer wheelbase.

Be sure to look me up when you come to Moab, I'd love to run a trail or two with you!

 

[madcow246]

I love the way you did the build, and overall it works very well! In fact, I am planning on linking my wife's samurai this winter, and I am going to use many of your ideas!

As for stretching the wheelbase, we have learned from experience that anything under about 102" or so is pretty short for stuff like Rockpile or even White Knuckle or Widow Maker (although Rick has climbed White Knuckle as it sits now). The "tweaking" I was refering to would mostly just be raising it an inch or so to help overcome the decreased breakover angle with the longer wheelbase.

Be sure to look me up when you come to Moab, I'd love to run a trail or two with you!

White knuckle never bothered me on the way up, but it never felt very good on the way back down!

I thought about raising the rig, but it seemed like way too much work for the small gain, but if done at the same time as the stretch, it makes sense. It'll be a good time to change the rear pinion angle as well - I was never happy with the relationship between the rear driveshaft and the lower links, so the driveshaft ended up with a thick wall tube to allow for rock rash.

PM me with contact info, and I'll make sure to give you a call on our way down next time.

 

[mesha]

awesome flip!

 

[drtsqrl]

White knuckle never bothered me on the way up, but it never felt very good on the way back down!

I thought about raising the rig, but it seemed like way too much work for the small gain, but if done at the same time as the stretch, it makes sense. It'll be a good time to change the rear pinion angle as well - I was never happy with the relationship between the rear driveshaft and the lower links, so the driveshaft ended up with a thick wall tube to allow for rock rash.

PM me with contact info, and I'll make sure to give you a call on our way down next time.

PM sent.