Not so budget 3-link build

[aggie91]

Thanks Seth, I see now that the bottom is a uniball. I did not notice that before I asked my question. I think you skills are top notch and you do come up with some cutting edge stuff. Thanks for your explanation.

Great work.

[Twisted Minis]

The Uniball won't actually limit the steering, I am using the smaller rod end to do that. The Uniball is larger, and would actually allow me to turn I believe 45 degrees, which would put my tire into the frame far before it limited the steering travel.

I do have to flip the upper control arm over though, because part of the spindle hits the clamp bung, and is limiting the travel to probably 30 degrees. That extra 8 degrees makes a big difference.

[Dave Reed]

Originally Posted by Twisted Minis

A lot of people have said I should have just cleared everything. I've cleared bare metal before, and it turned yellow over time. I hear really high end clears take a long longer, but they still yellow, and they are a lot more expensive than flat chassis black.

For the dimples, I use Blair Holcutter's to make the holes, and a press to form them over the dies.



It cycles about 20 inches.

I didn't read the whole thread before replying to this so please excuse me if you got it answered elsewhere. Yes clear will yellow, but powdercoat won't. We used powdercoating for polished aluminum rims and that held forever. If you look at a powder clear it is completely clear next to a paint clear.

[milehightoyz]

not sure if its been asked or not, but would you mind sharing what welding machines you are using, both mig and tig, make model etc. i would greatly appreciate any feedback you have on either as well. thanks in advanced and keep up the incredible work.

[Twisted Minis]

I have a Matching Lincoln Set. I have the Precision TIG 225 and the PowerMIG 215 XT. I couldn't be happier with either of them.

[Dave Reed]

Originally Posted by Twisted Minis

I learned a lot from books. But most of what I know comes from real world experience, and people I know.

The 3 books I have are:

Chassis Engineering - Herb Adams
Tune To Win - Carroll Smith
Engineer To Win - Carroll Smith

I looked in my arsenal and I have all of those books. So you have finally inspired me to read them. I started on the Herb Adams book. Little dry so far, but I am excited to get to the later chapters.

[Twisted Minis]

That is my least favorite of those 3 books. It's the most basic, and I don't agree with everything, but it's a good starter book.

[Twisted Minis]

Here are some shots of it turned to prove it works. I also had to redo the upper bag mounts, to change the way they compressed. So I moved it back towards the frame about 1.5". This meant I had to redo the upper bag gussets.

[Dave Reed]

Looks great. Where will you attach the tierod?

[ruffrida2005]

That's what I'm wanting to know with the way the front hanger for the LCA is, doesn't look like you have much room for steering!

[Twisted Minis]

There is plenty of room. I designed it a certain way in order to provide plenty of room to mount the rack and work in proper ackerman. The lower arm is biased towards the firewall. I can't build my tie rod mounts until I get my brake rotors. Which I probably still won't see for a few months.

[XXL]

Originally Posted by Twisted Minis

I can't build my tie rod mounts until I get my brake rotors.

Frankly, steering is overrated.

[ruffrida2005]

yeah you could always drive it and have someone sit besides the tires and kick them to make you turn!

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Why kick the tires when ya could use rope like we did on our make shift soap box cars hahahahahaha.

[jlaird]

twisted minis,

I have a question about this picture. You have two 80amp Swingers relays mounted. It was my assumption that you only needed one of these relays for two compressors since this relay is a heavy duty 80 amp. Suicide doors website says "This relay is great for running high amp or multiple compressors."

The regular relays that we are all familiar with are 30/40 amp for use with one compressor.

So why two relays??

[jlaird]

Heres a drawing of the Swingers 80amp relay with two compressors:

[ShowSS12]

also too add to the question what size fuse by the battery?

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by ShowSS12

also too add to the question what size fuse by the battery?

Depends on the current draw of our compressor(s) Viairs range from about 20-30 Amps Max current consumption. So you would choose a fuse of the same size.

[Twisted Minis]

It was simply done for symmetry, and the fact that the customer had a pair.

[Twisted Minis]

Also I use real Stinger relays. And I don't ever use the 30/40 amp relays. I've never had good luck for them, so I always run a Stinger 80 amp, even if it is just one compressor. Generally I run two off of one relay. The symmetry of the wiring and layout was just important on this build with all the detail that went into it all.

[XXL]

Originally Posted by Twisted Minis

Also I use real Stinger relays. And I don't ever use the 30/40 amp relays. I've never had good luck for them,

Every time a relay engages, an arc occurs as the spark jumps across the gap just before the terminals make full contact. In cheaper relays (ie, not Bosch or Potter & Brumfield), the material used on the contacts is such that it carbons up when this arc occurs, thus reducing the quality of the contact made. Over time, the carboning gets so bad that the relay can't pass a decent current.

BTW, I have used... I'm going to hazard a guess... 10,000+ "cube" relays in my life (I remember one car I did had over 200 for various "trick" stuff), and don't recall EVER having a Bosch or P&B fail.

Oh, and I'm also using a Stinger 80 for my 2 Thomas 315's... it's what I had in the drawer at the time, and it's convenient to mount.

[Twisted Minis]

Ya I generally use Bosch relays when I want them. I like the mounting tab they have too. I've never had luck with the Keep It Cool or ViAir ones that come with compressors. I have a stock pile of those as well as 200 PSI pressure switches that come in the dual packs because I never use them.

[Twisted Minis]

Why is my name yellow now? What does that mean? I swear it was red yesterday.



Had a little time and got the upper control arm mounts on the frame. Mocked everything up, and stuck a wheel on one side.




First shot is the suspension fully compressed with the tire turned. It stops just before it touches the frame. Second is ride height of 3 inches, with the lower arm level, and the wheel turned. The steering stops with the tire a 1/4" from the frame rail. Perfect for a narrow track width with a wide frame. Last shot is ride height with the tire straight. The bag is at a good angle and not working too hard, and the lower arm is level, so it should ride pretty good.




I have Bilstein shocks for it. I sent out drawings to have some trick shock mounts laser cut, as well as a sheetmetal engine/rack mount crossmember, and some parts for building some rear hubs. Wilwood brakes will come shortly after that.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Nice work for sure..... And btw I have no idea why ur name is yellow?????????

[AceX]

New subscription system. Your vendor status is still the same, just a different color now.