Faux 2, now version Faux door
Going to try to start migrating my threads over here. Starting with my Zuk thread because it’s the first one I could find after the old place ruined everything.
If you remember (or care) I had built an 04 grand vitara for my wife at the time and I called it the faux wheeler. https://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/suzu...x-wheeler.html I loved that rig but it went with the ex as did most of my disposable income for the next couple of years. In the mean time I have wanted a SXS to screw around with but cant afford what I want at this point.
So I have thought long and hard at what it will take to actually try to get my hands on a SXS sized rig for much less entry money. I have seen people try and most usually miss the mark and just end up with a little zuk that is nothing more than a lighter smaller tired trail rig. I have posed the question before in this thread https://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/suzu...side-side.html what is the requisite description for a SXS? I know for sure with a RZR WildCat or Commander you get a lot of performance right out of the box for the money. So those are my mark. I dont think for one second that I can cheaply build anything that will hang with those 3 rigs. But I want to try to do better than just a chopped up IFS rig that still rides like a tank.
So here is my idea. I am starting with a 95 tracker 2 door that I picked up for $1000 bucks. I bought a new but never unpackaged calmini 3 inch IFS "articulation" system to cannibalize as a starting point for a plush riding suspension for 975 shipped. And 5 ITP black water 30x10x15 UTV tires for 975 shipped. So for about 3k initial investment (wich I attained by selling another vehicle) this is faux 2.
Why????? Why the utv tires? Becuase they are extremely light wieght for a really aggressive 30 inch tire. They wiegh much less than a 30 inch LT mud tire and are less expensive. I also look forward to circumventing the bullshit california atv law that requires riders wear a helmet at all times. Where road legal motor vehicles and green sticker buggies do not have to wear a helmet. The tracker I picked up is a clean 2wd with a 3 speed automatic. The auto because thats the closest I am going to get to a CVT, and because I want anyone to be able to get in and drive it. The exterior dimensions of a track kick are really close to that of a 2 seat RZR or Commander. But the track kick is smaller than a wildcat either 2 or 4 seat and while the track kick is a 4 seater, is smaller than the 4 seat versions of the RZR and Commander. I am going to leave it IFS and work on finding better suited springs and shocks for the front. Then I plan to attempt a small trailing arm setup in the rear, leaving it solid axle. For a t-case I have a divorced samurai t-case that I will run behind the 3 speed as a single case and for the high range reduction. The rig is going to top out at 55~ish MPH, but that will be fine with me if I can haul 3 passengeres with me sucking up washboard roads at a reasonable speed. With an iron blocked front engine rig that has the short wheelbase of these the weight bias is going to be really front heavy. Making it outside the realm of possibility to keep up with any of the high priced (while very much worth it) UTV's. It will be worth it to me in the end if it can perform a few tasks. Go out for a day and not blow diffs like the utv's. Carry 4 people around safely and at speed over typical washboard dirt roads. When finished be less than 10k while still being completely street legal. So what do you think?
Going to try to start migrating my threads over here. Starting with my Zuk thread because it’s the first one I could find after the old place ruined everything.
If you remember (or care) I had built an 04 grand vitara for my wife at the time and I called it the faux wheeler. https://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/suzu...x-wheeler.html I loved that rig but it went with the ex as did most of my disposable income for the next couple of years. In the mean time I have wanted a SXS to screw around with but cant afford what I want at this point.
So I have thought long and hard at what it will take to actually try to get my hands on a SXS sized rig for much less entry money. I have seen people try and most usually miss the mark and just end up with a little zuk that is nothing more than a lighter smaller tired trail rig. I have posed the question before in this thread https://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/suzu...side-side.html what is the requisite description for a SXS? I know for sure with a RZR WildCat or Commander you get a lot of performance right out of the box for the money. So those are my mark. I dont think for one second that I can cheaply build anything that will hang with those 3 rigs. But I want to try to do better than just a chopped up IFS rig that still rides like a tank.
So here is my idea. I am starting with a 95 tracker 2 door that I picked up for $1000 bucks. I bought a new but never unpackaged calmini 3 inch IFS "articulation" system to cannibalize as a starting point for a plush riding suspension for 975 shipped. And 5 ITP black water 30x10x15 UTV tires for 975 shipped. So for about 3k initial investment (wich I attained by selling another vehicle) this is faux 2.
Why????? Why the utv tires? Becuase they are extremely light wieght for a really aggressive 30 inch tire. They wiegh much less than a 30 inch LT mud tire and are less expensive. I also look forward to circumventing the bullshit california atv law that requires riders wear a helmet at all times. Where road legal motor vehicles and green sticker buggies do not have to wear a helmet. The tracker I picked up is a clean 2wd with a 3 speed automatic. The auto because thats the closest I am going to get to a CVT, and because I want anyone to be able to get in and drive it. The exterior dimensions of a track kick are really close to that of a 2 seat RZR or Commander. But the track kick is smaller than a wildcat either 2 or 4 seat and while the track kick is a 4 seater, is smaller than the 4 seat versions of the RZR and Commander. I am going to leave it IFS and work on finding better suited springs and shocks for the front. Then I plan to attempt a small trailing arm setup in the rear, leaving it solid axle. For a t-case I have a divorced samurai t-case that I will run behind the 3 speed as a single case and for the high range reduction. The rig is going to top out at 55~ish MPH, but that will be fine with me if I can haul 3 passengeres with me sucking up washboard roads at a reasonable speed. With an iron blocked front engine rig that has the short wheelbase of these the weight bias is going to be really front heavy. Making it outside the realm of possibility to keep up with any of the high priced (while very much worth it) UTV's. It will be worth it to me in the end if it can perform a few tasks. Go out for a day and not blow diffs like the utv's. Carry 4 people around safely and at speed over typical washboard dirt roads. When finished be less than 10k while still being completely street legal. So what do you think?