GoatBuilt IBEX 4 seater XLS build

[JediBubba]

This will be a build progress thread where I share progress on my first buggy project. This is a GoatBuilt IBEX 4 seat that has an updated rear design to be slightly longer than the previous XL version and has a little bit of a different aesthetic than previous versions. The team at GoatBuilt was extremely generous in taking on the design changes for this and I couldn't be more grateful. I hope you all have fun pointing out my mistakes along the way and offering constructive criticism :-) I usually am the reader and benefactor of these sorts of threads, the person who learns from other people taking the chance and putting themselves out there, so I figured I ought to return the favor for someone else maybe.

This will be powered by a (gasp) LS through a 4L80 that splits through a Midnight Metalworks Rockbox transfer case. It will be running Dynatrac Pro Rock HD 60 and Pro Rock 80 axles. Tires will be 42" treps on 17" TR beadlocks.

Here are a couple drawings of the design changes that are featured on this IBEX. First is the standard design.


Now, here is the updated design that the team created.


I was really excited when Josh at GoatBuilt sent me these pictures of my fully rendered kit being shipped to me a few weeks ago!

 

[JediBubba]

Then.... the happy day arrived for me to pick it up!

 

[JediBubba]

While I was waiting for the freight driver to wind his way across the midwest, I assembled the frame jig base that is needed.

 

[JediBubba]

I leveled the jig base on some sumner jack stands and began laying out the basic fixture and first tubes!

 

[JediBubba]

Had a few helpers set up more tubing. My daughter is into crawlers and has built her own XJ that is pretty decent in its own right. We are just trying to get the chassis assembled so we can get to the fun parts of building the buggy.

 

[Weasel]

cool another build to watch! Thanks for posting.

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

Am I missing what is different other than the rear coilover crossbar?

 

[Wisconsinite]

The rear chassis body line isn't mitered like the standard 4 seat and 4 seat XL. Some people didn't like the looks, so we redid some tubes and made the lines flow a little better.

 

[JediBubba]

The rear chassis body line isn't mitered like the standard 4 seat and 4 seat XL. Some people didn't like the looks, so we redid some tubes and made the lines flow a little better.

I really like how it fits together and feels like a perfect match for the front.

 

[JediBubba]

The mock-up fit is pretty much good to go. Now to pull it apart in several places, prep joining surfaces, underweld covered joints, and put it back together like this :-) You might say that I did it the hard way, but this is my first build with a kit like this and I wanted to get a feel for how it goes together before I committed to anything. Was also playing around with the TIG while tacking this (some tacks are more than a tack LOL) to get more torch time with the TIG. I think that I need to MIG the main structure since I'm still not feeling it with the TIG...

 

[chaplinfj60]

very cool very col

 

[Fishnbeer]

Pretty rad. I really like the concept of these kit chassis rigs. If I ever get room in my garage again I think thats the next project

 

[fordfreak510]

What's going on with this build? Still working on it??