Racer update 10-17-05

[AdminTazz]

I went down to Chucks this weekend to help him finish up a few things on the racer. We got quite a lot things off the to do list, and actually got it out for a test run Sunday around 5:00 pm.

There is still a few odds and ends to get done, but I think with this weekends push he's on the home stretch now.

66 pictures to follow. I'll keep it to 4 per post so that if anyone has questions, it will be easier to keep track of things.

Jack if you see something you want to get a closer look at just give me the file # and i'll send you the high res 3mb (3504 X 2336).

Dan

[AdminTazz]

Place holder for pics

[AdminTazz]

Place holder for pics1

[AdminTazz]

Place holder for pics2

[AdminTazz]

Place holder for pics3

[AdminTazz]

Place holder for pics4

[AdminTazz]

Place holder for pics5

[AdminTazz]

Place holder for pics6

[AdminTazz]

Place holder for pics7

[AdminTazz]

Place holder for pics8

[AdminTazz]

Place holder for pics9

[AdminTazz]

Place holder for pics10

[AdminTazz]

Place holder for pics11

[AdminTazz]

Place holder for pics12

[AdminTazz]

Place holder for pics13

[AdminTazz]

Place holder for pics14

[TeamEndeavor]

HOLY CRAP!!! SHE's BEEEUUUTIFUL!! OK -- that darn swing away light bar is terrific! I swear I've been "thinkin'" about how to do something like that...consider that mod officially copied!!!

The radiator relo is VERY clean...I was concerned about that...How does she Handle, Chuck???

[jamoffroad]

that GPS unit looks like its going to get broke hanging out there . i would hang it below the thing its mounted on , looks ripe to get rocked by something coming in the window

[IronBenderII]

I like the height. Perhaps put in a chunk of aluminum to help protect it?

Chuck, looks great!

Jack

[NicksTrix]

how'd the shake down run go? keep us updated on your testing.

from your pictures i'd also suggest running a screen in front of your radiator& coolers to stop the rocks from hitting the cores.

are your rad tube ends beaded? if you wherent' able to roll a bead in them, you can weld a bead on the end if you haven't already.
might also want to consider double clamping or stepping up to a marmon band clamp or cobra drive style. they hold better than the worm variety.

glad to see it's coming together nicely for you this early.
keep up the good work.

[NicksTrix]

thought about putting a 12v linear actuator on your light bar to be able to swing it up and have adjustabilty? pretty simple to do.

[AdminTazz]

thought about putting a 12v linear actuator on your light bar to be able to swing it up and have adjustabilty? pretty simple to do.
Yes, we have one. Just haven't got it installed yet.

[dmoss]

Chuck, it really looks good, you guys have really built a new machine since last year. I would suggest putting mounts in double shear where ever you can. The rear shackles and the track bar in the front gave us fits for a long time until we put enough beef in those spots. Now the frame is falling apart.

By the way, we have about two more Broncos worth of parts floating around in the back of our chase trucks that you are welcome to as well.

I also took care of the part where I said I had never seen Jack in Elk
Grove, and tracked him down at his house the other night. He's got a amazing and well built Bronco as well.

Looking forward to seeing you guys down there!

Don

[chuck]

O.K., Jack has need after me to make those changes since I installed those parts. I guess I'll make them, double shear is good. We hope to not need any parts but am be very glad to know that parts are around.
Taking the spool out got rid of most of the sideways motion while under power(fishtailing). Dan did a little jump and it flies fines. Drives fine on road. Does fine in the sand in 4x2. eng. temp 170 trans cooler fan did not come on. It seem that all is well.
If big rocks hit the GPS and we remove it the big rocks will hit the navigater. I think I will run a piece of alu. all the way across to also protect the steering wheel/hands.
Nick we do need to do something about the coolent pipe clamps. I have not seen the other clamps you typed about. Do you know where I can see a picture? I did not bead the pipe ends, just plan to double clamp the hose ends.
Don, you are listed 3ed but have the #300. I though the champ started first but if that is true why are you listed 3ed? Also, do you run a spool and do you drive in 4x4?

[TeamEndeavor]

Taking the spool out got rid of most of the sideways motion while under power(fishtailing). Dan did a little jump and it flies fines. Drives fine on road. Does fine in the sand in 4x2. eng. temp 170 trans cooler fan did not come on. It seem that all is well.

I must have been sleeping, but are you just running an open diff in the rear now??

I think Nick is talking about rolling a bead on near the end of the pipe, like you have a stock radiator outlet. Then using a clamp like this...

[chuck]

I do know about that clamp but as a barrel clamp. I use one like it on my headers. I'll see if I can find them in the right size.
We were running a spool but could not keep it going straight under power last year. We replaced everything except the engine and the rearend and it was still the same so we went to a poissi

[IronBenderII]

Hey Don, thanks for chiming in. I was talking to Dan yesterday and told him I was going to put them all in double shear when Chuck wasn't looking ha ha. It was good to see you the other day, I still need to get with you and Chris for cross-support plans.

Hey Chuck, aside from Haloween weekend I'm available. I can fly down and help out with the racer (no more Birthdays in the way). That or we can do it in Mexico. Some things I want to look into doing (with your okay of course)...

-Double shear on all shock mounts
-Plate in the track bar/frame mounting for reinforcement
-Modify the axle side trac bar mount to be at least in double shear and if possible, rotated 90*
-Make sure I have a plan to replace that pin that the shackles are rotating on in case some freak occurance happens and it breaks (single point of failure).
-General re-inforcement of all suspension components that need it.

Jack

[chuck]

Come down ASAP Redo what you like, keep the added weight down to 40 lbs. I will be available and can pick you up atthe ont. airport.

[IronBenderII]

Chuck, sorry to be such a loser but the diesel shop just called. Looks like the motor in the Suburban is shot. That kills my available funds so I can't aford to fly down. Looks like we'll have to take care of it in Mexico which shouldn't be a big deal.

Jack

[NicksTrix]

I think Nick is talking about rolling a bead on near the end of the pipe, like you have a stock radiator outlet. Then using a clamp like this...

that is exactly right scott. those clamps have much better clamping force than a worm drive. mcmaster carr sells them off the top of my head. i used to pick them up at a great surplus place i used out in burbank, unfortunetly that is no longer open.
if you don't have the beading tool or dies for a bead roller i know Earls makes a set up that rolls a bead in the tube. you can also weld a bead around the end as a last resort.you definetly want something on there.

[dmoss]

Chuck:
We start in the order of the draw, regardless of the number.

We use a spool in the rear, and run about 50% in 4x4, depending on the terrain. It also cures the fishtail problem, which is most annoying on things like dry lakes.

Ditto the info on the bead on the tube, you should put something on there.

[chuck]

Thanks for the info. I don't like that fishtail at 50 but it seems to have gone away when I installed the tracloc possi. I will be making the bead and adding the double shear stuff.
P.S. honk, I will move over :)

[TeamEndeavor]

Place holder for pics8
Chuck -- what can you tell me about the radiator? size, type..assuming it's copper...is it a one-off, or pre-made? Is it also being used to help with transmission cooling?

Thanks -- Scott

[TeamEndeavor]

Thanks for the info. I don't like that fishtail at 50 but it seems to have gone away when I installed the tracloc possi. I will be making the bead and adding the double shear stuff.
P.S. honk, I will move over :)

What did you end up with in the front? (since I've obviously been sleeping in class!)

[TeamEndeavor]

Place holder for pics7
I've been seriously studin' these pics -- thanks again for postin' them, they're terrific. I have comment/question about the fuel fill. Is it as close to the driver's head as it appears? I don't think I'd be hip with guys dumping fuel that close to my pumpkin...I know you're limited, but why not move it to the other side of the cooling fans?

[AdminTazz]

Just helping TeamEndeavor out with the pic.

This view shows the relationship a bit clearer. I can't remember if there is room to take it to the other side, so I'll let Chuck answer your question.

[TeamEndeavor]

Just helping TeamEndeavor out with the pic.

This view shows the relationship a bit clearer. I can't remember if there is room to take it to the other side, so I'll let Chuck answer your question.
Thanks -- that helps -- not quite as close as I thought...I'll also pose a question to Jack about this mounting location. Does the location cause a problem for guys lifting the fuel containers? seems like you'd need a step ladder, and the pit guys aren't going to appreciate it much...I really liked the rear fill much better because it seems really easy on the fuel dudes -- I know the relo of the cell complicates that - -what about thru the qtr panel? I know it's probably not a big deal in the grand scheme of things -- just thinkin' out loud actually....

[NicksTrix]

to have it fuel from the rear the cell doesn't need to move, you'd just run some elbows and tube to the back of the truck. just have to be sure it's going down hill all the way to the fill plate on top of the cell.

dump cans are heavy. about 11-12 gal apiece. 7#/gal.
need tall strong folks to fuel when you don't use a fueling tower.

chuck how large a cell do you have?

[IronBenderII]

Well, we use BFG for refuel so doesn't affect us at all. ha ha. I'm trying to think of what's average. It may be 6" taller than most or so but I think the weight and height of refuelling these vehicles is something that is planned on. Now, having it close to the drivers head is a potential safety issue. Now that Chuck and Dan's attention has been drawn to it I'll leave it up to them to decide if they want to risk having their hair burned off (neither of them have the biggest head of hair anyway, it's more Patrick that I'm worried about :) )

Jack

[NicksTrix]

the BFG guys do a great job of handling the pitting.
it's more of an issue for the spots where you are handling your own stops is the concern i was speaking of. sounds like you have it all under control ;)

[toddz69]

that is exactly right scott. those clamps have much better clamping force than a worm drive. mcmaster carr sells them off the top of my head. i used to pick them up at a great surplus place i used out in burbank, unfortunetly that is no longer open.
if you don't have the beading tool or dies for a bead roller i know Earls makes a set up that rolls a bead in the tube. you can also weld a bead around the end as a last resort.you definetly want something on there.

Another name for those clamps is t-bolt clamps. I use them on all my radiator connections. If you guys need spares and tell me what diameter hoses, you're running, I'd be happy to send some along. They seem to be collecting here in my garage ....:-) I have an industrial supply place here near my house where I buy 'em for about $3 each.

Nick - Earl's bead roller unfortunately doesn't work too well on steel tubing. Chuck, are you running steel or aluminum? I'd say weld a bead and use the t-bolt clamps.

Todd Z.

[chuck]

I did not recognize the name, I stock the barrel clamps for my new slip flange headers, duh. I am running steel. Thanks for the wake-up.

[Jerry Ornellas]

Chuck, I am in LA right now (Glendora). If you need/want some help with the racer, I can give you a full day tomarrow (Saturday). If so give me a call ASAP at 408-857-9050 and let me know. Jerry

[locopony_racing]

Cannot view any of the downloaded pictures here i get a message..

locopony_racing, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:

Your user account may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation.

I'm sorry for cluttering up this thread when I should have sent a pm to the Admin on this.

[Bag'a Hammers Racing]

Chuck I'm assuming your rad fan is drawing air, if not you must have the biggest heater core I've ever seen....

[chuck]

Sorry for the delayed reply. I be very busy with the move.
No stinking heater. We removed the fan from the front because the eng. temp got down to 135 at night while racing. The 2 ele. fans work great and come on and off as needed.

[Bag'a Hammers Racing]

I had no idea it got that cold down there anytime! So it seems if you have yor rad fans pushing air you might have a little heat comming your way, get too hot and reverse the fans and have them draw air. What ever works! On another note and I know your busy but It's hard to tell from the pics of your racer but it doesn't look like you run your spring rockers on your racer. Is that not a good application for those? Thanks

[chuck]

I thought about using the spring rockers but decided that less is better. After doing 80+ on bad roads I decided that sway bars would be good. The spring rockers are for rock crawling not desert racing.
I ran the WAH but removed it to get a stiffer ride but that didn't help, I am thinking about sway bars.
Anyway, I finally finished moving to Texas. Even if I decide I don't like it here I will not be moving again. Did I tell you I hate moving? After 8 trips I gave up. Left a bunch of stuff but the new owner was O.K. with that. So I was in Texas less that 2 weeks and headed back to CA to work on the racer. I am keeping it in Kernville for this year at least.
Myself, Jeremy, kermit, Wayne, Meggen, Dan and Cory put a lot of time into the racer. We replaced the radius arm mounts on the frame and finished the EFI. Re plunbed the trans and fuel lines. While redoing the fuel lines I may have found the reason for the problem we had last year. See the picture below. After all the work we ran it around the ridgecrest corse a little.
87 mph is no problem now, mogals (sis) at 40-45 aqre cool. Anyway things were looking good until the left rear wheel came off and eat the left 1/4 panel. Parts have been ordered. A few things we found out are the GPS fails while going over the bumps at speed.(loose connection?). Absolutly no bump steer at all. The A/C is great when the temp is over 100, I may need to add limit straps. The racer is aq blast to drive.

[TeamEndeavor]

[QUOTE=chuck] See the picture below. After all the work we ran it around the ridgecrest corse a little.
87 mph is no problem now, mogals (sis) at 40-45 aqre cool. Anyway things were looking good until the left rear wheel came off and eat the left 1/4 panel. Parts have been ordered. A few things we found out are the GPS fails while going over the bumps at speed.(loose connection?). Absolutly no bump steer at all. QUOTE]

Where's the pics, amigo!?? What happened to cause the real wheel to come off?

[chuck]

This is the fuel pick up inside of the tank. My guess is we left the lug nuts loose. The 3 other wheel lugs were around 25 ft lbs. We will be double checking them from now on.

[IronBenderII]

That might cause a slight fuel shortage issue...

I'll bet you feel better now!

[chuck]

Last year we spent a lot of time trying to find the hi speed miss. With the pick-up fixed we have a lot more power at all speeds. Yes I do feel a lot better now.

[IronBenderII]

Yeah, I remember. We spent A LOT of time on that. Glad to hear things are coming together for you. You guys going to run the Baja 4000 next year? Ensenada to LaPaz and BACK! 4000k

Jack

[chuck]

Yeah, I remember. We spent A LOT of time on that. Glad to hear things are coming together for you. You guys going to run the Baja 4000 next year? Ensenada to LaPaz and BACK! 4000k

Jack
4000? is that 2 round trips? is that in 07?

[IronBenderII]

4000 KM (one round trip).

Jack

[chuck]

I need to know more about it before committing to that.

[Bag'a Hammers Racing]

Chuck, looked at the pics of you racer, is that some sort of stabilizer bar your leaf shackles are hanging off of or do the just pivot around it?

[chuck]

It is just a pivot point. I used loong leafs and stuffed the frame down between the springs and that brought the shackles up above the frame and back of stock

[chuck]

Well the racer is up and running great. Trans had a shifter problem but that is fixed now. A few minor things left to do but mostly its done. We have an appointment in late Aug. with score tech.
The new T-shirts will be done by the end of the week also.

[Jerry Ornellas]

Hi, Chuck....and anyone else out there reading! Sweet deal on the fuel fix. There were a lot of people there pulling all our hair out trying to figure it out. Glad to hear things are coming together. Chuck, let me know ASAP what you need me for and when (how early) and I will get the time off work and be down there early if needed again. Also let me know if you are going to be doing any work weekends or weekdays on the Racer and I'll try to make it down and lend a hand. Jerry

jerryornellas1@hotmail.com
408-857-9050

[chuck]

I am in Texas now. Check with Dan to see what he needs, he is working on it now.

[westcobronco]

4000 KM (one round trip).

Jack

Jack, I already did the 4000k. It was in a pit truck! As for the racers they went one way in the race rig and one way in the pit trucks. I think that a race both ways in a race rig would be safer.

[IronBenderII]

You trying to say something about my driving?? Ha ha ha.

Hey Scott, are you running just a single spare? There's some deep dark spots that we can't get to, it will be a long way to drive on your rim.

Jack

[westcobronco]

No, I am not talking about your driving. It's just that the racers have to follow more rules than say the pit truck with the chase truck on the trailer going 95 mph.:eek:

As to the spare tire's, more than one rig has had 2 flats between pits. Having a 2nd spare could be the difference between around 15 mins to change compared to hours for us to get to you. :(

[moss2]

15 minute tire changes??!! Do you have a sandwich and change the oil too?

[chuck]

What do you know about tire changes? Or rusty jacks for that matter:)
Jason and Patrick went from flat to go in 6 min. I think it was but they left my wheel and tire on the course.

[moss2]

Tough to get under 5 or 6min if you both have to get out. Trick is to only get flats near pits or spectators that havent had to many Tecate. I have never left a tire wheel, ... on purpose anyways!

[IronBenderII]

Actually, I don't think it was on course, it was off-course about 50 yards. That's how Jason got the nickname cactus killer.

[chuck]

Your right Jack, they took a picture of the tire/wheel to prove it could not be used. They say a big cactus and a big rock ambushed them. whatever. Jason says he killed only in self defense.

[IronBenderII]

Your right Jack, they took a picture of the tire/wheel to prove it could not be used. They say a big cactus and a big rock ambushed them. whatever. Jason says he killed only in self defense.

Yeah, they showed us the pic while we were pitting them. Funny stuff.

Wes said that you were killing them for fun. Laughing as you did it. Evil...

[TeamEndeavor]

You trying to say something about my driving?? Ha ha ha.

Hey Scott, are you running just a single spare? There's some deep dark spots that we can't get to, it will be a long way to drive on your rim.

Jack
We're running with 2 Jack...

15 minute tire changes??!! Do you have a sandwich and change the oil too? Hey -- John and I will need at LEAST one sandwich at each pit..we're growin' boys!! :p

[IronBenderII]

Sorry, your racer is already over-weight, you'll be going w/o food and water for the race.

[westcobronco]

Well, I see all the pre race fun has stared.

Hey jack, you can be the one to take the sandwiches out of their race truck.

Chuck, how many catus do you have to run over before you can't use that tire anymore? ;)

[chuck]

yeah, Wes was screaming like a sissy, something about the cactus parts getting on him.....a lot :) I wasn't laughing about killing cactus, I was laughing at Wes screaming... that was way funny. I was laughing so hard it was hard to keep the racer on the trail :) which resulted in more screams which caused more laughing which made it even harder to keep on the trail. until we finally ran out of cactus.:( That was some fun, I can hardly wait to see how Roxie reacts.

[chuck]

Chuck, how many catus do you have to run over before you can't use that tire anymore? ;)[/QUOTE]

I don't know, I guess I did not hit the limit. I think Jason did it with just 1 saugora

[Patrick]

It isn't how many, it is the style points that count, Jason would go out of his way to kill a cactus if he could look good doing it. The cactus we hit when we broke the rim and tire, not so many style points.
But in all fairness we hit the rock because we were so close to the racer in front trying to pass that when he caroomed off the rock and it dislodged into the track there was no where to go.

[westcobronco]

It isn't how many, it is the style points that count, Jason would go out of his way to kill a cactus if he could look good doing it. The cactus we hit when we broke the rim and tire, not so many style points.
But in all fairness we hit the rock because we were so close to the racer in front trying to pass that when he caroomed off the rock and it dislodged into the track there was no where to go.
Hmmm? Style points. What are the rules and whats the max points you can get from one tire? :rolleyes:

[chuck]

A couple of pictures of the racer before we leave for Baja. The current plan is to leave Tx Wed. 11-01 PM.