Bejeweled Jeep

[landon]

I'm customizing some rides for my brother-in-law's twin grandkids... The boy's F150 is already on the forum, here: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=8812.
This is the girly Jeep!
Here's the Lil' Sport I started with:


Here's where it is now:




I'll be upgrading to a 12V, Super 6 setup.

I need to figure out a way to lengthen the front axles... the stock axles are 3/8" stock and too short. The wheels I want to put on are for a 7/16" axle... I don't want to have to pay a shop to custom make 'em. If I had access to torches and a lathe, I'd do it myself! So I'm thinking some type of pipe overtop of the existing axle, just to make it a little longer...
Any ideas?

[Willy'sPWDad]

I hope this is helpful and I'm not under thinking this but wouldn't buying 7/16'' stock and cutting to length be your solution?

[landon]

I hope this is helpful and I'm not under thinking this but wouldn't buying 7/16'' stock and cutting to length be your solution?

I wish it was that easy!!
#1, the body mounts/holes/whatnot for the front axles are sized for 3/8, not 7/16
#2, there's a 90 degree bend that I don't think I can fabricate with my little propane torch
If I want a solid, one piece axle, I'd have to start with 7/16" stock, mill part of it down to 3/8 to fit into the body, then torch in the bend. I suppose I could ask a local machine shop to make 2 for me, but I have a feeling I'd be overcharged for that. This is why I'm thinking of making a sleeve to go over the existing 3/8 axle. I'll also have to put a pin in it to keep it from just sliding off!

[Willy'sPWDad]

Since no one else has responded ill give it another shot. Is it possible to make the 3/8" holes slightly larger to accept the 7/16" stock? As far as bending a little heat or I've just walked into a metal shop and asked nicely for quick things. Everything else should be basic, hopefully it works. If not you may want to put some 3/8" stock under the extended portion of the sleeve so it doesn't shear off or crush.

[landon]

Here's a better view of what I'm up against. The original 3/8" axle goes through the white steering knuckle then bends to go up into the body about 5"-6".
Yeah, if I go with the sleeve solution, I'll fill it with some extra 3/8" stock to keep it solid.

[gwinnythepooh]

This could be the stupidest thing I Will ever say, but could you take the knuckels off a reg jeep and replace them on to this? I know you'd have to re-rivet which could be a nightmare?

[landon]

Here's what I ended up doing:
Purchased some 7/16" brass tubing, 3/8" round stock, and some cotter pins.
Slid the tubing over the existing axle. test fit/placed wheel. marked tubing at both sides of wheel. drilled and pinned tubing to existing axle. put 3/8" stock into tubing. cut tubing and stock to correct length. drilled and pinned stock to tubing. mounted wheel.
I ended up breaking 2 drill bits trying to drill the steel bars :( clearly, I'm out of practice!
The other side got a shaft collar to hold the tubing to the original axle, instead of a pin and washer... I like that better and might do the same to the other side once I get another shaft collar.







I guess we'll see how well it holds up!

I read somewhere on here that the dark headlight lenses can be un-tinted a little with a heat gun. Can anyone confirm or deny this before I go screwing up the only pair of lenses I have?

[landon]

I've seen enough unanswered posts on here to wonder if you guys (and girls) are just sparing my feelings...
I really won't be offended if you think this is a sh!tty solution! I was actually hoping for some constructive criticism. I can take it! I really don't know if it's going to work out and be a good fix or not. I know brass isn't the hardest stuff, but I think it'll do the job I need it to do. Anyway... I am still wondering about the headlight lenses and heat gun. Or, if someone has a suggestion for a more jewel-like alternative, let me know! I've been trying to think of something to use instead.

[gwinnythepooh]

I have no idea if it will work-- way beyond my expertise.

What's the plastic wrap for though?

I also don't know about the lenses... I'd be scared it would mess them up

[landon]

I have no idea if it will work-- way beyond my expertise.

What's the plastic wrap for though?

I also don't know about the lenses... I'd be scared it would mess them up

Well, thanks anyway, Gwinny!
The wrap was holding the foam in place around the windshield while the glue dried.

[gwinnythepooh]

:lol: Ok cool, you had me worried on that one... I thought it was supposed to be the windshield :lol: :lol:

[taz11]

Time will tell on the axle. If you have issues with the joint being a weak spot you could take it back off and add some epoxy on the shaft and reinstall it.

Use some PC7 or JB weld that is designed for heavy duty applications. It will fill any voids at the joint which will stiffen the tube.

[landon]

Time will tell on the axle. If you have issues with the joint being a weak spot you could take it back off and add some epoxy on the shaft and reinstall it.
Use some PC7 or JB weld that is designed for heavy duty applications. It will fill any voids at the joint which will stiffen the tube.

Thanks, Taz! Jb weld, of course! Ok, plan is to get another shaft collar and a tube of jb weld, disassemble, fill with goo, reassemble with shaft collars on both sides.
Feeling better about this mod, but you're right... time will tell!

[landon]

I wired this little beast up Wednesday night. Did the whole job in 4 hours! :D
Well, I was impressed... it's only the second one I've completely re-wired. Anyway, it now has (2x) 12V 7ah batteries, (2x) super 6 motors/GBs, 3 forward speeds and two reverse speeds from the gas pedal and a stock FWD/REV switch.

One of the hardest parts was figuring out how to wire all my relays, resistors, and batteries under the hood to all the components under the body of the Jeep at the same time. Luckily, my brother-in-law works out! :lol:



Still some cosmetic work and some gas pedal tweaks left, but I'm very happy with how this one is turning out!

[landon]

I let my kid do some quality control for me last weekend with this jeep. Good news: it's fast as hell, the multi-speed throttle pedal worked, and my front axle mods held up to an afternoon of cruising on a bumpy lawn... bad news: the front wheels started to spead apart because of the wider stance and cheapass tower/body supports, the throttle pedal was WAY too touchy, and the foam covering the rollbar and windshield (which I knew was a bad idea from the start) was proven to be a bad idea! :lol:
I'm halfway through the front wheel spread fix, which will also lift the body about 2" (sweet)
The throttle pedal was stiffened up a lot (thank you, mouse trap springs!)
I'm designing a 2" PVC replacement windshield and rollbar
Oh, and I also just picked up a voltmeter and key switch for the dash...
This one is starting to get out of hand!! But I like it :D

[landon]

Almost done!
Got it lifted and the key switch installed this past weekend... man, I wish I had more time to work on these things!
The kid tested it out and it seems like it's going to hold up very well!
The only stuff left to do is to install the voltmeter (as soon as it arrives from Hong Kong :roll: ), solder the right connector for my charging jack, and make the roll bar and windshield.

my wiring job:


Rear lift:


Front lift:



Result:



EDIT (9/13/2012):
Added PVC windshield, rollbar, and bumper.
Beefed up front bumper mount.


Not as cool looking as the pink foam was, but WAY more durable!

Used the old windshield corners to brace the front bumper/mount. Hard to tell what's going on in the pic, maybe... if you want more detail or a better explanation, let me know and I'll tell you exactly what I did.



You also see how I mounted the PVC stuff to the body... big 'ol anchors! They seem to work well. Beat on 'em pretty good to see if they would come off, shift, or wiggle and they stayed solid. This thing is pretty heavy now, but it can totally be picked up by any of the PVC parts. woot!

Edit: (9/20/2012)
Added the voltmeter, finally!! and gave it a bath and properly covered it in the basement, in case my sister gets any more crazy ideas in her head...

[M1m3R]

nice job on the lift. like the way you dealt with the steering column length issue.

[landon]

nice job on the lift. like the way you dealt with the steering column length issue.

Thanks! I thought about trying to find or make a new steering shaft, but I used what I had on hand and so far I'm happy with it. Not sure how much abuse it will take, but kinda like like my axle mod... time will tell!
The next engineering hurdle will be figuring out how to mount the PVC winshield to the body.