Thailoz build diary

[thailoz]

Hi all sorry no update for a while the chassis is no further forward as yet due to two things

1. I put my back out so bending over was out of the question.

2 The most annoying part of all I went with my Thai friend to pic up the donor and it was gone no sign of anybody to talk to.

My friend phoned the woman up who was selling it as she said her husband had died ,when he asked where was the car she replied the owner came and took it away. So in essence the lying old bag was trying to sell a car that was not hers to sell :x :x

So I am back to the drawing board as to where to get a front and rear hubs diff and drive shafts from.

I have managed to find someone selling a rear diff from a merc 220 with drive shafts but no hubs

so at this point apart from the diagonals and other top rails. I cant start on the rear part of the chassis .

I may have to look at a hybrid between the Haynes chassis and the Ron champions chassis as a solid rear axle is easier to obtain.

[thailoz]

Well after lots of research I have made a decision on what to go for donor wise.
I read that some of the locost boys in the US and Australia are using Toyota Hiace van front uprights which I an get easily here.
Also read that some of the mk2 escort racers are using the rear axle from Toyota hilux 2wd or toyota Hiace vans as they are about the same size

So my intentions are to use
1. Toyota Hiace front uprights brakes etc.
2. graft a Ron champion style rear end on a Haynes chassis with a Toyota Van live axle and brakes .

My only concern is what ratio to use as most of the hiace here are diesel.

any comments welcome .

[PorkChop]

Originally Posted by thailoz

Well after lots of research I have made a decision on what to go for donor wise.
I read that some of the locost boys in the US and Australia are using Toyota Hiace van front uprights which I an get easily here.
Also read that some of the mk2 escort racers are using the rear axle from Toyota hilux 2wd or toyota Hiace vans as they are about the same size

So my intentions are to use
1. Toyota Hiace front uprights brakes etc.
2. graft a Ron champion style rear end on a Haynes chassis with a Toyota Van live axle and brakes .

My only concern is what ratio to use as most of the hiace here are diesel.

any comments welcome .

Bike engine with a diesel rear end?

[thailoz]

that had crossed my mind but here in the los big bike engines are more expensive than a good toyota 4ge lump and box

Plus the sodding about with reverse gear setups

[thailoz]

Well after a long time of doing nothing to the car due to work and other every day things I have started on the car again.

My parents came over to visit at the end of September until Yesterday As I may have mentioned before My farther Is a ex chief mechanic of Team lotus F1 but he started working for lotus when they were based in Cheshunt making what was then a kit car the lotus 7 .

So after long chats and looking at original 7 plans as well as the Haynes and Chapman books he helped me re design the rear of the Haynes chassis to accommodate a live rear axle. I basically removed SB1 and replaced it with a single piece of 25mm box and re set D9 to 90 degrees (as in Ron's book).`We also decided to add some fillets to the top and bottom of D9 to add some strength.

I have sourced a Toyota van axle which should be here soon but it coming through a friend of a friend (Thais ) so who knows what I will end up with :shock: .
I will yous a 5 link axle set up. with rose joints on one end of the trailing arms for accurate adjustment.
same with the Panhard rod.I have also added D5 U7 and U8 .

I am now in the process of fully welding the chassis thus far except for U7 an U8 and the 2 SB4s as I still have to get the gearbox and axle.

I will be going on a hunt for some Hiace 5 stud or corolla uprights then I will be able to start on my wishbones. I will update my blog as soon as I get some pics.

[thailoz]

Well guys I am back at the build again this past week so check out my blog

[voucht]

Hi!

Good to see you're back at your build mate.

Hope you are safe from the events in Bangkok.

No Thailand for me this year (and no diving ) too much work here. Otherwise I would have travelled a bit more to come to meet you and see your car. Perhaps next year?

Good luck