Cut, Gring, and Cut some more

This week has been busy in the shop of Extreme Overkill Fabrication. In addition to regular jobs and work, Randy has been hard at work on The Spike with the big equipment.

Working primarily with the plasma cutter and the grinder, the old engine mounts and shock towers had to be finally removed.  With the axles coming in soon, the frame needs to be ready to fabricate shock towers and steering mounts.

Randy commented to me this week, "You find out if your grinder is decent when it runs for 4-hours straight and doesn't care." Awesome!

 In other news, the build now is progressing to interior and layout planning and some main components are being ordered for this.  We will be raising the chassis to the final height in order to accommodate the 5 adult passengers and set ride height.


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Take a Load Off Fannie

I called down to Temecula, was feelin' pretty beat,I just need some place where I can rest my feet"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a seat?"He just grinned and shook my hand, "yes" was all he said

Okay, so maybe writing lyrics doesn't suit me, but building this buggy sure does.  I placed an order today for one of the most anticipated pieces of this amazing puzzle.  I have been talking about this partnership since the very beginning, and I have enjoyed the great relationship we have with these guys and UCORA, and now I get to show ff their awesome product in my ride every time it's on the trails. I can promise you this, these parts will be noticed everywhere The Spike goes!

So what did I order?  Oh no, no telling from me.  They will be shipped in about 3 weeks and when we have them in hand, then we can reveal the pictures.  But since the blog is built around pictures, I will give you some blurry pictures of all 4 items ordered.

I hope you enjoy those.

By the way, if the title of this thread and my poor attempt at song lyrics brought a short smile to your face, that's probably because you began to hum the famous tune, "The Weight" by The Band.  If you want to read the story of this great song, CLICK HERE.  You can also hear the song and see a video on YouTube, CLICK HERE.  It an interesting read about the true story to the song, check it out. You're welcome.

===> Follow my build on C4x4 Online Magazine, www.c4x4.com/Projects/Spike/Spike.html
===> Be sure to like and follow my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ProjecttheSpike/

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I love it when a plan comes together!

Have you ever had a dream?  Not just a, "I went to school without pants" dream, but a real dream of something or some event that you knew you could make a part of your story.

For me, that dream began many years ago and has been relived in my head ever since.  They say a dream with a plan can become a reality, and thanks to my very good friends and lots of patience and prayer, my dream, and the plan, are coming together.

Side bar here, if you want to read about the original dream that started for me, check out the beginning posts of my blog, specifically The Dream.

This week, Randy at Extreme Overkill Fabrication has been doing more of the install and balancing act that is creating a Formula Toy.  I spent a fair amount of time talking to Randy from my home in Missouri, but being 1500 miles away, I will try to explain what is happening in these pictures.

As the center skid plate and link mount gets placed, the design calls for the engine to be moved back a few inches in the frame.  When you read many of the Formula Toy builds you can find online, you will find that it is not only common, but recommended to move the engine back between 6-8 inches.  This is not only to move the weight to a more centered location on the buggy, but will also make drive shafts closer to the same length (may come in to play later with trail spares) and it allows the plate to fit properly inside the frame rails.  With my 4Runner frame and 5-seat configuration goal, the engine was moved back about 7 inches.

As you can see in these first few pictures, the valve cover had to be removed for engine placement.  This will not be an issue since the chassis is not sitting at final height.  Due to the rear seat and my desire to fit adults back there, the chassis is going to be moved up  and there will be plenty of space. The side profile gives a great picture of how the engine is placed in relation to the driver.  The B-Pillar can be seen here just slightly behind the second transfer case shift handle.  The final transfer case shift handles will be located where the front case shift is now using the RADesign triple stick, donated nearly a year ago!  (Sorry RADesigns for not using it sooner, but I love the partnership!) The automatic transmission shifter has yet to be purchased, but I am still leaning toward the RADesigns remote shifter setup to allow that to be forward of the driver position.

In these next pictures, you can see the center skid and link mount placed with the transfer case mount.  The Bullet Proof Toyota Transfer Case Mount from Low Range Off-Road mounts perfectly, just as it was designed, and the second mount has been ordered and should arrive later this week to mount the second case.  It is a bit of overkill, but I don't want the weak point to be anywhere in this section of drive train.  Besides, Randy did not name his company Extreme Overkill Fabrication for nothing.  When he designs systems to use anywhere from street to the Baja 1000, you know he makes all the build very strong!

 

The camera angle makes it not look right, but here you can see how the solid skid plate is made for the front drive shaft output to have a designated slot to fit through while still protecting the vital engine and transmission components up front.

As you can see, the entire configuration makes for a very high clearance and a very flat belly, perfect for rock crawling!

 It's hard to see in this series of pictures, but the entire center section is designed to be removable with just a few bolts.  So if I need to service anything, clean out the underside, or just inspect everything, it is just a few bolts and the plate will drop out of the way.  I love it!

Keep following the build both here and on my Facebook page, Project the Spike.

I want to say a special thanks to all my supporters and partners in this build.  Randy has been working hard and we already have the plan set in phases.  The axles and rest of the suspension is coming soon, so stay tuned.

 
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The update you have all been waiting for!

I have been tight lipped, as much as I could, but I now can share with you some excellent progress on The Spike!

Back in February, you may remember that the suspension system was paid in full and shipped to Extreme Overkill Fabrication for install.  Well, it arrived the last week of February and even Randy said this thing was stout!  Mayhem Metal Works does not screw around.  This system is well designed, and very beefy.

As you can see, everything arrived and Randy got to work on removing the center support from the frame. 

Randy got out the plasma cutter and removed the original center support.  By using straps to the upper cage tubes, he was able to support the transfer cases and get the new center plate in place.

It is difficult to tell in pictures, but the new center section gives me a nearly flat belly and amazing protection for the drive train.  The entire center section can be removed simply by removing the bolts when I need to service it.

After mock up and positioning of the plate, Randy again got out the cutter and began the process of removing the old leafs and the spring hangars.  We will be moving the engine back to accommodate balance in the rig as well as position everything properly for the best performance on the rocks.

As you can see, my new hovercraft is almost ready... just kidding.  I am excited to see the amazing progress happening though on the Spike.  More will be coming soon, I assure you.  We have the axles coming back in the next few weeks and obviously more to do with the suspension and engine to get life back in it.

Check back soon!  

The entire build is being covered by C4x4 Online Magazine.  C4x4 is the premiere source for great write-ups, family friendly events, and great articles about everything and anything 4x4!  Check it out at www.c4x4.com

You can follow this build of the Spike both here on my blog and on my Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/ProjecttheSpike

Be sure to like the page and follow the blog for the latest updates.

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