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!
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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