Project UTV

I have finally started to fabricate my build after sourcing most of the parts.

I am aiming to build a 4wd quad/ tractor/ utility vehicle. Im a carpenter and its going to be used for shipping tools and materials over rough terrain. I was originally going to use a transaxle gearbox to power the front and rear axles but think I will use chains and a torque converter.

Here is the start of the front end that I started today. I cannot decide to go for a solid rear axle or have a diff in it. Any thoughts.

I have looked at this forum for ages, so its nice to have some content to add.

Jonny

Yep thats the easiest way to build a 4x4 tractor with that setup. Possible setup would be a 700 peerless with a chain drive to a straight axle - can make it articlulate if needed .

Lookin good.

Is that all rear steer parts?l

muddstir wrote:

Lookin good.

Is that all rear steer parts?l

Thats what it looks like.

Looks good.
I would do a soild axle.

Looks really though.

Whats your clearances for your axle? Obviously youre going to need room for a sprocket/ pulley and a disc brake, unless you run with a transaxle which might compromise clearances even more.

The parts UJ steering was bought off ebay for £30 which is about $50. I am going to add a bar underneath to strengthen things up.

I had thought about the clearance issue but just going to have to deal with it.

It's only going to be front wheel steer.

A thought I've been thinking about is setting up a reverse gear somehow.

Jonny

Are you going to be using a transaxle? Or a transmission?

Going to use a Comet torque converter going to jack shaft that then splits to the front and read axle.

Gonna have to have a section of chain go to a double gear ( OO ) if you want some reverse I believe.

I think I am going to scrap the idea of a reverse gear!

However I am still contemplating having a mid differential. So the set up would be jack shaft from torque converter with 8 toothed sprocket to a 40t sprocket mounted onto the diff housing. On each axle will be a sprocket sending the power to front and rear wheels.

The question I'm pondering now is with the gear ratio of 1:5 going to the mid diff, can I get away with smaller sprockets on the axles to improve ground clearance. The chain and sprockets are just transmitting the power.

Depending on what size is coming out of your diff you can go with whatever size you want. I wouldnt go too small though just to ensure you dont get skipping.

Sprocket size doesn't affect chains as long as the tension is correct. If you dont have any adjustment a good spring loaded idler will keep chains from jumping teeth.

Chopperhed wrote:

Sprocket size doesn't affect chains as long as the tension is correct. If you dont have any adjustment a good spring loaded idler will keep chains from jumping teeth.

Are you sure? What about a mountain bicycle then? Id imagine they work the same way, 1 rotation of a 10" sprocket would mean 2 rotations of a 5", wouldnt it?

Size doesn't affect chain skipping but it does affect drive ratio.

My post was about skipping not anything to do with ratio.

Chopperhed wrote:

Size doesn't affect chain skipping but it does affect drive ratio.

My post was about skipping not anything to do with ratio.

Oh, I see now. Im stupid. Carry on.

That looks bad ass

The front axle is fixed but I will be able to adjust the central jack shaft and rear axle.

Next problem. I'm using a b and s 11hp vertical shaft engine but want to use a torque converter so going to have to make a ragb. I have a hydro transaxle that I stripped and the diff gears and shaft bearings should be fine for this.

Did a bit more work on the front end today.

Cut the axles down and started on the steering.

the pictures show the chassis flipped upside down

That is looking pretty badass!

Wow, this looks like it will turn out to be quite the build!

Can you put a link to the front steering parts Please?

Looks pretty sick, are you leaving the UTV unlocked all the way around?

Looks like there's room in that diff for a spring loaded posi setup.

What's a posi set up? The rear axle is solid but front will be left open to help with steering.

The central diff will help with tyre scrubbing.

The steering was a lucky eBay find, they were listed as small tractor PTO

Hoping to get the sprockets on this weekend.

Then make the Ragb for engine