MatthewD's Westwood S1200 Build [2016 Build-Off Entry]

I dont think the flop will affect it too much if you cut the joint off and do a V instead of a single rod. Youll want to do that anyways to make the axle stronger and less likely to snap off or bend. Once you do that and get it sprung and the panhard mounted it shouldnt be an issue until it starts making noise from excess slop.

Yeah well I plan on doing the V because there's no way I could get any strength out of that threaded joint. That's just there to help me get measurements etc done before I finish welding everything up.

So instead of having the panhard rod I was thinking of just using some guide bars from the frame to stabilize the axle and stop it walking from side to side.

So progress on the front end stopped yesterday because I ran out of steel. I'm getting some on Tuesday but meanwhile I've nearly finished the clutch. I've just got to either bush the clutch pivot or get a bigger bolt and adjust the belt retainers. It's really just the stock Westwood configuration but slightly modified.

Fabbed a clutch/brake pedal


Engaged


Disengaged


The rod on the clutch plate connects to the end of the pedal rod. My other Westwood has exactly the same configuration.

Update!
Haven't been doing much work on the Westwood this week, but I did manage to get some 40mm (1 1/2") box section for my front axle triangulation. It's not finished, the ball joint still needs some bracing but that will come later. It look me like 2 days to do all those strange angles with nothing other than a 4 inch angle grinder and a protractor.

Looking good! A panhard might be the better option versus two supports. All kinds of ways you could make one without needing heims.

Looks great man!

Heres an idea I thought of as an alternative to heims. Not sure if it would bind up, and the steel would need to be L shaped or at least really thick to prevent flex, but heres the basic idea. Didnt draw it in the pic, but the round ends where bolt goes through would need to go into a U shaped bracket. Only one bar would really need elongated holes. And I would use a lock washer on each side in addition to lock nuts to prevent the bolts from sliding.

Thanks Allis! @Doug, That might work, although I do have some ball joints kicking around that I'll probably use as I mentioned in chat.

Mock up for rough height. It will be about an inch higher on the front but later I plan to raise the rear slightly











The engine that will be going in (temporarily, I hope to be getting a 12hp I/C after the build off)



Pulley setup I'll probably use. Pretty close to a 1 to 1. 5 inch front, 4 1/2 inch rear.



This should end up as my front bumper. Pretty thick wall






And after these pics were taken, I welded in a cross member at the front because there was quite a bit of flex there.

I think I need to modify the point where the ball joint is attached to the frame. It means that the axle is higher than the ball joint.

I'm also wondering, how much should I leave for those shocks to compress? They are 200lbs. I was thinking 3-4 inches but not sure.

I would mock up where the top shock mount would go, mount an engine and anything heavy that might go on it, and go from there. That way it sits with a little back lean after its put together and without you on it, otherwise the front will sag as soon as the engine is on.

Thanks Doug. I'll probably end up doing something like that. For the panhard, I could just make my own adjustable ends instead of having it adjustable in the middle.

Haha, that aluminum pulley looks familiar!

Shhhh, I was hoping no one would notice it was aluminum lol.

Anyway I drew up a pic of the ball joint bracket, at the moment it is about 2 1/2 inches off the frame, I think I can get it to be about 1/4" by removing the 1 1/2" and 1x1 square tubing and replacing it with 1/4 flat stock. The reason the 1x1 is below the 1 1/2 square is because I though that the belt might hit the 1 1/2" but now that I've got the clutch done I know that it won't so I can afford to go even lower. At the moment the bracket is hanging too low which is why I'm redoing it.

Got a bit done today, tore the old ball joint bracket off (it wasn't welded on straight lol) and started to mock up the 1/4" plate. Have got it all welded up, took some pics but my camera mysteriously deleted them so I'll try snap some tomorrow.

Got to love those gremlins in electronics.

Yep, its a Sony Handycam, got it for free. Getting a new camera for Christmas anyway.

Front end looking good. I bet that square tubing is a little easier to fit together than my pipe was. I tried measuring it out, but it got pretty messed up, in the end I just welded everything up. Seems to hold together good though.

Yeah Mr mod, it's really hard to get it straight, and the monolink still needs to be more securely welded to the tube. It took me about 4 days on and off working on it to get it straight. I still don't think it is perfectly straight though. Anyway, I ordered a set of M12 heims last night for the panhard. Should be here in a few days.

i have a similar idea i wanted to try out like yours for the front axle but have yet to make one and try it due to lack of welder atm lol like how its going so far keep up the good work!

My internet has been down for a while so only getting these pics up now

New monolink bracket. It's much better than the old one. About 2 1/4 inches closer to the frame.



Panhard bracket on the frame.

Nice.

Thanks! Glad you think so haha, your Simplicity build was the inspiration for this one.

Looks good! Y'know, it wouldn't be too hard to put suspension like that on the new front axle i made......

Yeah, although it is really hard to get straight and alined true.

So, the suspension is finished (some welding/tightning of bolts to be done) and I'm started on the steering. Also got my front and rear bumpers mounted. I took lots of pics but my camera did not save them AGAIN!! :facepalm: Lol, I'll try take some tomorrow.

Got some pics!
I've finally got a rolling chassis but only got 10 days of the build off remaining so I might not make it