Question and Answer Thread Started for this month's Feature:

OPERATION: ROCKSTAR
Building A Stadium Rock Sidekick On A Club Band Budget - Part 1. Story/Photo: Mike Hagen

http://www.zukiworld.com/month_010105/feature_operationrockstar_partone.htm

Ok, we're going to try something new here and link the feature article to a forum Q&A thread for discussion purposes. Let's see how it works.

-Eric

Looks like you'll got alot done in the first two days What weight  were you'll shooting for? Looks like you cant be much over 1200# at the end of day 2 :-/.

I cant wait to see what all you do to it. My 97 2wd is longing for some use and abuse.

Zig

wow i like it!  a low budget beater with IFS   so when can we expect the next update?

stu

That's cool, Eric. Looking forward to the update...

Damn... another Trackick buggy coming out of Mike's club

I like it. Cheap, light, and effective

Looking sweet!

So I understand properly ... you lowered the front frame 6", and extended 9" ... this increased wheel base and adds ground clearance past the front axel.

Any plans for increasing the articulation of the IFS? Might not be in the "plan", but just curious.

I think this is one killer buggy recipie. Add engine swap or axels to suit taste/budget.

Looks like you'll got alot done in the first two days What weight  were you'll shooting for? Looks like you cant be much over 1200# at the end of day 2 :-/.

Zig

I have no Idea but its light. I can currently lift any one of the four tires off the ground by myself.  What are we shooting for.... Light as possible. When we are done we are definately going to weigh it.

Mike

wow i like it!  a low budget beater with IFS   so when can we expect the next update?

stu

Next month

Looking sweet!

So I understand properly ... you lowered the front frame 6", and extended 9" ... this increased wheel base and adds ground clearance past the front axel.

Any plans for increasing the articulation of the IFS? Might not be in the "plan", but just curious.

Not in the current plan.

Next month

Man I dont think I can wait till next month !!  

I need more pics of the buildup so far if at all possible. Ive got my parts 4wd Tracker sittin in the corner of the yard. It would be a good candidate for this mod, I have already completely gutted the interior. Ive got a few questions that will be answered in the next article, like front diff mount and how did you lift the rear suspension? I wouldnt mind cutting my frame and adding 3" more lift in addition to my Calmini lift. Geeze Im rambling on, IM EXCITED!!!!

Bill

Really too bad you didn't have a starting weight, but alas I would guess that could be easily had. Thinking of adding some weight difference to the equation? Weight on the tires would be good, as you extended the front and left the beef back (engine/tranny/water). I would like to see the effect on that. This would filter in to when doing obstacles, weight shifting, etc. Besides, you capable of lifting any single tire just shows the difference in configuration of the center of gravity.
Adding a tube front will add weight to the front and will move the cg forward, but balance that with the weight of driver/passenger and gas so I guess it'll remain to what it's near now.

Do note, that Tracker looked pretty clean in terms of rust for a northern vehicle.....
Looks great so far.....

 Watched my First comp Nov 2nd.

   My stomach is turning, Got to get to the garage quick...  Before it's too late.

 That thing is awsome, and to think I was gonna build a Sammy for Comp in April...     Hit me over the HEAD

What was I thinking.    

What comp rules are yall following?   ANy certin class.  

I've found a few Buggys here that actually can't legally run with out major changes.  SOme are thrown into the next class above where their intensions were just due to oversite in the rules of the build.  I was looking into the Stock class for now.  

and to think I was gonna build a Sammy for Comp in April...     Hit me over the HEAD

OK, you asked for it

Oh yeah what CV's are you using? The yota's?

Bill

Do note, that Tracker looked pretty clean in terms of rust for a northern vehicle.....

Yea it was a real shame to cut up a clean rig like that with only 86,000 miles on it. We felt really bad for the entire first day! BUT on the flip side it was a 2wd. Were doing it a favor.
Also someone left the top off of it all summer and the interior was shot.

BTW we have thought about the weight distribution...I cant let out all the secrets or I wont have anything to write about next month! stay tuned.  

Mike