Mike B's Whitehill Buggy build
On April 1st,2009, I ordered a Whitehill SandTiger 2-seat buggy.
I will TRY to post all pics of the build as I see it progressing.
I got my first LOOK at the buggy over Memorial day weekend.
On June 7th, My 2nd 6hr trip to see the build.
July 4th weekend ...it's getting close, but NOT done yet.
Finally on July 19th, it came home!
Now my Fun and work BEGINS!
I started planning out the gauges and dash panel. This is the cowl on the hood. (with oil temp, oil pressure and Volts gauges) and turn signal lights.
I don't know what to do with ALL the space in this buggy :)
The buggy drew it's 1st blood yesterday. I sat up under the buggy, and a tab(for the pan) got my forehead...OUCH. I didn't notice it, till blood ran down my nose. Of course the wife "wanted" me to go get stitches, but I got it closed with butterfly Band-Aids...LOL
So all is good.
The gas tank is in
Engine pan from the old buggy, still looks good.
and perfect fit!
Finally something to rest my feet on..LOL
Working on the dash panel next
I finally got the carb back that was leaking and the OLD buggy is running again
Got the floor pan in and the dash cut out and in. Still gotta a lot of work to do on it yet. Also startedf the center consul planning for the radio (OF COURSE!) and for the location for the video camera for the helmet cam. Not sure where I want to mount the helmet cam...
I need to Thank Nick for the deal i got on the Aluminum pan and dash panel material.
Got some shiney new pedals today
And FINALLY got these today. (REAR shocks)
Even if the dog was my only help with them..LOL Also got a turn signal mounted...NOT on the steering shaft
Because it wouldn't fit......SO under the dash.
Got the cowl gauge
panel done today.
Hopefully the gauges
come in tomorrow.
Then onto the dash
and building the
center consul....
Rear lights and Roof panel installed this weekend.
OK..now the roof is in place.(sunroof is next for the roof?)
Not much new 8/25/09...
Got some work done on the dash and the reservoirs mounted on the front.
And got the new switch panel in.
5 days at the dunes and the NEW engine came home
let's say CHEVY!
OK, just a MOCK-UP........... but it fits..LOL
WOW, I have a transmission........ 5 rib bus..With "beafed" up gears...( we'll see next summer..lol).
Nick said I had to "protect" my BUTT........ so we fabed up the seat pans....... with a little mods they will fit up close and great.
Center cosul project( ok a work in progress?) and my new welder.......NOW when I learn to weld, I'll be ready to GO!
The BEST news today, was that Pat @ La... linked me up to TurnKey engineering for my computer, harness and adaptor plate!
SORRY, nothing new on the buggy, My computer "crashed" and i spent a week getting this and the REST of my files set up....... BUT I did get the Kennedy adaptor plate ordered and the clutch. 10-2-09
Got the welder all set up, just need a tank and welding lessons..lol
also working on the boxes for the computer, camera and battery.
Welding means PROGRESS - right?
I'm getting tired of putting the seats in and out for the "mock" ups!
Boxes are done and in place, just have to line them with rubber and foam for the computer/camera/etc..?
Well at least the battery is secure. kinda..lol
Turning brake is installed too......
Not much new this week, OTHER than Kennedy sent my adaptor plate and clutch to the wrong address 2 weeks ago, but after talking to Garth, UPS called from California to 'confirm" my address!!!!!!!!!
I actually did get the 2 boses done, lined with rubber and foam for the computer and camera box. Sorry no pics.
Got my Kennedy adaptor plate, flywheel, and KEP clutch today. FINALLY!
Get me the PARTS, they will get installed
thunder Helped me!
It's HARD to install by youse;f!
Progress seems to go in spurts!
More welding is GOOD......
I did My 1st welding on my buggy today. OK...not pretty, but since the fuel pump brackets will be under the radiator and behind the gas tank... NObody will see them!..:)
Also got the radiator mount tack welded in and the fuel pump in
Gotta love the "simple" bolt on disc brakes....??????????????
Brackets being fabed to hold the calipers ..to be welded to the arms.
Ted , get's into his work.......... Got the brake lines and clutch line in today........ getting closer!
Do I really need an emergency brake?
Ordered my exhaust and got the "tow" bar fabed up, just gotta get it welded on......
More welding is GOOD!
My 930 axles , cv's, boots. etc....... another $700.00 spent...lol
the center consul will be finished this weekend,
I learned a new "trick" on bending aluminum today..thanks Steve.
I also got the hitch "cleaned" up to be welded onto the frame.
Why a hitch?... to tow my wifes buggy into the dunes..OF COURSE!
Motor mounts ready to be welded on!
Custom- SS grab bar-
The bar is SOLID Stainless
Steel...........
Rear hitch attached , axles on and the motor mounts are 90% done and welded on.
I HAD to buy Gary new cutters for the welding wire..lol
Got the CBM exhaust installed........and it fits Pertect. But who would have thought an exhaust from California didn't have a spark arrester????? When I called both CBM asbout it and then TurnKey, they both said the same thing.... Nobody checks for them on the dunes there, so Nobody uses them???????????????
SO I need to come up with a spark arrester for this beast! Best news is my computer is "in the mail"....(well on a UPS truck anyways..lol)
I worked on the center consul today. I got it about 80% done.
This is for my electrical and to hold my video camera for the helmet cam I use.
Looks like it will work fine!
Got the consul almost finished. With the GPS mounted....Hey you never know, I may get lost on the dunes...lol
Actually it also has altitude and speed option on it.
and I FINALLY got the computer, harness, throttle body any sensors needed..... NOW I just have to figure out where everything plugs in.. Simple "plug and Play"...yea RIGHT!
