SoCal Jet Boats

Discussion => The No Wake Zone => Topic started by: 79charger on June 21, 2011, 08:53:13 PM

Title: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: 79charger on June 21, 2011, 08:53:13 PM
My 68 Daily driver / Prerunner Build .
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: Brendella Pickle on June 22, 2011, 06:28:45 AM
Nice car! I have one too. During desert season we should meet up somewhere, never can find anyone to drive with.
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: 79charger on June 22, 2011, 02:42:28 PM
Nice Bug , i am starting to do long travel suspension on it next week , but sort of debating between a A-arm front end or a extended beam , arms , coilovers .....
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: AQUAHOLIC on June 22, 2011, 03:23:44 PM
my friend has a real nice beam car with a turbo subi in the back. that things handles just as good as an a arm car does. and it is cheaper and stronger
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: logans runner on June 22, 2011, 05:17:34 PM
Wow guys nice bugs.  I am truly gonna have to find a gig down there so that I can start a collection.
Or maybe you guys could start a collection to get my Canadian ass down to the land of fun sun and pristine collectibles
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: 79charger on June 22, 2011, 06:28:34 PM
Yeah I am up in the air ..... Beam cars our easier to install more straight forward , But for the price of A High end beam and suspension and steering , i can have A-ARM kit installed and run a single 3.0 King ....... who knows , I just know there rears are getting 4x4 arms and coilovers ...
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: MADSKILLZ on June 22, 2011, 07:51:08 PM
I just picked up this class 5 chassis as my new project  ;D
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: NORDIC454 on June 23, 2011, 06:52:08 AM
my friend has a real nice beam car with a turbo subi in the back. that things handles just as good as an a arm car does. and it is cheaper and stronger


Cheaper maybe, stronger? Only if you don't know what your doing!
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: t8017e on June 23, 2011, 08:02:18 AM
This is my 64 turbo baja in Gorman a few weeks ago. I'm thinking to do the suspension on it now. The ball joint beam is just no soft enough. I'm thinking custom A-Arm front end with a full cage. I'm just finishing up converting my Pro Tools tube bender to hydraulic.

Does anyone have any dies for sale or loan I'm looking for a 1-1/4" and 1-1/2"

I was thinking on the cheep air bag front end with shocks for the front plus I already have the parts, has anyone ever seen a set up like this? I seen a few on sand rails. I'm thinking is should be a sooth ride.
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: NORDIC454 on June 23, 2011, 08:58:00 AM
I was thinking on the cheep air bag front end with shocks for the front plus I already have the parts, has anyone ever seen a set up like this? I seen a few on sand rails. I'm thinking is should be a sooth ride.



Airbags in a desert car is a big no-no. they will not hold up to running on hard pack, witch can suck big time, and also be dangerous. Funco runs them in their sand cars yes, and they work well. but they are not built for "dual sport" duties. I have seen what does and doesnt work as I have !0 years of building under my belt. Plus, if your going to a-arm it, buying a good pair of used coilovers will be the same or cheaper than buying bags, which you have to buy aditional dampers to run with them as well.

Here is our families Funco Hustler which has the bags, and runs great in the sand

Also a few pics of the Steamline bug we built
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: Marcsrollin on June 23, 2011, 09:28:52 AM
That funco is a good looking car!
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: t8017e on June 23, 2011, 09:50:27 AM
Your right Nordic, I'll have to rethink the air bag thing, its just I have them and have used them on so many street cars and trucks for years now. What size heims are on you a-arms and what is your track width? Also whats the correct name for those upper ball joints your using?
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: Dirty Air on June 23, 2011, 10:49:35 AM
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) Also whats the correct name for those upper ball joints your using?
Those are what as known as a UNIBALL or a SPHERICAL BEARING and you can buy them as a kit with the cup and misalignment spacers witch makes up the whole assembly and can be purchased at you favorite off road shop like Kartek or off-road warehouse.
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: 75 fantasy on June 23, 2011, 12:28:43 PM
My 68 Daily driver / Prerunner Build .

i've never been a VW fan but i like your setup for a daily driver/prerunner  :thumbup:
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: AQUAHOLIC on June 23, 2011, 01:42:12 PM
here is my VW
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash1%2F179375_1616665251926_1095182586_31473645_7033944_n.jpg&hash=a0593b1146ad26014b793061e1fc23cd930e8992)
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: AQUAHOLIC on June 23, 2011, 01:45:29 PM
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-ash2%2F71514_1501960704384_1095182586_31256053_1269509_n.jpg&hash=020fddfb9b8735a34c02428ae33cbdcfdc9a1a5b)

(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-snc6%2F71760_1501962184421_1095182586_31256063_4724166_n.jpg&hash=2d8e3ae24dae7504fb9d661fa89933e331a27633)


(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-snc6%2F33717_1501967184546_1095182586_31256091_291451_n.jpg&hash=208021d6d7a9cf1413a1746905202e1029cefdf2)


(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ak-snc4%2F74194_1501968504579_1095182586_31256098_6752201_n.jpg&hash=8dca9f48cc0da89d8a14f2eedaa7e5087bcd94c1)
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: GlassCutter on June 23, 2011, 04:57:07 PM
Jimmy don't fit so good.   >:D

Is there any toy you DON'T have?
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: NORDIC454 on June 24, 2011, 10:00:23 AM
Your right Nordic, I'll have to rethink the air bag thing, its just I have them and have used them on so many street cars and trucks for years now. What size heims are on you a-arms and what is your track width? Also whats the correct name for those upper ball joints your using?


The Track width on this particular car is 88".  After this build we changed the set-up and used a 1 piece cnc billet upper arm, and a more beefier spindle and lower setup for our class 1 and prerunner cars. The track width of the newer setup is 90". The heims that are on the upper arm on the bug are 3/4" heims, and a 1" uniball at the spindle. The upper arm doesnt have to be nearly as beefy as the lower due to the fact that is simply there to hold the spindle in place.
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: t8017e on June 30, 2011, 08:12:06 AM
What do you guys think of these rod ends? I found these in Mc master Carr. 60 degrees of swivel with out any misalignment bushing. The race looks kind of small, but the are 3/4". rated at 29,127 Lb. static radial load made of 4135 alloy steel. i also found the uniball for the upper ball joints too. I just need to make the cup and misalignment bushings for them no big deal.
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: NORDIC454 on June 30, 2011, 12:59:17 PM
What do you guys think of these rod ends? I found these in Mc master Carr. 60 degrees of swivel with out any misalignment bushing. The race looks kind of small, but the are 3/4". rated at 29,127 Lb. static radial load made of 4135 alloy steel. i also found the uniball for the upper ball joints too. I just need to make the cup and misalignment bushings for them no big deal.


The're kind of on the cheaper end of the scale, but they aren't bad. As far as making the unibal cups, unless your a machinist, that wont work because they have a lip on one end for the c-clip. They are a very tight fit, usually you have to spray WD and pound or press them in. especially after welding.
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: pw_Tony on June 30, 2011, 04:31:44 PM
Here's my '68. Got it all stock, doing a little to it here and there... probably start wrenching on it again after it cools down and the river doesn't interest me anymore  :sly:

Anyone got any tips of how to tune a Front beam? I installed torsion adjusters and 10" shock towers, and it's a balljoint front end. The back works very well but I'm having trouble getting the front end to take bumps smoother.

(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi227.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd6%2Fpw383426%2F0630111404.jpg&hash=c03524b6ea079a927d51fc6572d96dbf233fd2f8)

(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi227.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd6%2Fpw383426%2F0306112038.jpg&hash=6773d2409fb23e95a8fbe4b0c0d325ca5719820a)
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: t8017e on July 02, 2011, 10:53:18 AM

The're kind of on the cheaper end of the scale, but they aren't bad. As far as making the unibal cups, unless your a machinist, that wont work because they have a lip on one end for the c-clip. They are a very tight fit, usually you have to spray WD and pound or press them in. especially after welding.

Not really to cheep I just wanted to see them they were $35 bucks each if thats cheep. I think I will use the for the steering not the arms. I personally am not a machinist, but I have a full machine shop at my finger tips at work. I just give my guy a print and tell him to make it, and I make all the blueprints  :D. It's good to be the boss.
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: 79charger on July 02, 2011, 08:39:33 PM
Here's my '68. Got it all stock, doing a little to it here and there... probably start wrenching on it again after it cools down and the river doesn't interest me anymore  :sly:

Anyone got any tips of how to tune a Front beam? I installed torsion adjusters and 10" shock towers, and it's a balljoint front end. The back works very well but I'm having trouble getting the front end to take bumps smoother.

(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi227.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd6%2Fpw383426%2F0630111404.jpg&hash=c03524b6ea079a927d51fc6572d96dbf233fd2f8)

(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi227.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fdd6%2Fpw383426%2F0306112038.jpg&hash=6773d2409fb23e95a8fbe4b0c0d325ca5719820a)



Throw the ball joint front end away and go Link Pin ...... almost bulletproof
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: pw_Tony on July 04, 2011, 03:25:24 PM
I just spend alot of hours putting the adjusters in, making shock towers work, and a bunch of little nickle and dime shit on this front end  :thumbdown: Will a link pin ride smoother than a balljoint? The car was about 3 inches higher than in that pic the last time I went to the dunes, but the front end would barely budge.... some people said take the front shocks off completely... or should I just save up for some 4"x4" trailing arms with coilovers?
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: 79charger on July 04, 2011, 10:12:32 PM
Ball joints will Pop out or break during heavy offroading ...... I have a Ball Joint front end now .... I am Planning on getting a 6 in over beam , foddrill 4+ arms HD link Pins combo spindles  and a 2.5 Fox Coilover .....14 inches of smooth travel .... I have ridden in a 5 car with this setup and it was amazing . Mosebuilt has a A-arm kit for 2100 not including coilovers and install...... i think its a bit overkill ..
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: NORDIC454 on July 05, 2011, 12:13:24 PM
Ball joints will Pop out or break during heavy offroading ...... I have a Ball Joint front end now .... I am Planning on getting a 6 in over beam , foddrill 4+ arms HD link Pins combo spindles  and a 2.5 Fox Coilover .....14 inches of smooth travel .... I have ridden in a 5 car with this setup and it was amazing . Mosebuilt has a A-arm kit for 2100 not including coilovers and install...... i think its a bit overkill ..


I think the price is a bit "overkill", but if you've ridden in an a-arm car that is setup correctly, a beam cant hold a candle
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: pw_Tony on July 05, 2011, 02:07:56 PM
Ball joints will Pop out or break during heavy offroading ...... I have a Ball Joint front end now .... I am Planning on getting a 6 in over beam , foddrill 4+ arms HD link Pins combo spindles  and a 2.5 Fox Coilover .....14 inches of smooth travel .... I have ridden in a 5 car with this setup and it was amazing . Mosebuilt has a A-arm kit for 2100 not including coilovers and install...... i think its a bit overkill ..

I've sky'd this thing 5+ feet many times already, and have pounded through whoops just for the fun of it (though my back didn't like it!) So I'm not too worried about breaking the balljoints currently, and if they do I can replace them. But does the link-pin front end work better, or smoother than the balljoint? I'm just trying to find out how to get a good setup on a torsion front end
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: Nixonnow on July 05, 2011, 04:39:30 PM
I'm just trying to find out how to get a good setup on a torsion front end

Take out the torsion and run coilovers.
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: 79charger on July 05, 2011, 06:06:30 PM
You can pull alot more travel with Linkpins ..... Your front suspension is stiff I am Guessing because your torsions have been turned to the max to achieve your ride height ....... You can get 3 inch lift spindles and lower your torsion rate to get a better ride and maintain ride height .Coilovers would be best but I am not sure if you can set them up on a BJ front end...... I think Link Pin only ....
Title: Re: When the boat runs good I can give my other baby some Attention
Post by: pw_Tony on July 05, 2011, 09:37:51 PM
You can pull alot more travel with Linkpins ..... Your front suspension is stiff I am Guessing because your torsions have been turned to the max to achieve your ride height ....... You can get 3 inch lift spindles and lower your torsion rate to get a better ride and maintain ride height .Coilovers would be best but I am not sure if you can set them up on a BJ front end...... I think Link Pin only ....

They're actually in the middle now, but I did have them cranked all the way up. I brought down the torsion level so I could drive it on the street, it was about 3" higher. But I think I'll try your idea and get lift spindles and loosen the front torsions all the way, I just want it to work like the rear end. Thanks
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