Spiderbox mod info & pictorial

[metalstudman1]

Since I've had more than ONE request for this info/pic's of this modified Spiderbox- NOW it's all in one spot!! This will save me from having to go back to numerous postings and I'll add to this as needed. Have fun

[metalstudman1]

Some close-ups,graphics,ect...

[metalstudman1]

Information on parts used and links- Also pics of HD axle- Travis @ BD did his best to try and supply the public with an aftermarket solution for the weak stock axle. BD isn't to blame for the axles failure- the manufacturer is.If you can still buy one of these axles-you can now use your own judgement in doing so- "A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS"

[metalstudman1]

Close-up pics of the swingarm/axle mods

[metalstudman1]

Rear Fenders-master cylinder-exhaust re-enforcement- throttle cable

[metalstudman1]

Frontend

[metalstudman1]

front bumper/front fenders

[bwomack524]

Thanks for all the ideals this really helps

[metalstudman1]

When I get some free time I'll do a pictorial on the rack-n-pinion to get a better turning radius.

[GX150]

Mark has the original rack modification pictures on the Yerfer.net archive on the Buggy Depot forum. I cannot post the link due to the filtering on this site.

[metalstudman1]

That's cool! I didn't know there was pictures out there. Do they just need to search for rack modification when the go there?

[GX150]

Here is the path to the archives with this forum filtering kicking in: http://www.**********.com/archives/yerfer.net/forums/

Here is the specific thread:
http://www.**********.com/archives/y...?showtopic=565

[SoapKart]

[metalstudman1]

Nice pics-I knew about this mod from my racing days back in the 70's.

[GX150]

I was one of the ones pushing to keep the Yerfer,net content available when Matt (forum owner) sold off his Yerf-Dog and did not want to continue maintaining the forum. Travis at Buggy Depot stepped up and bought the content off Matt so we would not have reinvent fixes that had been solved years earlier.

[metalstudman1]

I feel dumb!!! I didn't think to research all these mod's on the net!! I'm still new to all this. When I went to BD's site it was to buy parts. By the way- ANY mod's done on a Spiderbox should go here to consolidate them into one thread for everyone.I'm changing the title.

[GX150]

Yerfer.net was where you could find all your Spiderbox modifications. Travis started up SpiderboxPerformance.com to help people with parts they could not fix on their own and to supply performance parts (this later became Buggy Depot).

I bought my first Spiderbox in 2004 and sold my last one this year, so I've seen much of the history.

[metalstudman1]

Another approach to the A-arm design/construction- Figured since we've put 2 HARD months on these without a failure they're worthy to post as an improvement opportunity.

[metalstudman1]

A-arms assembled on the bulkhead

[metalstudman1]

These show the change from the stock ball joint type steering arm end of the rack to Heims with a clevis. If the rack has been grooved for more travel- Regardless where the rack is mounted you'll need to have the pivot point on the clevis at the end of the rack just to the outside of the A-arm pivot points (ckau's cad calculations suggests 5/8"). These steering arms allow for LOT'S of travel. The ones pictured travel more than 11".

[metalstudman1]

Another approach to making your own spindles to provide additional strength & corrected Heim/ ball joint connection points for improved Ackerman steering.
This set-up is using 13"+ shocks.

[bwomack524]

WOW that is a nice front end!!!!!!!!!!!!

[edroden]

I'm impressed! You should sell modded front end kits!

[metalstudman1]

Thanx for the compliments gentlemen- I did give the idea of building a complete front clip that could be sold as a bolt on item- the only thing you'd need is wheels & tires for either a 4" on 4" or 110mm bolt pattern. It sounds good- remove 6 bolts, loosen the yolk on the rack and replace!!!!
Without labor or shipping the material cost would be around $890.00. This only included a set of QA1 coil overs or similar($400.)- if you wanted Works or Fox shocks the price would be around $1,500. just for material. The shocks used dictates the set-up, so they would have to be included.
I can't see anyone wanting to pay more for a frontend than they did for the whole buggy!!!
Then comes the longterm availablity of the few parts needed I couldn't fab here reasonably-(rack & pinion, bulkhead) I'd have to set up a core exchange, have you ship those 2 parts back to me when you got the front end to keep parts around when I depleated the sources that have them now.
The reason we post these modifications is so others can figure out how to afford/improvise the mod's. Most of us can only afford this hobby if the cost is spread out over time!- so we make mod's a little at a time.

[Rarerat]

Very nice work Metal!!

[jwilson645]

Height of the spindle body (1" tube) the same as original? Is that 3/16" plate you used for the top and bottom and gussets?

I really need to build new ones for mine and yours look like the ticket.

[metalstudman1]

Originally Posted by jwilson645

Height of the spindle body (1" tube) the same as original? Is that 3/16" plate you used for the top and bottom and gussets?

Sorry if I failed to answer these questions-spindle tube =1" square x 4-1/2" tall x 1/4" thick. (yes the same overall height 5")1/4" plate was used for all flat parts. A-arm tubing is 1"- 16gauge,

[Zapper]

Say this Trantula is a GY6 and I think it is automatic but could it have a clutch so I might be able to change gears.There is a short shaft coming out of the clutch cover.Would this be a shifter shaft.Is there a way to ck.without pulling the cover.

[metalstudman1]

If it's a GY6- then it has a CVT and no shifter no separate gears (other than forward/reverse) that shaft would be for a kick starter.

[Zapper]

Ok thanks it has a external rev.box i had to rework (pain in the rear)