Finishing the Front Suspension - Mini Baja Bug!! - Part 4

In this video we are building a Mini Baja Bug using a Polaris XLT 600 two stroke snowmobile engine and a go kart fiberglass body of a VW bug.
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[@ratherBweldingChris]

Merry Christmas everyone!!

[@marsalseides]

Cold kills the charge on lithium batteries slows the transfer of electrons between poles that's the cliff notes version

[@jamesarnold6059]

Merry Christmas to you too buddy

[@sergiososa5855]

2023 it 2024!!!exitooooosss exitooosss!!!

[@markstone2877]

Thanks for the video, merry Christmas.

[@ShaunHensley]

Merry Christmas brother!

[@cohinwalters8407]

Man this series has been amazing, I am modeling my actual Baja bug after this man’s mini bug 😎

[@breakshot7451]

the look of the tamiya sand scorcher would be so cool;)))

[@longsleevethong1457]

Use a shaft driven bike engine. Don’t use chains like this. This is ridiculous.

[@quakxy_dukx]

@@longsleevethong1457do it yourself if you’re so perfect

[@darens1869]

What an inspiration you are. I get hung up on projects when I make a mistake or decide on a redesign and I don't want to have to go backwards. You just plow ahead and tackle super complicated redesigns with awesome results. That inspires me to get out of my chair and back to to my workbench. Great work here and I completely don't understand why this channel isn't huge already. Keep it up.

[@marklewis5984]

If at first you don't succeed .......

[@Ian45611]

One of the reasons I always watch Chris's videos. He has an impressive work ethic.

[@neilkirkes]

Camber gain during compression is a good thing for cornering. Think about the chassis leaning in a corner and the outside tire compressing. It will help the outside tire have more traction.

[@csj9619]

Being a VW guy and a fan of cool stuff in general, I'm really liking this build series. Oddly satisfying watching the fab work.

[@michaelblacktree]

Yeah, I'm loving the Beetle aesthetic. This is like Grave Ninja, but even better. 😎

[@kevinklein1806]

Based off of my Radio controlled suspension knowledge, I would be inclined to believe that having your front lower shock mount should be farther from the chassis than you currently have it would be beneficial to do. As you want to have the shock at or around 90* at full shock compression, as that is where the springs are able to exert the most force.

[@betoborba3329]

That angle change on the front suspension looks like it will be a good thing because it will keep your tire pad in the same place true the suspension cycle there for minimizing your scrub radius! This thing is looking nice!

[@drewtooker4243]

Looking really good. I think the rear track width needs to be widened to match the front. Having the mismatch between front and rear seems silly unless you go with super wide rear tires like all terrains or sand paddles

[@tobygarrett7092]

You can use motorcycle brake levers and mount it to the steering wheel for the brake and gas too if you had too, check out cars and cameras that’s what they did in there project like this

[@patricklarkin4389]

I was thinking the same thing I think it would also be easier to control 🤷🏻

[@longsleevethong1457]

Yeah it’s awesome to have steering wheel mounted controls when you have to turn the wheel a lot. Yeah do that…..great idea….

[@alessiocarlevaro6934]

what you noticed with the front suspension articulation is camber gain, because the upper A arm is shorter, as the wheel moves up it becomes "shorter" quicker than the bottom longer one. For bump steer, i think you'll have a lot because the bottom A arm pivot points on the chassis are really close together. ideally you'd want them close to the tie rod articulating joint for the same reason. Like you have it now you'll for sure have toe out, how much i don't know

[@michaelblacktree]

Yeah, he's going to need a really small steering rack, or a steering box with a really short center link.

[@GRAHAMAUS]

6:16 - of course it doesn't track exactly vertical, because the top arm is shorter than the bottom. But that's what you want! It's called camber gain, and it increases negative camber on the loaded wheel on the outside of a turn. If anything I'd say you should shorten the top arms to increase that effect. But really, you ought to be analysing the geometry using some sort of suspension geometry tool -- quite a few available online. Guessing leads to unpleasant handling surprises :)

[@DKaine11]

That looks sick running inline and sticking out of the body!

[@MrGOTJOE]

Oh man that thing is really coming together well. It looks awesome. BTW, the hoops for the suspension actually looks really cool. You said it didn't look good. I think this project is gonna be pretty epic. Great job man great job.

[@theotherguypc]

This project would have been the perfect opportunity to do pushrod suspension, i think it would have looked badass and would have probably simplified your issue with fitting your shocks on the front

[@patricklarkin4389]

Super cool that’s going to be so fun to drive!!!!

[@lymusic3355]

ngl this design would look sick on a full scale model with bigger tires

[@Enigma-Sapiens]

Looking great! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Chris & family & all commenters/watchers as well!

[@tannerroach1644]

Love the build man and I would not run an oil tank for pre mixing the fuel as it goes into the intake because the reason they got away from that is when the oil pump that adds the oil to fuel fails there’s no way of knowing untill the motor blows up I would just premix it

[@1one3_Racing]

Chris loves his positive camber....

[@kkcoyote]

Definitely should flip the lower shock mounts 180 degrees to put a little more angle on them. And with the xlt 600s if it has 4 oil lines you have to keep the oil injection because one goes strictly to the pto bearing and without the oil injection that bearing won’t get enough oil.

[@BraxxJuventa]

Thanks for filming Chris. 😁👍🏼

[@memorexkiller]

That is a mini beetle buggy forsure mint, always wanted to build something like this keep up the killer work

[@sammcbride2464]

I like the trial and error geometry that you do. You should give a course presentation to the people in China. They could use it.

[@hemidart7]

This thing is definitely a "little persons" dream machine

[@bigjohnson1148]

The ease at what you do is amazing, mate. I enjoy every one of your videos.. big uk fan 🎉

[@RacinRitchieyt]

i still would love to see you use an r100 bmw engine, its also shaft drive which would work well with the diff and no need for the chain drive

[@backyardbuilttrucks1]

That is going to so insanely cool. My 7 year old grandson wants to build something like it.

[@infinitecycle3479]

I’ve watched countless mini builds and this is hands down the best I’ve ever seen dude good fricken work man

[@itzikca]

I would go nuts assembling and disassembling this stuff over and over

[@ChrisM-ff1zb]

Make the tank along both sides of the seat. Equal on both sides should allow for a good fuel amount. Plus you could use them as arm rests

[@johnpaice8481]

U are so clever sir , in fact I would say genius, merry Christmas thanks for all your builds this year ....

[@sebastiankotilainen7807]

thank you. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones🌲

[@nickbowker5134]

Merry Christmas to you and your family, Another great build. 100%+ better than the one i never built and documented, to the keyboard engineer's happy Christmas to you too

[@joew2303]

Chris you need a bearing splitter/puller. Would make life so much easier!

[@DisposableEgo]

I want this but without a motor. This is my Flintstone dream car!!

[@kyles5513]

This thing is gonna be sweet. Should cut a couple holes in the roof so you can weld a roll bar to the frame behind yer head.

[@PracticalRecycling101]

That looks awesome. One of your creations I would love to drive. We'll done.

[@oilio5465]

For the rear differential. You could build a housing with a short chain drive inside Allowing you to have the short chain and differential in oil. Then the differential input attaches directly to the cvt. Benefits. Only needs 1 chain, the differential is in oil and it changes the input direction of the differential

[@whosaidthat5236]

Hell yeah that’s going to be a wheelie machine! Better think about wheelie bars

[@SKEPT_OMBAR]

Awesome built mate. please add a roll hoop above your helmet. If / when you ride this thing hard you will find the roll limit. promote fabrication AND safety. A roll hoop might look goofy when you arnt in it... but when you are ripping its only 3-4" of bar behind your head. bonus points if you can push your head back against some foam pad so you are stabilised during a wheelie and coming down too hard

[@cootersgarage4408]

My recommendations Use or build throttle/ brake controls like honda oddesey for more leg room and comfort. Don't forget the baja lights. She's looking so sweet.

[@jimysk8er]

If you get worried about head safety you could always make some extra bit that look like a roof rack with luggage and light bar and antenna etc or like two surfboards or something to hide structural tubing.

[@AdvSouthAfrica]

It's been a fun project to watch 😎 to remove bearings like that it's best to get the torch on there and heat it nice and hot then use puller if you have but otherwise hit it off with a chisel

[@josealmeida8731]

Those news sound tracks are great and it fits fine, good choice. Merry Christmas

[@ericspaulding6620]

You want 90 degrees at full compression via shock therapy. I'd think about bumping out the bottom of the front shocks. Plus, it will look more like a true dessert car. Food for thought. Happy holidays

[@Robinho_Silva_]

Hello, I watch all your videos here in Brazil, a big fan, congratulations on the work

[@Ozzieseth]

It may be Christmas down here in Aus but the videos keep getting better and better hope you have a merry Christmas

[@kiesh.]

I love how unfazed you are by this stuff, I've had the bits to build a 600cc independent suspension honda pilot in my workshop for ages just daunted by it, and I mostly know what I'm doing! Happy Christmas mate 🇬🇧

[@justinreynolds3687]

With your cv axle/ suspension travel questions, you should watch the Doug bug KZbin channel. He has a great tutorial on suspension geometry, and how to set it up for the least amount of cv movement. Good luck with this project.

[@markwilliams4978]

I really enjoy your work and your projects, The adding a differential is cool but the Peerless Differential is already more for chain drive applications. Keep up the great work.

[@geoffburrill9850]

Nice one Chris, you can literally put that car on as a coat.

[@thuler_lima]

Its getting nice! looking forward for the next chapters

[@douweschoonderwaldt7898]

Merry Christmas to you and everyone watching your awesome channel! This buggy is looking great already!

[@watertech011]

Merry Christmas! Thanks for sharing your thought process and design changes along the way. If you are "winging it" as far as not having a set of plans I assume you have some experience in automotive or RV design and repair? However you aquired your knowledge of mechanics, hydraulics, electrical, your enthusiasm and your attention to detail should be an inspiration to anyone interested in building, repairing or modifying something that at first might seem impossible.

[@Electobat]

Looks amazing, great work!

[@Brucey865]

Look forward to seeing the suspension get dialled in to soak up the bumps

[@02f4irider]

Merry Christmas! Next time instead of welding the puller to the race, put a large hose clamp around the puller so it doesnt want to slip off. Its helped me numerous times.

[@tylerwatts1004]

This looks awesome. Fantastic build. You shouldn't have any problem with bump steer, the unequal length arms are meant to increase camber at the extremes of travel. Looks great 😅

[@paulabbott3601]

you might want to make a couple of covers for the differential to keep any mud or stones out, put a filler plug in one for adding oil. silicon them on for easy removal

[@Sloppyjoe96]

i think holes in the hood for the shocks to poke up would look sweet but i don't blame you trying to preserve the body

[@powchainsamaniego6744]

Frame looks cool

[@lowdollarhotrods2030]

Really enjoy the content and all the builds. I thought the mini trophy truck was gonna be my favorite but I’m starting to like this one more.

[@BlackAndBlueGarage]

Merry Christmas! Link separation is only perfect if the links are the same length. Trust me my mind has also melted several times researching that stuff. Awesome hack turning that heim insert down. I would have never thought of that

[@RandysRides]

I've always been curious to what you're listening to while working. Merry Christmas, man !!

[@wags9777]

The angle In which the front end heim joint Is welded to the frame Well influence that little wiggle it does

[@bengoon427]

Lookin great, probably my favorite build out of the ones I've watched. Keep it up!

[@its_me_voltron6394]

I think that going to be the wheelie King

[@jessesgarage6232]

Happy holidays people be safe

[@HarryRenner-h9q]

Happy Holidays Chris keep up the great work.

[@julianturner3045]

I actually like the looks of the cage work. Looks like the outline of a plague doctor mask. That's what I would name it.

[@MrCripsy]

CAD… Cardboard Aided Design! 👌

[@bigdadgigachad3042]

Looks fantastic,

[@grant8653]

Spray foam saves all gaps!

[@GodschildinNC]

Merry Christmas! I like your CAD system...cardboard assisted design. Talk with Cars and Cameras about the 90 degree drive they used on the Rat Rod Wagon, it maybe just what you need.

[@terminalpsychosis8022]

Normally the framing is complete before choosing appropriate shocks. I know... it's not always possible, but as best practice.... The rounded tubes in front don't look funky at all. Just needs cross triangulation and that'll be super strong. Tons of space in front (after steering) to put in oil radiator and fuel tank. Extra weight in front is a plus. Car is lookin' awesome! a bit more droop in front, but wait until weight is added, including you. :-)

[@mora103]

Sweet build very inspiring 👏 I'd put a halo on it or hope it never flips over😅

[@ellgwapo.1754]

Look nice! Ur beetle Mini buggy- traggy & have the right engine. Soo' it's time Finish the Job fore' Test Drive.

[@andersson.l.e]

You have to make a rollbar with KC lights on it. 🙂 Merry Christmas.

[@skeeterbuildsit6016]

Cool project!

[@sootymammal2891]

Very cool... Maybe some roll bars that go over your head though.

[@jamesweideman4834]

That thing is awesome. I can't wait to see you driving it. Merry Christmas.

[@robbha2572]

Cardboard-Aided Design is the best

[@mickfbr]

Wake up Christmas morning and bam, an episode from you brother.. awesome! Merry Christmas from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@nooneson1]

Should put a big baha hoop type front bumper would look so bad ass

[@Codyhumburg]

Love this build! Could you do without the front-to-back bars of the roll cage? I think this would break your neck in a rollover.

[@predatorsolutionsofmichigan]

That is really coming together and looking great. Merry Christmas 🎄

[@davidwalters4014]

Reverse your shock mounts onto the bottom side of the lower arm, allowing your shock lower.

[@salty6pence672]

A V-Twin Engine would look cool AF in there.

[@austinconstant7681]

Merry Christmas. All you had to do was flip the dif. Matts off road just did it on the bombi

[@MisAdventureLab]

Nice!

[@hakonwille9322]

Merry christmas to you too, greetings from Norway! Comenting as im watching so dont know the end yet, but wouldn’t it be difficult popping wheelies with an open diff? Love the series, just like the previous ones.

[@cecilmckeithan5088]

One thing I learned from running two stroke boat motors always mix your fuel. All it takes is for an oil line or pump to fail to ruin your motor. Considering the time it takes just to add the oil straight to the fuel, it’s worth it just knowing it’s there. 🤔

[@bobmendel101]

Merry Christmas

[@skyfreakwi]

You want a limited slip probably since your off riding stuff all the time. You got a one wheel peel there buddy. If you get one wheel in the air it'll just spin free. Bummer about not using the housing it's be way easier to mount with the housing. Your clever enough to get around it I'm sure. All ya gotta do is mount the sprocket and put a coffee can over the diff full o grease. And if it does spin you can just weld it!

[@tinygriffy]

Does anybody else have to think of spaceballs all the time when the chassis comes into play.. like lord dark helmet ^^

[@chuckd9007]

Merry christmas brother. Thanks for all the awesome content.

[@KeepGrindingGarage]

It's definitely starting to come together. Btw the thing that you turned on the shock reservoir controls shock compression and rebound. I'm pretty sure you figured that out though. MERRY CHRISTMAS

[@stephengrattage5219]

Could you do a sort of push rod suspension setup on the front? but instead of going across the chassis the pivot could go backwards and the shocks mounted on the a pillars, so the shocks would be horizontal running backwards one each side of where your legs will be. Then the links could be changed to adjust the ride height.

[@austalien1]

nice work Chris have a great Christmas.

[@1one3_Racing]

The reason you get camber change is because the top arm is shorter than the bottom so the swing arc is different. Ideally you want negative camber that increases as the tyre comes up