What crazy car project would you like to do?

[freebeard]

...and why you don't want to ride in the back seat of a Jeep*.

I'm going to go with 'it couldn't hurt'. Massively heavy front and rear bumpers would probably make as much difference, unless you stretch the wheelbase more than a few inches.

In any case, 4-wheel independent suspension, trailing arms and a rearward weight bias will win out over leaf springs and solid axles in the ride department.

Edit: * Or—to be fair, the front seat, right over the front wheels of a Type II bus.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by freebeard

In any case, 4-wheel independent suspension, trailing arms and a rearward weight bias will win out over leaf springs and solid axles in the ride department.

Sure - and the project would be not be a replica Bearcat, but something Bearcat-inspired that uses modern technology. Would probably use running gear from something like a Honda CRV on a tubing frame.

[freebeard]

It's your dream, go for it. Sort of a Lowcost Bearcat?


http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_11847-Stutz-Bearcat-1914.html

Full scale or 8/10ths? 8/10th of the 120" wheelbase would be 96".

[dirtydave]

Take an old 2 door 67 New Yorker and swap in a big diesel with a fat turbo,inter-cooler, manual transmission swap, disc brakes all around. gut everything as much as possible. black soot, turbo lag, no roof no doors no hood. white wall tires. black truck bed liner for paint.

[jcp123]

Originally Posted by dirtydave

Take an old 2 door 67 New Yorker and swap in a big diesel with a fat turbo,inter-cooler, manual transmission swap, disc brakes all around. gut everything as much as possible. black soot, turbo lag, no roof no doors no hood. white wall tires. black truck bed liner for paint.

Detroit 2-stroke FTW

[Gasoline Fumes]

These are some of the EcoRides I dream of:
Datsun Z with a LD28 diesel engine
Chevy pickup with a Cummins 4BT - I have the truck already.
Rust-free Civic Wagon with a VX engine
Re-assembling my '94 Metro

[jcp123]

Originally Posted by Gasoline Fumes

Chevy pickup with a Cummins 4BT - I have the truck already.

Another shameless plug for a 4-53t Detroit Diesel 2-stroke

[dirtydave]

Originally Posted by jcp123

Another shameless plug for a 4-53t Detroit Diesel 2-stroke

YES please! thats what I need for my new yorker!

[Smurf]

Oh, where oh where do I begin to let my mind wander?

First off, I've always said if I won the lottery, I'd buy six of the same exact model of S10. Set one up for mudding, one for drag racing, one for MPG cruising, lowered show truck, etc.

Past few years, I've been contemplating a late-90s Camaro with the six speed, 2.2L S10 engine, LRRs and 3.23 rear end. Granted, hills would suck, but if you lived in North Dakota or some other flat wasteland, you could shoot for very impressive numbers.

A Pontiac Fiero with the 3.8L Supercharged V6 Pontiac/Buick mill would be incredibly fun. And dangerous. And fun.

Then there are all the different variations of reverse trikes in my mind. Typical motorcycle rear with VW beam, electric motorcycle rear with VW beam, salvage Honda Fit front drive, electric FWD.... I can never pick a "greatest option" when my mind goes to that arena.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Smurf

Then there are all the different variations of reverse trikes in my mind. Typical motorcycle rear with VW beam, electric motorcycle rear with VW beam, salvage Honda Fit front drive, electric FWD.... I can never pick a "greatest option" when my mind goes to that arena.

Reverse-trikes are interesting. I also consider to build one, using a regular motorcycle rear, just have to figure out how to get a reverse gear.