Deep Thoughts (body lift)

[Gene-C]

Well it appears that the built in 1.5" of body lift on the Berrien chassis is only built into the front. I asked before I ordered it and was told it was both ends, not. That is the opposite end from where I need it since I'm putting a Manx 1 body on an IRS chassis. I pondering using that plastic lumber decking for the body lift. Technically I think it is 5/4 which makes it 1". Hopefully I can get by with 1" if not I may double it up, 2". What do ya'll think? Good and bad. Thanks

[CairoManx]

I don't know anything first hand about a Berrien chassis but I don't understand how it could have anything other than the same amount of "lift" all the way around the perimeter of the body tub. Normally when a buggy gets a "lift" they put a spacer between the body and the pan. Does the outer chassis' rail that the body mounts on, slope down to the rear? Or, are you saying that the front suspension is mounted lower on a Berrien chassis than a stock pan? That would make the buggy sit higher in the front. The answer to that is raise the rear end, longer a-arms with more pre-load.

[newmanx59]

Chuck, I would use 1"x 2" thin walled rectangular steel tubing or 2" x 2" steel tubing depending on how much lift you need. You wouldn't even have to weld it in, you could bolt thru it.

[Dune-Buggy-Archives]

[QUOTE="CairoManx"]I don't know anything first hand about a Berrien chassis but I don't understand how it could have anything other than the same amount of "lift" all the way around the perimeter of the body tub. Normally when a buggy gets a "lift" they put a spacer between the body and the pan. Does the outer chassis' rail that the body mounts on, slope down to the rear? Or, are you saying that the front suspension is mounted lower on a Berrien chassis than a stock pan? That would make the buggy sit higher in the front. The answer to that is raise the rear end, longer a-arms with more pre-load.[/QUOTE] They do offer your chioce of lower or lift when they set up the chassis. Front, and or rear can be changed. John

[Gene-C]

Yes you can order it with some lift built in. However, when I ordered mine she (Kathy) told me that it came with 1.5" standard. I asked if that was front and rear and she told me yes. When I get it and start checking it is only the front. The front beam is moved down. Now I have to figure out how to make a lift look ok. Outside not too much problem since the side pods will cover it. But, I need ideas to purdy up the inside.

[Gene-C]

Well I bought the stuff and am very very impressed with it. Here are a couple of pics of the first pieces I made. They are ripped and then glued (Liquid Nails) together, they need to be ripped again after the glueing. I have to wait until tonight to borrow a router to shape the inner edge for the body lip. This stuff works much nicer than wood and is consistant all the way through and sands very, very smooth. It won't rust or rot either. It is very dense. On the down side it is pretty heavy. Might get the hole saw after it once I get it done. Did I mention I love this stuff?

[90volts]

what did berrien say when you called them about it? maybe they had a fix? or would replace it? why not do it up right?

[newmanx59]

The composite does look good, I can't wait to see how it looks after you take the router to it. Keep us posted.

[Gene-C]

Mike it was over a year after I had it that I figured it out. I move slow. Jerry here is a picture of a trial router cut, not the one I am using. It worked beautiful. They ought to make me the official spokesperson for this stuff. It's not porous like it looks in the pictures. The only thing I don't know if it does better than wood is float. Need to cut off a piece and send it to David Letterman. Sink or Float?

[Gene-C]

Got to work on it some today. First picture shows how it will fit on the inside. There is only one bolt in it but it will all pull down flush with more bolts. It will make a nice smooth transition from body to lift. Body looks pretty ugly on the inside especially at the bottom where the carpet was glude to it. Redo the body will be another time. Second Picture shows how close the body fits at the rear. Yea I see the chips. If the body was a 1/4" shorter or the frame was 1/4" longer it would be much easier to fit. It also shows how the lift block is cut to fit the body lip.

[Gene-C]

Side view, It will be trimmed to match once it is all bolted down and I know for sure where it is going to be. Shows how tight the body is to the chassis. One paint stick thick in the front about 1 1/2 paint stick in the rear. Thats about 1/8" in front and 3/16" for the right rear. Funny there is all kinds of room on the left rear. Are all bodies like that? This is the only one I have mounted.

[fubar]

I bet that stuff saves a lot of hours and drill bits compare to the steel tubing....I can't wait to see how you do the section over the tunnel. looks good so far.

[Siggymanx33]

Chuck, When I mounted my siggy to the Berrien chassis I had the same amount of room up front. My block wasnt cut flush and I had to work on that before mounting the body. With regards to the rear, there was definately some give in the measurments. (if you know what I mean?)

[Gene-C]

[QUOTE="fubar"]I bet that stuff saves a lot of hours and drill bits compare to the steel tubing....I can't wait to see how you do the section over the tunnel. looks good so far.[/QUOTE] Me too. The engineering department is still working on that. dpgregitis Quote: With regards to the rear, there was definately some give in the measurments. (if you know what I mean?) I know exactly what you mean, they could do a little better job with the fiberglass pan. Looks like it should be about 1/2" shorter.

[Dune-Buggy-Archives]

Once you have that protoype finished you are planning on making this new composite lift kit available for sale right? John [QUOTE=Yellermanx]Side view, It will be trimmed to match once it is all bolted down and I know for sure where it is going to be. Shows how tight the body is to the chassis. One paint stick thick in the front about 1 1/2 paint stick in the rear. Thats about 1/8" in front and 3/16" for the right rear. Funny there is all kinds of room on the left rear. Are all bodies like that? This is the only one I have mounted. [/QUOTE]