Body to pan attachment points?

tgodber · Post by **tgodber** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:58 am

Newmanx59 posted this picture of a bracket that he made. I also fabricated one that is almost exactly the same in September. This made the front lip of the body very sturdy. It was very easy to make. The front of my body was cracked in more than one place. It was obviously not supported before I became the proud owner.

jsturtlebuggy · Post by **jsturtlebuggy** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:59 am

Bud, The threaded holes on top of the beam are 10x 1.5mm. They were originally used to bolt the bug body to them.

rzeller · Post by **rzeller** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:39 pm

Thanks all for the info. As it turns out, my winter project is to replace the gas tank any way. I guess the timing is perfect. Lee, if I can't figure something else out I may take you up on your offer. Once again, thanks. Bud

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:04 pm

[QUOTE="tgodber"]Newmanx59 posted this picture of a bracket that he made. I also fabricated one that is almost exactly the same in September. This made the front lip of the body very sturdy. It was very easy to make. The front of my body was cracked in more than one place. It was obviously not supported before I became the proud owner.[/QUOTE] I just wanted to point out a couple thing about the bracket in the picture. The 2 nuts welded to the lower bracket have been drilled to fit over the the threaded bosses on the top of the axle beam, basically they take the place of the stack washers. The top mounting angle is welded to the bracket off center because I wanted to use the original fuel tank mounting bracket holes to mount the support bracket without drilling more holes. Needless to say the original builder didn't drill the fuel tank mounting holes symetrically. I made the bracket the way I did because I have seen 2 buggys that actually had broken fuel tank support brackets. I wanted to make sure this one wasn't going to break.

5150bossman · Post by **5150bossman** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:57 pm

Granted, I do not have a Manx, but on my clone, there is no support there. The F/G lip is all that holds the tank. No problems with the hood that I can see. What is the top of the bracket attached to? Is there a bolt molded into the F/G, or is the top of the bracket just pushing against unsupported F/G?

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 6:10 pm

The top bracket sits under the fiberglass lip that sits under the front edge of the fuel tank. The bracket carries the weight of the fuel tank. The front fuel tank mounting clamp bolts are used to clamp the bracket to the body.

As you can see there was already a stress crack starting on the front lip of the gas tank opening.

joemama · Post by **joemama** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:31 am

When I built my clone, I did not know about these support brackets, one trip out to the sand let me know everything up front was flexing, lots of weird noises too. The flexing got the fenders and headlights moving too, one of the headlight mounting bosses molded unto the body cracked. I now have beackets supporting the gas tank, as well as the headlights. Much better, quieter ride when the road is rough.