"JCAlan" (jcalan)
02/02/2018 at 19:59 • Filed to: None
14
7|
"JCAlan" (jcalan)
02/02/2018 at 19:59 • Filed to: None | 14
| 7 |
Phase 2 mainly consisted of increasing functionality. First, the tires rubbed something awful when turning. So I took a giant hammer and bashed back the metal inner fender near the firewall about an inch. Now it only rubs a titch at full lock. Next, I realized that the radiator support was the lowest point on the car, and the bottom half of the radiator was extremely exposed. Not good for off-roading. So I used some scrap steel roofing and fitted it from the metal bumper to the bottom of the support. It’s actually quite strong and will nicely deflect rocks and trees away from the tender radiator. I had to do some extra trimming on the plastic bumper to get it back on.
Next you’ll notice in the picture that the belts were extremely exposed. I could just picture throwing off the alternator or power steering belt because they got all packed with mud and debris. So using the same material, I fashioned an L-shaped skid plate that separates the pulley system from both the wheel well and the ground. I failed to get a picture of this, so just use your imagination to conjure up an image of what is a brilliant feat of engineering.
Also I changed the oil. The couple that had the car before me told me that it had sat in their yard for a couple of years, and only recently when their other car broke down did they get it on the road at all. It pulled through for them in a pinch! But this story combined with the lack of any sticker in the window tells me that it was probably long overdue for the most basic of maintenance.
Then I set off for the woods. It was only about 15 degrees F today, so there was no mud to contend with, but it handled the fields and trails wonderfully. Off-roading pictures and videos never quite capture the intensity, but be assured that in this video the EchoLOL is effortlessly climbing a very steep hill. Wait for it.....
Also, my son failed his driving test today by hitting a cone and came home quite bummed that he didn’t get his license. But, he got to learn to drive a stick in a hilarious one-of-a-kind vehicle in a field. So overall, still a good day.
Wagon Guy drives a Boostang
> JCAlan
02/02/2018 at 20:04 |
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Love it!
HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> JCAlan
02/02/2018 at 20:08 |
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This is awesome. Makes me want to get my field car back up and running. This is what it looked like after the last time we “worked” on it. The last time it ran it was pulled out of a big puddle it had sat in for 2 weeks. I wasn’t there but I think it was run without any oil. It leaked bad.
The car was rear ended and then did about 1500 miles of abusive driving off road so if it is dead at least it had a good fairwell.
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JCAlan
> HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
02/02/2018 at 20:13 |
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Congratulations, it is completely unrecognizable. Is that a Civic 3dr HB?
I considered cutting off the back of the Echo, but was concerned about structural integrity, and also decided to keep the cab weather proof and heated/ air conditioned (if the AC works).
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HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> JCAlan
02/02/2018 at 20:15 |
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Yeah it was a 91 Civic. My goal was basically to loose as much weight as possible. Thinking that would be the cheapest was to “lift” the car. It does actually sit about an inch higher now. Plus we figured this would make it easier to weld in a four point cage...
I was thinking about going even crazier. That masking tape line was my “cut here” line.
Ash78, voting early and often
> JCAlan
02/02/2018 at 20:24 |
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Learning to destroy a clutch in an open field is the way it’s supposed to be done.
That’s a dad win. He’ll be talking about this car for the rest of his life.
pip bip - choose Corrour
> JCAlan
02/03/2018 at 06:22 |
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light bar and a winch?
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JCAlan
> pip bip - choose Corrour
02/03/2018 at 09:40 |
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Maybe!