Edit 10-22-16: Thanks for all of the name suggestions. As Johvans suggested, we are going to stick with DF Goblin since the frame isn't changing much. As Silverback suggested, we are going to tack on AT to the end to denote All Terrain.
On to the build thread:
We get quite a few emails and comments about putting big tires on the Goblin and raising it up off the ground to go off road. It definitely makes sense to do this since the engine is over the rear tires and the car is so light. It could easily become a modern, more reliable version of the old VW based rail buggies.
Well, on Sunday we spent 2 hours assembling a little bit of the off road capable version of the Goblin. We aren't getting the frame coated yet because we will most definitely have to weld on tabs or make other mods to the frame. Everything is being installed temporarily so we aren't cleaning, painting or tidying up anything at this time.
There aren't many changes from the street Goblin frame to the off road frame. One major change is the radiator location. The radiator at the front is alright on the street but it would quickly be punctured or crushed if you went off the pavement. So we are moving it to the back like on most Baja 1000 vehicles.
(A quick side note while talking about the Baja 1000. We aren't designing or building the off road car to be an extreme Baja 1000 racer. We are shooting for a dual sport car: one that is comfortable on the street while still being capable of climbing the curb and going off road.)
Since we are moving the radiator to the back, we were able to chop off the tubes that normally go to the radiator mount. This greatly improves the front approach angle.
We started assembling the car on the rotisserie. First we installed the pedals, brake booster, master cylinder and brake fluid reservoir. The reservoir will later be relocated like on the street Goblin but for testing, we can leave it like it is.
Then we installed the fuel tank and fuel filler.
Back at the front we installed the steering rack, power steering unit, ignition switch and gauge panel. We dropped in the wiring harness we made earlier this year and connected it to everything we had installed.
On to the build thread:
We get quite a few emails and comments about putting big tires on the Goblin and raising it up off the ground to go off road. It definitely makes sense to do this since the engine is over the rear tires and the car is so light. It could easily become a modern, more reliable version of the old VW based rail buggies.
Well, on Sunday we spent 2 hours assembling a little bit of the off road capable version of the Goblin. We aren't getting the frame coated yet because we will most definitely have to weld on tabs or make other mods to the frame. Everything is being installed temporarily so we aren't cleaning, painting or tidying up anything at this time.
There aren't many changes from the street Goblin frame to the off road frame. One major change is the radiator location. The radiator at the front is alright on the street but it would quickly be punctured or crushed if you went off the pavement. So we are moving it to the back like on most Baja 1000 vehicles.
(A quick side note while talking about the Baja 1000. We aren't designing or building the off road car to be an extreme Baja 1000 racer. We are shooting for a dual sport car: one that is comfortable on the street while still being capable of climbing the curb and going off road.)
Since we are moving the radiator to the back, we were able to chop off the tubes that normally go to the radiator mount. This greatly improves the front approach angle.
We started assembling the car on the rotisserie. First we installed the pedals, brake booster, master cylinder and brake fluid reservoir. The reservoir will later be relocated like on the street Goblin but for testing, we can leave it like it is.
Then we installed the fuel tank and fuel filler.
Back at the front we installed the steering rack, power steering unit, ignition switch and gauge panel. We dropped in the wiring harness we made earlier this year and connected it to everything we had installed.
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