Would you have done anything differently?

[winddude]

Looking to pull the trigger on an order soon, assuming I get the donor I want this week.

Would you have done anything differently for your build? Modified the frame at all? Ordered different options or not ordered certain options?

Cheers.

 

[Gtstorey]

I ordered Standard Length, Track with full door bars and I would likely have changed at least one of the three to make it easier to get into. I still may end up cutting the extra door bars out. But I haven't finished building yet to see how hard it is to get in and out. If in doubt on size at all I would get the extended frame.

 

[Ark :D]

I ordered standard frame, full door bars, city/open. If I were ordering today, I would go with extended, modified easy entry. Extended for more space behind the seats for an audio solution, and modified easy entry because getting in and out is kind of difficult, though nothing a quick-release steering wheel wouldn't fix.

Other than those two things, there's a multitude of little things I'd do differently that have nothing to do with the frame.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Wouldn't change a thing - track, extended, standard entry - I'm 6'2" and 260lbs. and find entry/exit is fine with the addition of the center 'monkey bar' that I added to the overhead halo. Understanding this is a full cage design there will be some gyrations required to get in and out - the Goblin doesn't have doors.
Additional changes are all mods I decided to make that are not DF design items, because I'm an engineer and I can leave things stock.

 

[winddude]

Wouldn't change a thing - track, extended, standard entry - I'm 6'2" and 260lbs. and find entry/exit is fine with the addition of the center 'monkey bar' that I added to the overhead halo. Understanding this is a full cage design there will be some gyrations required to get in and out - the Goblin doesn't have doors.
Additional changes are all mods I decided to make that are not DF design items, because I'm an engineer and I can leave things stock.

I somewhat like the idea of the extended, Is all the extra length in the cockpit? I was listening to Matt Farah review and he felt the steering wheel was a little close. Not a big fan of the extra height, in picture the goblin already looks a little tall. Is this the experience in reality as well?

What other parts did you make? I'm considering doing my own body work, I have some fiberglass experience. I would also do my own front roll hoop and full cage, purely out of aesthetics, also not sure how soon I'll be doing hill-climbs, etc. where it's required.

 

[winddude]

...

Other than those two things, there's a multitude of little things I'd do differently that have nothing to do with the frame.

What other little thing would you do differently?

 

[Mayor West]

As far as DF options, I would have not bought the windshield or side panels - they're just not high quality or worth the money. The side panels don't align well enough so you likely have to drill your own holes and the windshield is about as structurally sound as a leaf and as scratch resistant as play dough. I'm just not installing it at all. The hood fitment is sort of weird too, it doesn't swing open like a normal hood so to open it up you have to completely remove it... I wish that were better designed to work like a normal hood - but its a very nice fiberglass piece.

I am happy that I got the extended track frame. I'm also happy I didn't get easy-entry, I like having the arm rest and it's not hard getting in or out with a removable steering wheel.

I wish I had done a little welding on the frame prior to powder coating, but mostly to fix things like the transmission tunnel seat belt mounts were welded sideways and completely useless, I didn't find out until after paint and assembly and had to drill it out

 

[Ark :D]

What other little thing would you do differently?

Too much to go into ... all small, personal things that I just would do differently if I built a second Goblin. Things like, the order I would do certain things, I'd be (much) more careful about the shape of my harness/would make the recommended table top to work it, etc.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

I somewhat like the idea of the extended, Is all the extra length in the cockpit? I was listening to Matt Farah review and he felt the steering wheel was a little close. Not a big fan of the extra height, in picture the goblin already looks a little tall. Is this the experience in reality as well?

What other parts did you make? I'm considering doing my own body work, I have some fiberglass experience. I would also do my own front roll hoop and full cage, purely out of aesthetics, also not sure how soon I'll be doing hill-climbs, etc. where it's required.

Yes, the extended chassis length is all in the cockpit. I sat in the standard length chassis and it was REALLY tight for a person my size.
I have done some extensive mods to my frame and these are still ongoing. Removed many brackets, added other brackets and extra frame pieces, made low mount seat rails, and have lightened my frame many pounds.
The extra height is usually needed if you are a taller person and need the extra 2 inches of headroom. Otherwise it's a little extra clearance for your helmet to be below the top of the halo. This car is not tall by any means, you need to see one in person to understand just how small it really is. The pictures of a frame are deceiving.

 

[Ark :D]

Yes, the extended chassis length is all in the cockpit. I sat in the standard length chassis and it was REALLY tight for a person my size.
I have done some extensive mods to my frame and these are still ongoing. Removed many brackets, added other brackets and extra frame pieces, made low mount seat rails, and have lightened my frame many pounds.
The extra height is usually needed if you are a taller person and need the extra 2 inches of headroom. Otherwise it's a little extra clearance for your helmet to be below the top of the halo. This car is not tall by any means, you need to see one in person to understand just how small it really is. The pictures of a frame are deceiving.

This. When I received my frame, I could hardly believe how tiny it is. And now, every time someone sees my completed car for the first time, I hear some variation of "Geez it's little, is it safe??" This picture in particular is striking to me:

 

[winddude]

Hmm, I wonder if worth asking if they could do the extended frame but use the short roll hoop. I'm only 5'10", but the longer wheel base has some appeal, some of our autocross courses can be quite open.

Are 42" and 44" the chassis height, or finished height with wheels on?

 

[r3drckt]

Correct me if I'm wrong everyone, but the extended length being all in the cab does not mean the steering wheel won't be in your chest so to speak. The extra length was to accommodate taller individuals who would have longer legs/arms and as such the seats would be positioned further back. It's not a cure for how far our the steering wheel sticks from the dash. I'm 5'8" and got the extended chassis knowing I will most likely have the steering wheel closer than I normally would. The extra length in the cab though will help make the vehicle more versatile for grabbing things from the store, or as others have done with sound systems.

 

[winddude]

My idea if I go with the extended cab would be set the seat all the way back or at the correct spot from the steering wheel and move the pedal box accordingly.

Also as a general rule of thumb a longer wheel base is more stable at higher speeds.

 

[Ark :D]

I don't know where you're located compared to other builders, but I'd highly recommend either sitting in/driving a finished Goblin, or paying a visit to DF's shop in Red Oak.

 

[winddude]

I would love to visit the shop, I'm in Victoria BC Canada, so crossing the border now isn't an option. I don't know of any around me, never seen one in person. Maybe if someone knows of one around Vancouver BC, and can get me in touch?

 

[Ark :D]

I only know of one Canadian Goblin, but I don't know where in Canada it is, and Canada's a big place!.... here's ManDan's build thread.

Once the border is open again, I know we have several in Washington state.

 

[k.rollin]

I would love to visit the shop, I'm in Victoria BC Canada, so crossing the border now isn't an option. I don't know of any around me, never seen one in person. Maybe if someone knows of one around Vancouver BC, and can get me in touch?

I think that I'm the furthest north in WA, being in Arlington. The only one in Canada that I'm aware of is located in Manitoba. The builder's map shows one in Bellingham, but that one belongs to AleX1/9, who had moved down around Tacoma when I was ordering mine.

 

[k.rollin]

If we can get some dry days that are above freezing, I'm down to meet up at the Peace Arch so you can check it out without violating the border closure, kinda like those folks doing visits in tents there.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

My idea if I go with the extended cab would be set the seat all the way back or at the correct spot from the steering wheel and move the pedal box accordingly.

Also as a general rule of thumb a longer wheel base is more stable at higher speeds.

Moving the pedal box is a difficult option and would require a lot welding and fabrication - you should check out the build logs for photos. Moving the steering wheel location is far easier and there are at least 2 builders who have moved the steering wheel location forward.
It should also be noted the 4 inch added into the frame is right at the front edge of the seats - the extended frame has a double crossbar welded in versus a single crossbar for the standard chassis. The steering wheel and pedal locations do not change between the two.

 

[CaptFrank2001]

I did add diamond place to the floor. I wish I had welded in a cross brace for the 5-point shoulder straps to keep the belts horizontal where they attach to the frame.