Chenowth Light Strike Vehicle

[baja5]

Thanks Daron. I like them. He nice thing is that they are DOT, and they don’t have a gozillion bolts like most other beadlocks. We also took the pedal assembly off. I drained all 3 master cylinders. Not,sure how well they will clean up, inside were pretty crusty but we will see. Worst case they will get replaced.

[baja5]

We have been progressing pretty well and will post some pics tomorrow. We got the front end mostly buttoned up, the steering feels really good. I took all of the master cylinders apart for a good cleaning and new boots. Unfortunately CNC rebuild kits are non existent so I would up buying a few from Latest Rage. I kept the CNC seals and cups and just used the boots and top reservoir gaskets for now. Replaced the soft lines and blend it all out. Everything seems to be working. Also replaced the pedal slider assembly. We also pulled the trans because the lower bracket was super caked with grease and dirt and there was no way to clean it in the car. Plus we wanted to pull the axles and clean the CVs and replace the boots. I also changed the gear oil in the trans, wanted to take a look at the magnet and there was good news there. No chunks, just a little fur on the magnet. Mostly we are just cleaning, painting and putting it back together. I have been in contact with my buddy at Bilstein and it looks like using the old rear shocks is a no go. More money than new to replace the rusty shafts and rebuild so he got me a deal on 4 new ones that are rebuildable and have remote reservoirs.they have to build 2 of them though. I gave him the part numbers from the old ones and the new should have very similar valving. Anyway, pics tomorrow after we get the axles back in. Next is trying to find a pair of seats, aluminum for the floor and hopefully pick up the engine.

[baja5]

As promised. Picked up the engine today. I knew up front that it had been losing oil pressure so I pulled the pan to get a closer look. It’s done, bearings are damaged so I will be looking for a replacement long block. But, it came with the adapter, clutch, headers and the harness/PCM so I’m super stoked on it. And the price was great. Thanks Mike!!!I did also install the cleaned up CVs and axles. I tell you what, using an electric grease gun with the needle is a game changer. Anyway. Pics.

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[Ol'fogasaurus]

Wow! Lookin' almost new.

Lee

[baja5]

Thanks Lee, it’s been fun so far. I should probably slow down so I don’t get burnt out. And I’m running out of money Still a few big dollar items I need. Seats and belts, aluminum for the floor etc.

[Jbuggy21]

That think looks awesome man! It looks huge. What motor did those originally run?

[baja5]

It has a VW engine with 091 trans. I am told by the guy that runs a race engine shop down here said he had built engines for these cars back in the day And that they are a 2332. Although I knew a guy that had one of these cars and he told me 2180. I have the long block that came with the car so if I’m ever bored I can always crack it open.

[Jbuggy21]

Pretty wild to think they pulled these back out in 2001 and sent them overseas. Hard to imagine guys over there having to maintaining vw engines. Even harder to believe any buggies made it back over here. Those are some brave hero’s blasting through the desert with basically no protection.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

I did get a design idea out of the bottom pix; have still to think about it (all designs have + and - in it) for a while though.

Question: does anyone know if this was this a 3 person ride and the "gunner" rode in his/her cage all the time or did he/she ride in the/a pass seat to the conflict area then change up into the cage?

Those "waste basket" style of side cages look as and interesting design idea especially if one was doing long rides in rough country so groceries or spare parts could be taken along with one's trip.

Lee

[baja5]

The videos that I have seen on youtube seem to show 3 people riding, they were equipped with a front mounted grenade launcher and then a roof mount big rifle that could be moved to a rear facing mount. The side baskets are pretty awesome to carry extra supplies and are also large enough to carry a wounded soldier if needed.

[chuckput]

Lee, here are a couple of pics I found online that shows some of the armament, though there were apparently many different configurations. The action shot shows that there was a crew of three.

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[Ol'fogasaurus]

Thanks guys. I sure would hate to be in that upper location any more than necessary especially in really rough riding locations. I have been "thrown around" in really rough areas more than a couple of times. One of the reasons I changed the seats in my blue buggy from the '69 Camaro seats that it came with to the glass seats that sit on the floor of my buggy. Ignoring the seat belts rather than the harnesses that were in the buggy along with the soft seats the change to the lower seating made a very big difference.

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Even more curious now. The arrows... they point at what looks like "T-handles" and along with what I think I see could mean that the rear cage could be removable. Anyone know if that is possible?

Still, sitting that high in an off-road toy, is something I would not like to ride in . Riding in or driving a rail alone make me feel like having a "technicolor" yawn (motion sick).

Lee

[bajaherbie]

Looks great baja5!

It probably would be a heck up a ride up there running WFO.


Matchbox makes a buggy with the side saddle bags but it does not have the upper cage/seat.




Sent from my SM-A102U using Tapatalk

[Ol'fogasaurus]

The videos that I have seen on youtube seem to show 3 people riding, they were equipped with a front mounted grenade launcher and then a roof mount big rifle that could be moved to a rear facing mount. The side baskets are pretty awesome to carry extra supplies and are also large enough to carry a wounded soldier if needed.

Looking again at the side pieces the rear part of the seat does look like it is a seat/back rest. I hadn't noticed that 'til now. Its getting more and more interesting.

Each time I look at the pix I notice different things.

Lee

[baja5]

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Making progress, picked up a replacement engine although it’s not a Honda, but an Acura 3.2 type S. Got it resealed and in place ready to make mounts. Also, the seats and radiator showed up so more work to do. But progressing nicely.