TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat May 09, 2009 7:17 am

I am looking to build an electric, possibly hybrid three wheeler (2 in front, 1 in back) and am thinking about using a complete vw front end.

I have a few questions and am pretty sure this is the best place anywhere to ask :-)

1) What of the front end styles is best to go with for price, part availability, handling. Ball Joint, link pin?

2) What does a stock "pull out" beam weigh with steering box, tie rods, brakes hubs etc (hub to hub) (I imagine the number for disc brakes is lower, right?

3) What can it be made to weigh for less then 1000 using new parts, aluminum beam, etc?

4) how big a problem is bump steer, and how can I correct it?

I appreciate the input, some of my other crazy trike creations can be seen at tshtrikes.com
Thanks
Tom Bell

Sat May 09, 2009 8:14 am

1. balljoint handles better but a properly set up linkpin beam will handle almost as well. both beams have equally available parts and are pretty much priced the same. linkpins and kingpins are kind of expensive in comparison to ball joints but they last quite a bit longer so it almost evens out.

2. sorry dont have an exact number. probably around 100-120lbs.

3. defiantly, you can pick up aluminum beams (which would be the way to go for this) used in the classifieds all the time, and new parts are pretty cheap. you can get all new steal beams minus steering for around $400

4. its not really, there is some with the stock system but its not bad at all.

Sat May 09, 2009 8:48 am

link pin can be modified for more travel. ball joint, ya get what ya got. if you are not going to flog it go ball joint.

VW is one of those rare vehicles where you can get better parts than new, inexpensive, everywhere

i was quoted $230 for a spindle to spindle link pin at a junk yard.

Mon May 11, 2009 11:30 am

1) If you're on a budget, I'd say go with whatever you can find cheapest.

2) I have a BJ front beam with all the drum brakes on it and no steering and its about #75. Use discs if possible.

3) This is kind of a cost issue, one piece front plastic fronts, open tube doors, making a ragtop to cut out steel, alum beam, alum 4 wheeler disc brakes should work if its under 1000, a lighter rail rack/pinion, different seats, plastic dash.....

4) You can eliminate bump steer only when the wheels are pointed straight. Once you turn, it moves the joints away from 'ideal', but you're turning then anyway, so you shouldn't notice it.

I'm guessing you're making something like a T-Rex, did you need it to be enclosed? Are you just buying an electric kit? I was thinking of making an EV to drive to work, but the kits are a little pricy and I wasn't sure exactly what to use for all the controller, motor ect.

Tue May 12, 2009 4:16 pm

Wow, 75# I would have thought more.
xirxious, I have learned a ton about how and what to use as far as electric components, I would be happy to chat with you about it.

Tue May 12, 2009 9:34 pm

75 lbs? Mine seems a bit heavier. I have a balljoint beam with steering, and drums still on it, and i'm pretty sure it weighs more then 75 lbs. prolly around 100, to 150. But yeah, an aluminum beam with discs would prolly weigh much less. I was at bugapuluza last month, and a guy had an aluminum beam for $75, with the leaves inside, and i could pick it up with one hand, so i would guess around 20-30lbs.

Tue May 12, 2009 9:48 pm

for reference the VW transmission with fluid in it weights around 75lbs.

Wed May 13, 2009 7:15 am

Oh, so yeah, a beam with everything on it weighs much more, lol. (assuming you mean a bug tranny, cause i know bus trannies are way heavier). SO i'd say 120-150lbs for a steel beam with everything on it. I have some ghia disc brake assemblies with the torsion bars, and some drum assemblies with torsion bars, and i can tell ya the drums do seem a bit heavier, but not by a whole lot. I'll go out today and compare them to be sure tho. i guess i can take a scale with me and just weigh them. i can prolly lso weigh a linkpin beam i have, cause it has all the stuff still on it. i do have a balljoint beam, but its bare, with only the torsions on it, so i'll just weigh it.