I did want to say Thank you for the compliments on my work. I am without a doubt my biggest critic. I will fab something and literally lay in bed totally unhappy with my work, get up at 2 am and go out in the shop and fix it. My wife thinks I'm crazy.
I have spent my life messing things up and figuring out how to do them right. It has been a process that I'm sure will continue on..

Pure buggy porn! Looking forward to seeing the 1st shake down run. Been wanting to see an FL350 with 5-link for a couple years now!

I second that but add about 10 years onto it.

Ok, I actually got more done tonight. Made the upper mount braces. Had to machine threaded inserts and make the tubes. All in all it was a good night. Im seeing the light at the end of the tunnel..Im hoping to get the rear fenders fitted up tomorrow and get the gas tank out, so I can weld some things up. By the weekend all fab work should be done, then The paint...






Even the dog was tired and ready to go in tonight!

Ok..I just had to share these 2 shots....I am getting pretty excited!

As far as I can see, all of the factory items are going back in, except the fuel tank. The skid plate fits, the battery mount, the rear brakes.. Some factory items may need a slight trim but all in all, pretty good.

love the factory look on that battery mount. Are there any issues with the belt hitting the cv cups like it does against the stock axles methodical?

At rest the belt sits on top of the CV cup. Putting tension on the belt seems to indicate that when the drive clutch engages enough to cause movement, the belt should rise off the cup. I guess we ll see what the go pro says......

wow..that looks awesome. that's what they should of looked like coming off the factory floor. hard cutting up good fenders but, they look good mounted on there, you sir get an A+

so what do you have planned for the front. already have the trx suspension. just curious what your going to change there

My plans for the front are semi simple. When I purchased the buggy the front a arm set up was already in place. I ll be removing the bolt on assembly and fabing a permanant set up. I ll make my own arms, fab mounts directly to the frame and add a matching set of fox shocks.

Any reason for not reusing the trx arm. There a off the shelf item and fairly cheap to replace. Or you wanting more travel out of the front

Delete Double post

Exactly!

Wonder what the cost would be, with inflation since 1985, if they simply sold the FL350R today?

Honestly, I just like to build stuff!

I figured I'd throw a quick post up with what I've been doing. Took all the suspension components off, welded all the links up, welded all the mounts up, been glass beading and painting parts. Dropped another set of CV alignment bushings off at the heat treaters yesterday, didn't like the fit up of the ones I previously made. These are two little bushings that slip on the end of the factory output shaft, then align the output shaft with the inside recess on the backside of the CV cup. Should have everything painted and reassembled by this Friday, then I'll pick the alignment bushings up and take it for a ride.

Looks great. what are you welding with? I see what looks like 110v mig Are getting those welds using it?

The welder in the back ground is a Lincoln weldpak 3500 (120V). I moved it out of the way to get my tig welder out, as I keep them lined up against the wall. All of the items I've added to this build have been tig welded. I currently have a Miller Syncrowave 200 with a water cooler and WP20 torch. I have a variety of machines and use them as needed for any given job.

5 Link? That'll never work!

So.....are ya ever gonna let me live that one down! LOL...

LOL!

Beautiful welds dude! That is NOT easy!

Damn, that def is NOT easy.

Are you Mr. TIG? lol

I don't tig weld, and I agree those welds are a thing of beauty. Take a steady hand and patience along with mad skills.

I appreciate the compliments. One thing I noticed while welding on the buggy frame is that it seems to prefer being mig welded. There seems to be every indication that the steel is manufactured with some type of corrosion resistant property. I can't tell if it is a surface coating or something that is electrochemically imparted. I have sanded the surface clean to ensure there is nothing on the surface, yet when I tig weld on the frame...just a little to hot and the weld flares like it does when welding a galvanized piece of metal. However, I can sand the surface and a mig bead runs perfectly. I know I said I was tig welding everything, however I did mig the lower link mounts to the frame after observing the flaring. Could just be me???

Anyway, it's on it's way. I'm doing final assembly and it's looking great. I have been sidelined for a few days as one of my shepherds have been sick and family comes first.

Looks factory new. Well done!