Luna's Bug - a really different build

[Clatterville trolley]

I thought I would share what I am working on right now with everyone. If this doesn't go here feel free to move it to another more appropriate place.

Recently I decided to build a cab dolly to work on the cab for my 67 project - story for another day. I had a lwb frame that wasn't in very good shape and I realized that if I cut out the center section just outside the cab mounting brackets that I could weld them up with legs and roller casters to make a cab dolly that was bound to fit just right with out having to measure, etc. to get everything lined up.

I welded temporary steel braces across the frame and then cut it out just outside of the brackets. It was about 40" long. Dustmaker65 wanted the front frame horns and the rear 15 plus inches to make some wall art in his new garage. So, those cuts went to him.

As I looked at what was left I decided that because I didn't have 10 or 15 thousand dollars to spend on a side-by-side UTV but I did have two parts of a rolling frame, I would just slide the two together and weld them up. It came out to about a 77" wheel base.

Next was some power for it. I have a spare 235 Chevy six cylinder with transmission from a 55 or 56 Chevy pick-up in my shop, so that became the power plant. I fabricated the front motor mounts and transmission mounts to hold everything.

In order to have a bed on my new project I drug out a couple of step-side bed sides that weren't in very good shape. 20" came out of the center of them before welding the ends back together.

For a "cab" in order to have something that would hold a steering column and a dash, I used two pieces of a cab cowl that I cut up to sell pieces to folks here on this forum. I measured the frame width just behind the motor and cut the two halves so that they could be welded back together to just fit the width.

Here are some picture of the chassis - I will add more in next post.

[Clatterville trolley]

Here are pictures of the bed and closer view of front motor mounts.

[Clatterville trolley]

Now for the reason behind the name:
My two year old great grand-daughter is named Luna and everyone calls her "Luna Bug" so, that is how I came up with the name.

Here is a recent photo of Miss Luna -

[trac209]

Very cool,I will be following this one for sure. Not to mention it shows the swb guys even their trucks are too long lol.

[GR8-68]

Haha This is going to be one *****in side by side

[flashed]

Im in for this one .

[72kool]

I'm in to watch this. Looks Kool so far

[Clatterville trolley]

Thanks for all the positive comments so far!


Here are some photos of the roll around cab cart I made with the section cut from the center of the frame:

[Clatterville trolley]

Now for some photos of work on cowl section. Don't look too closely at the welds - this is one reason I am building this buggy, to get practice on something that isn't going to be shown off before I start on my 67 project. I figure it gives me a chance to get more comfortable with cutting, patching, and welding on old rusted sheet metal like I know I will find on the cab for 67.

[Clatterville trolley]

Just a few more:

[71' Custom]

This is going to be cool! Can't wait to see more!

[Shaky]

A+ for creativity. Needs a 153 cu in 4-cylinder to scale it down even further.

[Clatterville trolley]

Originally Posted by Shaky

A+ for creativity. Needs a 153 cu in 4-cylinder to scale it down even further.

That's true, but just using what I already have on hand if possible. Thanks for the comment.

[TXBoudy]

This is going to be really cool to watch and I'll bet it'll be an absolute blast to build.

[Clatterville trolley]

Update on work today and photos:











Here are some pictures of the panel I put in the cowl front. Seemed like that would look better than empty partial holes from where heater box used to live. I am finding that I am getting more comfortable with the replacement of old panels with new - which was part of the plan all along. Also, I am doing a little better with my welding skills, again part of the plan.

[Clatterville trolley]

More pictures:











Here is a close-up of a few welds that turned out well. And, progress photos of how it looked after grinding. I didn't get to finish the welding because my Hobart 187 MIG decided to act up. Anyone else have trouble with wire not wanting to feed? Drive wheel turns like it should and I don't think I should adjust the tension any tighter, but welder will strike arc and then stop because wire stops feeding. I have trouble with this every time the wire spool gets below half full. Loosened the tension on the spool too, but no better.

[Clatterville trolley]

Photos of new bracket I made for the rear of the truck bed after welder threw it's fit.

[Dustmaker65]

LOL...That is pretty cool Jay! I remember seeing those pieces laying around the last time I was there. Looks like you can actually walk around in your shop! Hope you get the welder figured out.

[Clatterville trolley]

Originally Posted by Dustmaker65

LOL...That is pretty cool Jay! I remember seeing those pieces laying around the last time I was there. Looks like you can actually walk around in your shop! Hope you get the welder figured out.

You and me both! If the welder wouldn't act up I would be a lot farther along. Still working 12 hour shifts?

[Dustmaker65]

Originally Posted by Clatterville trolley

You and me both! If the welder wouldn't act up I would be a lot farther along. Still working 12 hour shifts?

Still "working" 12's....yuck! 17 months and 20 days to go! Not that I am counting...lol.

I will have Amy send you some pics of my latest project soon! She has a little more painting to do (better her than me!).

[raggedjim]

I like it!

Watching...

Rg

[Low Elco]

This is awesome! Watching!

[Low Elco]

Try this, kinda basic, but its a start-

https://www.bakersgas.com/weldmyworl...oubleshooting/

Also, try a new tip in your gun , or even go up a size. They can get little snags on the inside that make you think it's ok, then jam you up.

[Clatterville trolley]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

Try this, kinda basic, but its a start-

https://www.bakersgas.com/weldmyworl...oubleshooting/

Also, try a new tip in your gun , or even go up a size. They can get little snags on the inside that make you think it's ok, then jam you up.

Thanks for nice comments and for suggestions on welding problems. I tried several different things and am going to replace the liner next.