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Sand Rover model car modified rear suspension details
Details and pictures of the modified model dune buggy
The Sand Rover taking some time out on the lawn.
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The rear of the Sand Rover showing the motor mount and some of the gear train. The upper gear shaft is fixed to the chassis, the gear assembly is ballraced onto the shaft.
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Rear suspension on the model car also had to be completely re-made. I decided on keeping to the single arm wishbone system that the original car employed but wanted a longer arm for better handling. Wishbones were fabricated out of some alloy sheet, this being cut and bent into shape. Steel pivots were turned and bolted to these wishbones and wheel support bearings mounted into nylon housings and bolted on. Mardave cobra rear wheels and front shock absobers were used on the rear suspension of the car.
The original universal joints were badly worn so some new ones were made to the same design, this time steel was used instead of brass like on the original car. Alloy drive shafts were turned and fitted.
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The rear end of the car. Long moment alloy wishbones, alloy halfshafts, steel universal joints, Mardave Cobra oil filled shocks and wheels, alloy shock absorber mounting plate, 64DP steel gear train, everything on ballraces.
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The rear shock absorbers needed some mounts making as the Sand Rover had leaf sprung rear suspension in it's original condition. This was quite tricky to sort out due to the confines of the bodyshell. After some head scratching and many cups of tea an alloy plate was fasioned for the job this being bonded to the chassis with epoxy, works well.
This competed rear end has a wider track than the original car and no differential (like the original), maybe I'm looking at some power on understeer!
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Underside of the model car showing the original plastic lower gear case complete with authentic vintage scratches. Everything else in this picture is non original except for the black chassis.
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The Mardave Cobra coil over shock absorber units used on the back of this car are effective units. They come with adjustable collars for tensioning the springs, this allows ride height adjustment to be made easily. The wheels are mounted near the outer edge which allows for long moment wishbones. This gives less of a camber change on the tyre as the suspension operates which translates to improved car handling. The motor in the pictures is an ordinary 540 buggy motor, this will be replaced with a hotter wind motor when the car is properly shaken down.
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Sand Rover model car page 1
Sand Rover model car page 2
Sand Rover model car page 3
Sand Rover model car page 4
Sand Rover model car page 5
Driving the Sand Rover car
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