SToy Buggy / Exo suggestions?

[SHINTON]

I am in the planning stages of a Exo cage for my 85 Yota and wanted to post up some pictures so I can get feedback on the design and suggestions.

What am I trying to accomplish?

Priority #1, if (when) I put this thing on its side or top, I want to keep the cab from crushing down onto me.


Priority #2, if (when) I do the above and/or when dragging this rig along various rock walls, that I have some chance of not destroying the body.

I really don't "care" but since I know the bed and front fenders would just get trashed, might as well skip that step and go with something that can take the abuse.


P#3...I like a pickup bed for throwing trash in on cleanup days, or bales of hay, etc. I NEED a toolbox that locks to put my welder and other things I want to keep secure.


P#4....I just bought a set of double beadlocks from Larry Smith and will be running IROK bias. In theory I "should" carry a spare tire...and thus a place to mount it. (I may not since I cannot lose a bead/even 0 psi the sidewalls are pretty strong!!?)


P#5...I do like for my rig to look nice. I was gonna go with the full body look, prev owner (s104u) did a lot of work on the bed bob....but I KNOW it will just get smashed up. But I think this design looks good and will stay that way!!?

Pics of various things I like to follow, this "bed" is pretty sweet and is my plan to duplicate!

 

[SHINTON]

This is one of UPNOVER buddies rig (not sure of name/screename on here)

I basically want to duplicate his front fenders except mine would drop down lower/join closer to the bottom.

I would then insert panels as well to match the rear bed, make it look more like a regular fender!? (Am trying to think ahead to driving around Moab / on the streets without getting hassled)

 

[SHINTON]

The Rig as it currently is

 

[rockcity]

I'd paint it and leave it as is. It looks straight right now.

 

[BRUISER]

this is best toy exo I have ever seen
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=62801

 

[BRUISER]

look familiar to the one linked above

I used the Green toy design for my design on my XJ

 

[SHINTON]

Got a question on the windshield... seen the middle bar and know that has to be a PIT..arse, if you need to replace a windshield. Just no worries on that or?

Is the extra strength critical? We are planning on doing an X on the back/behind the cab.

Thought about wheeling as is...but just looking at Larry and other guys I wheel with's rigs...won't stay straight long. Front wheel spacers will help but still.

DEF want the exo over the cab...and "while we are at it..."

 

[Chris_M]

one of my fav toy exo cages:

 

[BRUISER]

Got a question on the windshield... seen the middle bar and know that has to be a PIT..arse, if you need to replace a windshield. Just no worries on that or?
Is the extra strength critical? We are planning on doing an X on the back/behind the cab.
Thought about wheeling as is...but just looking at Larry and other guys I wheel with's rigs...won't stay straight long. Front wheel spacers will help but still.
DEF want the exo over the cab...and "while we are at it..."

I like the windshield bar just so that way if i roll over there is more steel supporting top bars from compressing..

if i need to replace windshield i will just cut out bar and make a new one.

as for strenght yes the X will give you the strongest support behind cab

 

[99ncxj]

That first truck with the tube/diamond plate bed is sweet. I'm not much on diamond plate but that is some nice work.

When I do my exo, i'm going to do one of these: /\ infront of my windshield. If you don't have something there, and you flop, it will probably just bend down and crush your roof/windshield.

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

This one is pretty good...

 

[WARRIORWELDING]

I like the above also. I wasn't sure if you wanted any construction advice but here goes anyway. If you build it supertight against the truck try and plan your intersections out and maybe work out a partial take down to weld some intersections. Excessive space between the cab looks bad but some build'em way tight without preplannin and have no way what so ever to weld the joint fully. I didn't see it first hand but I heard of a poorly constructed unit that pretty much detached itself and took most of a tub with it on one outing. No matter how much abusive one takes it should wad up into a pretzel before catostrophicly failing all at once. Crushed or pinned in by a roll would be bad news but impaled because you bounced off something would be a hell of a way to decide cutting corners was a bad idea.

Not trying to be a smart-ass if your an experieced builder either, just seen some getto shit that looks like it would leap out an kill a passer by, let alone the driver. You know like a one eyed pitbull rot mix with mange and a drooling problem.

 

[BRUISER]

also pics of jph0913 on here..

I really like the rear bed tubes, that protect the sides of bed..

and the front done

 

[xtoy_boy35]

This one is pretty good...

that's my truck. if you want some more pics, check out my build here http://ncttora.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3577

 

[SHINTON]

SToy buggy

I wanted to start a thread to collect pictures and organize my thoughts on this.


To start... I have an 85 Toyota Reg cab / long bed (bobbed) that I bought from one of the guys on here.

It has rear spool, 5.29 gears, the 22r has been bored out, big carb, headers, etc! Running on 35" tires at the moment and does well.


What I "was" thinking is to do an Exo to protect myself in case of rollover or flop...this lead to wondering about rear tube / flatbed and possibly the same for front fenders.

This leads me to wonder / why not just do an "FToy" and be done with it? No body to worry about, lighter...but a few downsides in comfort.


I will post some pictures of the items I am talking about as I go... and would like feedback on alternate products or suggestions, etc.


Here is my main goals:

Trail Rig that looks good / goes where I point it / comes home in 1 pc. Be comfortable ON the trail...decent storage.

That is the first post with broad goals, specific ideas coming below

 

[SHINTON]

Ok - idea #1...

I want to KEEP and use my heating....AND a/c!! (Not 100% sure it works / supposed to / will upgrade and fix / new freon stuff etc)

Yeah I am a wimp...let's move past that

Since I have this in the truck already, I would assume I would move over the plastic vent stuff...OR it may just make more sense to move over the dash / firewall as is? Certainly would be less complicated?


Now...thinking buggy / heat and a/c would just escape and yeah that normally is true.

So idea #2...

I am thinking you build the buggy to fit YJ upper door windows, a CJ windshield and then a "cab curtain" in the rear. Finally a safari style bikini top...so with those on, you should be able to stay pretty comfy in the cab? They all come off easily enough for the nice days too!

 

[SHINTON]

By using those specific "Jeep" items, they are cheap to buy instead of custom versions...and easy to mount, etc.

Windshield / would want it so that it can bolt on/off using the same normal hinges as a CJ/YJ, etc.

Safari/bikini tops are pretty simple too, just use the brackets across the front

 

[SHINTON]

Idea #3 - Doors sure are easier!

Looking at the frames for YJ upper windows above, you will see they simply have 3 bars going down into the door to hold them in place.

I was thinking instead of crawling over/into the seat all the time... sure would be nice to have a door that opens up!!

I have included a picture of a YJ door below.. easy / simply, just two flat hinges on the front.

The only issue I know of is you are compromising the "side safety" a bit compared to a regular buggy.

For this reason, the door might not need to be as "tall" as normal? Anything is easier than nothing...but willing to reconsider this point. (Could have just the normal fixed side rail to crawl over / upper windows slide down into)

 

[SHINTON]

Ok, those are my main ideas / "differences" between a FToy or other similar buggy and what I think would make them more comfortable?

Outside of that...I would want a locking toolbox in the rear...kinda like a "pickup bed" area to throw trash in / camping gear for longer trips, etc, and possibly a spare tire.


Would love to get some thoughts on this!?

Sam

 

[92yotaman]

I like what you are thinking, i like some skin on my trucks. Plus a buggy is waaaay more expensive. Now on the curtain note. The soft tops and curtains and canvas doors never hold heat as well as a regular door. My buddy has one on his YJ and its kinda warm in the winter, but they do work. Your right about not as much side support with those doors, but as long as you have a good cage to hold everything up all you need is a little protection. Now on the cage note i don't usually like exocages because i like the stock look of trucks, but if you want to keep your panels straight then exo the crap out of it. Just make sure you take lots of pics and let us know what you decide

 

[quickracer]

those are some good ideas,here in a week or two,i will be starting on (undertakers) F-sammi,being built similar to the F toy except using sammi frame,drive line,might talk him into adding some lexan windows,fully tined in,and some heat,be 4 link rear/air shocks,leaf front.

 

[J.C.]

The options in post #2 are basically what I'm running on The Krawler. You do have a gap between the back of the door and the windjammer. Mine is made from an old soft top rear window so it doesn't go all the way to the floor but it does come down to the gas tank so it's similar. When it's really nasty, rain and wind, you get some blow in any way you look at it. If your heater is good it's not that big a deal. I can stay comfortable in temps down to 20s no problem. I have a SOP (sheet of plexiglass) windshield that clips on to the stock hinges with pins. I use it when I'm going somewhere like Harlan/Lions Den/Can Opener that will usually destroy a regular windshield. This one comes off easily and stores behind the seats, if it's trashed no big loss, unless it's raining This set up leaves a small gap in the front also which contributes to heat loss but most of the time the setup works fine for my purposes and I stay fairly dry and warm, unlike many of the buggy guys I ride with

 

[Jeep07]

I like a buggy for summer wheeling thats for sure but in the winter its all about the dress code.. I plan on doing the softtop/canvas stuff for my ftoy sometime and adding a heater to it when I do. The side tubes on an ftoy are a pain and it would be cooler to have the bar go down near the seats so stepping in and out would be easier and then have a tube door thing that can swing open with a hinge to keep your legs in so your not tempted to "step" out when getting tippy.

 

[jeepn-jason]

Why are you wanting to ditch the cab? I would just leave it as is to keep your elements out and your coziness in.

 

[J.C.]

Why are you wanting to ditch the cab? I would just leave it as is to keep your elements out and your coziness in.

X2