jared8783

iTrader: (2)

First of all hello all long time no see. I've not driven my Miata in a couple of years. Got too many tickets so...

Anyways I've still got it in great condition it a NA. But I've got a complete 95 drivetrain also complete with ecu and subframes only 16k miles on that. I'm in the process of purchasing a dozen acres. I want to build a Miata based off road tube frame chassis vehicle. Oh and I'm missing the NB wiring harness cause I sold it and now I regret that. Where do I source one? Or at least the connectors. A junkyard???

But here's the catch. I want it to be 4x4. I assume there is no bolt on 4x4 set up right? But I can make something else work right? Like with a bell housing adapter? Or something? What else will I need? I've never done something like this so I don't know where to start with the transmission. What would be a good transmission to use? Subaru? Forgive me if some of these questions are stupid.

I'm a welder and I have friends in CNC shops, and I'll be setting up a small shop on the new land. So there is no challenge if I need to custom fabricate any metal parts.

Thanks for reading, long time no see.

I have turbo parts and will be turboing this as well. But the 4x4 will be a deal breaker if I can't figure it out.

jared8783

iTrader: (2)

Or actually these subframes may be poor for off road, and therefore this thread is dumb?

Or maybe I can modify it? Can it be done well?

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

subframes will be poor for a long travel offroad type vehicle, for a rally/rally-x they're just fine.

If you want to use the mazda engine for some dumb reason I think they made a 4x4 B2200 that has a tranny and transfer case that work with the mazda B series. Or you can use the Kia sportage AWD stuff or B2600 4x4 stuff with the motor out of the kia and stay mazda, but again. thats pretty dumb too. Pick a better motor like a kobota or johndeere.

ryansmoneypit

iTrader: (6)

Or you could build a VW based off road car, with a plethora of aftermarket accessories and support. Otherwise, You will be left with a heavy underpowered turd, if you choose a heavy underpowered engine. Go look at race desert, they are the miataturbo of off road. Check out the fab section and projects. Of course I say all of this without knowing what you want to do with this car thingy.

Chooofoojoo

iTrader: (7)

You need to read this build thread.

MX5 Bronco Miata/Baby Bronco - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Dude builds a kid's 4x4 crawler off a miata drivetrain.

EDIT : Yes, it's an NC but it will give you an idea of fab-work involved. Also this is a 4x4 off road truck, not sure if that's your end goal.

jared8783

iTrader: (2)

I actually saw that bronco miata thread. It's cool, but not my style.

And I'm sure you guys are right, the Miata base will just not be good for what I want to build. Only wanted to do that cause this subframe drivetrain has been siting with 16k miles in my garage for I don't even know anymore how many years.

And yeah I'll do a VW one for sure. I used to own a 75 beetle 1600dp.

I want to get a VW thing.

Okay so it seems I'll just build on that subframe for profit and nothing else cause I've lost interest in street. I know some ralley guys. What about a locost or an exocet tube chassis style that will kick *** on the street and the dirt roads?

And how much can I sell such a vehicle for?

jared8783

iTrader: (2)

The land I was looking at had a 6 acre clearing on it....more than enough for a dirt circle redneck race track.

I wish I could change the thread title now. Maybe a mod will do it for me, something like what do i do with this danged drivetrain and subframes I gots layin round?

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

A lot less then you spend building it.

jared8783

iTrader: (2)

Even considering I will be bending my own tube and doing all the fabrication work myself, from start to finish?

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

You could definitely get lucky and find someone to buy it. But there really isn't a "market" for that kind of thing.

Someone might pay a lot.

ryansmoneypit

iTrader: (6)

No, you will lose money. All of that adds up to way more than would ever imagine. Just look at the price of tube these days. It ain't a dollar a foot anymore.

jared8783

iTrader: (2)

Okay that makes sense. Dang it this sucks. So what do I do with the drivetrain, subframes, suspension, and frikkin everything else? Sell it as is for someone else who wants to build a custom kit car?

jared8783

iTrader: (2)

I had no problems selling a few seat stands online for over 3x cost to build. And that was a low price I was offering, due to the lack of market for it. But man if you see a metal fabricated item in the store, you can gaurantee it cost less than 1/5 the retail cost to build the thing. All the money you pay is for the skill of the fabricator.

Wanna buy a seat stand?

lol @ $x$ new thread title.

This was in my moms garage.


I'll be building more complex and pricey man cave chairs within the year using factory Ford F-450 bucket seats. These chairs will have a few optional features too.

Sry I just like fab talk and entrepunerial talk.

Btw people I have just about every NA part from 1.6 and 1.8
How would one recommend I market myself as a custom parts fabricator to help out you guys with your custom projects in case you are in need of a fabricated part?

ryansmoneypit

iTrader: (6)

[IMG][/IMG]

I couldn't resist an longer. this is pic of my other money pit. '68, 2275 injected 12.0:1
33" tires, 18" wheel travel and goes real fast over lots of big bumps.

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

I wonder if there's a service like 3D printing services in your neighborhood | makexyz.com that includes all fabrication services. Or if you could convince them to add it.

jared8783

iTrader: (2)

Nice bug!

And on the marketing, is that like to find a local fabricator is what you are suggesting?

What I mean is marketing towards you guys, and to the guys on the other miata forums. I have everything just about for an NA to use as jigs. I could custom fabricate you guys Miata parts for special projects which require it. Mostly like stuff made from tube, sheet, and or plate.

y8s

iTrader: (8)

The amish called. They want their beard back.

jared8783

iTrader: (2)

i haz mustache now

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

hipster

jared8783

iTrader: (2)

No sir! I'm part redneck part hippy. I'm building a basement house and the attic will be a greenhouse instead of a conventional roof. And one of the first things I will do is buy some five hundred dollar cars with some friends and race them in a redneck dirt track.