"West Coast" drive?

[GUI]

My plan (once i get a model done, I'll post in on the open source chassis thread) is basically this in 6wd form with a supershifter directly driving the center wheel. All that would be needed to make it would be a saw, a drill, and tin snips (though the sheet metal shear makes that part much easier).

[sdcantrell56]

Mine is very similar to that although with shorter frame rails and all the bearings are mounted in laser cut 1/4" thick aluminum brackets since I'm worried about the bearing holes enlarging in the wood.

[MrForbes]

I think with a hardwood, the bearing holes might be ok. This is something that would need to be tested, of course! also thin plywood might be better for the "belly pan", as it's easier to buy locally, and to cut to size, and to attach firmly (glued and screwed).

oops! we sure hijacked this thread

[sdcantrell56]

I know this isn't exactly rookie friendly but I am throwing around the idea of making a west coast style drivetrain from laser cut pieces of 1/2" thick meranti or baltic birch plywood. For all cross members and side rails, I would epoxy 2 pieces together to form a 1" thick piece, and then the base plate would just be the 1/2" thick material. The base plate would provide a huge amount of stiffness with a relatively low amount of weight since its wood. Also if it's not strong enough we could always lay up one layer of fiberglass. I would think that epoxying 2 pieces of plywood together with a few screws would be super strong. I will try to post up a cad rendition I have in a little bit.