Baja Front Suspension Build #3 (Steering Geometry)

In this video we continue working on the steering of the front suspension. However in this one we pretty much finish the steering so we can move on to the lower control arm and shock mounting locations.

[mikeman]

This is one of the best video series I've seen on YouTube. Very informative, straightforward, and no bs.

[ciobanuvalentinmail]

Hi Doug, I was with your build from the start, you was my inspiration for my buggy.
It’s impressive how far we went with the build’s buggy.
A lot of work, but beautiful experience build and fun to drive

[SteveWright-oyky]

I would make the steering arm spindle an 1/8" to 3/16" taller on each side and spread the arm plates the same spread to give you full up/down travel . Great video, good design on the no bump steer !

[WS_AUTOS_N_STUFF]

Awesome video🤙
All i need to say is lifted 2000 f150 4x4 😆 that’s why im here 👍 horrible steering bump🤦🏽 im in the process of designing a new setup for steering and control arms. I dont understand why they make upper control arms so short 🤷🏽 im hoping to get a rack and pinion conversion to eliminate the pitman and idler arms. I do realize having my torsions cranked is where my problems start.
I dont want to do solid axles and i have a plan for a different diff to allow for long travel with 4wd 🤘

[tptrsn]

Super impressive problem solving and build process! Thank you for sharing!!

[rickrack]

Yeah! I’m first!! 😂😎
I like the more trial/error approach you use. Tak welding and cycling the suspension. Easy to adjust the pivot points etc. Designing bump steer, etc out of a long travel suspension is tough. Limiting the travel to 22” when you have 24 actual is smart. There is probably some give in limit straps and bump stops that you’ll only find when you’re out playing with it. Better to limit it than to bottom out the heims and break it

[donaldwright]

Just perfect! Great job and informative video.

[JDawgBuilds]

Great job! I know how frustrating it can be to fall back a couple steps, but in the end it will be worth it! I still have those stock Tacoma rims if your ever crusin by socal.

[CoyoteFugly]

Just wanted to thank you for taking the time and effort to make these videos. As a newbie just getting interested your videos are clear and easy to follow and packed with a ton of information! Thanks!

[danbleikamp]

Super Awesome job as always!!! You have that steering geometry dialed in now! Anyone considering a project like this needs to watch all of your videos, you can save someone a whole lot of time and aggravation! Thanks again for all the effort you put into making these videos, have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[TSteve]

Looking good Doug can't wait to see the rear section come together.

[franciscowashington]

Esse carro está ficando espetacular 👍👍😎😎

[metalfruttolo]

Awesome man, this turned out really good with just those little changes. Also your camber gain looks like it's in the ballpark, I'd give it more but that is totally personal preference. You may want to space your steering arm plates apart a bit to have less chance of contacting the tierod even tho I know you will run bumpstops and limiting straps

[koreywilliams]

I'm going to try this eventually. I have 2 of the predator 212cc engines I bought when I tried to build a mini bike. It works but it's a little sketchy. I'm going to try this next. See if I can't build a river crawler

[wardkarns]

Hi Doug, Enjoying your build. I did see something you might want to watch for in the future. Your steering arm sections above and below the Heim joint have a square notch where the arm transitions to an outside radius hear the end. A generous radius would have been better as corners or notches raise local stresses by a factor of two or more. Repetitive stress cracks are much more likely to start from corners or notches. Even surface finish can be a factor in fatigue cracks. I kind of doubt you will see a problem though with the thickness of material you are using. Interestingly, a few liberty ships split in two during service from cracks that started at the square corners of their deck hatch openings during WWII.

[Hermanimace]

Now I'm working on ackerman steering on my buggy. Thanx for video :)

[recon]

Gonna be pretty cool buggy thanks for sharing happy holidays!

[Paul_VanGo]

That's what I meant a few weeks back, when I gave you the ackermann link. This looks a lot better. Build steering from scratch is not easy.
Next: camber, castor and self-centering. 😋

[MexicoPescadoro]

Just stumbled upon your hidden gem of a channel. Sub'd real quick!

[DesertRatFabrication]

Real nice Mike, looks like you got it