*Ideas/Help Needed* Full Metal Challenge Style Event

[Paydirt]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum and someone has pointed me in here on the possibilty that you may be able to help with the following.

I have recently been invited to lead an Australian team at The Strange Vehicle games to be held in China later this year. The event is based around the similar series Full Metal Challenge which was on Foxtel. For those who know the series it was based around vehicles being put through a number of different events from water courses to demolition derby style events. This event will be more based around timed events on various terrain: mud, sand, dirt, wetlands etc.

We only have a a little over a month to build the vehicle from scratch, and are looking for any ideas or help in the form of donations and or sponsorship for our team. At this point in time we are looking at building something from a Lancruiser SWB chassis and using a auto 4wd V8 (Chev maybe), keeping it simple, so if we need to fix it over there.

Anyone with a chassis, engine or other bits and pieces we might need that they have and wish to donate or sell cheap please contact me or leave a message here. They pay us $2k US to build the car, but we are allowed sponsorship to help a little with the cost associated with building it.

If you have any crazy ideas about what to build, keep them coming, because there will also be points being awarded for wacky designs as well event wins. Any input welcome.

Thanks in adavnce

Regards Peter.

Email - peter_smith6@ekit.com

[crokie83]

sounds like fun
good luck mate

[-Scott-]

Only idea which comes to my mind is thumping great V8 diesel with no electrics to kill the motor in wet events. But it won't come cheap.

Could try to find a reasonable 1HZ and over-fuel it for more power?

I'm guessing smaller diesels would be too slow, so you'd be better off with the petrol engine and try to waterproof the electrics.

Sounds like you'll have some fun - good luck!

Scott

[POS]

Lockers, Lockers, lockers, lockers!

Oh and if you want something that will help with traction try LOCKERS!

Heaps of POWER and Build the whole thing light!

[Paydirt]

Unfortunately we can't really build it light, as the regualations stipulate that the vehicle must be bewtween 1.5 and 3 tonnes.

[1MadEngineer]

simple buy the MOGROVER and exo it, fill the gaps with armour plate (bis500m) fit 52" XML tryes and watch them run in fear. may need a bit of sponsorship

[bj on roids]

I am and always have been a die hard cruiser man. In fact my offroad buggy, uses the body from the full metal challenge landcruiser.

If you could answer some of my questions below it will help us to help you.

What is your time constraints (total time allowed for building?)

What state are you in?

What do You want to acheive?

How did you get invited to this?

A range rover is a very cheap and light vehicle, with a good driveline to start with. Having said that, I think in terms of value for money the landcruiser diffs are definitely the go! So, here is what I would build:

Buy a DIRTY old range rover. (wash myself after saying that, but here me out) V8, auto (or 4 speed) whatever is easier/cheaper. tear the diffs out and throw in the bin (sell or whatever) get some landcruiser 60 series diffs, weld the rear, leave the front open, and throw them under it (with a welder) rip all the useless crap off, back seats, carpet, doors, glass, the whole rear of the body. Then build a little cage over the front section and call it good. Should come in under $3k aussie if you do it yourself and are handy with the tools. Should be light, powerful and strong. should have decent gearing, good traction and be pretty maneuverable. Rangies are cheap and so are cruiser diffs.

thats if you want to do it quick and cheap. plus the old dunga motors are carby fed and can be bodgied up on site. the driveline can't be killed with a stick, and the diffs are strong as, the front wont break with no locker and the rear wont break anyways.

As for wheels and tyres, hunt in the for sals section on here and in the trading post. a cheap set of 33-38" swampers should do the job. On wheels they will set you back from $500-1500 second hand. tech screw the outer bead to teh tyre, use heaps of silicone to seal it up. DONE! All said, this idea may go outside your budget, but maybe not, depending on the deals you get. tailshafts can be home made, brake lines will be a bit tough but should be able to get a flexi line adapter cheap enough.

If there was an unlimited time and budget, i would roll up to haultech with heaps of cash. some sort of Quad cam alloy V8, heaps of chrome molly tubing, and thick wads of cash, and get sam to make me something cool!

Do not worry about your minimum weight you will easily exceed 1.5 tonned. EASILY, a SWB cruiser weighs 2 tonnes before you get started.

[bj on roids]

:twisted: simple buy the MOGROVER and exo it, fill the gaps with armour plate (bis500m) fit 52" XML tryes and watch them run in fear. may need a bit of sponsorship

coupla small problems.

mogrover = $25k
tyres = $1k each (second hand)
wheels $500 each.
the look on the comeptitors faces when you crush them into the ground.. priceless.

now we got a really really overbudget rig, but it'd be bloody cool!

[Timmy]

[Webbie]

Try HOBZEEs post on farm truck 4 sale. Just needs a motor and seats but i would think they would give you seats as a part of their safty on the show/event.good luck IAM JEALOUS.

[Daisy]

U building here (oz) or in china??

If in oz.. wouldnt be much trouble.. but if its in china i can see that there could be time constraints in parts delivery???

TOM

[Paydirt]

Thanks Guys for your input.

We are building the vehicle here in Australia, specifically we are based in Brisbane/Ipswich, and we'll be doing pretty much all the work and fabrication ourselves. We're not definate on the shipping scheduale, but we know it will be anywhere from ealry till late July, so the vehicle must be ready by then.

BJ -

We have about 5-7 weeks in total to build it. Basically we want a vehicle that is capable over as many different terrains as possible, eg water to sand to mud, as well as being nimble enough to tackle smaller circuits and corners. We will most probably scrap the body and build our own design, so we can reinfornce it as there may be a demo derby style even at the end. Since we are fabricating this ourselves, we didn't really want to have to fabricate much else, that's why we suggested a landcruiser swb chassis as it will already have the diffs and the we could even get an off the shelf kit to bolt up a V8.

We are looking for any donations/sponsors as such, but we are not sure what we are allowed in China, so everything we get given will be given publicity over here through a website that will be set up and maybe a magazine shoot etc. So if anyone can help or would like to support feel free to shoot me an email.

Thanks for the ideas so far, and keep them coming.

[Daisy]

Sounds great mate.
I agree with what bj on roids said about usin rover parts and changing the diffs. Pretty simple that way.

Or if you've got a bigger budget.. mog diffs???

Tyres of choice? Swampers? centipedes?

TOM

[bj on roids]

Thanks Guys for your input.

We are building the vehicle here in Australia, specifically we are based in Brisbane/Ipswich, and we'll be doing pretty much all the work and fabrication ourselves. We're not definate on the shipping scheduale, but we know it will be anywhere from ealry till late July, so the vehicle must be ready by then.

BJ -

We have about 5-7 weeks in total to build it. Basically we want a vehicle that is capable over as many different terrains as possible, eg water to sand to mud, as well as being nimble enough to tackle smaller circuits and corners. We will most probably scrap the body and build our own design, so we can reinfornce it as there may be a demo derby style even at the end. Since we are fabricating this ourselves, we didn't really want to have to fabricate much else, that's why we suggested a landcruiser swb chassis as it will already have the diffs and the we could even get an off the shelf kit to bolt up a V8.

We are looking for any donations/sponsors as such, but we are not sure what we are allowed in China, so everything we get given will be given publicity over here through a website that will be set up and maybe a magazine shoot etc. So if anyone can help or would like to support feel free to shoot me an email.

Thanks for the ideas so far, and keep them coming.

You had best get cracking. A shorty cruiser for cheap hey.

www.personaltradingpost.com.au

perhaps young BJ56 on here could be persuaded to part with his rig, its probably still a complete 1978 model ute.

[I.M.P.O.S.E]

If you wanted to try BJ's theory with the range rover

http://www.autotrader.com.au/Ad1Formats ... &State=QLD


RANGE ROVER 1981 shell and chassis, no rust, very straight, no damage, suit groud up project (complete 4.4lt engine - See Motor/gearbox section for details) -$100 East Brisbane 3391 5364 or (0438) 522 438

The price is right, put a Chev into that

[bj on roids]

fawk yeah $100, set of 60 series axles $600, welding rods, $100. and you are swinging!!

[ORSM45]

hire my car for $2K US (could use some new seats)

but doubt it will be going in 5-7weeks

i recon the rover idea is awesome. chuck out the weak point in the drivetrain. you could sell the old axles off for more than 100 bucks.

BJ, forgot to add 100 bucks worth of silicon for the dizzy/ignition stuff.

the she'll be good to dive.

dont even have to be 60 series diffs. 40s will be a bit cheaper and are exactly the same (besides 3 inch width) as 60s.

ive always wanted to go on junkyard wars or something like that. would have a ball building crap like that.

how does an opportunity like this come up?

MaccA

[Paydirt]

I guess I'm just lucky to be invited. I haven't been overseas myself, so that will be an experience in itself. A friend was asked about it, and they gave my email address to one of the organiser, and that's where it started.

We have had similar experiences in Banana Bash, run by the Qld Rovers, similar to Mud Bash run by the Rovers in Vic, so we're not being thrown in the deep end. We are actually contemplating seeing if we can use one of our old vehicles, the only problem being that it doesn't return to Australia, but it's an bitsa to say the least.

Runs a lancruiser lwb chassis, and front steering components, jeep body, international truck diff, duallies on the rear, and an auto 351 up front. Main problems being it only is 2wd and it doesn't have great balance. Goes like stink though. When I actually get some time this weekend, we're going hunting at the wreckers to see what we can dig up, if not the bash car. I'll keep you posted.

[Miss J]

My advice.... DONT DO IT!!!!!!!!! Nah, I am joking.

I am from the other team going over to China and I competed in Full Metal Challenge. But this time, we are building the car a bit different. It is going to be a shorter wheel base and a turbo deisel engine (got caught out in Wetropolis). And ideas would be great!!!!!!!!!

[Timmy]

you two groups should semi team up....aussies helping out aussies and all that sorta thing ecspecialy seeing that one team has already done it

[antt]

My advice.... DONT DO IT!!!!!!!!! Nah, I am joking.

I am from the other team going over to China and I competed in Full Metal Challenge. But this time, we are building the car a bit different. It is going to be a shorter wheel base and a turbo deisel engine (got caught out in Wetropolis). And ideas would be great!!!!!!!!!

welcome to the forum

let me just say it was farking cool when you girls rolled the yanks onto their side

[DIRTY ROCK STAR]

well that all sounds very exciting!!!!!!

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!!!!!!!

both of you should treat yourselves, get yourselves FJ40s and be happy with that!!!!!

be careful your bags arent full of illegal immigrants when you return from china.

Could both teams competing help me unravel one of lifes great mysteries while you are over in the orient please.....
Can you guys tell me if the mongolian lamb over there is tastier then it is over here generally?
- i have often pondered that?

cheers

[N*A*M]

My advice.... DONT DO IT!!!!!!!!! Nah, I am joking.

I am from the other team going over to China and I competed in Full Metal Challenge. But this time, we are building the car a bit different. It is going to be a shorter wheel base and a turbo deisel engine (got caught out in Wetropolis). And ideas would be great!!!!!!!!!

you made australia proud!

[Miss J]

Thanks guys for your support! It was sensational tipping the tank over, except the American guys didn't like too much

And both teams are kinda working together. But I cant let the other team in on ALL the secrets! I wanna win this time!!!!!!

And I will suss out the mongolian Lamb for you Dirty Rock Star

[DIRTY ROCK STAR]

Miss J

thanks very much.

you might earn yourself a spot on "Unsolved Mysteries" if you solve the mystery of the authentic chinese mongolian lamb vs. aussie chinese shop dish comparison?

its an age old puzzle that has baffled better men then myself.

if you get the opportunity a few digital pics of the dish would be most beneficial.

CHEERS!

[bj on roids]

Thanks guys for your support! It was sensational tipping the tank over, except the American guys didn't like too much

And both teams are kinda working together. But I cant let the other team in on ALL the secrets! I wanna win this time!!!!!!

You guys will win for sure. The aussie chicks with the drag racing background right!

Remember the car you took last time?

I have the body off that, it is on my car, here is a couple pictures! I bought the body for a carton of beer!!
It has an injected toyota aluminium V8, and 42" super swamper tyres.

[Tonka Tough]

Hey Miss J

I enjoyed watching you and your team giving it to the yanks in FMC. I've got a 40 as well so it was the next best thing to being there myself

Good luck to all in the next comp,

T.T

[Miss J]

YAY!!! I have just received our confimation email stating my team has been accepted.

Our vehicle is going to be a pathfinder that ACB Wreckers have helped us out with. It has all the 4x4 gear on it, but we are usure as to what engine we should use. There is a 302 Cleveland available but I am usure as to how well this will bolt up to the Pathfinder. Has anyone done this conversion? How did it go? If it is too difficult, what would be an easier option?

[LEXX]

How do you go about getting invited to this things, after watching the FMC I was determinded to try and get invloved. I went on the FMC web site for ages waiting for rego's or info to be posted.

Please Miss J how would we go about getting invloved for the next event like this to happen?

[Miss J]

I got involved with Full Metal Challenge after the Australian Womens Motorsport Network received and email from RDF MEDIA (the company who produced the show) and the AWMN contacted me asking if I wanted to part of a team.

With the Strange Vehicle Games, I got an email from the FMC New Zealand team whom I met in England telling me about it. While I don't reply to the email, i then received another email from an engineer who worked on FMC asking me to submit a team (thats when I told Peter aka Paydirt about it) because I wasn't going to enter. The finally I received an email from the Chinese team who we beat in the semi's of FMC asking me again to submit a team and the rest is history....

So your best bet is try and getin touch with RDF Media or go on to the Junkyard Wars or Scrapheap Challenge web sites. I am unsure wether the Chinese will have another event like this. RDF originally said that were going to do a FMC II but I believe that idea has been scrapped. The games in China have nothing to do with FMC, the Chinese have based this even on their experience in FMC but that is it.