
No, this is not a build thread because I'm not ready to build yet. *EDIT 1/3/14* Phase 2 will be donor prep (viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9927), Phase 3 will be the actual build and Phase 4 will be testing. Those will be separate threads when the time comes.
A little bit o' background - the name "Garbage Truck" pays homage to the S-10 Blazer the powertrain came from. It was my buddy's truck while at school in Rochester, NY, home of the Garbage Plate. Google it – they’re disgusting(ly good).
Basics
Tube buggy chassis and suspension designed by me
Reliable and readily available parts, minimal fancy custom high-dollar stuff.
Low CoG
Relatively light weight and nimble
3-4 seats
Somewhere around 105-110” wheelbase
Drivetrain
Chevy 4.3L TBI V6
700R4 auto tranny
NP231/D300 doubler (or Atlas 4 speed??)
Suspension
Triangulated long arm rear
Whatever I can do to avoid a track bar in the front
Coilovers front and rear
*EDIT* I ended up going with 14" ORI struts all around
Steering
Full hydraulic
Axles
Dana 60 front with Detroit locker
14-bolt rear with Detroit locker
Running gear
39.5” tires *EDIT 1/4/14* I picked up a set of 42" TSL tires
HMMWV double beadlock wheels
Goals
- Use as many Blazer components as I can to keep costs down (radiator, steering column, etc)
- Weather-tight and heated cabin with removable panels/windows for those nice summer days
- Street legal so I can register it and wheel slade without worrying about the wood cops
- Computer-designed and analyzed (after all, I am an engineer)
Note: The specs in this post will be updated/modified as my research continues and the design evolves.