Re: An introduction/hello and my project.
The only Caveat with leaving the tracks wide is that everything is based off of a 66 inch center to center on the sprockets and to keep the 102 overall width.
There must be sufficient distance between the tracks to allow the frame risers to come up for the Van body to sit on.
I am trying to measure, calculate and get all the bases covered as close as possible before ever laying a saw on any steel tubing.
When all the numbers come together and stuff continually agrees in the real world with whats on paper then I will buy steel and start stitching it together.
The fuel tank on the van sits right where the drive shaft center support has to go.
The offset drive train complicates things a bit, but at present all things can morph a bit with minimal bother.
With the current plan and measurements a standard 36 inch set of Spryte tracks can be dropped on with no worries.
I am well aware of the OH $HITS and other train wrecks.
That is precisely why I am going over as many details as possible before it costs $$$$$
Once the numbers are all crunched and 1+1 = 2 consitently I will fab up the frame.
Unlike a restoration this cat is going to (Should) go together quickly.
With the body being complete with all equipment and everything working properly the mods to the chassis are very minimal.
Little work really
Plumb in the steering controls and the drive line and things will function.
I really want to avoid spending $$$$ on things and having to do stuff over.
Mistakes on paper are easily rectified, but out in the field it gets a bit dicey.
I used to work in the wood products industry and built and installed huge equipment.
Far too many thing did not work in the real time.
Like you mentioned about the highly overpaid engineers.
These guys never had to get their hands dirty fixing the screw ups.
I was in the shop as a Journeyman welder, fabricator, machinist and also spent time in the electrical dept as well as the hydraulics shop too.
This background was helped by the fact that I had an engineering degree as well.
My last position was as a field service engineer/ installer (The make it work crew)
Having the engineering background helps some.
Sadly I have to balance things with whats practical and what can be afforded.
Also I believe in using as much off the shelf stuff as possible to keep cost down.
Your 2100 sprockets ???
What tooth count ???
If memory serves the 1200 and 2100 use similar sprockets ????
I know the pitch is the same.
I just want to avoid (if possible) having to redo stuff or stumbling onto issues late in the game.
Having as many standard parts as possible is top priority.
If I need a replacement part, I want to be able to hit the Napa or Autozone and walk out with it.
There of course will be things that will not be as such, but minimum as much as possible.
I guess my reluctance to start beating on the iron so soon is the result of having to cut so much stuff apart in the field over the years.
Since the mistakes are coming from my pocket, ahhhhh, noooooooo.
Once the steel starts laying down I want to feel comfy with the design.
In reality I can't use the 2100 tracks as they are, simply too wide.
102" is the magic number.