Wishbone suspension bolt on kit

[Shadowbug]

Rorty did your design didn't he?
He's well known in the Locost circles, he did a great design for and IRS for the locost. Mine was using a different donor, so design is quite different. Plus it looks as though his design is more of a cruiser, where mine is a little more of an aggressive autocross design.

When it comes time to do the beetle I'll definatly drop you a line, I'll probably use standard sheet metal for the pan halves, but center tunnel will be a triangulated tubular structure, so I can tie it directly to the front and rear pickup points.

as to my site, the link is fixed, but I haven't updated it for a while. Hopefully soon I'll get some pictures uploded of the locost build.

[Shadowbug]

I've been thinking...

to design a front suspension there are several "static" Measurements you need to start with.
ride height, roll center, track width and wheelbase
change any one of these and suspension design will not perform as it should.

so how do you design a universal "kit" that anyone can bolt onto the front end of their VW and expect it to perform, considering most will want to alter their ride height from stock, and there will be no set ride height that will make everyone happy.

I think I may have an idea that will allow at least some ride height options, without changing the suspension characteristics too much.
problem is, things start to get expensive.

how much would the average budget be for a kit like this?
a comparable Mustang II kit for a streetrod would be 3-4k

I personally wouldn't want to spend that much, how much would we be willing to spend?

also, Liability, insurance and safety approval costs money too, I'd hate to build a system, and get sued six months later by someone who couldn't bother to read instructions, or was abusing it beyond its designed tollerances.

I'd almost consider doing it, if it weren't for the leagal issues, or sell it as " for display purposes only," with no warranty expressed or implied.

and last issue, copy cats. a guy spends the time and money to design a system, and half a dozen others start building them with no R&D time, in direct competition.

I donno, there's a lot of desire out there for this sort of thing, but is there any money? only way to find out is to try.

Give me 6 months or so, I may have something scabbed together.

[volkdent]

Just a little update, I've not had any issues whatsoever with the front suspension. I think I need a little more castor, it doesn't want to self-correct, but it works just fine. No squeaks, no loose feeling, might be a little overdamped right now and may need a little more travel than what I have set up for the "in the weeds" look that I love.

Jason