I just wanted a bomb ass front suspension now it sounds like I have to trade out front frame horns and cage the car to get a long travel and widend beam in a 1972 can anyone post some pics of the best way to do that? or is there already an exsisting thread? new to site thanks

There are several ways to convert to Linkpin, but the framehorns you mentioned are on the rear of the car - just to clear that up.

For the front, you can cut the BJ framehead off and replace with linkpin - requires time and fabrication.

You could also have Bugzyla build you a LP beam that bolts into BJ framhead, this would be the easiest, but I dont know if he has finished the conversion beams.

Lastly, you could eliminate the BJ framehead and build directly off the cage. this is what I did on my last baja. Its the most expensive route, but if you are going to go all out and run coilovers etc, its probly your best route. It requires full cage work, lots of time and of course $$.

Blaine

I can build you a conversion beam. Call me at 480-444-2501 or PM me.

yeah frame head, thanks

I don't know if I'll ever get around to it but I don't want to have to redo anything on this if I ever try to enter races. I have a 2180 in it with a two barrel dellorto I don't know what class that would put me in. I don't know much about this stuff yet but I don't think I could run class 5/1600.

5/1600 would require a 1600 motor with factory suspension, ie you cannot convert to LP. I think the most you can do is put a +1 IRS arms on the car if its already IRS. The rules may have changed though


Blaine

I'm now thinking I'll fall into class 5 unlimited ( thanks Daryll). From what I'm getting I'll need to do a cage$ work a modified bugzylla beam in$ outfit that with link pin stuff on the ends$(probably just a four bolt disc set up$$). I'm a pretty good welder although I've never built a cage before, I've built bumpers that are strong enough to tow from and winch bumpers and done some stuff with motorcycle frames. I'd like to do this with the car off the road a minimal amount of time. Is it realistice to bolt in a class 11 cage$ and modify it$$ without pulling the body off the pan? How many places do I need to penetrate the front of the cab of the car? I'm thinking 4, 2 on each side, 1 high and 1 low. is the factory master cylinder$ acceptable for the aftermarket brake set ups$$$?

Best place to start is to go to the local (AZ) races and see what the classes are running. Sometimes it is cheaper to buy and old race car than it is to start anew....... plus the car will already be built to spec. there are lots of deals out there...but watch your butt. The over place to look is AZ racing paper at the local speed shops.......just maybe

is there a page with a schematic on how to build a tubular frame head type setup?

There is no 'schematic' per se, its more for the builders imagination. I build my old car from the ground up and it was all done off the top of my dome. If you are going to run Class5 unlimited, you might as well skip the conversion beam and cut the framehead off and push the beam 5" forward. Longer wheelbase will keep you from crapping your pants when your scooting along at high speeds. My old baja I pushed the beam 6" forward and widened 6". fast_1 now owns the car.

Here is one of fast_1's pictures after he painted the cage up front, you can see how I built the front off the original tunnel - which i extended (it was cut flush when i got it)

His thread: fast_1 baja build

f you push the beam out 5 inches what would have to be done to put a 1 piece front end on it? like will it fit?

Usually if you puch the beam forward its so you can run longer trailing arms and not have the tires hit the inner fender wells. So if you push it forward 5" and run a 4" loger arm the tire is actually only 1" farther forward than stock.

to startout a cage without pulling the boddy off the pan am I smoking crack to think I can put in a class 11 cage and weld off of it and a cut off tunnel to get going with this? I have a pretty good idea what I want I need a starting point and really don't want to pull the body. I liked the looks of the front of the t_town and fast _1 red baja hows it look inside? around the driver and passenger footwells? Where'd you put the fuel? Is there a spout to the outside of the car? is plagerism wrong on cars or will you take it as a complement?

Copying another car's cage is all good as long as the original concept was sound.

Copying another car's cage is all good as long as the original concept was sound.