B4 Inboard Shocks

[sparky-0]

Hi all I thought this would be the place to show these pics of a B4 with inboard shocks front and rear. I converted this about a year ago and have used it for both indoor and outdoor its works so well it's the only buggy I use. The body is custom built to allow for the shocks to work . This was made out of poly carb sheet folded and pop riveted

[Garry Driffill]

That looks rather cool

[TRICKYNICK]

I knew you wouldn't be able to resist showing it off

Just to let people know that I’ve seen this B4 up close and it’s a work of art

[Chrislong]

Looks very good, just a couple of questions.

What happens to the air in the shocks, upright the air rises so the piston is working in oil - even if a little has leaked or whatever.

How is the gearbox braced? As unmodified the strength (triangulation) comes from the wingmounts into the shock tower.

[DCM]

actually, Chris, once you start to work the shock, the oil emulsifies (is that the correct word), so you don't have a pristene pocket of air at the top of the shock (unless you run a diaphragm), so the shocks operation should be exactly the same horizontally as it is vertically.

Definately interesting though.

[Body Paint]

Originally Posted by DCM

actually, Chris, once you start to work the shock, the oil emulsifies (is that the correct word), so you don't have a pristene pocket of air at the top of the shock (unless you run a diaphragm), so the shocks operation should be exactly the same horizontally as it is vertically.

Definately interesting though.

Craig is nodding

[Southwell]

Originally Posted by Chrislong

How is the gearbox braced? As unmodified the strength (triangulation) comes from the wingmounts into the shock tower.

The shock towers still there....isn't it?

[mark christopher]

Originally Posted by Southwell

The shock towers still there....isn't it?

looks like it to me

[mark christopher]

Originally Posted by DCM

actually, Chris, once you start to work the shock, the oil emulsifies (is that the correct word), so you don't have a pristene pocket of air at the top of the shock (unless you run a diaphragm), so the shocks operation should be exactly the same horizontally as it is vertically.

Definately interesting though.

emulsifcation is mixing two things such as oil and water, think your after airiated!

[DCM]

Mark, been a long time since I had to deal with Fluid Dynamics, but the principle is there, the reason to get the air out of a system, is the air is compressable, and the oil isn't.

Glad I hadn't forgotton everything I learnt in my BTEC Aero Eng... woohoo

[Richard Lowe]

Originally Posted by Body Paint

Craig is nodding

While painting?

[sparky-0]

hi the rear shock tower is still there with the top lugs cut off. Yes there is a slight problem with air in the shocks I have fitted bladders to the tpo this helps but over time the rebound presure goes.

[Ferret]

Sparky-0,
Looks very nice, what sort if difference did it make to the handling?
Are the bellcrancks and their posts off the shelf items or did you custom make them?
Are they ballraced?

Avner.

[sparky-0]

Hi ferret
The cranks are ali servo arms drilled out to take helicoper bearings. The mount is made from 1.5mm ali

[blitzboy]

oh i wondered when the creator would show off his talents mmmm i ve seen this running guys and trust me it goes well

[losidriver70]

Ought to send some photos to AE maybe the next CAR B5 w.e. ....


Nice work my friend... outta handle like a F1 but with offroad precision!

[Matisse]

very tasty looking, kinda a AE B4-predator

[Lowie]

as asked before (but I could not find any answers?)
..
What are the advantages of this system? (besides from making a great unike B4 ) ?

[EDS]

The advantages:
advantages.
1. Lower Center of Gravity
2. Less bent shock shafts
3. In my opinion more durable
4. Progressive suspension
5. Its unique

[warped]

Not specific to the car pictured, but in general:

Advantages of inboard suspension

1) shocks are inside the shell - stay cleaner - better aerodynamics - potentially better weight distribution / lower polar moment of inertia / lower centre of gravity.

2) Easy to get rising rate on suspension if you want it

3) The rod for the suspension can be attached much nearer the wheel than a shock absorber reducing bending loads in the wishbone. ( More significant on full size cars, but does allow you to use small shocks with stiffer springs to get sensible wheel rate without worrying about wishbone flex. )


Disadvantages

1) added complexity
2) more links in suspension so play can become a issue.
3) Current trend in off road buggies is for very upright shocks - i.e linear suspension. It is harder to achieve this with inboard shocks.