Popsicle makeover, the chop has begun!

[NC Zuk]

Well, I think it is time to start the rebuild. I love my Zuk and think it is great but I want a little more out of it and the only way to get what i am looking for is to extend the wheelbase anywhere from 14-18 inches and lowering it as far as I can. I am looking into various suspension mods that will permit lowering but haven't set my mind on anything yet. I know a lot of you have creative minds so I figured I would post a pic for you to play around with. I will NOT keep the front clip so feel free to tube away. I am not decided on the rear though. I can keep the tub and rework the inner fenders or I can chop it and tube with new sheetmetal. Like I said, I have ideas but I am definately open to more. The pic below has the tires in the approximate location of where I plan to move them. The front is forward 6 inches and the rear is back 10-12 inches. Anyways, if you wanna help I appreciate it

There is a larger version of the below pic located here if you prefer to work with that: http://www.samurai4x.com/images/chopchop.jpg
Sorry, i'm not a chop artist

[Shadetreedad]

I don't have time to play artist but I think since the picture shows it with the wheels where you want them, just rework the fenders so the wheels can travel up into the respective areas, front and rear. You could remove the headlight buckets and cutout below them to allow the wheels upward travel. Place the fuel filler infront of the rear wheels and move the rear openings back.  Leave as much body as you can. This way, the frame doesn't have to be lengthened, just the shafts and 4bar suspension. I'd add air bags on tall pedistals to height adjustability. Not sure if all this brings a picture to your mind but its my clearest explanation. It would get the lookers!

[NC Zuk]

I know what you are saying. Basically this:

[GeneralChaos]

I'm not a fan of chop chop chop and turning a zuk into a jungle jim and not having it look like a zuk no more.......so what about keeping the front clip but tube the outside (frontclip only) and tie into the cage?

Then chop the back fender so it arches from the front into flat for your height clearance?

I'll see what I can do up in photoshop to show you what I mean

Hmmmmm Art has givin permission for me to chop his zuk wonder what I can do with it  

Steve

[MrHawk]

Not really a fan of cutting the rear of the zuk to much, I would have done something like this :

[NC Zuk]

Hawk, I like that but I am sure that the tires would rub at full flex 

[NC Zuk]

Hawk, I liie that but I am sure that the tires would rub at full flex  I have currently reached the limits of height vs. flex. vs. sheetmetal. Bottom line is that height and sheetmetal get the axe!

[NC Zuk]

One more thing. I will probably end up with a 37 inch tire when these are worn and I don't want to have to go through another redesign. I only wanna do this once

[Scott410]

I think you have an awesome rig already but I do like the idea of change also. The second picture I liked very much and it looked very functional and it is still a ZUK. You could make a tube prerunner bumper and run it to your cage, most people run the bars back to the cage on the out side of there hood, I think going through the hood would be better and stronger, if you look at any prerunner you can see what I am talking about and there cages have to be super strong. If you lengthen the frame you have to extend to cage and body, I don't know if that was your plan or not. I would mess with the picture but I don't know how, good luck and please post pic's of the progress. The picture is close exept for the bars around the hood.

[GeneralChaos]

If there is any changes or other idea's i can change or add
Steve

[Bama Zuk]

I like this one, but go with the tube front clip and stinger

]
But you have nothing to work with,you should just give me that orange thing and start from scratch

[NC Zuk]

I think you have an awesome rig already but I do like the idea of change also. The second picture I liked very much and it looked very functional and it is still a ZUK. You could make a tube prerunner bumper and run it to your cage, most people run the bars back to the cage on the out side of there hood, I think going through the hood would be better and stronger, if you look at any prerunner you can see what I am talking about and there cages have to be super strong. If you lengthen the frame you have to extend to cage and body, I don't know if that was your plan or not. I would mess with the picture but I don't know how, good luck and please post pic's of the progress. The picture is close except for the bars around the hood.

My rig is really too tall and not long enough to be running a 35 inch tire. The center of gravity is just way up there and I need the longer wheelbase to be able to move on to the next level of obstacles. I have no plans of extending my frame though. The wheelbase stretch will be accomplished via the upper link mounts being moved outward. This is easy since it is coiled and not a leafspring setup. I am looking at running the front tubing through the firewall and attaching it to the cage as mentioned. I agree that it will be stronger this way. There is no way I will be extending the body as I am not gonna mess with the sheetmetal work to do it. Thanks for the pic

[MrHawk]

Had to do a tube version to 

[NC Zuk]

Mattias, I really like that. I was thinking of tying the tubework into the sliders as you did. Nice

One thing I am considering is adding a bit of tubework behind the tailgate. Basically, a tapered rearend that would be used to accomidate a fuel cell. I have some ideas and will find a pic to doodle on. be back in a few

[NC Zuk]

I like this one, but go with the tube front clip and stinger]
But you have nothing to work with,you should just give me that orange thing and start from scratch

It won't have a traditional stinger per say but it will have some hood protection. I had drawn up an idea during the summer but can't find the stupid pic!

Oh yea, your Zuk is pretty awesome, don't short yourself