TeamSwift

For some reason, it seems I never shared my latest project with the TeamSwift guys. I am almost done building a Geo metro Mudder that i plan on taking to the mud parks next season. The last things left to do is weld the trans for full time front drive, add the skid plate, and make a few repairs and adjustments. In case you are bored, you can read the entire build thread here............
http://geometroforum.com/topic/4526891/

Or you can watch this quick "Start to Finish" video a member on GMF made up........



I am always open for suggestions and criticism.........

_________________

• Project Page - Click Here
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 2" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

And I thought I was the only Red Neck with a Camo painted vechicle but mine is a 1978 ford f150 4x4. You may want to look in to some sealer that flat paint fades real quick.I put a clear coat on mine it is a little shiny though.Mine has been through all kinds of mud and tree limbs and scratches with the clear is better in long run.. The first time it was painted was with out clear it faded in a bout a year or so and i striped it and started over. I use mine to go hunting with not mudding . Good luck with yours and have fun with it .

_________________
Cars and Harleys

Wheres the like button lol...front wheel digs no prob! You weld the diff?

Dude.... That's SWEET! We need some videos of that thing doing it's business now!

_________________

Only two action vids I got since I ran out of time to hit the mud parks.........

_________________

• Project Page - Click Here
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 2" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

Looks like the underbody dug in. I've seen someone use a Metro hood as a skidplate on their truck! Perhaps a hood skidplate is in order for the ecomudder!!!

_________________

I do have a sheet of aluminum (actually a trailer side panel) I was going to attach to the bottom of the car and curl it up to the front bumper for a "boat" effect, but it's kind of thin. Skid plate in the works and also relocating radiator to the rear.

_________________

• Project Page - Click Here
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 2" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

Just a little update. I got about 4 months to finish this project before pre-season starts at the mud park. Here is what is on the to-do list...........

Weld the trans gears.
Replace both control arms. (both shot)
Replace both axle shafts. (torn boots)
Relocate radiator to rear of car.
Cut out lower rad support and fabricate something stronger.
Add some more engine mods for more power.
Shorten Triple Stack Header and install.
Raise front end 2 more inches. (strut blocks?)
Install a skid plate.

Here is the list of items that have been done to the car so far. since I started this project over a year ago......

Cylinders bored .020 oversized.
3Tech stainless steel valves.
Custom Header Stacks (too tall right now).
3Tech aluminum underdrive pulley.
Custom Snorkel air intake.
Weight reduction and body modification.
Roll bar and structural mods.
Suspension Swap from 97 Sedan
25X8X12 Kenda Executioner 6 ply ATV Tires.
Battery relocated to rear of vehicle and boxed.

Wish me luck! What this car will encounter at the mud park is various mud holes and mud pits. Several hill climbs and a small obstacle course are in the mix, but my entire goal with EcoMudder is for it to make the 5 mile trail ride which is a challenge for small 4X4 pickups and SUV's and it was even a challenge for my 95 Chevy 1500 4X4 depending on the amount of rain/mud we had. The 5 mile trail ride starts with a 60 foot hill climb that would almost stall my truck at the very top when in High Range 4 wheel drive. This is going to be the hardest challenge for EcoMudder. After the hill is a 90 degree turn and then a large mud hole about waist deep (mostly water) about 100 feet long. The rest of the trail is like any other muddy, rutted mess you would find off the beaten path that is full of surprises.

_________________

• Project Page - Click Here
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 2" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

Love it. Especially with the 3-pipe exhaust setup.
Great ride for going to the beer store.

I am thinking we are going to go with a 3000 or 3500 stall torque converter with the 3Tech performance cam to help break the tires loose with the welded diff. Any suggestions on who is good at re-stalling converters? The only new high stall I found was made by Pro King and it's only a 2000 stall.

_________________

• Project Page - Click Here
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 2" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

Here is a pic of the differential gears welded together. All 4 points on both sides have been done so a total of 8 welds to make it strong............



Torque Converter was shipped to Buffalo, NY to be re-stalled to 3200

_________________

• Project Page - Click Here
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 2" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

Finally got my 3200 stall converter from BDR Torque Converters out of Buffalo, NY.............

_________________

• Project Page - Click Here
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 2" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

it looks like you're in business now!

_________________
1991 Blue Geo Metro Convertible highly modified 1.0L Turbo3 5 spd. - 2000 Chevy Metro 1.3L MPFI automatic. - 1991 Red Geo Metro Convertible customized 1.0L 5 spd.

My Turbo3 Project

My Cardomain Page -Ol' Blue

My YouTube Channel

My Photo Gallery

SAAB Sonett II

the Eco Mudder has an Autotragic Four by four.! that is ...Awsome

_________________
.

I had the metal fabricator/mechanic we have at work do the skid plate job. We ended up removing the Turbine Tech frame brace and starting with some angle iron............



Then added the lower piece of diamond plate steel........



Then a quick test fit and tack job..............



Now he welds it all together..............



Here is where he welds the upper portion under the bumper with pre-drilled holes and welded nuts on the back side...........





Here it is bolted to the car. Only two bolts up front and the lower control arm nuts are needed to remove or attach the skid plate................



Check out all the protection when looking from the rear of the car..........



Since the frame brace is no longer the lowest part of the car, I now have 9 1/2" of ground clearance...............



All painted up and let dry over the weekend...........

_________________

• Project Page - Click Here
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 2" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

I had a busy weekend and finally got the needed work done on EcoMudder and all my parts ready to go including the new control arms, welded transmission, and high-stall torque converter.........





After a few hours, I got the old transmission out and removed the control arms............







Installed the tranny and torque converter all by myself which was a pain in the ass, but it all went together easily when all lined up...............



I bought just regular, cheap, Dextron/Mercon fluid at AutoZone and installed a new pump seal and axle seals. I also pre-filled the torque converter before installing it. I then decided to take it for a drive.......







I have no idea why some people are saying it is going to be hard to steer this car with a welded differential, but I had no problems steering it even on the paved road. The high stall torque converter has to be the best modification I did to this car. The car drives like a normal car with an automatic transmission when driven normally, but if you punch the gas from a stop, there is a major difference in power! I can now break both tires free in the dirt or on wet roads!

After driving it around for a while, I brought it back and modified my washer fluid bottle and mounted it where the battery would normally sit.............



More updates later, but in the meantime, this car is ready for action at the mud park!

_________________

• Project Page - Click Here
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 2" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

wow, john! that's awesome.

where's the video of the latest ditch run?

_________________
1991 Blue Geo Metro Convertible highly modified 1.0L Turbo3 5 spd. - 2000 Chevy Metro 1.3L MPFI automatic. - 1991 Red Geo Metro Convertible customized 1.0L 5 spd.

My Turbo3 Project

My Cardomain Page -Ol' Blue

My YouTube Channel

My Photo Gallery

SAAB Sonett II

Yes john you have done a great job. You seems to be experienced and talented person

3Tech Performance cam and 10 degree advanced gear arrived along with my fuel pressure regulator and block off plate.............



I am going to run it with the stock engine for the first event and then do the cam and gear swap for the next event for testing purposes.

_________________

• Project Page - Click Here
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 2" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

I have the same regulator installed in my car... what's the block off plate for anyway?

Great project btw, hope to see dyno-figures soon.

_________________
MK2/3 PARTS FOR SALE

1993 Swift Gti

Got a race car trailer to haul EcoMudder to the mud parks.....................

_________________

• Project Page - Click Here
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 2" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

Recovery chain installed.........

_________________

• Project Page - Click Here
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 2" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

Mud park opens Friday Night. We will finally get to play in the mud...........

_________________

• Project Page - Click Here
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 2" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires

lights, camera, action!!!!!

_________________
1991 Blue Geo Metro Convertible highly modified 1.0L Turbo3 5 spd. - 2000 Chevy Metro 1.3L MPFI automatic. - 1991 Red Geo Metro Convertible customized 1.0L 5 spd.

My Turbo3 Project

My Cardomain Page -Ol' Blue

My YouTube Channel

My Photo Gallery

SAAB Sonett II

Had a great time at the mud park. Got stuck a few times and the starter died after submerging it several times, but it's all part of the game.............

_________________

• Project Page - Click Here
• 1991 4 Door Truck Conversion
• Modified Suzuki 1.0L Engine
• High Stall 3200 RPM Converter
• Auto Trans with Welded Differential
• Custom Exhaust and Intake System
• 2" Suspension Lift & Weight Reduction
• 27" Kenda Executioner 6 Ply ATV tires