- Log in to post comments
I've been talking about doing this for years, but keep not-getting around to it.. and the first Ebay camcorder I bought was junk, so that didn't help.
I had to upgrade my rollcage for the 2005 season, so I spent some time over the weekend in the shop with the welder, grinder, BFH, and torch..
Once I finished adding the "X" to the B-hoop, I remembered that video camera I bought last year.. and since the MIG was still full of CO2 and wire...
Here's the finished cage upgrade.
Originally it was the "U" shaped hoop, with the backbar for the belts. I added 4 sections to make the "X" shape, and a fifth for the center upright.
I also added two piece of left over angle for a camera mount.. with a small piece of angle on the front as a "positive stop" point to keep the camera from becoming a forward projectile on a landing.
Here's, roughly, where the camera will sit.
My intention is to put some rubber cushion under the camera body, perhaps on the side, but definitely also on the top.
I'm going to drill the center upright and mount two more pieces of angle, such that they pivot on a bolt just above/left of the camera, and lay down horizontally above the camera (with the isolators in place). Two vertical bolts on the right side will allow adjustment of the tension placed on the camera body.
I'll add a strap of some sort around the whole thing to try and hold it against the center upright, too.
I also have a "UV filter"/see-through lens cover to protect the lens from the abuse it is sure to receive.
Here's the approximate view, with my digital camera sitting on the camera mount..
The blurry thing "real close, and on the left" is that "positive stop" piece.
I don't know if I'll "zoom" the camcorder in just enough to still make out the gauges, or if that'll be pointless anyhow (you can't see the tach, which is the only fun one to watch) and just zoom it in a bit more so the air cleaner and leading edge of the hood are visible.
Winter Baja is just around the corner (2/5/05, in Cascade MT).. still need to drop the transmission pan and do a tune-up under there, adjust the pitman arm and install the new steering link, and attempt to de-corrode the various wiring and switches. :D
--- 2/2/2005
While I was prepping for the Baja, I finally took the time to resolve some steering interference issues I have been having.
..it involved notching the frame..
Then plating the hole and installing a new draglink.
Now the pitman/draglink shouldn't hit the spring too often at full bump, and I can retain the cotter pin and still clear the frame when turning.
I also upgraded to a deeper transmission pan.
Which I had to clearance for the driveshaft..
Which wound up bending the lip of the pan enough to make for a big leak.. so it came back out again, got pouned around some more, and re-installed.. and now it looks like I *still* have a little dribble. :(
I then borrowed Dennis' grooving iron and went to work on improving the bald Mickey Thompson Baja HPs..
Starting with:
and winding up with something like
The grooving can only help.
I also upgraded some electrical components with a new ignition switch - with a KEY even.. and used plenty of Noalox on everything.
..and I think the camcorder mount is DONE.
