Greetings from Armada, Michigan

[Kool AC]

Hello All,
Took delivery of MKIV Roadster #9423 last Friday. I have been wanting to build one of these for the last fifteen years or so. Now I am fortunate enough to have the means and ability to do so. I have always been interested in mechanical things since I can remember. My father was a heavy machinery mechanic in the construction industry and always did his own auto repairs, building and welding trailers and tractor work. As a kid I would always help him when I could, handing him wrenches and learning as much as my little brain could absorb. Am currently employed as a mechanical engineer and machinist at a small design and build shop building gages and fixtures for the auto industry.
I started a frame off restoration on a '65 GTO when I was 18, (took about 6 years to do) and have been restoring antique farm tractors for the last fifteen years or so. It will sure be nice to assemble a car without having to dissamble a decades old piece of machinery first.
Have been reading build threads on this forum for the last couple of years picking up as much knowledge as I can. What a valuable resource this forum is. I would personally like to thank all who have ever posted to this forum and of course the forum moderator. I think I could almost build the entire car without the manual from all the information and great ideas I have gotten from all the detailed threads and photos that you have posted.
Designed and built a frame dolly that worked out surprisingly well. Wanted the frame up off the ground enough so it was comfortable to work on. In hindsight it could of actually been a couple of inches lower.
I ordered the MKIV complete kit with:
Powder coated frame
Coyote full length headers
Leather seats
Power steering
IRS package, will be installing center section with Torsen diff and 3.73 gears
GPS gauge set
17" wheel and tire package
sway bars
Koni double adjustable shocks
Front and rear Wilwwod brakes
Plan is Coyote crate motor, Gen 2 or 3, not sure yet, and a Tremec tko 600 trans. Would like to do a little road course and autocross racing with the car and of course some spirited driving out on the country roads. I have my uncles 1936 John Deere BR tractor to finish restoring, (almost done) and a little garage refresh to do before I actually start the build. Very exited to get going.
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[edwardb]

Hello Armada! Congrats on your kit delivery. Always a good day when that big Factory Five rig is parked in front of your place. I have a completed Mk4 (#8674) with a Gen 2 Coyote similar to what you're planning. Doing a Gen 3 Coupe now with the Gen 3 Coyote (on hand a couple weeks now) so learning about some of the similarities and differences. I'm only 30 miles away in Lake Orion. Give me a shout if any questions or anything I can do to help. Most of all, enjoy. It's a blast. Oh and that's about the nicest frame cart I've seen. Mine looks a little more like one of your unrestored tractors.

[Papa]

Welcome! I have to agree with Paul on the frame cart. It looks fancier than most of the furniture in my home. If it's any indication of your talent, I can't wait to see what you do with your build.

Dave

[Kool AC]

Hello Armada! Congrats on your kit delivery. Always a good day when that big Factory Five rig is parked in front of your place. I have a completed Mk4 (#8674) with a Gen 2 Coyote similar to what you're planning. Doing a Gen 3 Coupe now with the Gen 3 Coyote (on hand a couple weeks now) so learning about some of the similarities and differences. I'm only 30 miles away in Lake Orion. Give me a shout if any questions or anything I can do to help. Most of all, enjoy. It's a blast. Oh and that's about the nicest frame cart I've seen. Mine looks a little more like one of your unrestored tractors.

Thanks Paul, I've been a big fan of yours since I discovered this forum. Love the detailed info and the great photo's. Comforting to know all that information is available when taking on a project like this.

[Kool AC]

Welcome! I have to agree with Paul on the frame cart. It looks fancier than most of the furniture in my home. If it's any indication of your talent, I can't wait to see what you do with your build.

Dave

Thank you Dave, been following your build thread from the start, great stuff.

[Jim1855]

Welcome! I'm in Grand Rapids. Jim

[Kool AC]

Welcome! I'm in Grand Rapids. Jim

Cool, another Michigander.

[Dave Howard]

Have to agree with you...building new from scratch is so much easier than dismantling and dealing with rust. Enjoy the build.

Quick question for those who have used a frame cart. How in the blazes do you get a 2,000lb go cart off the frame cart without using a 2 or 4 post lift?

[jrcuz]

I got mine off of the chassis dolly by using jack stands and my floor jacks.
JR

[Kool AC]

After working on farm tractors for years it forces you to be a little creative lifting and moving them. You can simply put wood blocks under your floor jack for more height or put a block between the jack pad and the frame.

[Presto51]

"Have been reading build threads on this forum for the last couple of years picking up as much knowledge as I can. What a valuable resource this forum is. I would personally like to thank all who have ever posted to this forum and of course the forum moderator. I think I could almost build the entire car without the manual from all the information and great ideas I have gotten from all the detailed threads and photos that you have posted"

Now that's a great plan, stick with that and you will be finished in no time.

Congrats on you new adventure.

Ron

[Duck62]

I have just starting learning about this process and making my own notes. Looking forward to seeing your build.

[Kool AC]

This forum is such a great place to start if you are thinking of building one of these cars. The knowledge you gain will make you feel much more confident when you actually start your build. If you get stuck, there are plenty of guys here willing to help you out.

[Mead4Speed]

Oh and that's about the nicest frame cart I've seen. Mine looks a little more like one of your unrestored tractors.

No joke. If the same amount of effort goes into the build as that cart, this is going to be a beautiful Roadster.

[gtaroger]

Welcome to the forum. Roger

[Jazzman]

Have to agree with you...building new from scratch is so much easier than dismantling and dealing with rust. Enjoy the build.

Quick question for those who have used a frame cart. How in the blazes do you get a 2,000lb go cart off the frame cart without using a 2 or 4 post lift?

Carefully!! I had to lift my go cart up above the level of the frame dolly, hold it there with jack stands, roll out the dolly, then lower the car slowly to the ground in multiple stages lowering the jack stands as I went. A bit nerve wracking perhaps, but it worked out ok. Slowly and carefully!!

By the way KoolAC, as one of the resident former woodworkers, Your frame dolly is making me look bad!! If you show that much attention to detail on just the frame dolly, your car will be amazing! Welcome, and we will enjoy watching your build!

[Kool AC]

Kevin, I don't think I could do anything to make you look bad. Followed your build from the start, just amazing.