New owner (hopefully) with some questions (Re: offroad mods) - Page 2 - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

Kermit · 02-01-2009, 04:27 PM

smart sucks off-road thanks to the traction control. You should head over to the Prius forum as I think that it may be a better suited off-road vehicle with an even smaller carbon footprint.

Boeschbuilt · 02-01-2009, 06:56 PM

Hey guys,
I am a big fan of the Smart Car but a HUGE fan of off road, off road racing in particular. I have had the same thoughts of an off road Smart Car, I mean, they have been racing stock and modified VW bugs for Baja racing for years so why not. I think the way that the Smart Car is constructed with a very strong unibody would be a very big benefit.

In my eyes there are two big hurdles:
The transmission, It would need some kind of conventional clutch conversion to be any fun.
And it would need some kind of long travel suspension system.

There is a video of a Smart Car in Europe modified for the Dakar rally I believe. In the video the car go's around a little off road track at a pretty good pace, It looks like it had plenty of off road potential to me.

Does anyone know the video I am talking about?

NCC1701 · 02-01-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boeschbuilt

Does anyone know the video I am talking about?

This one?

YouTube - Smart Dakar

Leroi Jenkins · 02-01-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paragon

Great!!! I will. Aren't you so glad that a man of BHO's charisma and character is in the WH? I know I am.

Back to the winches...
So I'm thinking about which winch would be suitable for the SMART. Due to it's diminutive size I'm thinking I could get away with a using a Warn XT40. It's rated for 4000lbs, which should be more than adequate for a SMART. I'd really like to use a 9.5si M.O.S.F.E.T. , but the weight of the winch would probably ruin the suspension.

As for the rope, definitely blue. This is the 2nd coming of JFK we're talking about.

The Warn XT40 would work beautifully. Carry a block and tackle if you can - it can double the power of your winch if you need it.

I'm sure we can figure out a way to disable the traction control and even add some sort of limited slip to the SmartCar. Sorry guys, but I'm just not interested in Toyotas! Lol!

Edit: OMG that video looks like sooo much fun! Isn't he abusing that poor little car though?

Godfather · 02-01-2009, 08:30 PM

This is Dubya trying sabotage the "others", isn't it?

Jerry Bransford · 02-02-2009, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paragon

Wow!!! This is an uncanny coincidence - I just signed up to ask about the same subject.
I'm wondering if it would be possible to fab a winch mount or receiver(s) for a portable winch? Are there any CAD pics of the SMART's frame so I can decide how to proceed with this?

Obamalamadingdong, what size Hi-Lift were you thinking about using? Would you color match it to your car? that'd be very SMART looking.

I had a heep to but I got hurt with a hi lift jack. So now I am terrified of those things. Does hi lift make a SMART jack? I reccomend a red SMART to match.

Leroi Jenkins · 02-02-2009, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

I had a heep too but I got hurt with a hi lift jack. So now I am terrified of those things. Does hi lift make a SMART jack? I reccomend a red SMART to match.

I'm sorry Jerry. Hi Lift jacks can be very cantankerous sometimes. What happened?

Paragon · 02-02-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwight

For the two new members here, welcome to the forums!

And just so you know, the following topics are prohibited on the forums:

Religion, Death Penalty, and Politics

Smart Car of America Forums - FAQ: Smart Car of America Forum Rules

Sorry. But it wasn't so much politics as it was that Obamania has taken the country by storm. After i buy a SMART I'm thinking of having it vinyl wrapped with His likeness. Maybe Michelle and the girls, too.

Paragon · 02-02-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

I had a heep to but I got hurt with a hi lift jack. So now I am terrified of those things. Does hi lift make a SMART jack? I reccomend a red SMART to match.

I totally had a Hi-Lift pinch my finger. It almost drew blood. It hurt so bad I got light-headed and had to sit down for a few minutes.