I got tired of those cheap ass car dollies - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

holemilk00 · 04-01-2009, 06:16 PM

You know the ones that go under your wheels, and I wanted to be able to pull a car down to bare body without having to build a rotisserie or having it tie up my lift. So I decided to do something about it. In the thought process I did some research and found something similar to these. So I ordered a set, when they got here they were kinda cheap, and not exactly something I would want to push one of my cars around on and trust. So I figured I would build something bigger and better. They are built from scratch, the only store bought part is the casters. These weigh about 35lbs a piece, each caster is rated at 650lbs. They took me about two weeks to build the first time after work each day. Think I could do it again in about 10 hours. On with the pics, tell me what you think guys.

Had to have a set of 4 of course

Full height is about 26 inches, could be built to whatever you need if you want to try it.

Fully collapsed height is around 13 inches. Ground clearance at this height is about 1/8th of an inch, so needs to be on level ground.

Locking wheels all the way around, dual grease bungs on each wheel.

Made the tops adjustable to pinch the fold in the unibody on the underside of the car, I'm also making up extra pieces to go in here that will make cradles for use directly on the frame. These open up to 1 full inch.

Duel handle adjustment to ensure a snug fit on the pinch weld.

Some sexy welding, this took a while, ground all the welds out smooth, being sure not to compromise the penetration.

hotlavaflow · 04-01-2009, 06:26 PM

Please post pics with the car on them, they're sexy by the way. I think this would be better in the fab section wouldn't it. Anyway they look real professional.

*Jonnie Fraz* · 04-01-2009, 06:27 PM

Those are beastly!!!

amdnivram · 04-01-2009, 06:31 PM

i'll agree with the other 2 posts, nice work!

holemilk00 · 04-01-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotlavaflow

Please post pics with the car on them, they're sexy by the way. I think this would be better in the fab section wouldn't it. Anyway they look real professional.

I'll have my vert on them in a few days. I thought about putting it in the fab section but it seems like its more fab work on your car in there isn't it???

hotlavaflow · 04-01-2009, 06:39 PM

I feel you, plus it'll probably get lost in there.

fromxtor · 04-01-2009, 07:57 PM

Dammit Shane I want a set.

holemilk00 · 04-01-2009, 09:02 PM

Haha, Josh if you want a set I can make you another set. What you got to trade?? haha. I need black interior parts. haha

niSm095 · 04-01-2009, 09:48 PM

killer idea. looks really good. I've thought about something similar in the past but had not the means to make them. I too would like to see the car on them.

nsn240 · 04-01-2009, 10:04 PM

Looks awesome! Wish I had the time/place to fab things like that

s13tilldeath* · 04-01-2009, 10:11 PM

looks good bro....

DreamN · 04-01-2009, 10:17 PM

wow those are nice. patent those suckers and sell.

5t341tH · 04-02-2009, 12:23 AM

those look sick. i would love to buy a set like that.
how much did all that work cost u in materials

projectRDM · 04-02-2009, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holemilk00

Haha, Josh if you want a set I can make you another set. What you got to trade?? haha. I need black interior parts. haha

I still have the parts you wanted to buy, never saw a payment.

Good work BTW. Those look mean.

whereda40at · 04-02-2009, 03:38 AM

those are nice as shit. do like someone else said, patent them and sell them. make millions, save dying babies, buy out bill gates and owe it all to zilvia

gotspins13 · 04-02-2009, 04:32 AM

these are great! cant wait to see some pix of the car on them=]

hotlavaflow · 04-02-2009, 08:55 AM

Investor #1 if you decide to market and sell 'em.

s15specR · 04-02-2009, 09:07 AM

looks professionally made man, rear work

eh? · 04-02-2009, 09:21 AM

Vote for "mod" of the year

Those are badass.

Dee · 04-02-2009, 09:41 AM

Looks really good, I could have used these about a month ago when I was stripping down my old wrecked civic.

*MELLO*SOS* · 04-02-2009, 10:08 AM

Those look VERY nice, amazing job. You should post in the fabrication thread if you haven't already. Nice attention to detail with the weld grinding and paint. They look beefy and seem like they will last a very long time! What welding method did you use to make those?

holemilk00 · 04-02-2009, 10:28 AM

Thanks guys, I can't patient them, companies already make some very similar called OTC dollies, I just made these a lot better quality then the ones I ordered from OTC first. As for making more, with the amour of steel, price of casters, and labor in them I'd have to get around $550 per pair to make it worth it or I could do a set of 4 at $1000. Like I said I made these beefy for me, they weren't cost effective haha. But definitely worth it to me all day.

As for the welder I have a miller syncrowave 350dx with the coolant option and autopulse. It will do TIG (which I have yet to learn how to do) and stick. I used MIG for the dollies on a miller 250 I have here in the house garage.

holemilk00 · 04-02-2009, 10:35 AM

Millermatic microprocessor MIG 250 to be exact, feed set at 500 inches per minute, voltage at 25 volts, gas at 95/5, metal transfer.

MandTPhotography · 04-02-2009, 11:06 AM

Shane what the balls, these are sicktastic!

jdizzy204 · 04-02-2009, 11:17 AM

very nice job shane. looks like nice pieces.

ninja edit:
does this mean no moar rotisserie???

holemilk00 · 04-02-2009, 04:02 PM

No I'm going to be mocking up the rotisserie once I get it to the point of: No motor, no suspension, no interior, no fenders, no hood, and so on. Then I can do any repair work to the frame, mocking up of the cross bracing I'm going to make for under the car, and other things. I'll post pics of the rotisserie once its done in a few weeks.

fromxtor · 04-02-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holemilk00

Haha, Josh if you want a set I can make you another set. What you got to trade?? haha. I need black interior parts. haha

I've got a uncracked black dash for an S13, I'll get you pics. Did you PM Russ (projectrdm) he said he has the interior you need for sale also.

Logan · 04-02-2009, 05:52 PM

Nice stuff

Always good to see homemade fabbed stuff

holemilk00 · 04-02-2009, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fromxtor

I've got a uncracked black dash for an S13, I'll get you pics. Did you PM Russ (projectrdm) he said he has the interior you need for sale also.

Yes, trying to get that taken care of, but thats still not everything I need. haha

holemilk00 · 04-10-2009, 06:14 PM

Alright, got a really nice day today so I took the new dollies out and put my girlfriends coupe on them. Some of the fold in the under body was crushed by improper jacking by the previous owner so I had to fix that with a pair of pliers first but here is the final result for those that wanted to see the dollies in use.

Here they are on the drives side as far apart as possible.

No hating on my cheap jack, I ordered a nice one when I realized my good floor jack somehow disappeared in the move.

Here is the fit on the underbody, everything held up perfect, no denting or bowing from the car, and not even a creeeeek from the dollies

Here is me under the car on a creeper with plenty of room if I wanted to work like that.

A look under the car to the other side. I can turn these differently to give me more room between them or more room to work around the suspension.

Another picture of them on the folds sitting nicely in the dolly tops.

I actually moved the one towards the front of the car back a little bit as we later took the front of her car off to start her S13.4 Kouki conversion. The best part is, I just told her what to do and she is doing the work. haha

Here she is getting her hands dirty

Learning all the fun stuff involved in body work

And now all done and stripped out. The good thing is I even made her drill out her own spot welds. hahaha

No hating on her wheels/setup guys, the car was a ricer/drifterwanabee rescue.

And done, let me know what you guys think of them in action.

04-01-2009, 06:26 PM	#2
hotlavaflow Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: BKLYN NYC Posts: 1,263 Trader Rating: (23) Feedback Score: 23 reviews	Please post pics with the car on them, they're sexy by the way. I think this would be better in the fab section wouldn't it. Anyway they look real professional. __________________

04-01-2009, 06:27 PM	#3
Jonnie Fraz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cali Age: 56 Posts: 1,371 Trader Rating: (29) Rides Gallery: Jonnie Fraz Feedback Score: 29 reviews	Those are beastly!!! __________________ Stealth-Custom-Fab.com

04-01-2009, 06:39 PM	#6
hotlavaflow Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: BKLYN NYC Posts: 1,263 Trader Rating: (23) Feedback Score: 23 reviews	I feel you, plus it'll probably get lost in there. __________________

04-01-2009, 07:57 PM	#7
fromxtor Post Whore! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: NC Age: 44 Posts: 3,012 Trader Rating: (23) Feedback Score: 23 reviews	Dammit Shane I want a set. __________________ Seller feedback>>http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.p...light=fromxtor

04-01-2009, 10:17 PM	#12
DreamN Post Whore! Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SoCal - 818 Age: 40 Posts: 10,692 Trader Rating: (54) Rides Gallery: DreamN Feedback Score: 54 reviews	wow those are nice. patent those suckers and sell. __________________ - Jimmy Wanted: TBD For Sale: TBD

04-01-2009, 06:16 PM	#1
holemilk00 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 2,486 Trader Rating: (33) Feedback Score: 33 reviews	I got tired of those cheap ass car dollies You know the ones that go under your wheels, and I wanted to be able to pull a car down to bare body without having to build a rotisserie or having it tie up my lift. So I decided to do something about it. In the thought process I did some research and found something similar to these. So I ordered a set, when they got here they were kinda cheap, and not exactly something I would want to push one of my cars around on and trust. So I figured I would build something bigger and better. They are built from scratch, the only store bought part is the casters. These weigh about 35lbs a piece, each caster is rated at 650lbs. They took me about two weeks to build the first time after work each day. Think I could do it again in about 10 hours. On with the pics, tell me what you think guys. Had to have a set of 4 of course Full height is about 26 inches, could be built to whatever you need if you want to try it. Fully collapsed height is around 13 inches. Ground clearance at this height is about 1/8th of an inch, so needs to be on level ground. Locking wheels all the way around, dual grease bungs on each wheel. Made the tops adjustable to pinch the fold in the unibody on the underside of the car, I'm also making up extra pieces to go in here that will make cradles for use directly on the frame. These open up to 1 full inch. Duel handle adjustment to ensure a snug fit on the pinch weld. Some sexy welding, this took a while, ground all the welds out smooth, being sure not to compromise the penetration.

04-01-2009, 09:02 PM	#8
holemilk00 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 2,486 Trader Rating: (33) Feedback Score: 33 reviews	Haha, Josh if you want a set I can make you another set. What you got to trade?? haha. I need black interior parts. haha

04-01-2009, 09:48 PM	#9
niSm095 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: S. Carolina Age: 39 Posts: 1,201 Trader Rating: (14) Feedback Score: 14 reviews	killer idea. looks really good. I've thought about something similar in the past but had not the means to make them. I too would like to see the car on them.

04-01-2009, 10:04 PM	#10
nsn240 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: pa Posts: 642 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Looks awesome! Wish I had the time/place to fab things like that

04-01-2009, 10:11 PM	#11
s13tilldeath* Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 436 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	looks good bro....

04-02-2009, 12:23 AM	#13
5t341tH Post Whore! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: socal (Huntington Beach) Age: 36 Posts: 2,787 Trader Rating: (14) Feedback Score: 14 reviews	those look sick. i would love to buy a set like that. how much did all that work cost u in materials __________________ lexus baby

04-02-2009, 03:38 AM	#15
whereda40at Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: where 240's are few and far between Age: 37 Posts: 1,039 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	those are nice as shit. do like someone else said, patent them and sell them. make millions, save dying babies, buy out bill gates and owe it all to zilvia __________________ WORLDS FASTEST T-2 TURBO 240 ON 93 OCTANE! 10.79 @ 124 MPH WITH A 1.48 60'

04-02-2009, 04:32 AM	#16
gotspins13 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NorCAl//Sacramento Posts: 944 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	these are great! cant wait to see some pix of the car on them=] __________________ perfectly said! FJ20ET 16 valve - the holy grail of Nissan engines

04-02-2009, 08:55 AM	#17
hotlavaflow Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: BKLYN NYC Posts: 1,263 Trader Rating: (23) Feedback Score: 23 reviews	Investor #1 if you decide to market and sell 'em. __________________

04-02-2009, 09:07 AM	#18
s15specR Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,023 Trader Rating: (18) Feedback Score: 18 reviews	looks professionally made man, rear work

04-02-2009, 09:21 AM	#19
eh? Zilvia Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Orlando, FL Age: 44 Posts: 283 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Vote for "mod" of the year Those are badass.

04-02-2009, 09:41 AM	#20
Dee Zilvia Addict Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Banning, california Cool Points: -100 Φ Age: 42 Posts: 972 Trader Rating: (21) Rides Gallery: Dee Feedback Score: 21 reviews	Looks really good, I could have used these about a month ago when I was stripping down my old wrecked civic. __________________ '78 280Z-LSx\|76mm turbo\|1840cam\|8.8 Diff

04-02-2009, 10:08 AM	#21
MELLOSOS* LAID OUT Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: LAS VEGAS Age: 43 Posts: 2,015 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: MELLO*SOS Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Those look VERY nice, amazing job. You should post in the fabrication thread if you haven't already. Nice attention to detail with the weld grinding and paint. They look beefy and seem like they will last a very long time! What welding method did you use to make those?

04-02-2009, 10:28 AM	#22
holemilk00 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 2,486 Trader Rating: (33) Feedback Score: 33 reviews	Thanks guys, I can't patient them, companies already make some very similar called OTC dollies, I just made these a lot better quality then the ones I ordered from OTC first. As for making more, with the amour of steel, price of casters, and labor in them I'd have to get around $550 per pair to make it worth it or I could do a set of 4 at $1000. Like I said I made these beefy for me, they weren't cost effective haha. But definitely worth it to me all day. As for the welder I have a miller syncrowave 350dx with the coolant option and autopulse. It will do TIG (which I have yet to learn how to do) and stick. I used MIG for the dollies on a miller 250 I have here in the house garage.

04-02-2009, 10:35 AM	#23
holemilk00 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 2,486 Trader Rating: (33) Feedback Score: 33 reviews	Millermatic microprocessor MIG 250 to be exact, feed set at 500 inches per minute, voltage at 25 volts, gas at 95/5, metal transfer.

04-02-2009, 11:06 AM	#24
MandTPhotography Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 801 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Shane what the balls, these are sicktastic!

04-02-2009, 11:17 AM	#25
jdizzy204 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: berlin Age: 37 Posts: 1,041 Trader Rating: (11) Feedback Score: 11 reviews	very nice job shane. looks like nice pieces. ninja edit: does this mean no moar rotisserie???

04-02-2009, 04:02 PM	#26
holemilk00 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 2,486 Trader Rating: (33) Feedback Score: 33 reviews	No I'm going to be mocking up the rotisserie once I get it to the point of: No motor, no suspension, no interior, no fenders, no hood, and so on. Then I can do any repair work to the frame, mocking up of the cross bracing I'm going to make for under the car, and other things. I'll post pics of the rotisserie once its done in a few weeks.

04-02-2009, 05:52 PM	#28
Logan Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: OC, California Posts: 332 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Nice stuff Always good to see homemade fabbed stuff

04-10-2009, 06:14 PM	#30
holemilk00 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 2,486 Trader Rating: (33) Feedback Score: 33 reviews	Alright, got a really nice day today so I took the new dollies out and put my girlfriends coupe on them. Some of the fold in the under body was crushed by improper jacking by the previous owner so I had to fix that with a pair of pliers first but here is the final result for those that wanted to see the dollies in use. Here they are on the drives side as far apart as possible. No hating on my cheap jack, I ordered a nice one when I realized my good floor jack somehow disappeared in the move. Here is the fit on the underbody, everything held up perfect, no denting or bowing from the car, and not even a creeeeek from the dollies Here is me under the car on a creeper with plenty of room if I wanted to work like that. A look under the car to the other side. I can turn these differently to give me more room between them or more room to work around the suspension. Another picture of them on the folds sitting nicely in the dolly tops. I actually moved the one towards the front of the car back a little bit as we later took the front of her car off to start her S13.4 Kouki conversion. The best part is, I just told her what to do and she is doing the work. haha Here she is getting her hands dirty Learning all the fun stuff involved in body work And now all done and stripped out. The good thing is I even made her drill out her own spot welds. hahaha No hating on her wheels/setup guys, the car was a ricer/drifterwanabee rescue. And done, let me know what you guys think of them in action.