Building a kids toy car?

[MUD DAWG]

My daughter has a huge smile when she's zipping around in her power wheels. But I'm sick and tired of dealing the plastic junk on this thing, and she's starting to outgrow it.

I'm wondering what you guys have built for your kids over the years? I do have a spare Honda gas engine from a broken pressure washer, but I want to stay with electric for safety now. I can re-purpose the 12v motors from this power wheels, or I can buy something a little better.

I'm thinking something light, 12 volt motors, sealed battery, and pneumatic tires should work well.

Thanks.

 

[rsanter]

Go cart

 

[PugetDude]

This would be what I would use to build the ultimate kids car:

https://shop.spiritcars.com/1932-roadster-go-kart-body.html

1932 Ford Go Kart body. It comes with fiberglass floor, fiberglass seat and fiberglass trunk lid

Length (overall) 79" fender to fender

Length of body 74 1/2"

Width of body 29 1/2"

width from running board to running board 42 1/2"

Height of body 18"

Wheelbase is around 59"

 

[utray]

Google "Razor Ground Force Drifter Go-Kart". Might give you some ideas and a base to start from.

 

[ducksface]

Ryobi drill motors have a two speed transmission and work great for stuff like you want to make.
A 5 dollar blue drill and a battery pack is all you'll need.
Almost no work to put a forward/reverse lever on it.
Gas motors for what you want to build are loud and noisy and fraught with discontent, and dangerous.


A ryobi impact would probably lift the front wheels off the ground.

 

[MUD DAWG]

This would be what I would use to build the ultimate kids car:

https://shop.spiritcars.com/1932-roadster-go-kart-body.html

1932 Ford Go Kart body. It comes with fiberglass floor, fiberglass seat and fiberglass trunk lid

Length (overall) 79" fender to fender

Length of body 74 1/2"

Width of body 29 1/2"

width from running board to running board 42 1/2"

Height of body 18"

Wheelbase is around 59"

That's too pretty and too involved for this stage in her life.

Google "Razor Ground Force Drifter Go-Kart". Might give you some ideas and a base to start from.

Yes, kinda what I'm picturing as well, but with bigger tires since we live in the country.

Ryobi drill motors have a two speed transmission and work great for stuff like you want to make.
A 5 dollar blue drill and a battery pack is all you'll need.
Almost no work to put a forward/reverse lever on it.
Gas motors for what you want to build are loud and noisy and fraught with discontent, and dangerous.


A ryobi impact would probably lift the front wheels off the ground.

Yup, a drill motor was the first thing I thought about as well, but have to gear up for a bit more speed.

This is a basic idea I can start with.

 

[Richard Cranium]

that is a nice drill powered go-cart.

 

[ndnchf]

I wonder if it would be possible to upgrade an old metal pedal car to electric using one of those drill motors? I have an old beat up pedal car in the attic. Been thinking about reworking it for my grandson.

 

[ducksface]

You use a ryobi drill and then you attach the transmission from a SECOND ryobi, BACKWARDS to the drive motor and this gives you TWO over drive speeds and two drive speeds.
A simple push pull rod gives your choice of two drive speeds and another push pull rod gives you your choice of two overdrive. (or not. Find what you like for speed vs torque and stick with that. Adjusts as she gets older for more speed)
Your wheel/tire size dictates tractor pull or top speed.
Easy stuff.
There's always, or used to be, ryobi motors and gear boxes on ebay. Robotics guys and underwater prop guys love them.

They're buried deep somewhere but one of my last underwater projects was a set of motors that strapped to my calf. They used ryobi motors and gearboxes.

 

[volksnick]

My boy is still small, but for his power wheels variant, I modified it so that I could remote control it. We got it when he was born and by 3 weeks old, we were cruising car shows. Eventually it will get converted back to his control. Later on, I plan on doing a robust go-cart or a small 4 wheeler. I'd rather have something quality built than cobbled together in my shop.

Are you planning to just modify the existing FJ40 power wheel or start with a whole new chassis?

 

[MUD DAWG]

Are you planning to just modify the existing FJ40 power wheel or start with a whole new chassis?

My daughter takes after me, and she's pretty tall for her age, and starting to get cramped in this little plastic thing.

I'm definitely not going to spend $1,000+ on these flimsy plastic toys. I'd rather build something for her. It doesn't have to be strong enough to use as bumper cars, or fast enough to race, just something that doesn't strip the damn gears so often.

Once she's a little older, I'd like get her a small ATV or dirtbike. For now, even modifying a pedal car isn't a bad idea.

 

[larry_g]

If your building something I'd suggest that you keep your eye out for a mobility scooter. They have a perty robust drive that you could adapt.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[jaysberman]

Years ago I bought a roadster body as above and bought an old electric wheel chair to take the rear and motor controls out of it. Made a real nice out fit.

 

[gte718p]

What is your budget?

Recycling a electric wheel chair is a great way to go. Depending on your location they can range from free to very expensive. However, it is basically a one stop shop for power train. I really like the Jazzy type, however the controls are a little more difficult as the wheel motors are independent. A scooter type may be easier.

However, if you are willing to spend a couple of hundred dollars you can get a good electric motor, a real speed controller, and good lithium batteries. It is nice in that it will last a life time, and the power train will be able to grow with the kid. You can electronically limit the speed when they are young, but it still has the hp to be fun when they are older.

https://www.cloudelectric.com/product-p/pk-mars-909-kelly-.htm
This is on the expensive side, but has everything you need for a drive train that will last an entire childhood.

Based on your aviator, I'm assuming you have some fab skills. Make a Junior buggy that allows for growth.

 

[rk_tek]

Build what is essentially an electric go cart. 3/4"-1" tube frame, chain drive, rubber tires. Then drop a power wheels body on it for looks. Power with electric scooter motors or old drills, but hack old power tools from your favorite platform to accept your batteries. A 12v Power Wheels truck is waiting in my shed to get upgraded to DeWalt 20v Lithium as soon as I finish more pressing projects.

 

[MUD DAWG]

Thank you all for he suggestions. I'm still trying to decide which way to go with this. Budget I was thinking 3-$400 probably. Or I go $1,000+ and build something that's going to grow with her. I like the idea of the scooters, and there are some good write ups on them.

This is off a little topic, but while I was looking for ideas, I came across this and thought it was share worthy. Very cool looking bike.

 

[hawkeye2]

Electric transaxle $59.00 http://www.surpluscenter.com/Power-...les/24-Volt-DC-Electric-Transaxle-13-1566.axd

 

[Slednut]

I built a go-cart that you pedal.

If you build a toy car or anything else, learn about king pin axis, contact patch, caster and camber before you start.

 

[KMinAF]

I built a pedal tractor for my Grand kids. Unfortunately my wife informed me it was a bit premature as they are all still under three. I'll let you know how it goes in a couple years!

 

[MUD DAWG]

Electric transaxle $59.00 http://www.surpluscenter.com/Power-...les/24-Volt-DC-Electric-Transaxle-13-1566.axd

Thanks for the link, but I think I better stick with a 12 volt motor.

I built a go-cart that you pedal.

If you build a toy car or anything else, learn about king pin axis, contact patch, caster and camber before you start.

I doubt I'll build her anything fast enough to overly worry about geometry of certain parts.

Cool pedal cart. Is that one brake on the rear axle enough?

I built a pedal tractor for my Grand kids. Unfortunately my wife informed me it was a bit premature as they are all still under three. I'll let you know how it goes in a couple years!

Nice and neat. I'm pretty sure the kids would like the speedo to show a bit more

 

[Codejack]

 

[ilovevocs]

I had the same struggle.

At 3 years old my daughter got a Polaris 50 atv . It can be governed down to walking speed. She is 7 and still rides it today. It was a great investment. They seem to hold their value as well.

 

[Attackcammel]

Look up Honda powered kid buggy on google it's worth the read

 

[Frederik Lapere]

This would be what I would use to build the ultimate kids car:

https://shop.spiritcars.com/1932-roadster-go-kart-body.html

1932 Ford Go Kart body. It comes with fiberglass floor, fiberglass seat and fiberglass trunk lid

Length (overall) 79" fender to fender

Length of body 74 1/2"

Width of body 29 1/2"

width from running board to running board 42 1/2"

Height of body 18"

Wheelbase is around 59"

Finally, i've been searching a body like that! Thx!