DIY CITY UTILITY VEHICLE

grabcad

I spent some free time exploring the possibility of building a DIY small city commuter with several practical features not typically found in concept designs floating around online. My requirements were as follows:1. The structural frame is made from SHS & RHS tubing, which is easier to work with than CHS tubing.2. All glass used is flat shatterproof and can be cut to shape.3. The drive train consists of a small IC engine or transmission, either taken from a motorcycle or a 3-cylinder transverse engine combination. Alternatively, it could be electric-powered.4. Body panels are made using 3D printing technology with non-compound curves for easy manual fabrication.5. The vehicle is strictly designed for two passengers and features a rear load area that can be locked.6. The commuter vehicle is intended to be tough enough for use in third-world countries.The suspension system is based on the "locost" kit car design, which is freely available or can be self-made.As usual, I was too lazy to start from scratch, so I used some components from Gradcad - thanks to all original creators who shared their work!This DIY project is a bit of an ugly duckling, but as engineers, we prioritize function over form.I'd love to hear your comments and suggestions for improvement.Step & Rhino files will be shared soon.