I figured I would start my build log for my journey into the world of building a Tumbler.  Some background information on myself.  I am 33yrs old from Ontario, Canada and have done a bunch of fiberglass fabrication in the past (car body kits, sub enclosures, gauge pods etc.) and have been in the Subaru modifying world for some time now.

I've been wanting to build a batmobile for the last 15 years and now feel as though I have the space, time and money to do so.  Originally I wanted to do an 89 but with my background in fabrication etc. I figured the tumbler would be a more built from scratch satisfying and equally frustrating experience

What I intend to do is share every detail of measurement, design, parts etc. in my build log with full photo coverage.  It is really hard to find the nitty gritty details that are used for this mean machine, so as I figure them out I will share.  Also it will give others a chance to correct me if I choose something wrong

Dimensions
LENGTH: 15ft 7in (187in)
WIDTH: 9ft 4in (112in)
HEIGHT: 5ft 4in (64in)
MIN GROUND CLEARANCE: 7.5in
DIMENSION BETWEEN OUTSIDE REAR WHEELS: 8ft 10.3in (106.3in)
DIMENSION BETWEEN INSIDE REAR WHEELS: 31.5in
DIMENSION BETWEEN OUTSIDE FRONT WHEELS: 5ft 8.9in (68.9 in)
DIMENSION BETWEEN INSIDE FRONT WHEELS: 28.4in
DIMENSION FROM AXLE TO AXLE (on center): 12ft 6in (150in)
Note: Calculated by subtracting radius of front and rear tires from total length (187-37=150)

Rear Tires
(4) Interco TSL/Super Swampers (18.5/44-16.5 LT)
Weight (lbs): 120
Ply Rating: 6
Sidewall Ply Rating: 4
Tread Depth (Inches): 27/32
Tread Width (Inches): 14.4
Cross Section Width (Inches): 17
Diameter (Inches): 44.2
Suggested Wheel Size: 16.5x12
Max Inflation (PSI): 30
Max Load (lbs): 2855
LINK: http://www.offroadtoystore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SST-SAM-43&Category_Code=Interco-SSTSL

Front Tires
Actual ones from the movie are "Hooiser Wing Spirit Dirt" 94.0/15.0-15. 
tire size: 94.0/15.0-15
tread width: 15.0"
approx. dia: 30.0"
approx circ.: 94.0"
recom. rim: 14-15"
measured rim: 15"
section width: 18.3"
tread pattern: F - Large Checkerboard https://www.hoosiertire.com/racetires/fb.JPG

However I will likely be going with the "Hoosier Quick Time DOT Drag Tires" 31" x 18.5"-15" LT that will be as close to the original size and tread pattern that will be streetable.
tire size: 31" x 18.5"-15" LT (17150)
tread width: 15.0"
approx. dia: 30.9"
approx circ.: 97.0"
recom. rim: 14-15"
measured rim: 14"
section width: 18.3"
tread pattern: D - Super Chain Link https://www.hoosiertire.com/racetires/db.JPG
LINK: http://www.jegs.com/i/Hoosier/522/17150QT/10002/-1
 
Rear Axle
Ford 9"

9" Rear Axle Brace
LINK: http://www.jegs.com/p/Competition%20Engineering/749714/10002/-1?sendroicid=bbef8492-2d00-41d6-b158-38db0de2603c&sendroiad=1769715699&sendroikwd=9''+Ford+rear+axles&gclid=CL2krLXz7pcCFRPyDAoddA2QCw

Front Suspension
The movie car uses (4) Fox Racing shocks 2.0 x 7/8 Remote Reservoir
LINK http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/Fox-2.0-Coilover-5-8-Shaft-p-643.html

Not sure if I will go with these or a different shock.... we'll see

Front Wheel Damper
Ohlins steering damper LINK: http://www.exoticsportbike.com/universal.htm
Not sure what size yet.

Front Brakes
The screen used version is using AP Racing brakes. Not sure if I will go this route or not.. I've been looking at some Ford Mustang willwood drag racing setups.. but time will tell..  Here is what I am currently looking at (1994-04 spindles, fits inside 15" rim) : http://www.jegs.com/p/Wilwood/981837/10002/-1

Gas Caps
Newton Equipment LTD
(4) Aero 400 Filler Cap, 8 bolt flange
LINK: http://www.newton-equipment.com/A48SLnew.htm

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Building the BatBerry - Batmobile powered by BlackBerry
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Hey Tim, good luck and best wish's to your build.   I'm sure things will go smoothly with your approach, and build experience!

Keep us updated, and with pictures, LOTS AND LOTS OF PIC-A-TURES!

“It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me”

The idea behind my Tumbler is to be able to go and get it licensed for the road.  I am planning on creating hide-away tail lights and hide-away plates so that they can pop up when needed.

I am hoping to first source the tires/rims and then start building my frame and body at the same time out of wood and fiberglass.  This will allow me to make mistakes more economically.  Once I have all of the exterior, steering, suspension etc. layed out on my wood and fiberglass chassis, I will then pull everything off and then build the chassis parts out of steel.  Having the tires/wheels will really help me when figuring out the dimensions from photos and scale models.  I plan on picking up the Hot Toys 1/6 scale tumbler in Feb when it comes out to aid in my reference.

I'm quite handy with wood and fiberglass fabrication, so this will allow me to build all of my exterior parts in a more economic fashion and add the suspension and mechanical parts as I go.  It should allow me to mockup all of the mounting points.  I can even go the replica motor route for fabricating motor mounts, exhaust etc. http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/replica-engines.htm

The current plan is to create the exterior panels from wood/MDF and then make negative molds from them to create the fiberglass pieces.  This should give me master molds for my project in-case anything should ever go wrong on the road.

I'm going the "hatch" route as well like the stunt Tumblers and not the "flower petal" approach.  I want a cage in front of me if I am driving this thing.

Interior is going to try and be "pretty" screen accurate minus the whole sticking your head in the nose of the car thing

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Building the BatBerry - Batmobile powered by BlackBerry
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So I will need to shave 5in of total width off of each side.  From looking at the reference pictures I am wondering where this extra width past the rear tires come from.  From what I can see, without the rear flaps deployed, the rear intake doesn't come out "too" far past the rear tires.

Which makes me wonder if the total width of 112in is with the rear flaps deployed.  This would mean that I would have to tuck in the rear wheels by a couple of inches on each side as well.

Should get interesting

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Building the BatBerry - Batmobile powered by BlackBerry
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"there ain't no bat!"

Here is a 3D model top view:

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Building the BatBerry - Batmobile powered by BlackBerry
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Building the BatBerry - Batmobile powered by BlackBerry
http://batberry.wordpress.com/

Went down to the good old Home Depot and picked up my materials to make my rolling platform.  Basically I am building a 7ft x 12ft rolling platform that has six 250lbs locking casters.  The platform is built out of 2x6's with a 1/2in plywood top.  This will all be screwed together with 3in screws.

This will provide me a way to have a platform where I can build my chassis and body panels and then roll it out and/or tuck it away when needed.  I'll also be adding some extra overhead lighting in the garage to better light things up for brighter working conditions.  I've wanted to add this extra lighting ever since I started doing body work on my car and painting in my garage.

I also picked up some various MDF panels of different thickness for use as body panels.  Of course this is just the start of many MDF panels to come to make my master for later molding.  I'll be using the thicker MDF where there are groves in the body panels.  I'll just set the table saw to the right depth and notch out the panel.

I'm hoping to get the platform all framed and casters on there tomorrow morning.

I also picked up a few 2x3's that I will be using for the frame of the tumbler.  Most of my frame/chassis will be made out of 1.5x2.5 box tubing (which should perfectly match the 2x3 lumber) and then tube roll bars and supports will also be added for extra strength.

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Building the BatBerry - Batmobile powered by BlackBerry
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So I started off making the base frame.  I doubled up the 2x6's and laminated them together with 3" screws.  These form the points where the casters and the most of the weight will be carried.  Everything on the platform is put together with lots of 3" screws.

Then I put three 2x6's across where the load points would be where the casters are going to provide some support.  I then bolted on the casters. 

Now comes the tough part.  I had to flip the entire platform over in my garage.  Man that was one heavy biotch.

Then I put on the 1/2in plywood on the top and screwed it all down.  It rolls around quite good on the garage floor.  Now that I have a nice movable elevated dry surface, the next step is to start framing the chassis.

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Building the BatBerry - Batmobile powered by BlackBerry
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I've been talking with Shaggy and he is setting me up with his 3D rendering and templates.  I will be able to scale them to the size I want and then we should be off to the races!!

I think it will be a late night on the Bat computer tonight getting my scale correct.

Thanks again Shaggy!!

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Building the BatBerry - Batmobile powered by BlackBerry
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