Halfway to a torsion axle

I removed the wheel from the old leaf spring assembly and clamped the new torsion axle in place to get a rough idea of the fitment.  As a starting point, at least the same wheel fits on the new axle.  With zero mounting structure yet, the new axle height is reduced by several inches relative to old.

It took some elbow-grease to remove all of the old axle assembly parts.  Leaf springs are unbelievably heavy, and the old steel axle is itself also crazy heavy.  I've removed probably 100lbs so far, and only maybe half of that weight will go back on.  The new ride height is definitely too low, but it was nifty to see just how low the deck could be.

The torsion axles were simply clamped to an existing cross-member for the time being.  With all of my body weight, the axle appears to move roughly 1/8" in height.  That does not seem very soft yet, though the leaf spring compressed probably 0.0" height.  At this moment, I wish I bought the 550lb set.  They use the same mounting bolt pattern, so perhaps I can exchange this set for the other if it still rides too stiff.

With some scrap steel square tube, I mocked up the structure that will be welded together as an assembly.  This isn't perfectly representative, as one tube will be 2x2 square (vs 1.5x1.5 square shown) and the other will be a 2x2 angle (vs 1.5x1.5 square shown), but was enough of a mockup to feel confident in ordering materials.

Materials are on the way...

Trailer to do's are now:

• bolt the ply decking to the floor
• buy torsion axles
• uninstall leaf spring assembly
• buy torsion axle materials (and associated welding stuff)
• weld axle assembly
• drill holes in axle assembly
• paint axle assembly with some enamel paint
• mount axle assembly for keeps
  
• figure out how Goat parts sit in the trailer
  
• take all of Goat for its first trip around the neighborhood
• finish weld the vertical elements
• add reflective tape on the sides
• install and wire running lights on the sides
• epoxy-coat seal the ply decking
  
• create a rear door that can be quick-pinned in place
• figure out front/side/back walls
  
• dream up a top lid

For the first-flight:

• backyard final assembly and thorough pre-flight check, including weight & balance
• re-weld the tow hitch release (I'm now doubtful it had good penetration) 
  
• buy tow rope, weak-links, and end rings
  
• buy/borrow radios (1x airborne, 1x car)
  
• find a place to fly
• travel
• fly

After the first-flight:

• add leather patch to wing tips where will rub the ground
• install leather patch guides for elevator control lines
• paint trim color
• install wing root kiss seal
• build a wing tip dolly
• build a wing wheel
• jury strut fairings
  
• main strut fairings (after flying to figure out the right angles)
• emergency parachute
  
• real variometer (LXNav with a TEK probe is my intention, if it is sensitive at low speed...)
• dogue chute