Ibex Vehicles

4x4 Magazine

2012-01-17T23:48:00.000-08:00

We're featured in the current issue (February) of 4x4 Magazine. Nice 5 page spread that includes the words "genius" and "hi-tech brains" in the same sentence!

Someone Needs to Wash This

2012-01-14T05:12:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year

2012-01-11T01:27:00.000-08:00

We have some interesting new projects for 2012. Our first heavy duty, long travel, coil over suspension will appear here soon, closely followed by a new Watts Linkage arrangement... Then it starts to get really interesting! Pictures up soon.

Getting Dirty

2011-12-15T11:59:00.000-08:00

Development Chassis FOR SALE

2011-11-29T02:36:00.000-08:00

Ideal base From which to build a special.
During the development of the Ibex F8 we produced a number of chassis for various test activities. Used to develop the assembly and weld processes, this chassis has now served it's purpose and therefore offered for sale as a 250S bare chassis, complete with doors. This chassis has NOT undergone any physical testing. £P.O.A. contact@ibexvehicles.com for further information.

More of the IBEX F8 300s 5 Door Station Wagon

2011-11-05T09:32:00.000-07:00

IBEX 300S 5 Door Station Wagon

2011-10-25T00:46:00.000-07:00

4.6 V8 Auto
35" Cooper Discoverer STT tyres
Front and rear ARB diff locks
Centre winch system with Warn 9.5XP

How We Build Them

2011-09-19T00:02:00.000-07:00

Stage 5. Galvanising

After lots of careful welding (we have to be sure not to distort or introduce too much stress into the structure) the whole chassis frame is hot dip galvanised. The frame is completely immersed in a bath of molten zinc. The chassis is designed to allow zinc to flow into and out of all sections, no matter what angle the chassis is at.

Unlike zinc plating, galvanising creates iron-zinc alloys at the surface of the steel, these gradually become pure zinc and then, after reacting with the air, layers of zinc oxide and zinc carbonate form. Even if all the zinc coatings wear away, the surface alloys are corrosion resistant (this is the shiny black you sometimes see on galvanised railings that are constantly grabbed by sweaty hands.)

Another benefit is that the process stress relieves the structure but this is where careful welding is important to minimise distortion.

Is it worth it? It's an expensive process but in over 20 years of galvanising Ibex chassis, we have never had a corrosion issue.

LRO Show

2011-09-09T02:05:00.000-07:00

We will be joining the Ibex Owners Club at the LRO Peterborough show on Sunday.

Latest Event Spec Ibex

2011-09-04T04:39:00.000-07:00

Very cool RC Ibex tray back. Full event spec. External Cage. Fully independent suspension. Massive 70 (mm) mud terrain tyres. Pictures courtesy of Jack Barber, the worlds youngest Ibex owner.

Stolen Ibex

2011-08-24T12:45:00.000-07:00

Ibex 250, No. 7F079 was stolen from West Wales last night. Please contact Ibex Vehicles or the police if you have any information as to its whereabouts. More details and pictures will be up soon.

Open Top 5 Door Anyone?

2011-08-20T08:50:00.000-07:00

This will end up as a Station Wagon but, I always liked the idea of a 5 door open top. The photographs don't do the colour any justice!

When I build an Ibex for myself I can never decide which body style I want or need. I decided to make sure that every cab style can be interchanged. So, if I get bored of my pick up, I can go and fit a hard top. Or go for a soft top for those warm summer evenings.... We sell all over the world, not just the UK, so that last suggestion isn't as daft as it sounds.

LR Max Show

2011-08-12T13:31:00.000-07:00

At the final hour, we have decided to visit the LR Max show this weekend. Two Ibex F8's will be on the Ibex Owners Club stand on Sunday.

How We Build Them

2011-08-01T01:17:00.000-07:00

Stage 4. Main Assembly

The major sub assemblies come together to add superstructure to the ladder frame. We use some jigs here to square everything up but, this is still basically a 3D jigsaw puzzle. Tack welded only.

Billing Show Latest

2011-07-14T12:40:00.000-07:00

If your name's not down you're not coming in...

First they cancel the Owners Club stand, now they take the Ibex off the LRO stand. It seems we are not on the list. Nothing to see here I'm afraid.

How we Build Them

2011-07-14T01:11:00.000-07:00

Stage 3. Ladder Frame Assembly

The main assembly starts to come together with some jigs. Chassis rails are located on a base plate with the cross members self locating and helping to square up the assembly. Just a few tack welds are used to hold the whole thing together. Structure for the centre winch system is also welded in place at this stage.

How we Build Them

2011-07-07T00:09:00.000-07:00

Stage 2. Chassis Sub Assembly.

Fine tolerances from laser cutting allow sub assemblies to be almost completely self jigging. At this stage, the only fixtures required are a base plate that provides a flat surface and location via dowels. (Normally, the base plate would be a tripod so that it stays flat regardless of unevenness in the floor) We assemble the side frames complete with the door structure to prevent distortion and maintain accurate door fit. Structural members of the chassis rails pass through the box section to increase rigidity. Just a few tack welds are required to hold the sub assemblies together. This means that very little heat goes into the structure that would otherwise cause distortion.

How we Build Them

2011-07-04T14:04:00.000-07:00

Stage by stage progress of a typical Ibex build, showing how we create these machines.

When a customer places an order there are a few choices to be made: Fully built or bodyshell kit, engine and driveline type, standard vehicle or modified. Because every Ibex is built to order we can accommodate most customer requirements, from high speed racers to special role utility vehicles. Suspension modifications are proving popular at the moment but, in this case, we are building a standard vehicle:

Ibex 250S Open Top, bodyshell kit.

Stage 1. Chassis Build. Raw Material

Almost all of the chassis is made from laser cut, structural mild steel. All features required for the subsequent assembly are incorporated into these laser cut blanks. Any special features required by the customer can be incorporated at the design stage and included in the raw material. Laser blanks are folded into open sections as required.

Ibex Collective

2011-06-23T01:09:00.000-07:00

A couple of long wheelbase 5 Door Ibex make their debut.

Billing LRO Show 2011

2011-06-21T02:27:00.000-07:00

We will have 2 Ibex F8's on the Ibex Owners Club stand at Billing LRO show this year. 16th and 17th July. Pop over for a chat.

Number 1

2011-06-19T07:14:00.000-07:00

This is Prototype No. 1. Used as a mule vehicle to trial and develop different designs, processes and configurations. It has already been fitted with several different engines and gearboxes (we've timed an engine/transmission assembly swap down to 1.5hrs) and has been rebuilt with different body panels and components far too many times. It has been an invaluable tool in the development of production vehicles and is finally being retired to a life of hard use on and off road.

Judge Dredd

2011-06-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

Reminds me of the taxi from the movie. Maybe we should design a forward control?

This picture does give an idea of how much the corners of the bonnet taper in. The idea being that the first thing to touch an immovable obstruction is the tyre. (The mudguards can be removed if you want to get really serious.)

Not so Stealth

2011-06-08T12:19:00.000-07:00

We nicknamed it Stealthibex because of its angular shape and blacker than black paint job. Thing is, it seems that if you want to get noticed, get a Stealthibex. You can't drive down the road without everyone stopping and staring. Some with a look of excitement on their faces, some with fear, most with shock.

Need for Speed

2011-06-04T14:53:00.000-07:00

If Staffordshure 4x4's 500hp Ibex is too much to handle then here's something for sale that's a little more tame but still pretty quick ;) I know it's not an Ibex but it's still a 4x4, just.

Details to the right of this page.

Vacation of a Twisted Mind

2011-05-25T13:48:00.000-07:00

With a weekend away to recharge the batteries I think I have managed to put Ibex out of my mind for a couple of days... No chance! My sub concious wont rest and comes up with more design ideas. Thankfully it didn't let me know these ideas until Sunday night so, I least I got to think I had taken a weekend off. I wonder if that means the weekend is tax deductible?

New Approach

2011-05-05T01:44:00.000-07:00

90 Degree approach and departure angles, even with front and rear winching capability. Tyre OD is 34" with room to go larger.

Al fresco

2011-04-19T00:30:00.000-07:00

The sun is shining and the birds are singing so Ibex building outside today. Might get a bit of glare off the aluminium though.

A Couple More Pictures

2011-04-16T01:42:00.000-07:00

Massive ground clearance with standard suspension and 35" x 12.5" Cooper Discoverer STT tyres mounted on Silverline 17" Black Sport alloys. You can just see the lightweight aluminium fuel tank tucked away behind the sill. Designed so that the heavy duty sill hits the deck before the tank.

The underside of the chassis rails are profiled to help prevent hook-ups on radius arm brackets. Additional underfloor and steering arm protection coming soon.

Thursday Was a Lovely Day

2011-04-09T01:20:00.000-07:00

True Colour

2011-04-05T15:09:00.000-07:00

We painted it and didn't like it so, we painted it again and now it looks smart. If it stops raining long enough, we'll drive it out into the sun and take some pictures. The forecast is good for Thursday.

Ibex on TV

2011-02-12T07:11:00.000-08:00

One of Chain Bridge Honey Farm's Ibex on TV again: BBC2 'One Man and His Campervan': Northumberland.

More Power

2011-02-02T23:53:00.000-08:00

Their previous Ibex was a work of art and at 470hp a bit of a monster too. Their new Ibex, the first ever production Ibex F8, is coming together nicely: http://www.staffordshire4x4.com/blog/ A more sedate Td5 lies under the bonnet but they tune-up nicely!

Wide Boy

2011-01-28T00:34:00.000-08:00

It all fits together, which is a big relief. There's every reason why it should, the parts are faithful to the CAD data and everything fitted on screen but, given the huge amount of work to get this far, bolting moulded parts together is a nerve racking process.

Time to change the tiny wheels for something a bit more suitable then back to the paint shop.

Mean Machine

2011-01-22T07:15:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time coming and a challenge to manufacture but, finally, it's here. The CAD model promised something special but it didn't prepare us for the real thing. We think it has a certain presence. It fits perfectly and is amazingly stiff and light. Just a few more bits to bolt on then it's back to the paint shop.

Trial Run

2011-01-15T08:46:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/user/IbexVehicles#p/a/u/0/4K_-b7clzHQ

It's Been a While

2010-11-13T09:09:00.000-08:00

We've been keeping our heads down lately, steadily working away on Ibex but a lot of people have been asking about the bonnet, what will it actually look like? will it be like the concept?, will it really be like the concept?....

It was an exciting day when the pattern arrived in our workshop. A perfect recreation of the CAD data cut in polyurethane foam using the biggest 5 axis router I have seen. The detail is amazing and makes me feel better about all those hours sat in front of the computer.

The bonnet is essentially the complete front end bodywork, a module consisting removable headlamp pods, grille and mudguards. The whole unit tilts forward to open and can be removed as one piece to provide total engine bay access.

Can't wait to get one bolted to a vehicle.

LRO Show 11th - 12th September

2010-09-07T23:48:00.000-07:00

Prototype No.2 will be at the LRO Show this weekend. Check out some tyres on the Silverline 4x4 stand and see if you can spot it.

Progress

2010-09-04T05:52:00.000-07:00

We're making good progress, all the aluminium bodywork is fitted along with most of the powertrain. The open engine bay makes assembly far easier than on the old Ibex with no fear of damaging paintwork. We're trying to get as much done as possible before Peterborough show on the 11th and 12th of September. Still needs a polish though.

Painted it Black

2010-09-02T14:15:00.000-07:00

Perhaps the worst thing you can do with a vehicle with flat panels is paint it black. It is very difficult to get a truly flat panel and black will highlight any imperfections. Even harder to get several panels to sit flat next to each other.

It's a good test for Proto No. 2 then, fresh from the paint shop in gleaming, er, ...black. We just couldn't resist.

Any Colour

2010-08-11T01:12:00.000-07:00

With 2 prototypes at the paint shop it is now time to pick a colour. Far too many choices.

At least it is easy to repaint the removeable front end if I become bored with the 'stealth' look.

Customers can, of course, have any colour they like. Although I may draw the line at pink, unless its SAS desert pink, in which case I expect to see proof that a large gun will be mounted on the roof.

Alternative Suspension

2010-07-31T15:18:00.000-07:00

Standard suspension on the Ibex is front Panhard rod and rear'A' Frame. We soon hope to offer the option of a Watts Linkage system for the Ibex F8, with a torsion bush set up for radius and trailing arms.

Providing improved dynamic control of the rear axle, this arrangement will be suitable for less extreme but higher speed or road based applications.

A rear Panhard rod arrangement will also be available.

Prototype Number 1 Makes Progress

2010-07-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

Aluminium body panels in place on proto1.

Now it is really starting to look how it should. Just the tailgate to finish and then off to the paint shop.

3D CAD generated profiles for the roof panels saved literally hours assembly time compared to the old roof design and make for far easier welding with no obvious distortion. We should have done this years ago!

We are also trialling fully bonded aluminium structures for the roof, hard top, door and tailgate assemblies. TIG welder anyone?

LED rear lights are a neat fit and offer good resistance to water ingress compared with conventional lights

LRO Show at Billing 16, 17, 18 July 2010

2010-07-14T15:48:00.000-07:00

There will be a sneak preview of one of the F8 prototypes at Billing on the 16th, 17th and 18th July. Visit the IBEX Owners Club stand.

IBEX 400 The Movie

2010-07-02T07:45:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/user/IbexVehicles

Nice Body

2010-05-16T13:19:00.000-07:00

Almost finished. Some of the Waxoil actually made it onto the chassis... must find a better way of doing that.

Recovery points front and rear.
Roof mounted spare wheel to save load space.

Wide Load

2010-05-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

Drop side body fitted.

Crikey

2010-05-08T01:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I disappear for a few weeks and come back to find myself married. Crikey. It's amazing how these things happen but it does mean I am now mature and responsible. So, capable of regular blog posts. Hmmm.

Wide Load

2010-04-05T05:16:00.000-07:00

Powertrain all installed and it's up and running. The drop side body is taking shape and for the first time we get to see just how big this truck is. A bed size of 11' by 6' is quite a size.

Lockers will be slung underneath the body and a rear axle ARB diff lock added for the sticky stuff. Front and rear recovery points for when it gets too sticky and 2 spare tyres just in case it's a really bad day.

IBEX F8 300 5 DOOR POPOSAL

2010-03-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

We are currently planning the next production batch which will include a number of long wheelbase vehicles. This image shows the Ibex F8 300S 5 Door Station Wagon. The first of these vehicles will delivered towards the end of this year and early 2011.

As with the short wheelbase, the rear part of the body can be removed and replaced with a hard top, pick-up or soft top arrangement.

2010-03-23T09:42:00.000-07:00

2.4 TDCi engine is a snug fit. Just some wiring and fuel lines needed to make it run. Most of the trim is ready and the drop side body is just a few days away.

I am pleased to say the black detail is working well with the red!

IBEX 400 Post Paint

2010-03-13T10:11:00.000-08:00

Because it can be quite easy to miss a 6m long Ibex, we have painted it the brightest red we could find.

Sitting high on heavy duty suspension with black Wolf rims and G90 tyres. Power train in next...

Prototyping the Body Panels

2010-03-10T14:18:00.000-08:00

Some body panels dry fitted before boding in place with polyurethane adhesive. The adhesive acts as a barrier between the zinc and aluminium to prevent electrolytic corrosion. Bonding the panels in place also adds to the overall stiffnes of the structure.

The longest Ibex 4x4... in The World

2010-02-21T10:37:00.000-08:00

I know the F8 is our new thing but we still build the old one too...

This is our longest ever 4x4 with a 4m wheelbase. The pictures show it about to leave for the paint shop. When it comes back it will be fitted with a 11' x 6' aluminium drop-side body and 2.4TDCi powertrain, hence the power bulge.

Maximising payload with a 3500kg GVW is our target so 4x4 instead of 6x6. The chassis has also been specially lightend to save valuable kg.

Nice Wheels!

2010-02-18T10:25:00.000-08:00

15" wide tyres might be a bit over the top for standard fitment but I like them.

After a few trial engine/transmission installations it is time for final build. Engine and gearbox mounts are bolt on which, combined with the open front end makes for very easy engine installation.

The frame is constructed from 350 yield mild steel which is hot-dip galvanised in a single operation. Zinc covers the whole of the structure, both inside and outside box sections, providing maximum anti-corrosion protection. Protection consists of pure zinc on the outer surface (which will ultimately form a zinc oxide layer) and a zinc-iron alloy at the interface with the steel.

The picture shows the galvanised steel frame ready to be clad in its aluminium skin. Body panels are constructed from marine quality aluminium alloy with a thickness of 1.5mm throughout.

2010-01-31T14:57:00.000-08:00

Building the first prototypes and hoping it ends up looking like the CAD data!

Happy New Year

2010-01-17T14:36:00.000-08:00

The first update for 2010 is long overdue so I thought I would let you know about the latest developments that have been keeping me quiet lately.

We have been fortunate enough to benefit from highly capable automotive industry tools and expertese in the F8 development process. High performance Stress Analysis software has been used to carry out structural FEA (Finite Element Analysis) on the Ibex chassis CAD model. Coincidently, physical durability testing has been carried out on prototype chassis. FEA provides a stress plot of the structure as a whole, identifying areas of significant strain energy. As well as providing a very useful measure of durability, the physical testing has provided correlation with the FEA and demonstrates the accuracy of the CAE model.

The result is an accurate CAE model of the structure which can be used to predict the impact of design modifications.

Creating a model of this quality is by no means a simple task and the accuracy is very much determined by the skill of the experts who specialise in this subject. A big thank you goes out to the team.

More information and pictures of the development to follow shortly...

THE NEW IBEX NEWS BLOG

2009-11-14T09:19:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the brand new blog for IBEX Vehicles where we'll be showcasing the new Ibex F8, keeping you up to date with the latest news and information.

IBEX F8 250S Concept.

With prototype vehicles under construction we are currently taking orders for delivery during 2010.

3 Years in the making, our new Ibex is finally in production.

Initial sketches have turned into a full vehicle 3D solid CAD model. The data includes material propertries and density, allowing us to predict mass and centre of gravity but the greatest benefit is being able to visualise the vehicle as a whole before cutting any material.