VEH-01 starter bill
| Part | Quantity | Job |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Block Level 1 | 48 | Low ladder frame |
| Bearing | 6 | 4 wheel hubs + 2 steering pivots |
| Wheel | 4 | Road contact |
| Driver's Seat Level 1 | 1 | Steering and throttle input |
| Gas Engine Level 1 | 1 | Drive power |
| Switch | 1 optional | Headlight control |
| Headlight | 2 optional | Night route visibility |
| Large Chest | 1 maximum for first test | Low-mounted cargo |
Frame and connection specification
| System | Setting | Pass condition |
|---|---|---|
| Footprint | 10 × 16 blocks | Symmetrical rails and three or more crossmembers |
| Ground clearance | 2 blocks | Shallow ditch crossed diagonally |
| Steering | Front pivots mirrored | Both full-lock turns clear the frame |
| Drive | Rear-wheel or four-wheel | All driven wheels agree on forward |
| Power | Low, then one step at a time | No rollover or steering loss |
| Payload | Driver + one light chest | Loaded return keeps steering authority |
Failure diagnosis
| Symptom | Likely cause | Specific correction |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle fights itself | One drive bearing reversed | Inspect arrows and reverse only that hub |
| Turns opposite input | Steering pivots not mirrored | Reverse one front steering bearing |
| Wheel rub at full lock | Track too narrow or rail too close | Widen front corners before reducing steering |
| Flips after adding chest | Mass above or behind wheelbase | Move chest low and forward |
| Beaches on road edge | Clearance below 2 blocks | Raise local frame without raising cargo |
| Cannot recover | Body covers all Lift points | Leave exposed front and rear recovery pads |
Lay Out the 48-Block Frame
- Build two 16-block rails.
- Join them with at least three crossmembers.
- Keep seat, engine, and future chest inside the wheelbase.
- Leave both front corners open for steering travel.
- Mark one accessible Lift point at each end.
Install Six Bearings by Role
The four wheel bearings rotate for drive; the two front pivot bearings rotate for steering. Mixing those roles produces connections that look complete but behave unpredictably. Connect the seat only to the steering pivots and engine throttle, then connect the engine only to driven wheel hubs.
Commission the Empty Chassis
- Drive straight and reverse without adding power.
- Complete a full-lock circle in both directions.
- Cross a shallow ditch diagonally.
- Tip the empty chassis in a safe area and recover it with the Lift.
- Calculate separate inner and outer steering angles — Use this after upgrading to a Level 5 Driver's Seat and before the full-lock test.
Load One Chest, Then Repeat the Tests
A Large Chest changes mass distribution even when the body looks symmetrical. Mount it low, inside the wheelbase, and closer to the steering axle if the front tires lose authority. The first vehicle is complete when one light chest returns safely—not when every available part fits on the frame.
Upgrade by Route, Not by Decoration
- Rough road: add four Off-Road Suspension units and retest rollover behavior.
- Long night route: protect fuel and add two Switch-controlled Headlights.
- Second chest: extend the wheelbase before loading it.
- Heavy tool head: move to a dedicated mining or harvesting chassis.