: longish cj5 "modesty panels"


noahsjeep
02-02-2008, 06:23 PM
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/noahwalt/j-5.jpg
Alrighty... I think the term "Modesty Panels" (which I just learnt tonight on a training vid) refers accurately to what I think I'm going to do about my "body gap"
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/noahwalt/j4-4.jpg
Seen here on the side view & the grill shot above, one can no doubt notice that there's some "gap" between the blazer frame & modified Jeep body. I was going to lower the body to eliminate this gap. Problem is that it's quite a job to perfom without a garage (many different sort of obsticles) just for aethetics.

Funny, the Jeep doesn't feel top heavy to drive... I've recently thought that the wide axles & 106" WB work with the narrow tires to keep the width under the narrow body, yet still feel secure.

Back to "Modesty Panels":
What I'm excited to do is fabricate sheet metal panels to cover up the frame-to-body gap. Simple & easy, and if I ever want to go to 36-38" meats, modification will be easy.

F*ck it if some of these Jeep guys can't deal with me not looking exactly like them.

...just call me "mr. modesty" :smokin:


http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/noahwalt/side.jpg

The gap on the side I wanna fill.


http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/noahwalt/metal.jpg

I was going to use mud flaps, but no-I need more material (to my surprise). So, I'm going to use up some sheetmetal I have left over from summer.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/noahwalt/ww1.jpg

One cool aspect of this vehicle is that there's massive room under the side panels. I still don't know what I'm going to mount under... maybe tools & air tanks. Originally I was going to put spare axles & driveshafts, but my plan with the skinny 34's is that I won't need 'em *hope*.

Took a quick measurement of what I need to fill the gapage. Unfortunately I didn't have a marker of paper/cardboard to properly mark the shape I'll want. So I'll cut some "roughs" and modify after I run down to the Heep (I live in a high-rise).

noahsjeep
02-02-2008, 06:23 PM
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/noahwalt/offset.jpg
If you plan on working with sheetmetal, pay at LEAST $18 for a GOOD SET of offset snips... saves ALOT of cuts & hassles.

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/noahwalt/pliers.jpg

Got to use my new cheapy sheetmetal lock-jaw thingies. WELL WORTH the $10 @ Princess Auto! In an ideal world, I'd hammer the warps flat also. I don't think I'll worry about it though.


http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/noahwalt/1paint.jpg

Heres my roughs with notches where I'll fold it (for rigidity).
Well at -30 degrees celcius, I'm trying to do as much in the comfort of my own home as possible, so I'll paint 'em in the stairwell when the neihbours aren't looking:laughing:

Alright,

well we had to run & do some Saturday stuff, so my time ran out. I just finished the diagonal bends done and gave them a real quick spray of Army Green. I didn't want to leave them in the stairwell, and the wife didn't want them in the house, so I had to throw them on the balcony to "breathe" Ê::)
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/noahwalt/snow.jpg

Ran outside before the sun went down & drilled & fastened them on.
All & all it cost me $20 & maybe two hours of time max.
I'm pleased:

http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/noahwalt/side-1.jpg

Next I'm going to work on the front bumper/body mount region
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g194/noahwalt/34.jpg