Soeone asked for pics, here is whats been posted so far.
Pic Pages (http://www.chad-adams.com/erocc1/july/mark_h/index.htm)

Pics # 34, 35, 43 and 44 are the SpaceGhost Cruiser. I know there are more coming.

1) Whos is the blue "cruiser" buggy?

2) DO you think the guy with the exo on the XJ feels like a moron? He should :D

3) Troy's buggy is so fine I CAN"T STAND IT!!! Did Paule build it?

4) If that Frankie Fountains rig with the Rockwells, doesn't quite look big enough...?

Originally posted by wngrog
1) Whos is the blue "cruiser" buggy?

2) DO you think the guy with the exo on the XJ feels like a moron? He should :D

3) Troy's buggy is so fine I CAN"T STAND IT!!! Did Paule build it?

4) If that Frankie Fountains rig with the Rockwells, doesn't quite look big enough...?

1) Brian Hamilton, custom box tube frame, narrowed cowl (7 1/2")stroker 383, auto, atlas, d60's 4th in points I believe.

2) Travis is pretty cool, he shaved down some 37" boggers to get down into Legends after running Unlimited in June. Good people.

3) That machine is a Shannon Campbell, originally had leafs in front, 1/4 ellipticals rear. He also upgraded the axles to Terra high pinion center sections, sectioned and installed the Liberty hood and grill, and replaced the assisted agr steering with a full hydro set up.

4) the greenish sniper looking rig is frankies reaper. I heard some ungodly number like 6500lbs, dude wailed on it on Crows Nest.

I am trimming back to something similar to Brian Hamiltons tube job. Lots of work ahead, but hopefully I'll loose enough weight to let the axles live!

I never want to hear the term "Birdcage" again :flipoff2: http://www.chad-adams.com/erocc1/july/mark_h/images/DSC00052_JPG.jpg


BTW very cool pics...

Jeepaholics Anonymous??

http://www.chad-adams.com/erocc1/july/mark_h/images/DSC00034_JPG.jpg

You need more than a 12 step program!! :flipoff2:


#44 is way cool!!!

Here is 4 pm today at the 'Clampetts" residence.

http://www.iei.net/~msmythe/images/no-cage.jpg

Around 6 pm it looks like this, hehehe.

http://www.iei.net/~msmythe/images/tubless.jpg

After the lifting the tub and cage off, I am sure I can save 400lbs (net) or so, now to balance it out so the back isn't too light. Can you say endooooooooooo.......................

I'm gonna have to remove at least a leaf from the spring pack, or go to spring over which I have resisted. Battery and fuel cell are the only things that come to mind that I can move to the back, any other suggestions?

:eek:

You were not kidding!!!

Nice, Mike!

http://www.chad-adams.com/erocc1/july/mark_h/images/DSC00044_JPG.jpg

Morgan

How come in this thread, a couple of the posters' pix are here and the others show links?
BTW great shots, good showing Spaceghost
Butch:flipoff2:

Originally posted by texican
How come in this thread, a couple of the posters' pix are here and the others show links?
BTW great shots, good showing Spaceghost
Butch:flipoff2:

Thanks Butch,
The reason is the pics are hosted elswhere and a link is embedded in the post so you see the pics. The attachments are posted as such in the message, since the board bandwidth has become an issue.

Awesome Mike.. You and Brian were gettin it fo' sho'! That gate/boulder is sick... What makes me wonder (besides how the fawk you got up that) is how they got the cones to stay on! :D

http://www.chad-adams.com/erocc1/july/mark_h/images/DSC00044_JPG.jpg

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn, your truck is starting to look like the 40 in my garage except mine doesnt even have the dog house or run. :flipoff2: Are you going to put some of the body back on or are you going to build all new shit. If you need any help let me know.

Ricko.

Mike, will it still be a cruiser after all the cutting? Or are you sticking with the story that it has a 40 drive tran?

Originally posted by SpaceGhost
After the lifting the tub and cage off, I am sure I can save 400lbs (net) or so, now to balance it out so the back isn't too light. Can you say endooooooooooo.......................

I'm gonna have to remove at least a leaf from the spring pack, or go to spring over which I have resisted. Battery and fuel cell are the only things that come to mind that I can move to the back, any other suggestions?

Mike, not much else I can think to move thats already on the truck. Only adding things like a rear winch or larger bumper etc. I think the endo concern is only downhill with rear coming over, in that case hit the gas or add weight to your spotter. ;)

I would keep it spring under in the rear. Otherwise axle wrap may beomce a concern.

Originally posted by Jason M
I never want to hear the term "Birdcage" again :flipoff2: http://www.chad-adams.com/erocc1/july/mark_h/images/DSC00052_JPG.jpg


BTW very cool pics...



BAAAAAAAHAHAHAHA

Dude that ain't a "Bird cage" that's a "Turd cage"

Pics from today can be found on my rinky dink web site (http://www.iei.net/~msmythe/mods.htm) . I added some thumbnails to the bottom of the page, click em for a better view. This is at the Badlands, since I can't buy the bender and do the tube work as cheap as they will do it. Maybe someday.

In a nutshell, all the mounts and brackets were cut from the frame. Some gusseting and a new rear tube were added. The rear spring mounts reversed, and a few inches of frame chopped off. The front (rears) spring hangers were moved up the frame rail for more clearance and keep it as low as possible. Spring overed the rear, and turned the pinion up at the tcase.

The beginning of the tubing for the rear is started, the cowl cut off. The rest of the tubing is on the schedule for tomorrow. Aluminum fuel cell and bilstein shock are on the way. Will be out of there on Friday and finished at home on Saturday, wheeling it on Sunday!

I am confident I dropped the 500 lbs I was shooting for!
http://www.iei.net/~msmythe/images/mods/Tub/DSCN0830.jpg

Thanks to my friends Robbie, Brian, and the TP Bandit!

Keep the updates coming you animal!!!

At the Super Crawl in Farmington. will they measure your tires by caliper or will it be sidewall measurements?

If you can run the "lesser" class with 37's you can borrow my MT/R's if you like...I have road hazzard :D

Looking good. I like the tubing work so far. Keep the updates coming. Thats a great idea to have the solid mounts moved up on the frame, you shouldn't get hung up on them.

Originally posted by wngrog
Keep the updates coming you animal!!!

At the Super Crawl in Farmington. will they measure your tires by caliper or will it be sidewall measurements?

If you can run the "lesser" class with 37's you can borrow my MT/R's if you like...I have road hazzard :D

Thanks Nolan, I have a set of 37's, and I will be wheeling the crap outta them to see if I can get them small enough :D

I hope no one else reads this board, hehehe..........

I don't think I'll get anymore pics of the progress until Friday when I pick it up. Those were all taken today, they had started the tubing and cut away some of the cowl for expanded metal (improved vision) yesterday. It's amazing what you can do in 5 hours when you have all the right tools and materials on hand!

Thats not a "DARK SIDE" photo I see on that rear suspension is it?!?!?!?!?

Are you gonna stick with the SUA front and the SOA rear, or go for it all at once?

Yep it's the Dark Side! I had to do something after pulling all the weight off. Those 4" skyjackers were too stiff. My only issue with a SO in the front is the steering. Hi Steer arms destroy knuckles in this environment. What alternatives are there on steering?

Originally posted by SpaceGhost
Yep it's the Dark Side! I had to do something after pulling all the weight off. Those 4" skyjackers were too stiff. My only issue with a SO in the front is the steering. Hi Steer arms destroy knuckles in this environment. What alternatives are there on steering?

There are no other options :(

Keep them tight and you will be fine.

Yeah Nolen...Mike and I yakked for an hour this morning, and knuckles was one of our discussions. Course, I've now jinxed myself, but I've never had a problem...but like you, I check them prior/during/after all rides.

It's only a matter of time to do the front:D

Heres a shot from todays progress, front section (cowl forward) is in the morning, followed by the floor, and the final welding of all the joints. rest of the pics here (http://www.iei.net/~msmythe/mods.htm)

http://www.iei.net/~msmythe/images/mods/Tub/DSCN0838.jpg

thats bad a$$ dude! cant wait to see front:)
lets see some pics of the green buggy in the background if possible:)

Jesus, Mike. You're not screwing around. I think you have done more to you Cruiser in a week than most people do in ten years. The fab work looks really well done. Are you gonna run any plexi or anything over the rear tube, or leave as is?

Originally posted by woody
Thats not a "DARK SIDE" photo I see on that rear suspension is it?!?!?!?!?


"dark side" ROFL!!! thats sooooo OLd sk00l

SOA is fast becoming the 'norm' while link suspensions are becoming the "dark side" :flipoff2:

do you feel old!! :p ;)

spaceghost,

looking sweet!!!! i have a 70 fj40 in the yard that is going to be my buggy project. i will built a custom frame and be using the current drive train in my jeep but the outcome is going to be very similar. i really like the look.!!! makes me want to start bending tube!:D

keep the pic's coming

Mike, that is absolutely kickin butt.....apparrently I need to sell my 84 minitruck and start tearing into my 72 and get some ideas for a new one myself!

That John Deere TJ in the background isn't Troy's is it? If so, they've come a long way in a couple weeks!!

Originally posted by woody

That John Deere TJ in the background isn't Troy's is it? If so, they've come a long way in a couple weeks!!

Nope, thats badassjeepguy's, the owner of those fine axles I snapped pics of. It's there to be built, replace the drivetrain and have the turds removed!

Someone asked for pics, I suppose I could snap a few this Friday when I pick my shit up. It's really not very interesting, yet!

Pics of mine don't do it justice. The sun was peering in the open doorway so I had trouble with the best angles. Robbie did a great job of bending up the tube to accomplish the goals, lite, strong, small and short. I need to be able to sneak past the gates, and squirm past the obstacles on the trail. I plan to install some body panels (top secret material) so that it will look Cruiserish.

Thanks for all the comments but I gotta tell you all that up until now I have done all the work on this thing, in my garage. These guys, Robbie in particular are the only ones I would have dropped it off to and let em go for it! He decided what needed to be done, and created it. I am very happy!

Now here's what my wife wants it to look like......... from 1999. Is she dreaming or what?
http://www.iei.net/~msmythe/jamboree/ms1.jpg

ya know, I sent Chris to this thread, and she said the same thing....

guess that's why it's not hers!

Originally posted by woody
Yeah Nolen...Mike and I yakked for an hour this morning, and knuckles was one of our discussions. Course, I've now jinxed myself, but I've never had a problem...but like you, I check them prior/during/after all rides.

Guys -

I have a friend here running a mini w/38.5s and Hysteer. He trashed 2 pass side knuckles. So when we put it back together, we pulled the studs, cleaned the holes w/brakecleaner and used Loctite stud locker. He also managed to find some metric Nylocks to replace the nuckle nuts. 6 months of abuse and it hasn't loosened or broken.

I may not be putting it through the abuse you guys are, but he is.

Cheap insurance!

Jim

metric nylocks are a good idea...looks like I've got a lunchtime mission now! heh heh Add those in with the regular lock washer and the cone below and it "should" stay together!

Man that looks so good! Congrats on keeping your cool and not going overboard with the tubing. You may have actually saved some weight the way you did it!

As for the stocker....my wife wanted one too, that is what Wilbur is for :D

Just got in from picking the Cruiser up. I am very pleased with the quality of the work and the design by Robbie, AKA Badlands Built!!

http://www.iei.net/~msmythe/images/mods/Tub/DSCN0861.jpg

A few other pics can be found here (http://www.iei.net/~msmythe/mods.htm) and more after it gets some paint, the fuel system plumbed and some misc. wiring before it see the rocks on Sunday!

Looks great mike, that kicks ass. Simple and to the point. Do you know how much weight you saved?

Can't wait to see it at the finals and cheer you on.

Originally posted by cruiserrg
Looks great mike, that kicks ass. Simple and to the point. Do you know how much weight you saved?

Can't wait to see it at the finals and cheer you on.

Thanks cruierrg, it weighs 3280 as it sits in the pic. I didn't get to weigh it before I ripped it apart so I only have my opinion to go from. I think we got between 450-500 lbs off.

Originally posted by SpaceGhost


Thanks cruierrg, it weighs 3280 as it sits in the pic. I didn't get to weigh it before I ripped it apart so I only have my opinion to go from. I think we got between 450-500 lbs off.

3280 wow, thats great. Thats one lean mean machine!

That was one reason I started over with a minitruck. My old cruiser was in the mid to high 4000's.

At 3280 that thing should jump over the rocks. :D

Mike

Did you use .120 2" on the front hoop and the fender bars?

DAMN I love how that puppy looks!

How did you secure the hood?

Originally posted by wngrog
Mike

Did you use .120 2" on the front hoop and the fender bars?

DAMN I love how that puppy looks!

How did you secure the hood?

1.75" x .120 wall all the way around, well except a couple of gussets. I haven't done the hood yet. The bib is hung on the lower mount (front crossmember) and tabs on the fender bars. The hood rests nicely on the bib, just gotta find some pins that will be as cool as the work done! I am looking at hidden latches inside the fender somehow.

The tubing is all painted, the cowl and bib got a fresh coat also. The hood is getting shot tonight if it's not raining when I get to it. Had to make some mods to the rear brake lines with the SO, ended up replacing the calipers since they were nearly seized, $9.99 at autozone for lifetime replacements. Will finish and bleed them first thing after work. The battery and fuel lines are all rerouted, along with the tailights, shocks are mounted and the exhaust system done. The only things left are the hood, painting and securing, and the brakes and I'm ready to test her out.

Planning now to wheel this Saturday unless the bug bites sooner. I'll snap some more pics once I can roll her out into the driveway.

Yeah, I like the 1.75....looks a lot better than hanging 2" stuff all over your rig.

It looks DAMN good!

Wow,
That looks GREAT!
Hmmm.....

Do I really need a body tub???


:D

Originally posted by Jason M
Wow,
That looks GREAT!
Hmmm.....

Do I really need a body tub???


:D


Well yeah, how else you gonna load up them showgirls.

Thanks guys.