Hi all,

Been a while. I have been very busy with work lately and playing Mr. mom this week too. No time to make any progress, but I thought some of you would get a kick out of the progress I made last month. It won't be quick as I haven't touched it for a couple weeks. Hope to have all done by late September to wheel a lot this winter.

First thing to go was the old sliders. I made them poorly. Tried to save weight. They crushed and bent the door frame and bowed the floor badly.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2827.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2828.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2829.jpg

It took some creative plasma-ing to get all the way back to the bulkhead support. But I didn't want to remove that. Its where everything comes together.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2830.jpg

New sliders are built from 1.5x3in 3/16 box and 1in 3/16 welded along the top. Pic is of the weld. Have to, it's pirate.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2836.jpg

Slider taking shape:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2838.jpg

Fitment of new slider to front bulkhead.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2833.jpg

Slider burned in on the front. It was also indernally braced on the inside pretty rediculously. Also welded in the bulkhead for good measure.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2840.jpg

I think thats enough for tonight. I'll get the second half up tomorrow.

Edit: Big thanks to Pat (devildog) for the 2 days of help!

Very cool slacker now get that done for Oct in moab...

I just want to know one thing:

When is Buck Wild racing taking on Herbst head to head??? :smokin:

Nice job Dave-as always.

I might just be starting a project of my own. A beat-up '93 SWB might follow me home tomorrow. If the planets align, I might travel a coupla hours further and pick-up a Salisbury, but the way things have been going on that front, I don't expect success!

Keep us in the loop!

PT

Thanks guys.

PT- I hope you get it going!

Here are more updates.

Drivers tacked into place, yes the stickers are coming off:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2834.jpg

Drivers side complete

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2841.jpg

Co-driver side in. The sliders sit 2.5in higher than the old ones did. And approximately .5in taller than the bottom of the doors of a stock defender. At ride height it is 30.5in to the ground 31.5 at the back after they go up. I think I am going to clear a lot more with them this high. I still think it looks good.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2964.jpg

Bracing back to the frame. Also welded to the roll cage with .25 steel.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2959.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2960.jpg

Front all tied in:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2956.jpg

And now the fun part. I had to do the sliders first in order to hold the frame all straight. Oh noes, what have I got myself into. :laughing:

No frame:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2955.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2958.jpg

:flipoff2:

Buck:
How much surface are does KOH require be available for "Advertising"?

I've been looking at some of the bigger comps and have been amazed at the amount of surface area they require be made available for advertising and the draconian penalites for not having enough room or not displaying all of them at each checkpoint.

PT

ps-should be going to get the '93 as soon as my tow rig driver shows up. I'd like to get started cutting on it, but the '88 has to be roadworthy before I take on another personal project.

Buck:
How much surface are does KOH require be available for "Advertising"?

I've been looking at some of the bigger comps and have been amazed at the amount of surface area they require be made available for advertising and the draconian penalites for not having enough room or not displaying all of them at each checkpoint.

PT

ps-should be going to get the '93 as soon as my tow rig driver shows up. I'd like to get started cutting on it, but the '88 has to be roadworthy before I take on another personal project.

Sorry PT, I missed the question.

In KOH, there were really no rules. I was so thrilled to have the help I did, I would have wrapped the whole body in ROVER TRACKS and SPIDER! :laughing: Seriously though, when someone would agree to something, they would dictate terms. "I want an x big sticker on both sides and hood", or whatever. I was glad to get the help, and all in all, I got a tone of it.

Sorry PT, I missed the question.

In KOH, there were really no rules. I was so thrilled to have the help I did, I would have wrapped the whole body in ROVER TRACKS and SPIDER! :laughing: Seriously though, when someone would agree to something, they would dictate terms. "I want an x big sticker on both sides and hood", or whatever. I was glad to get the help, and all in all, I got a tone of it.

No problem!

I got the '93 home and SWMBO has pretty much told me I can do what I want with it after I built the '88 as a comfy trail rider.

I've probably got enough work in the shop now 'til the end of the year, as soon as I get time, I'm taking the roof off and moving the liftgate to right behind the seats. Gee, I've only wanted to do this for five years or so!

I'm waiting to see what your frame ends up looking like!

:laughing: I looked at the pics for a while trying to figure out why the hell the T case was hanging down so far... There is no FRAME left!

I'll be watching this one, for sure. Is that your welding or are you having it built by your buddy who has the awesome fab shop? Regardless, it looks great, the welding is awesome.

no, that's dave's welding.. most of it was after quite a few beers also.. :D

Buck:
How much surface are does KOH require be available for "Advertising"?


Years ago, the rockcrawling sanctions demanded space on the rigs...they were following some of the desert sanctions theory that they deserved it. Well, we stood up to them and said flat out, you're already providing something for your event sponsors, which is a place for them to show their brands at the event. There wouldn't be an event without the teams and we cannot come to your event without our sponsors. If you're not going to give each of our sponsors signage at the event, we're not going to give your sponsors space on our rigs. To say they were pissed would be an understatement. Still, we stood strong and after the first competition series (CalRocs run by the Kleins) said they totally understood and believed in what we were saying and would back us up, the others had no choice but to follow.

It has been that way ever since and is fair because it is not like they are guaranteeing us "X" amount of TV time that is paid by their sponsors, and they don't pay our expenses, or anything else...they have the chance to make money because we are there...we can do what we love because they are there...it's a partnership with clear lines drawn.

KOH was born of a blend of desert and rocksports enthusiasts and like W.E.ROCK, they would love for you to run some or all of their sponsor decals, but do not make it mandatory....that's the rockcrawling part. Also, if you want contingency money, they offer you the chance to get that by working directly with the sponsors at the event...that's the desert racing part. It's really a great melding of both worlds.

Moving on to the rover...Dave, you're really going for it! Keep those pics coming!

:laughing: I looked at the pics for a while trying to figure out why the hell the T case was hanging down so far... There is no FRAME left!

I'll be watching this one, for sure. Is that your welding or are you having it built by your buddy who has the awesome fab shop? Regardless, it looks great, the welding is awesome.

Thanks a lot man! I have been working on my welding with tips from my neighbor (he's amazing at mig). I can lay down a near perfect bead, but I can turn around 10 seconds later and lay down a piece of crap. I think the devil is in metal prep. Sometimes I get lazy. :emb:

The new belly height is going to be 1.25 higher than the old belly. If you include the drum brake skid then it is going to be almost 3in higher. :smokin: And I found a way to reduce the roll angle at the same time. Updates will be a long time coming with the amount of real work I have to do.

Just for good measure, a few pics of the bling. They have to be in here right?

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2962.jpg

UHMW - This stuff is pricy. I hope it works as well as everyone says.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2967.jpg

I just want to know one thing:

When is Buck Wild racing taking on Herbst head to head??? :smokin:When they, or any of us, can afford to spend as much on our rigs as Herbst does on each transmission.

Nice hummer:flipoff2:

Updates. I actually got a whole day to work on it! :smokin:

I was able to get the new frame mounted up and burned in, in one day. Doing it alone was a beotch!

Anyway, a few pics.

Back joint all burned in.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2976.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2971.jpg

Front burned:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2975.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2970.jpg

Everything fits with exactly 0.00in to spare. I even have to move the case over to the drivers side by .5 of an inch to get the tunnel to fit again.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2973.jpg

It changes the appearance of the truck quite a bit with the frame up 2in and the sliders up 2.5. It just looks different. Much more compact. I still need to cut that door bar off though.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2974.jpg

I only had to raise the t-case about .75in. I have to trim about 3/8 of the bottom AL flange off the case to get it to all tuck. I have to get it as low as possible because the fan is getting very close to the fan shroud. Only about a quarter inch from the bottom. So far so good, still a long way to go.

BTW: It is dead on. I mean freaky on. Every measurement came up tits for the new frame. It even warped during welding into a better position. That said, I REFUSE to tell anyone how far off one of the sliders is now that there is a straight frame to measure off of. :emb:

All said and done

Ohhh Daddy Like

should have pm'd me about the UHMW.

should have pm'd me about the UHMW.

Oh man, I totally forgot! :mad3:

That sheet was just under $100 so I *think* that was pretty fair.

should have pm'd me...

Note to self...PM Spork when in need of slick stuff! :dustin:

You could shim the radiator and engine up to match the t-case. Both should be fairly easy and I suspect there is enough room to go up 5/8ths. It would save the shroud and the funky angle I assume you now have on everything.

You could shim the radiator and engine up to match the t-case. Both should be fairly easy and I suspect there is enough room to go up 5/8ths. It would save the shroud and the funky angle I assume you now have on everything.

Hi,

I thought about that, but the closeness of the radiator is on the bottom of the shroud, so I would actually have to go up on the engine, or down on the radiator. Right now it looks like I will have to move the t-case up a total of 5/8. It may fall a bit with pressure on the new poly mounts. The thing still looks way nose high (engine) and always has.

I remember when I bought this engine from George at RDS he told me that the shroud may have been the "wrong" one. I never knew what he meant but originally I mounted the t-case in the stock rear location, then built my mounts with the engine level. When I put the radiator in and fan shroud, I had to raise the engine a little more than 3/4 to center it in the shroud. I did that with an AL spacer on each mount.

So, I have no idea where anything is located anymore. Add that to the radiator now being .25 higher than it used to be when I built new mounts and moved it back 2.25in. SOOOO, I am thinking I will mount it all where it needs to be and see where I end up. Right now the clearance on the bottom of the fan is .25in. I think that should be fine. If it is not, I may just go to electric fans. Moving everything is a lot of work with how cramped the engine bay is.

All this for belly clearance. But worth it! It will be like running 46in tires if you add in the skid plate drop around the drum brake!

I like electric fans for the reason you have encountered. They remove the necessity for a specific relation between the rad and the motor. That way you can mount the motor level and the rad so that it gets the best airflow and the two are no longer dependent on one another.

I went to dual Kenlowes on a Defender rad when I put the mercedes diesel in my Series III. Best thing I ever did.

Oh man, I totally forgot! :mad3:

That sheet was just under $100 so I *think* that was pretty fair.

you can get sheets of recycled polyethylene (melted down grocery bags) for much cheaper than that. if your putting it on a metal backing it will do just fine. UHMW is Ultra High Molecular Weight polyethylene, its better than regular polyethylene, but not as good as polypropylene. Polypropylene is Fawkin! expensive.

More updates! Making slow progress. The wife has been very cool letting me pull a couple late nights.

Cutting off the frame to match the new frame. Welded joint inside and out. Damn, even when I tried, I couldn't make my welds look worse than the factory welds on the inside of the frame: :laughing:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3110.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3112.jpg

My buddy made me up an adapter to run without the drum brake. 7075 AL. Fits like a glove:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3108.jpg

Bottom all plated with .125 steel and ground down. Front outrigger sealed up:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3114.jpg

I only finished one side so far. The brackets for mounting the t-case arrived, so I got side tracked.

The first thing I did was bastardised the LR bracket. I fully welded the inside and rewelded the outside. The stock welds had bad contamination:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3123.jpg

After about 3 hours, wala. Not all that pretty, but I think they will work:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3124.jpg

Divers side all painted and assembled:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3133.jpg

Passenger side:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3132.jpg

What I had to grind off the t-case:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3129.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3130.jpg

And last but not least, the new profile, man am I going to dig wheeling this. It won't sound like a fight in the orchestra section when I wheel anymore!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3136.jpg

Blantant promo!!!!

If you ever wondered why you should get your shafts built by Jim at JE REEL, this is it. Thats max droop on a 5/8lifted t-case. I have 3in of lift too, just for comparison. Time to switch to 20in coilovers I guess! :flipoff2:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3135.jpg

looking good billy ray...

That's looking sweet, Buck.

Can I bother you for some pics of your front upper link and mounts please?

As always dave! a Very very clean job! :smokin:

can I borrow some fab skills? just box um up and let me know what i owe you for shipping...:D

just makes me curious, but how're you going to keep the top of the frame from rusting with no paint on there?

he lives in So Cal and wheels this in the desert... rust is the least of his worries...

just makes me curious, but how're you going to keep the top of the frame from rusting with no paint on there?

I was just going to paint it? :confused:

I was just going to paint it? :confused:

guess my question is how do you reach that? just always wondered. spray can or brush?

How did it finish up???

Not done, thats for sure.

I have not had too much time to work on it lately. Here are some updates:

Frame is totally finished:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3162.jpg

Every welded joint was plated and welded. All joints were welded inside as well on three sides. Everything I have done since the first post was done with cutoff wheels on my angle grinder. I had to give the plasma back. I am tired of grinding.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3163.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3164.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3167.jpg

I couldn't plate this one because of the 3/16 plate under the front mount so I welded up a brace.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3168.jpg

This is all I could fit on the inside of the rear. I would have liked to do more but I was already burning through paint on one edge because I couldn't get a grinder in there.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3172.jpg

Thats all she wrote. The tabs are almost ready to be burned in and I should be able to do that this weekend. Then paint, redo one of the transfercase mounts (exaust doesn't fit :mad3:), and fab up the skid plate. Ug, why do I do this stuff? I may miss the first trip of the year! :shaking:

Lane, I haven't sent the sliders yet, if you want the skid, send me the shipper.

Dayummm, you were going even bigger than I had imagined based on the early pics. Lookin good though so keep it up!

Got a couple brackets welded up.

Don't mind the rust. I got impatient and sprayed them with water.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3185.jpg


These are for Aloha:

Made these out of a Toyota Truck torsion bar. They work very well. I still have an extra arm. I am thinking about making another set, but would charge a lot :)

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3183.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3184.jpg

Looking good! KEEP it up Papa Burgandy.

IM going back to the Pant store.. Its the PLEATS>> :grinpimp:

These are for Aloha:

Made these out of a Toyota Truck torsion bar. They work very well. I still have an extra arm. I am thinking about making another set, but would charge a lot :)

Awesome.

Is the piece that goes from the torsion bar to the down link part of the Toy lower control arm or??

Very nice.

Awesome.

Is the piece that goes from the torsion bar to the down link part of the Toy lower control arm or??

Very nice.

Thanks!

The female portion of the arm that slides over the bar is Toyota. The arm itself I had milled out of 4340 and then I welded it to the toyota portion.

I built it out of 3/8x2 flat bar the first time and that would be fine too, but I built it wrong and destroyed it in KOH. So I went all blingy the last time. The bar is 20% stiffer than a Currie unit and the arm is 17in hiem to center of bar. It works extremely well. I can crawl up areas where most people roll without the suckdown winch pulled.

Edit: Here is a pic taken on the top of Backdoor. Most who take this line go over. Especially as far right as I tried it. Without the sway bar I would have been a goner for sure!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2663.jpg

Looking good! KEEP it up Papa Burgandy.

IM going back to the Pant store.. Its the PLEATS>> :grinpimp:

:lmao::lmao::lmao:

Most who take this line go over. Especially as far right as I tried it. Without the sway bar I would have been a goner for sure!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_2663.jpg

That's BS and you know it!!! The only reason you didn't roll there is that the passenger is so scared his pucker is not only pulling him tight to the seat, but also pulling the ground on the right side to the rig...























:dustin:

i would just like to add, that it's not me in that co-driver seat... but i realize it's still my fault... :flipoff2:

i would just like to add, that it's not me in that co-driver seat... but i realize it's still my fault... :flipoff2:

That's a good Gunny.. Good, bad or Ugly.. Take it...

Actually Buck has a new mega gravity device that sucks his butt toward the dirt...

Dave I'm behind on bushings but I haven't forgotten you! XOXOXOX

That's a good Gunny.. Good, bad or Ugly.. Take it...

Actually Buck has a new mega gravity device that sucks his butt toward the dirt...

Dave I'm behind on bushings but I haven't forgotten you! XOXOXOX

HAHAH xoxox... thats like a familiar text! :flipoff2:

i would just like to add, that it's not me in that co-driver seat... but i realize it's still my fault... :flipoff2:

You'll notice how f-ed up the passenger side is? The drivers side looks as pure as a virgin playing in the snow. Damn co-driver! :flipoff2:

Thanks for the help again.

That's a good Gunny.. Good, bad or Ugly.. Take it...

Actually Buck has a new mega gravity device that sucks his butt toward the dirt...

Dave I'm behind on bushings but I haven't forgotten you! XOXOXOX

Sweet. You going to turn some for me?




Updates. Burned in the front mounts today and linked the front back up. Yeah! I have had a wicked cold this week so only got about 3 hours to mess with anything.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3195.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3196.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3197.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3201.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3202.jpg

This is where the axle links will be, I think.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3200.jpg




AlohaRover, where are you taking the measurement from on the upper ball joint for your vertical separation exactly? I am having a hard time and want to make sure that I have at least 8in of sepparation. Right now I have 8.5 if you measure right where the ball presses into the mount. It seems the folcrum would be there. Thanks.

Very well done dave those mounts look great!

nice speed holes in those brackets you dork... :flipoff2:





thanks again for the help today!:beer: I have whiskey now that nikki went out... :p

This is where the axle links will be, I think.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3200.jpg

i understadn the desire to have the bottom of the axle as smooth as possible and all.

But... is the lower link pivot point above the center line of the axle?

If both top and bottom mounts are above center line shouldn't you have even more vertical separation between them then if they are on opposite sides of the CL?

Or is it just that the mounts need to be stronger with this layout?

Location with respect to the axle centerline has no effect on suspension geometry. It is location with respect to the ground that matters.

i understadn the desire to have the bottom of the axle as smooth as possible and all.

But... is the lower link pivot point above the center line of the axle?

If both top and bottom mounts are above center line shouldn't you have even more vertical separation between them then if they are on opposite sides of the CL?

Or is it just that the mounts need to be stronger with this layout?

Ahh, yes, the infamous over the axle and you will die pirate rumor. I have heard that one before. I even saw a post where I guy said that if it was exactly on the centerline of the tube the forces would go to infinity and devide by zero catastrophy would ensue! :laughing:

The truth is that you can mount the links both above, both below, whatever you want. It is true that the higher the links, the more beef you have to design them with but that just has to do with lever force on the link, like a breaker bar.

Those links ended up about 1/16 of an inch above axle centerline. I ended up with 8.5in of vertical separation and 6in of lateral separation. I would love 10 just because it will lessen the stress on the center ball joint. But, with triangulated lowers now it will lessen the lateral stress the ball sees which is more than my little tdi will put to it. I feel pretty good. Updates to follow!

Lower link mounts all burned in:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3206.jpg

Axle painted! Yeah! Only took me 9 months. :shaking:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3207.jpg

Had to cut 11 degrees into the mounts. Came out good and made the separation as small as I could.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3209.jpg

Shortened the links up 6in. Now they are just stupid long, instead of retarded long. Ballistic joints welded up.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3210.jpg

Mount:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3216.jpg

All finished up:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3211.jpg

Tires on! Its a roller!!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3218.jpg

Roll angle ended up in the rear at 1 degree. Anti squat is 87. Roll angle on front is 5 degrees, 66% anti-dive. Meh, it's as good as I could do without more sugery. Way better than it was though and worked great before. With my luck, it will suck now! :flipoff2:

Thats nice work. Nice welds. Dont even need to grind.

too bad you couldn't paint the middle of the frame.. :flipoff2:

I didnt even see that WTF

HAHA its about time your painted that shit though! I was getting way to used to the surface rust look...

I like it..


PInk would have been better IMHO :flipoff2:

That Spidertrax housing is pure sex. Have you ever put a thermarest on the floor and just spent the night there?


Chad

I didnt even see that WTF

Now stiggy, I have been giving you a flame free pass on here so far. Continued lack of critical thinking will result in the flame-hammer being deployed! :flipoff2:

HAHA its about time your painted that shit though! I was getting way to used to the surface rust look...

I like it..


PInk would have been better IMHO :flipoff2:

I'm gunna get you! :evil:

That Spidertrax housing is pure sex. Have you ever put a thermarest on the floor and just spent the night there?


Chad

No, but only since it is so dirty! I never thought I would have something that nice. I do find myself just staring at it occasionally.

Alright, I also kiss them occasionally. :laughing::flipoff2:

[QUOTE=Buckon37s;10375675]Now stiggy, I have been giving you a flame free pass on here so far. Continued lack of critical thinking will result in the flame-hammer being deployed! :flipoff2:QUOTE]

FLAME HAMMER! :cookie:


EDIT to add

DING FRIES ARE DONE DING FRIES ARE DONE!!!

Deploy the hammer as you see fit. I can take it. I know I am a rook at this shit. lol. Learning fast though.

I am going to start a bumper for the disco tomorrow. This will be my second one. First was for the XJ. It was a bit much. Check it out. One of my first off road fab projects.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o258/lester316d/jeep/IMG_0326.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o258/lester316d/jeep/IMG_0329.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o258/lester316d/jeep/IMG_0328.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o258/lester316d/jeep/IMG_0331.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o258/lester316d/jeep/IMG_0340-1.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o258/lester316d/jeep/IMG_0341-1.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o258/lester316d/jeep/IMG_0345.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o258/lester316d/jeep/IMG_0347.jpg

Deploy the hammer as you see fit. I can take it. I know I am a rook at this shit. lol. Learning fast though.

I am going to start a bumper for the disco tomorrow. This will be my second one. First was for the XJ. It was a bit much. Check it out. One of my first off road fab projects.

A bit much?! Thats like saying Hitler was a bit of an anti-semite. :flipoff2:

I know but I didnt want to make it weak. lol. It was a lot 1/4" plate. Really have to tie in deep and in lots of places with the unibody on an XJ.

Ask Mighty about 1/4" plate.

Ask Mighty about 1/4" plate.

:rainbow:

OK I will bite Mighty tell me aboiut 1/4" plate.

OK I will bite Mighty tell me aboiut 1/4" plate.

its ghey :flipoff2:

EDIT TO ADD TO THE POINT!

Like Richard Simmons in a hot tub with David Hasslehoff...

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o258/lester316d/postal_2_garyhoff.jpg

is The Hass drunk?

You don't hassle the Hoff.

AHHH good times.. thanks for the laugh!

Ahh, yes, the infamous over the axle and you will die pirate rumor. I have heard that one before. I even saw a post where I guy said that if it was exactly on the centerline of the tube the forces would go to infinity and devide by zero catastrophy would ensue!

The software engineer in me I guess. Always fearful of the DBZ!!

:D

Thanks for all the feedback here and in the 3-link thread.
My balistic joints and all the brackets should be here in a week, so I will get to work on my front end.

The software engineer in me I guess. Always fearful of the DBZ!!

:D

Thanks for all the feedback here and in the 3-link thread.
My balistic joints and all the brackets should be here in a week, so I will get to work on my front end.

Please put up a build thread on it. I am really interested to see how good one could be made. There are poly-performance high clearance mounts that would actually work mounting the lower links on the inside of the frame. At least I think they would work. Hard to tell. The only real reason I abandoned the idea is that I really didn't want to redo my axle mounts or the links. And was worried about how bad they would hit as they did hang down quite a bit. I don't think that I could have done any better than the 5 degrees of roll axis the way I did it. At least not with the really sharp turning radius I have.

Anyway, please keep us in the loop!

Updates. I am so close to done I can taste it!

Redid the drivers side t-case mount last week. I measured wrong for the exaust. :shaking:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3219.jpg

Now I have a super clean channel for the 3in exaust:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3222.jpg

Got the skidplate sub frame done:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3253.jpg

Installed, not really, but just for fitment. Bolts up with 4 bolts.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3248.jpg

So I changed how I was going to build the skid and ended up with something WAY overbuilt. It's just obnoxious. The thing weighs 49lb. I think with the skid it will be close to 65. Stupid. Since I didn't want to redo it with smaller tube, I called a bud who owed me a favor. He's putting it on his mill and milling tons of go fast holes in it. I think I can shave off 15lb. At least thats the goal. I want to see if I can come out of all this lighter than I went in. :laughing:

Strong work buddy! looks great!

I like the looks of your skid frame even though it can handle a road side bomb...

Lots of IED's in Johnson valley. Aren't they called Jeeps?

Looks BEEF dave!! I am going to have to step up my game to hang with that, but mine is waay under 4k pounds so I won't need the speed holes. :flipoff2:

Lots of IED's in Johnson valley. Aren't they called Jeeps?

hey hey hey now.. or are you just saying my heep is the Bomb diggity?!?!?! :flipoff2:

http://www.jeepgod.net/graphics/trips/2008/Hammers%20Dec%2013/IMG_1142.jpg

Looks BEEF dave!! I am going to have to step up my game to hang with that, but mine is waay under 4k pounds so I won't need the speed holes. :flipoff2:



hey hey hey now.. or are you just saying my heep is the Bomb diggity?!?!?! :flipoff2:

http://www.jeepgod.net/graphics/trips/2008/Hammers%20Dec%2013/IMG_1142.jpg

You get you transmission leaking rig out of my pimp thread! :laughing: Yeah, I know I gotta fix that.

Updates. Skid is done. Off to get mill work tomorrow to pull 20 LB out of it. Not really, but shooting for 16. :flipoff2:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3278.jpg

Almost done. Really close. Need....more.....time.....

looks good.. i'll be in the garage today.

Dude Gets some kings BRAH!! SOCAL!! :flipoff2:

Dude Gets some kings BRAH!! SOCAL!! :flipoff2:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/KingBrah.jpg

Where's the pics of this new light weight molecular skid plate of yours?????

Where's the pics of this new light weight molecular skid plate of yours?????

I think it is simply too sexy for this thread.








:flipoff2:

Ah yeah! The end is nigh!!

Got to spend the entire day on this Saturday. Getting so close!

Here is my finished skid plate frame at a svelt 30lb. I went and got a can of flat black paint just to keep the mad max theme going!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3357.jpg

Here is is in the pre paint test fitting:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3356.jpg

Skid plate completely done!!!!! It was more work than I thought by a mile:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3355.jpg

And after sorting out a ton of small details like zues mounts, new floor, zip mounts, blaw blaw, PAINT!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3359.jpg

All I have left to do is finish the new gas tank mount, cut the floors, charge the rear shocks, and assemble all the panels. Maybe a day left tell she is ready to go. Man I want to get out to the valley!!

Lane, you ready yet?

BOOOM Diggady! Your fast! haha I love it.. Looks great..

Geez I better get going.

looking good brah!!!!

i ran out of bolts, just need to dill 6 more holes and bolt the plastic on..

Ah yeah! The end is nigh!!

Got to spend the entire day on this Saturday. Getting so close!

Here is my finished skid plate frame at a svelt 30lb. I went and got a can of flat black paint just to keep the mad max theme going!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3357.jpg
Meh, no dimple dies





:D


Seriously though, looks great. nice work.

Meh, no dimple dies





:D


Seriously though, looks great. nice work.

Thanks bud! I think it's heavier than yours though! :laughing:

All finished!! Well, I still have a few details, but maybe a day tops. Anyway, here are the final updates for anyone interested.

I am very happy with how clean everything ended up. This time there is nothing that I am ashamed about, which there always seems to be. :laughing:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3402.jpg

This shows how tight everything is. The t-case clears everything by .25 of an inch, and the floor by .350.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3405_1.jpg

New exaust. I didn't do it.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3491.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3492.jpg

The complete truck. The rear comes up about an inch when I put nitrogen back in the shocks. It sits stink bug a little when there is no spare or passengers.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3487.jpg

More, just for fun.

Never realized home much wider the rear really is now. That 3in makes a big difference.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3488.jpg

Next years driver? Could do better than me, thats for sure.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3483.jpg

Co-driver!?

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3496.jpg

I need to cut some bars off too. I forgot.

Also, I weighed it again. So the last time I weighed it was before KOH, after the new body and cage, but before the new axles. What's your bets? Fully loaded with all tools, full tank of gas, no spare?

Oh, and here is the f-ed up side just so you guys don't accuse me of trying to hide the ugly. :flipoff2:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3479.jpg

Looks GREAT Buck - I say 4,180lbs?

looks great. nice work :)

Guess at 4300lb's

That belly looks slicker than snot! How will you know if your belly is dragging if its not making dreadful noises?
4276lbs with the kid.

Strong Work Batman....


I saw 4175....

That is a sweet one of a kind rig. Nice work.

4308 with 1000lb LR anti-matter weight pod.

I'm going with.... heavier than mine! :flipoff2:

Looks good. How long are your C.O.Shocks? 14" or 16" Got a pic of the crossover?

nice work!

of course I'm too much of a newb to have anything constructive to ad... so just spreading the love :dustin:

Dave when did Jack in the Box start sponsoring you? :flipoff2:

I like the exhaust the best.

Looks GREAT Buck - I say 4,180lbs?

Winner! Full weight is 4,200 on the dot. How bad does that suck! I added 240lb to the truck. :shaking: The good news is that the difference was all unsprung weight. Believe it or not, all the stuff that took place in this thread did not add any real weight at all to the frame. I was shocked but I weighed everything coming off and everything going on.

The good news - 2,100 each side to side.
The bad news - Front is 2,480, rear is 1,720 I guess a 59% to 41% isn't all that bad. Pretty much is what it is at this point.

Strong Work Batman....


I saw 4175....

SOOOO close! But you LOSE! :flipoff2:

Looks good. How long are your C.O.Shocks? 14" or 16" Got a pic of the crossover?

14 front and 16 rear. What do you mean crossover??

I like the exhaust the best.

The only part I didn't do, thanks. :laughing::flipoff2:

Actually, they did a great job for me. The little bend to keep it as far as possible away from the footwell was really well done. I am glad I didn't do it. Especially for the money.

so... ignorant question: what's the yellow light on the back of your rig? I assume it's part of the competition requirements??

Ah yeah! The end is nigh!!

Got to spend the entire day on this Saturday. Getting so close!

Here is my finished skid plate frame at a svelt 30lb. I went and got a can of flat black paint just to keep the mad max theme going!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3357.jpg

Camera trick or is the top curved?

so... ignorant question: what's the yellow light on the back of your rig? I assume it's part of the competition requirements??

KOH requirement, the amber is the only thing you'll see coming up on another truck in the dust. It sucks when somebody either has dim ambers or broken ambers, there's no way to tell you're about to hit somebody until you hear a loud clang and all of a sudden you're pushing somebody:laughing:

Actually, they did a great job for me. The little bend to keep it as far as possible away from the footwell was really well done. I am glad I didn't do it. Especially for the money.There's a CarX by me that does a good job on custom stuff.
I just say, "It starts here and has to end there. You figure it out." :D

Sorry, are the front top spring mounts tied together with a cross over bar?

what was the prize?

what was the prize?

Yeah, what's MY prize Buck? :flipoff2:

Seriously though, 4,200lbs even for a diesel pushing, bullet proof, and VERY capable FULL BODIED rig is a great accomplishment...you did put on 240lbs, but that's going to make you drive it harder since you know it is build stronger...

KOH'10 should be interesting...I know I'd like to see that whip some major ass...

Yeah, what's MY prize Buck? :flipoff2:

Seriously though, 4,200lbs even for a diesel pushing, bullet proof, and VERY capable FULL BODIED rig is a great accomplishment...you did put on 240lbs, but that's going to make you drive it harder since you know it is build stronger...

KOH'10 should be interesting...I know I'd like to see that whip some major ass...

Thanks man!

You're the new co-driver for 2011. That guy Devildog really let me down. Did you see that passenger side? Jeeze. :laughing::flipoff2:

Unfortunately, I am not even trying to qualify for '10. :( The expense and drag on my family, as well as job, was too much for me to repeat this year. I plan to have a go at it in 2011 if God permits. I have to at least try it again. I really feel I had a top 15 truck. Now all I have to do is prove it. :emb:

Camera trick or is the top curved?

It's an illusion. If you stare at it long enough, you can see a Schooner.

Sorry, are the front top spring mounts tied together with a cross over bar?

I'll snap some pics for you. They are tied together, and to the fire wall, and to the exo cage. I kinda want to switch to 16's in the front. :homer:

If you stare at it long enough, you can see a Schooner.

You dumb bastard! It's not a Schooner... It's a sailboat!!!

I'll snap some pics for you. They are tied together, and to the fire wall, and to the exo cage. I kinda want to switch to 16's in the front. :homer:

So...how much do you want for your current front c/o's?
:idea:

So...how much do you want for your current front c/o's?
:idea:

Make me an offer! Actually, I am nowhere close to this. I have to take a bunch of measurments and check out shock lenths. It is very complicated to switch. At full compression the ram clears my frame by .25 of an inch. The tie rod gently touches. :laughing:

You guys thought I was done, huh? Not yet. Come on Keith! :p

So last project hopefully this year. My fan clutch went out when I broke the blades. I tested it the Redrover way and it won't engage properly. Replacement is $150 :eek: Temps only went up to 210 but seemed to stay there too much.

So I went this route, $68 in parts and about another $30 in taps, and other junk that goes with it.

First, I went with a big fan, 16in. So I had to slightly trim the top and bottom of the radiator. This was actually quite nervracking as I really didn't want to buy a new radiator. Came out clean.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3556.jpg

Fan mocked up. It was a perfect size. It acutally slipped into the edges of the radiator. I went without a shroud. I think the fan is big enough to cool effectively.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3555.jpg

Hole drilled and tapped for the thermostat in the front elbow. Nice little place for it:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3560.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3563.jpg

And all wired up.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3649.jpg

View from other side:

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd299/buckon35s/IMG_3564.jpg

I flushed out the radiator and engine when I did this. There was tons of junk in there. I filled it with 20% coolant and water wetter. It took me 20 minutes of running at 2500 RPM to get the water hot enough to turn the fan on. I will report back after this weekend at the hammers to tell how cold it runs. The fan is a 2500 CFM unit at 12 amps.

Good stuff. I want to get rid of the clutch fan so I can get some heat this winter!

Dave,
I just found this thread thanks to Brian. Rig looks friggin great. I would love to see you give KOH a go again this year, if you can swing it.

Put the "DEGENERATE" sticker back on and I'll put up the cash for your LCQ entry and I promise not to keep you up all night with my drunken snoreing the night before the race.

See you on the lake bed.

Dave,
I just found this thread thanks to Brian. Rig looks friggin great. I would love to see you give KOH a go again this year, if you can swing it.

Put the "DEGENERATE" sticker back on and I'll put up the cash for your LCQ entry and I promise not to keep you up all night with my drunken snoreing the night before the race.

See you on the lake bed.

I'm working on it! I have an appointment this weekend to "talk" to someone on the lake bed. May be a long shot but, keeping my fingers crossed.

Don't worry, if I do this again, the DEGENERATE sticker will be prominant. :flipoff2:

It will be good to see you again.

wait, what engine is in this thing? diesel?

wait, what engine is in this thing? diesel?

300TDi, IRC.

Awesome Truck, really......:skull:

How much travel for coilover?

Awesome Truck, really......:skull:

How much travel for coilover?
Your answer is in post #103 - 16" rear, 14" front.

Your answer is in post #103 - 16" rear, 14" front.


Thinking seriously about changing that. Maybe.

I have updates from wreckingball. Truck did well, but it wasn't the huge change I expected. I thought 4in under the t case would be life changing. Meh, but the lower roll angle was very noticable. The sway bar is not trying to bend anymore. I'll get some pics soon.

Dave:
Can you post a pic of your front suspension links?

I was kicking an idea around this morning and remembered you'd had a lot of input on your front suspension.

PT

ps-Merry Christmas everybody!

Dave:
Can you post a pic of your front suspension links?

I was kicking an idea around this morning and remembered you'd had a lot of input on your front suspension.

PT

ps-Merry Christmas everybody!

Sure PT. What are you interested in exactly?

Sure PT. What are you interested in exactly?

Attachment to the frame, the joints used and the bracket on the axle.

Yes, I'm thinking nine inch again. It's your fault:flipoff2:

I won't go diesel though:laughing: I like the smell of Napalm in the morning!