|
Go
To Day Two
|
After 10 hours of hard
work the truck is nearly done with just a few items remain to
complete. Rather than work in the evening the Tin Benders opted to
finish the truck tomorrow. The major items that remain are: nerf bars,
seats, shocks shock hoops, winch hook up, 1/2 doors and clearance the
firewalls. Look for additional coverage in the morning.
|
|
 |
 |
On the left we have a sweet hand made optima
battery mount that fits very nicely in the stock location and using
the stock holes. Below the Bobbed All Pro bumper. After it was cut
down new brackets were made to bring the bumper in up tight to the
body. |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
5:30 PM Update
The sun is starting to set and the
truck is really coming together now. The bed in now back on and bolted
in place. The tires are on and the truck is now on the ground.
|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
The half doors are now being cut for the half
doors (above). All Pro front bumper installed up front (left). High
Angle Drive shaft install (below). |
|
 |
|
Front spring hanger gussets being
welded into position (right). Front flip kit and tires/wheels are
installed (bottom). |
 |
|
 |
 |
2:30 PM Update
|
|
 |
| Check out the heavy duty steering stops on the
Front Range front axle. Sweat looking and super beefy!
Final assembly on the front axle above includes
Superior 3rd, Detroit Locker, Poly Performance axles, Longfield Birfs,
and High Steer.
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
It's time to grind (above). Four guys with
grinders are all working at the same time to clean up the frame and
rear axle for assembly. The IFS steering
box was remounted further forward and reinforced with plate steel on
both the inside and outside of the frame rails (below). |
|
 |
| Rob uses the plasma cutter to create a pair of
plates to cover the engine mounts (right).
Inner bed sides are reinstalled after bed is
welded back together (below left). |
 |
|
 |
 |
1:00 PM Update
|
|
 |
|
 |
The replacement rear springs hangers are welded
6" forward of the stock mounts. later the original hangers will be
removed. In the rear, the shackle mounts are moved back about 2" and
the frame was cut right behind the mount. |
|
 |
 |
| Tin Bender Rob slices off the IFS front end
with ease using a plasma torch. It took only 30 minutes to completely
remove the entire front suspension and differential. |
 |
|
 |
| |
|
11:30 AM Update
|
|
 |
| Front Range Off Road's crossmember is bolted
onto the Dual Ultimate Crawler and is ready for install (right). The
SAS front spring hanger is placed on jack stands before welding in
place (below). Rear shackle mounts are cut off and will be later
relocated back to accommodate the longer Marlin Crawler rear springs. |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
The cage install was like lightning and is now
completed. The bed bob job is about half done now.
Dave Cole draws first blood after an accident with
a grinder. Add to that a broken big toe from this morning after
dropping a welded bottle on his foot and Dave's off to a tuff day. |
|
 |
 |
|
The 38" Interco SX Super Swampers
are mounted up on the Marsh Bead Locked Wheels. With a little
dishwashing soap, they fit like a glove.
All Pro Off Road delivered a full
set of trail armor including Front bumper, Rock Guards and custom
bobbed rear bumper. |
 |
|
 |
10:00 AM The
buildup begins!
An army of workers descend upon the
work site and rip the truck into pieces like hungry vultures eating
prey. Each team starts working on their part of the buildup. Taking
parts off the truck and moving to their separate tables around the
buildup site.
|
|
 |
Bed is removed to make cutting it down easier.
The doors are removed making access for the cage install. While the
doors are off they will get cut down into cool summer 1/2 doors.
Below: 27 spline Longfields and custom Poly Performance inner axles
standby for installation. |
|
 |
 |
| The bed is placed on a large trailer and within
minutes of arriving on the operating table, is cut in two with a swift
slice of the Sawzall. On the other side of
camp, the front axle assembly is on schedule. The Diamond housing
receives Marlin Crawler knuckles, knuckle rebuild kit and Billet
Steering Arms. |
 |
|
 |
|
|
8:30 AM Update |
 |
| The sun is up and the truck is in position. The
parts and workers are all on site. After breakfast the cutting,
grinding and welding will get into full swing.
BLING Check... Before bringing the truck out the
Tin Bender club did a little personalizing to the valve cover. Sweet! |
 |
 |
| |
Go To Day Two
| | |
