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Topic Review (Newest First)
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| 03-07-2017 10:37 PM | |||
| oober |
Keepin me honest huh? Since you asked, here are the cliffnotes for the last 1.5 years. Cars Sold the Dodge CCLB and my 2 door Accord. Bought a minivan (2011 Chrysler T&C, power doors and remote start are AWESOME with kids  ). Work Took a new position as a Data Analyst at work, also I am now 2 months into a 1.5 year program at Rockhurst to get a Data Science Certificate. Home We are one month away from closing on a new (to us) house on 1.2 acres on a dead end cul-de-sac with a 3 car garage and room for a future shop  . Already has a gravel 4th car driveway for parking trailers/project vehicles. NO HOA so I only have to follow city rules. Inspections and negotiations are over, now we are just waiting to close. Projects Nobody told me to sell my projects. I got tired of doing the car shuffle in a 2 car driveway/garage and wanted one reliable vehicle because I don't have time to be working on my DD right now. Also, the 2 door Honda wasn't cutting it with a baby (now toddler). My next project has to be one that I haven't had before. No more Chevy's and probably no Fords. I have been eyeing some early 2000's Land Rovers lately that can be had for <$3k. Starting next month I will have somewhere to park it. My 'plan' would be to to flat tow or dolly it behind the van to go wheeling. Strip it down to make it light, weld the rear, and go flog it   I have been doing some projects though they have slowed considerably. I log all projects on my website www.DIYMetalFabrication.com. Here are some of the highlights: I recently finished building a wheelchair transfer platform for a family friend. Adjustable height, fold-able legs, remove-able ramps   More details on the wheelchair ramp HERE. My other project I got to use last month. DIY snow plow with remote control lift/lower, adjustable angle, HDPE edge, push or pull. Works even better on the van where I have a backup camera and can back up within inches of the garage door. I plowed all of my neighbors and family's driveways last time it snowed, took <5 minutes per driveway. (van has snow tires on it for the winter)  More details on the plow HERE. I did an article about Adam Deuling here on Pirate for the work he has been doing in his shop. I can't even really call it work, it is more like art. If you get a chance check it out HERE. 
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| 03-07-2017 07:17 AM | |||
| pennsylvaniaboy |
Quote:
 anything new, projects, fab work, etc...??
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| 08-28-2015 06:32 PM | |||
| oober |
Well, the Dodge is now for sale also. I am working on downsizing my fleet, and getting into some real estate stuff. Also, baby is here next month. So A little extra cash to the situation never hurts. I don't have to sell it and feel like I priced it pretty well, but if you are interested don't be afraid to make an offer. Worst I can say is no. No issues with the Dodge, I recently replaced the rear axle speed sensor and found a vacuum leak that was causing the cruise control to not work. You can read a quick writeup I did about it here: How to fix Dodge Ram Cummins cruise control Sale thread: https://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/vehic...-crew-cab.html . |
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| 07-06-2015 05:57 PM | |||
| muddindog | I am disappointed. Just ruined my night. Guess I'll go wait for street outlaws to come on. | ||
| 07-05-2015 09:59 PM | |||
| oober |
Well, she is gone... Gertrude and I went on one last cruise:    Unloading my junk into the new truck:  New (to me) truck! '03 Ram Cummins 4x4 MBRP exhaust, K&N, Adjustable Edge Chip, Nitto Terra Grapplers in decent shape High mileage but clean and straight, no goose ball in the bed. Got a trans rebuild ~60k ago and lift pump ~15k ago. I was also told it has a new injection pump somewhat recently but no proof.  Driving away...   The new owner was very excited about getting Ol' Blue. He said he spent many hours reading my website www.DIYMETALFABRICATION.com about what I had done to it. He plans to have rust fixed and truck painted before the end of the year. No plans to change anything else other than some minor things that I didn't finish like putting the gas tank back under the truck, etc. I am very excited for the Dodge (could potentially carry on the name Ol' Blue?? It is over 12 years old). Drives very nice, synthetic oils, couple nice upgrades like exhaust and tint. Fresh oil and fuel filter. No signs of abuse. Registered ~20mpg on the lie-o-meter on the way home. I will double check it by hand calculations next time I fill up. The new truck has its own issues though minor. Rear bumper is dented pretty good, intermittent abs/brake light which means bad sensor in rear axle or bad wheel bearing in front which I haven't gotten a chance to check out yet. Came with trailer brake controller, cold a/c, and plenty of room to haul our soon to be here kiddo. I plan to sell the TrailBlazer and keep this one for a long time. It was time for a change, who knows what the next adventure will be. |
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| 06-19-2015 08:46 PM | |||
| Y5mgisi | Why? | ||
| 06-17-2015 11:16 PM | |||
| oober |
For sale here: https://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/vehic...-37-tires.html . |
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| 06-16-2015 07:01 PM | |||
| oober |
Finally got the shims in this last weekend. Man time flies. Ended up going with 8 degree shims and as far as I can tell they fixed my issue.  I also added limit straps to the rear while I had it apart. Single shear mounts, mostly to protect my shocks in case I get a lil' too rowdy at any point in the future. It isn't a desert racer, so I don't see this as a problem. Has bump stops and limit straps on all 4 corners now.  For more pictures and details go here: DIY Driveshaft Vibration Fix | DIY METAL FABRICATION .com |
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| 05-04-2015 06:03 AM | |||
| oober |
After a full month, I finally pulled Ol' Blue out of the garage and took'er to the car wash to wash the mud off. Fixed a bang that I had on big bumps. Turns out the U-bolts on the passenger side were too long and would hit my crossmember/bumpstop every once in a while. All 4 were long, I had already cut one off in this pic. The back right one was hitting the crossmember and the front left one was hitting the cup that holds the bumpstop.  You can see the marks on the two outside threaded portions where they were hitting.  Aside from fixing my front diff breather and re-torquing the steering box bolts, I haven't had to fix anything after the last wheeling trip. My next project for this week is some shims for the rear axle. It isn't a vibration I can feel, but I can hear the t-case gears chatter some on deceleration. While researching around here, quite a few people said that it could be due to drivetrain vibrations. The yoke at the trans is pointed down 3* and the pinion is pointed up by 11*. To make them equal and opposing angles, I need to bring the rear pinion down by 8*. This should 'in theory' solve the vibration. I really don't want to drop the axle and cut off the spring perches, so this is my idea. I have had these 1" lift blocks laying around the garage for some time (years...). I decided they would be the perfect candidate to make shims out of. We have a family friend that has a lathe in his basement so we will be making them this week. 
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| 04-14-2015 09:14 PM | |||
| oober |
Finally got around to posting some close up pictures of how I finished my front bumper. It is somewhat minimalist and non-flashy which is exactly how I wanted it. My personal opinion on front "bumpers" is that they are made for bumps. I rarely hit trees offroad and have no need for some 3/8" plate steel 500lbs of ridiculousness hanging off the front of my truck so I can break more drivetrain parts thanks to the extra weight. Just my opinion, no offense intended. Drilled holes and added gussets.  Made my own winch solenoid extension kit.  And, I used it!  For more details and pictures check out: Custom Tube Front Bumper with Winch Mount for 'Ol Blue Part 2 | DIY METAL FABRICATION .com |
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| 04-14-2015 08:57 PM | |||
| oober |
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Rock sliders and skid plates are top of the list right after I shim my rear axle to get rid of some drivetrain vibrations. Then I want to eventually start looking into some kind of cage or at least roll bar in the bed so I don't smash my noggin on a rock/tree 
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| 04-07-2015 06:59 AM | |||
| DMANbluesfreak |
Looks like an awesome trip! It is so nice when things just work the way you want them to. So what are the future plans for rock protection? |
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| 04-06-2015 05:50 AM | |||
| oober |
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Took Ol' Blue to Kansas Rocks this weekend and had a blast. Everything on the rig just freakin worked. It was so nice. There were some trails and obstacles that I wouldn't try because I don't have rock sliders/skid plates yet, but other than that I was very satisfied.     This was just a cool picture on the way home.  Check this post out for A LOT more pictures and story: LS Swap Payoff – KS Rocks Offroad Trip | DIY METAL FABRICATION .com . |
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| 04-03-2015 08:00 PM | |||
| gmcxt | I like your DIY site. | ||
| 04-03-2015 04:37 PM | |||
| oober |
Winch bumper done - I'll get some non-sucky pictures here in a bit. Going to KS Rocks tomorrow! Anybody joining?? Send me a PM. |
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| 03-21-2015 01:42 PM | |||
| oober |
When are we goin? I don't have a whole lot of 'wheelin buddies left so I need more people who will go with me. We were tentatively planning a trip to KS Rocks on the April 4th if you want to join. It will be interesting trying to fit a fullsize down those trails without destroying the body unless I find some time to put sliders on it before then. |
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| 03-20-2015 07:27 AM | |||
| GaWeakland86K5 | When's this thing gonna make it's way to Tuttle Creek? | ||
| 03-20-2015 05:41 AM | |||
| oober |
Quote:
Started on a winch bumper. The goal was to get it tucked back in as far as possible so I don't lose any approach angle. This picture is with the winch and fairlead just sitting on the winch plate.  This picture is my current status. 1/4" winch plate finish welded between the frame rails, two receiver tubes for snatch blocks, and the bumper tube.   I still need to add some reinforcement to the outer bumper tubes, mount the winch, and add some gussets/finishing touches. Check out all of the pictures here: Custom Tube Front Bumper with Winch Mount for ‘Ol Blue Part 1 | DIY METAL FABRICATION .com I bought another toy last night, actually more of a daily driver. '02 TrailBlazer on 20's  so cheap I couldn't pass it up. So I spent most of last night working on it instead of Ol' Blue. I'll have to get some pics of it today.
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| 03-11-2015 07:11 AM | |||
| DMANbluesfreak | Progress is looking good. I've never seen anyone convert a muffler to a different inlet. Nice to see that it can be done! | ||
| 03-10-2015 10:43 PM | |||
| oober |
Mostly finished and runnin' good. Made a dome light. This sucker is BRIGHT.   Has a 3rd brake light now. Made from two of the same kind of LED's just red.  Converted the muffler to dual-inlet.  Now has a Y pipe behind the t-case and Flowmaster 70 series (MUCH quieter)  Check out the rest of the pics and more details here: 5.3 LS ENGINE SWAP INTO OL' BLUE 1971 CHEVY TRUCK PART 9 | DIY METAL FABRICATION .com There is also a video clip of the exhaust sound on the above link, but I haven't figured out how to embed it on here yet  I have been driving it quite a bit lately. It is a TOTALLY different experience than with the other engine. This one just fires up and works every time (cold start or not). Not quite as much power, but not disappointing either. Sounds good, runs great, I am really happy about it so far. Best of all, I just filled up after driving 100+ miles and averaged 11.2MPG which is over double of the ~4.6 I got with the big block.  My goal was double digit MPG's so I am satisfied. I'm sure it could be even better if I drove it nicer.
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| 02-15-2015 11:20 AM | |||
| oober |
I forgot to tell you guys about this. The guy that bought my 496 engine, bought it fully knowing that he was going to have to tear it part. We still talk from time to time and he sent me this pic the other day. It was exactly what I thought it was. A roller lifter had failed and took out the cam too. He was going to put something less radical in it anyways for his street project (I think it was an old Nova or Camaro, I don't remember which)  I still think I made the right call. Fuel injection rocks... |
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| 02-09-2015 07:58 PM | |||
| oober |
Here are some pics of how the dashboard turned out. MMMmmmm LED's  Mostly finished dash  I like it... Rearview camera shows the receiver hitch when backing.  I was going for simple, and I think I got pretty close. I still have A LOT of stuff to finish up, but almost everything is functional and it felt really good to drive it. Check out the rest of the pics here: 5.3 LS Engine Swap into Ol' Blue 1971 Chevy Truck Part 8 | DIY METAL FABRICATION .com |
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| 02-09-2015 06:01 AM | |||
| oober |
It's Alive! Here are some teaser photos. I am still getting the rest of the pics together.  
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| 01-28-2015 09:05 PM | |||
| oober |
Quote:
. I might bypass it later, but for now I have bigger fish to fry.Quote:
I have way too many irons in the fire right now, but here are some updates. I got a 'real' non phone camera for Christmas, so you all won't have to suffer my iPhone pics anymore. First, I put in my factory GM throttle cable 15040848 for a 99-03 Chevy truck that fit like a glove with just a couple slight modifications.  Next up, built a computer mount   Got bored with the new sawzall that I got for Christmas  ...and started in on the basket case of wiring  For lots more pics and details, check out the full writeup here: 5.3 LS Engine Swap into Ol' Blue 1971 Chevy Truck Part 7 | DIY METAL FABRICATION .com |
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| 01-26-2015 07:45 PM | |||
| 72Big | You traded for a whole nother animal. I have a 72 chevy and it is cool. I could make you a list of things you will have to deal with, but it takes all the fun out of building one of the baddest trucks ever created. | ||
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