Here it is, this started spring of 2011 when Dave Cole announced the new classes for 2012, starting with King of the hammers. I still had the bulk of parts from my "Intervention" build http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=842370&highlight=intervention and my original plan was to use these parts and build a generally smaller chassis (my biggest complaint with that build). I set out collecting parts and making plans.
I found a tub and frame for a 1966 Fj40 from a member here. It was pretty much un-molested in terms of added brackets, rust etc... a real good platform to start. I sourced a 4l80e transmission, hughes convertor, ford 205, iron jock center section and ordered a black box. I thought I was well on my way and then it happened. (June) Two nights after some drunken horse-play I wound up in the ER. My wife switched jobs at the first of the year and we were literally weeks from having health care again. As the bills came in, I knew I not only wasn't going to be able to race, let alone build a rig.
We were able to negotioate the bills down to about 1/3 of the original amount and I was able to quickly move some parts and sold my buggy. The wife and I decided to still build another 40 (we greatly miss ours) but wait for good deals on parts and racing was not part of the plan. I came up with a modest build and list of parts. Low and behold the powers of pirate came through and the next month (August) was full of good deals. I got great deals on enough parts to be ready to build again. I still wanted to race and about two weeks ago, set out with that goal once again. This build is no where near the race build I started with last spring, all around it is more modest (hence the title). I'm hoping for a strong finish, but of course a win would be great. Either way, I'll be checking a big item off my list come february 2012.
As with pretty much all of my build threads, I need to start out with a HUGE thanks to Matt Zimmerman (Wytnkls on here) for the use of his shop, power and TIG skills. One week ago today we moved a gutted fj40 chassis into his shop.
Well..... photobucket is not coopoerating so pics later
I found a tub and frame for a 1966 Fj40 from a member here. It was pretty much un-molested in terms of added brackets, rust etc... a real good platform to start. I sourced a 4l80e transmission, hughes convertor, ford 205, iron jock center section and ordered a black box. I thought I was well on my way and then it happened. (June) Two nights after some drunken horse-play I wound up in the ER. My wife switched jobs at the first of the year and we were literally weeks from having health care again. As the bills came in, I knew I not only wasn't going to be able to race, let alone build a rig.
We were able to negotioate the bills down to about 1/3 of the original amount and I was able to quickly move some parts and sold my buggy. The wife and I decided to still build another 40 (we greatly miss ours) but wait for good deals on parts and racing was not part of the plan. I came up with a modest build and list of parts. Low and behold the powers of pirate came through and the next month (August) was full of good deals. I got great deals on enough parts to be ready to build again. I still wanted to race and about two weeks ago, set out with that goal once again. This build is no where near the race build I started with last spring, all around it is more modest (hence the title). I'm hoping for a strong finish, but of course a win would be great. Either way, I'll be checking a big item off my list come february 2012.
As with pretty much all of my build threads, I need to start out with a HUGE thanks to Matt Zimmerman (Wytnkls on here) for the use of his shop, power and TIG skills. One week ago today we moved a gutted fj40 chassis into his shop.
Well..... photobucket is not coopoerating so pics later
