[camcruiser13]

nice work, you got all weekend now to get some more done

[rockcod]

Thanks Cam,

I wish I had all weekend. For the next 2 months my weekends are pretty busy with work and instructing at the fire academy. Thursday is a free day for me, so I will get some time it. My parts should be in by then and it will hopefully be on the ground on all 4 tires again.

[Rockrawler]

Looks like you are enjoying that Plasma huh? I told you you'd like it!

[rockcod]

Terry,

I love the plasma, it was the best $40.00 I have ever spent!!! Now if I only
had an air compressor to keep up with it...............

[tmbrtmr]

Ill trade u my air compressor for your plazma any day ,

i picked up my air compressor at the pawn shop for like 160 bucks up here in seattle area it was over 300 new , really enjoy your build , looks like you have great skills and talent cant wait to see more and i really like the color , for u not me/ Tan is my color /aka Rattle Can Robb

[rockcod]

Robb,

Thanks for the support, I had a 77 FJ40 that was rattle canned khaki tan. Easy touch ups!! Sure miss that truck...........

I got Snotz down on 4 wheels today, a milestone indeed. I will post up pics of the progress on Thursday. Received my Rubicon Express parts and bought my material for the rear frame rail/bumper. Will be fabbing up the rear bumper on Thursday, as well as the upper shackle mounts, using the Rubicon Express builder balls. Then it will be on to the motor, trans and t-case, it will sure be nice to get the 74 donor car out of my driveway.

[rockcod]

I did not get anything done yesterday as I had hoped, but today, I was able to make some headway.

I cut and welded in the rear bumper (2x4x3/16), the ends were chamfered with the same pattern as the front bumper. I will cap the ends on this one as well.

Saddle mounts were made out of 2x3x1/8 square tubing to hold the Rubicon Express balls. These ball mounts are 3" in diameter, so I broke out the trusty hole saw and angle grinder. Tomorrow everything gets welded and will have pics of the new stance.

[rockcod]

"Builder Balls" and mounts.

[rockcod]

Some shots of how they mount.

[1974FJ]

WOW, thats pretty cool, being a newb, i dont think Ive ever seen anyone do that with the shackle mounts. Pretty neat! Kudos!!

[72cruiser]

so are those like the old orbit eyes?

they let the spring and shackle torque around a bit more, right?

looks good...any info on where you picked those parts up?



malphrus

[rockcod]

Malphrus,

They are almost identical to a Jonny Joint, the main difference is they screw together, versus press together.

Thanks 1974FJ.

[72cruiser]

these guys?

http://www.rubiconexpress.com/Produc...=21CCF11414229

[rockcod]

That be them!!!
Sorry about the lack of info about your question, I ordered them through 4WPW.

[rockcod]

I finally got Snotz on the ground and rolling. After a late start, due to my wifes Sub needing front brakes. I had to redo my front spring mount. Spent most of the morning and afternoon reshaping, re-figuring and remeasuring, finally settling on moving the front spring mount forward 3", wheel base is now 104". The quarter panels are going to suffer, they need some serious trimming. A few pics of the new stance and poser driveway shot

[rockcod]

Today I cut the rear fender wells to make room for the longer wheel base. I tried to keep the factory radius on the cut outs, I didn't want it to look like a hack-job. I made templates from the original openings and traced them on the sides of the body. After tracing the front of the opening, I flipped the template over and traced a mirror image of the front onto the rear. Having laid them out on the body I was able to see how it would look before cutting. I retained all 4 body mount under the rear sill, using the outside mounts as reference points for the cuts. I had removed a back up light the PO had installed and that left a 4 1/2" diameter hole in the quarter panel. The metal I cut off I was able to use as filler. Anyway here are some pictures from today.

[rockcod]

More

[rockcod]

Last 3

[rockcod]

Okay, last one. I swear!!!

[Chromed]

Looking good mang! Dig the front fenders and nice touch with the rear cut job!

[rockcod]

This morning I snuck in a couple of hours on the cruiser. I tacked on the front stinger from the 74, I am not so sure I like it on this one. My trans cover from the 63 has some rot along the bottom flange. I welded the cover of the 74 together put it on the floor, now there is a big gap on the passenger side. Does anyone know when (year) they changed the design of the floor board/hump cover?????

[Rockrawler]

What size tires you planing on running now? With that front clip & quarter cut you need at least 39-42's, those 36's look like stockers on that thing...

[rockcod]

33" BFG All-Terrains on 20" gold Dayton Tru-spokes with chrome beadlocks





Actually 37 MTR's, I am not sure I will use the hood/fender combo, I am leaning towards Metal Tech's tube fenders.

[rockcod]

Pulled the motor/trans/t-case from the 74. The motor is an 87 TBI unit from a Blazer, the trans is a TH350 with a shift kit and modified clutch pack with a GM HD torque converter. I am running dual 23 spline mini truck t-cases, I will probably lose the crawl box, due to the over-all length. I do not want to cut up the floor and have to fab a new floor and trans cover (lazy). If I eliminate the crawl box, I will install a 4:1 kit instead. Although I will miss the 2 wheel drive low range option.

[rabid]

this thread makes me feel lazy.....




nice work

[1974FJ]

hey Tony, Nice truck. What kind of plasma is that? I saw $40, but i know that cant be true.

[rockcod]

1974FJ Thanks.

The plasma cutter is a Parker Plasma Tec40. No, it was not $40.00, I was cramming Rockrawler about it. I bought it from him, he only used it about 5 times and I got it for a great price. Now, If he would just sell me his compressor!!!!

[slickrock]

Originally Posted by rockcod

This morning I snuck in a couple of hours on the cruiser. I tacked on the front stinger from the 74, I am not so sure I like it on this one. My trans cover from the 63 has some rot along the bottom flange. I welded the cover of the 74 together put it on the floor, now there is a big gap on the passenger side. Does anyone know when (year) they changed the design of the floor board/hump cover?????

I was planning on making one for myself but if you are not using your stinger, I would be intersted in it.

Shameful hyjack over . . .

[rockcod]

I'll let you know.

[Rockrawler]

Hey Fish, you can still have 2WD low with a single case, just use Front Range Off Roads twin stick and you're set. I got your message the other night too late to call you, give me a call at the shop today