3rd time is a charm build

[rockcod]

I placed the pressed center in the wheel, it slides in the backside of the inner half and butts up against the lip on the wheel. Put the whole assembly together for a quick pic before heading to the blaster.

 

[rockcod]

Started welding the inserts in today, was going great until I ran out of wire
That's what I get for not checking on it sooner.

I started welding the inserts with 2" opposing welds, 8 welds in all, for 16" of welded surface will be plenty strong and keeping the run out to just .010"

I sent the outer wheel halves to get the centers trued up by a lathe, if I were to do it again, I would cut the centers on a lathe for a nice finish.

 

[JVCTLC73]

Nice looking welds. I wish my projects came together so quickly.

Those wheels look awesome!

 

[rockcod]

JVCTLC73 Thanks for the kind words!

I don't know about coming together quickly, it has been a long year and I am tired of working on it, I just want to drive it!!!

 

[DSRTRDR]

wheeling is where it's at

 

[rockcod]

Bought a new spool of wire and finished the wheels yesterday, a few pics of the process. I made (8) 2" stitch welds, I laid them out by using the width of my 2' level between the 8 holes in the centers. Made sure the run out was good by measuring the wheel edge to the mounting flange of the center. Tacked them in place, re-checked my numbers then welded in a criss cross pattern.

 

[rockcod]

Tacked,welded and ready for paint!!!

 

[rockcod]

Got the new steering column installed, modified the GM column mount, fabbed a couple of tabs and a firewall plate. Then I figured out the ignition switch was interfering with the brake pedal and return spring. I had to cut the brake pedal just below the brake rod clevis and space it over 3/8" and re-weld it. Now I need to get the appropriate u-joint and wire it up.

 

[rockcod]

I got my 1"DD universal joint ordered this morning and this afternoon I hooked up the ignition and blinkers, when I pulled the column from the donor truck I left plenty of wire on the plugs. Thankfully the EZ wiring harness uses GM color coding for its wires, so hook up went relatively smooth. I am so glad to get rid of the key switch on the dash, it was located behind the a-pillar roll bar and difficult to access, sure feels great to cross more things off the to-do list, next is to hook up the high beam switch and wipers.

 

[rockcod]

I had to further modify the steering column by shortening the steering shaft 4", I cut off the double "D" end leaving about 1 1/2" of round tube, welded in a solid slug inside the steering shaft to reinforce the weld joint, ground it smooth and reinstalled the lower seal cap and ring.

Finished wiring the wipers and LED tail lights today, in addition to cleaning up all the low hanging wiring from under the dash.

Wednesday I am going to take it out to KOH, watch the buggies, do a little wheeling and hang out with old friends.

 

[rockcod]

I got to spend a couple of days at Hammer Town (talk about dusty!!!!!!) with Landcrusher909 and Landcrusher910. Thanks for the hospitality and good times guys!!!

The new steering wheel column was a huge improvement and the new tail lights were a blessing, as PD was in full force writing tickets to anyone without brake lights. I really need to get my wheels done, the 33's were puny compared to what everyone was running out there.

 

[rockcod]

Ok, back to working on this thing. I picked up (2) Master Craft 5 point seat belts in the vendors section at KOH. At 40 bucks a piece I could not go wrong!!! Right now I am only using the lap belt, this summer when I get my cage done, I will utilize the shoulder straps.

 

[rockcod]

Fresh from the powder coater, gloss black and bright green (the photo does show how bright the green really is!!) Now to get into the garage assembly them.

 

[rockcod]

Wheel assembly started this morning, new o-ring to go between the wheel halves, re-installed the valve stems, used 10 oz of air soft pellets for dynamic balancing, installed the stud centering washers and nuts.

 

[rockcod]

It takes some time to get the bolts tightened down and keep the o-ring from getting pinched.

1 down 3 to go, but it is not going to happen today, finally get some time to work on these things and now I am getting the flu and feel like crap. Oh well, they will get done when they get done.

 

[rockcod]

Finally feeling good enough to work in the garage, and I am able to stamp the wheels done! The wheel I thought I had finished was leaking like a sieve. I called Andy at Trail Worthy, and he gave me the low down on how to get the o-rings to stay put when bolting the wheels halves together. So this morning I started over and with the help of mini me, we got them done. We took the 40 for a test drive and wound up at McDonalds (that is where he wanted to go for helping me). On the way home we cruised into the mall parking lot to get a couple of mall poser pics. Without a doubt, I had the most overly built mall crawler in the lot

The tires are a bit noisy at speed, the air soft pellets do a great job of balancing the tires, all in all I am very pleased with my results.

And the saga continues, now on to the anti wrap bar.........

 

[Cdaniel]

1st I've heard of air soft pellet balancing. Interesting.

 

[EWheeler]

Any idea what those steel wheels came from that those 33's are mounted to? Stock 40 wheels? I am looking to go retro away from my current aluminum wheels and those wheels painted white are exactly what I am looking for. Great work on the 40!

Thanks,

Evan

 

[rockcod]

Any idea what those steel wheels came from that those 33's are mounted to? Stock 40 wheels? I am looking to go retro away from my current aluminum wheels and those wheels painted white are exactly what I am looking for. Great work on the 40!

Thanks,

Evan

They are from a 78 FJ40, any disc brake cruiser wheel will work.

 

[rockcod]

Went out to Calico and met up with my club members from So Cal TLC, great day of wheeling and friends. A front drive output bearing started making all kinds of noise, time for a T-case rebuild, it just never ends!!