Builds 68' M715, AKA "Smokey" (Can I post this Jeep on MUD?) (4 Viewers)

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Sheltering in place away from the Coronavirus has been good for me....

Got a ton of frame plating done in order to seal it up.
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Started welding the rear 4 link bungs in. Got some help to slowly spin the tube while welding so it’s one continuous weld bead. I figure that if that bung separates from the tube at some point, lots of other stuff is going to go well before it
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Finished welding out all the rear 4 link bungs today. The lowers with the 3/8” wall tubing were a REAL chore.
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Also finished the bracing for the lower links. 2” 3/16 wall square tubing and fish plates on the frame. Should be plenty ridged and capable of handling the push/force of the lower links

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Got all 4 tires mounted today and the rear links in. I was waiting on a set of left/right taps to chase the bungs after welding them

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14” of clearance under the shaved 15B axle

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And not ridiculously wide compared to the cab
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Really nice rear departure angle

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and the lower links are so nice and flat. Very little is exposed to hang up on

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The lower link forward mounts here is where the belly skid plate will end. I like it

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Time to actually tackle the D60

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Here’s the GM Bill Of Materials #, comes out to exactly what this had, factory 4:56

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And while welding away, the water cooled torch lead blew pretty bad in two spots. Bad enough the whole thing needed replacing. Upgraded to the 25’ superflex stuff, it’s quite nice

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I actually think the new leads are welding better and the arc is a bit more stable. Burning in all the link brackets...

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Wanted to tip the front coils back 10 degrees. Suspension nut is in the way do I ended up notching the bracket

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Nut welded in place and ran a tap through it

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Burning in the lower coil mounts

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Got some different cups and gas lenses from WeldMonger, great stuff. Did all this with a gas lens and a #8 Furick, piece of cake

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Impressive welds, what tungsten r u using, and how many amps?
2% Lanthanated, amperage was about 150 but I’m using a pedal so it’s not always maxed out
 
2% Lanthanated, amperage was about 150 but I’m using a pedal so it’s not always maxed out
Just getting started in Tig, really cool how uniform your welds are around a curved surface. I didn't appreciate how challenging Tig welding is until this week
 
Just getting started in Tig, really cool how uniform your welds are around a curved surface. I didn't appreciate how challenging Tig welding is until this week

Thanks :) This project has been lots of good practice
 
Plugging away. Blasted and primed some setup parts. The knuckles are stock, Reid’s are still in the box but I need studs. idea is to get this rolling soon

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Welding the front 5 link up also. #10 FUPA cup from WeldMonger and a gas lens.

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Triple pass on the .375” wall lowers then run a tap through them once they’re totally cool

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Seeing how nice and clean your welds are had me searching CL for a tig welder. I didn't see anything promising, so I will jave to stick with mig. Someday I would like to learn to tig weld.

I like watchimg your build come together. I had an M715 at one time and wanted to turn it into tow rig with a cummins swap. I ended up selling it to fund my 45 project. Keep it up and thanks for sharing your build.
 
Seeing how nice and clean your welds are had me searching CL for a tig welder. I didn't see anything promising, so I will jave to stick with mig. Someday I would like to learn to tig weld.

I like watchimg your build come together. I had an M715 at one time and wanted to turn it into tow rig with a cummins swap. I ended up selling it to fund my 45 project. Keep it up and thanks for sharing your build.

Thanks! It’s been a process. That’s very cool that you had a 715 for a time, it’s rare to run across anyone that has.

I’m very pleased with the Syncrowave I’m using, even though it’s older it doing a fine job. The new Miller Dynasty machines are supposed to be even better. I’ve never used one and can’t justify the cash to pick one up. You should be able to find a good used Syncrowave on CL for under 2k, they pop up from time to time
 
Thanks! It’s been a process. That’s very cool that you had a 715 for a time, it’s rare to run across anyone that has.

I’m very pleased with the Syncrowave I’m using, even though it’s older it doing a fine job. The new Miller Dynasty machines are supposed to be even better. I’ve never used one and can’t justify the cash to pick one up. You should be able to find a good used Syncrowave on CL for under 2k, they pop up from time to time

Thanls for the model info. I will keep looking until I find the right deal. Any extra funds for now are goig torwards my build.
 
Day project: finish off the tunnel fabrication

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Mating the old with the new and getting the flange to contour with the floor. Heat, clamp, heat, hammer....

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Flange ring is done here

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Then came a day of contorting myself to weld it. Managed to scorch my armpit and all the pedal work was done with my knee. Welded it out with
1/16” silicon bronze

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Done. Now it’s time to cut a mess of shifter holes in it

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