Builds 97 HZJ80 Build in Uganda (1 Viewer)

[jhamby]

Any update on your build ?

doh! I need to update. Things have been so busy here lately that I've completely forgotten. Just started a new chicken project, so between the garage, family, and 300 baby layers, haven't had much time.

Dang, I need to post photos of all the progress:

Rack is complete, painted and mounted, including 42" light bar
Swapped out the Ironman 4x4 springs for Rob's Magic springs from Kenya. Slightly lower spring rate helped the ride quality
Front AOE style bumper is almost complete and ready to be installed (try building one of these things in Uganda!)
PUMA 12v compressor wired and mounted in rear
24" light bar currently on front bumper, will be carried over to the new one
full LED conversion bulbs ordered in the US, just waiting for another person to come over and bring them

The coolest truck I've ever owned. Actually just walked in the door from a village run in the pouring rain. Barely made it through the rice fields and towed two cars out of ditches. I'll have to take the GoPro along soon.

 

[lp2k]

Post pics @jhamby

 

[jhamby]

Just returned from a 7-day trip out west. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to finish the bumper before we left.

About 4 hours down the road, I noticed a noise that sounded like a flat. Wife looked in the side mirror and said "your tire is shaking."

Pulled over immediately to find 3 of 6 studs completely broken off and the remaining 3 lugs finger loose. Another minute or two of driving and I would have been on a tow truck home.

After sorting that out roadside, the rest of the trip was fantastic. That 42" bar makes setting up camp at night a breeze. Alternator can't keep up, though. Time to look into that.

Bumper photos to follow. It's still being born

 

[jhamby]

Well, the front bumper is almost finished. Only my second time building a bumper, and the front proved more difficult than the rear. I think the simplicity of the rear bumper made it easier.

I really liked the AOE fronts, so I printed off as many photos as I could find and went steel shopping. I went with 4mm plate, same as the rear.

Being my first front bumper build, there are aspects that I'm not happy with. The bars don't come up high enough and might block some light from the high beams. The sides don't protect the corners very well, but I couldn't really figure out how to make it work. The front, once mounted, looks too big. The front plate is 9 inches long top to bottom, I wish I had done 6".

Being inexperienced, I didn't really have the know-how to foresee those things during the build, I just got ahead of myself and anxious to finish.

Still, I'm pleased. I copied the boxed frame mounts I saw somewhere on a winch plate build. Bumper is bolted through the frame on sides and from the bottom, and then some light welding to make sure it stays put. With traffic the way it is here, it will definitely get knocked several times.

Will get the light bar put back on today and take some better photos.

 

[jhamby]

And finished.

 

[juanchogaviria]

Good work man.

 

[Pippylongsausage]

Man this build looks killer. Sure beats taking the boda boda.

 

[jhamby]

Man this build looks killer. Sure beats taking the boda boda.

Haha yeah, they can get annoying after you live here for awhile. I actually prefer riding a bike around town - I've got a little 2013 TVS Apache 160 as a daily. The cruiser only comes out when I need the cargo space, in the rain, or on village trips and longer drives.

 

[Pippylongsausage]

That's awesome. I lived in Kampala for a few months and had to take those mini bus taxis everywhere. I'll never forget getting on and the guy next to me had a live goat.

 

[lp2k]

Any updates ?

 

[burbuja96]

Updates?