Build ...and it starts...

[woody]

had a brain storm about a half-hour ago, figgered out my install idea for reinforcing the inside frame rails for the spring mount area....

fortunately, a good day with the welder....expecially since I'm bent in half sitting under the truck and trying not to make a mess....

 

[woody]

last for now....rear housing in primer. (rear cover I'm using is already in black....axle gets it next....)

Gotta order up some gaskets and such this week....think I might ring up Kurt Monday and add to my spares collection....

 

[wngrog]

Nice welds Yank!

Can't wait to see this sucka on the trail!

 

[Radd Cruisers]

Very nice...............

That thing looks like it should perform very well.

Rob
Radd Cruisers

 

[SpaceGhost]

Looking good! When was the shakedown run?

 

[woody]

March 20th....looks like I'm on track for it...outta be assembling everything this coming Saturday...

 

[cruzer]

Woody,

On the front bumper with the 8274 how are you keeping the inside (nearest the winch) of the bumper from chewing up your rope? I need a new bumper for my Spaceghost special 8274 that’s on the way and am going to graciously copy yours

Stew

 

[woody]

the opening really doesnt' need to be that large....since the rope is tight when in use, it only contacts the drum. I actually "mostly" mimic'd the stock opening on my previous bumper (tho, this one is a 1/2" larger or so, to make sure there was no rubbing)

 

[Texican]

All that primer and gloss black....kinda like putting a racing saddle on a jacka$$
Butch
....looks good.

 

[woody]

went for semi-gloss for the frame...primered last night, paint in the house staying warm. "most likely" get 'er topcoated Sat morning, tho may toss one on Fri evening before heading out for adult bevarages....

 

[Gumby]

Just got 24' of 1.25 DOM this morning. I need a whole 7 feet for the steering linkage on the T-350. Might just have to four link the rear just to use up the rest.

 

[woody]

don't 'bout you people, but I have thrashed my rear diff drain plugs in every axle I own...so, this one got removed...this pic is of the replacement piece of 1/4", before trimming...everything else was ground/sanded down smooth.

 

[woody]

another shot, this time cleaned up and leveled for welding...

 

[woody]

and finally, welded in....outside AND inside...no leaks here!

 

[woody]

didn't waste the whole day on trivial stuff tho....links are installed, springs are in, working on lower shock mounts now. This is what the finished look will be...."not quite" a 90 degree departure angle....88 maybe...

 

[woody]

another shot of the backend....

 

[woody]

T-case/adapter still has to go in (frickin gaskets/seals didn't show on Friday...), driveshafts need to go on, plus the skid plate. Lower shock mounts are made and need to be welded on/painted. Brake lines need to be run and bled. I'm not gonna do a limit strap for the test run, wanna see how it works first without it.

Probably outta put locknuts on all the link bolts too....lol

Tomorrow morning is shock mounts and design of the brake work.

Today included building the rear axle, including a new welded set of spiders, rear brakes and new pads, and lots of little "tweaks" I knew i'd remember when I got started assembling, such as the removal of the bottom drain plug and adding a top-side filler hole and vent location.

 

[woody]

whoops...one last pic for tonite....

 

[Radd Cruisers]

Looking real good, got a couple more photos of the rear suspension painted up?

 

[woody]

shock tabs on this morning, couple other tweaks. these pics are the suspension fully drooped, tires just barely touching...