Builds Blue Cruiser Thread

[cruisermatt]

Are you going to cap the rockers? You should.

 

[ufg8r]

Are you going to cap the rockers? You should.

Nah. 4” wide sliders will block most of the crap from getting in there, and they aren’t really sealed off from the factory anyway. The cross members in the body have holes that allow water and other stuff in and it all just comes out into the rockers...probably part of the reason why they are always rusted. Paint and primed will do the trick for me.

 

[ufg8r]

Ok, done welding for today....something I’m sure my neighbors are happy about....

I had to get some guidance from a few folks (including @orion, thanks!) on my initial welds....after grinding some bad welds out, turning up the power, and slowing down the wire I got something passable. Next step is weld them to the 60.

 

[cruisermatt]

Those welds will hold but you could vastly improve your grinding. Get yourself some fiber resign discs and in orbital sander. Float the grinder instead of leaning into it, and you can end up with a nice smooth surface finish. I know it’s the bottom of a rock slider, but it’s good practice for stuff that matters.

Also, you got an issue with your mitre cuts on the outrigger. You need to cut two 22.5 degree cuts instead of a straight cut and a 45.

 

[ufg8r]

Those welds will hold but you could vastly improve your grinding. Get yourself some fiber resign discs and in orbital sander. Float the grinder instead of leaning into it, and you can end up with a nice smooth surface finish. I know it’s the bottom of a rock slider, but it’s good practice for stuff that matters.

Also, you got an issue with your mitre cuts on the outrigger. You need to cut two 22.5 degree cuts instead of a straight cut and a 45.

I still have a little work to do to finish it off, grinding is part of that. I think I will weld in two sections of square tube where the 45s meet the straight cuts to cap the openings off.

 

[ufg8r]

A little progress.

I fixed the issues with the mitres and then moved onto the front bumper.

Sliders right now.

On the bumper it is more 2x4 3/16 wall tube with some clevis mounts from ruffstuff with a Curt receiver plate welded into a 2x2” notch in the bumper.

Clevis mount....beefy!

Welded on the 2x4...

The bumper before welding to the rig...

 

[ufg8r]

Got the bumper welded onto the truck this afternoon. 2x4 welded to frame and 2x2 from receiver welded to front cross member. Will likely add a push bar before I paint it.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Those ruffstuff clevis mounts are awesome!

 

[ufg8r]

Those ruffstuff clevis mounts are awesome!

And a pretty good value at $20 ea I think

 

[ufg8r]

Got the front bumper finished. Didn’t add the push bar yet b/c I ran out of material and time, but I did add a couple spuds under the winch to keep the rocks at bay. Will use those to add the push bar later. Also got the drivers side slider welded on. Getting close to having Rukus ready for this years’s Spring wheeling.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Looks good man!! Nice and simple, I like it.

 

[orion]

Just gonna leave this here...

- Brian

 

[ufg8r]

Just gonna leave this here...

View attachment 1947926

- Brian

Hey, easy fix! Just stinks to break a part I had just replaced. Rocks and u-joints don’t get along well. I’ll have to do a trail rash inventory after the rain stops, but at least the drivetrain faired better and I didn’t “win” that award again.

 

[cruisermatt]

Awesome! that's why I carry not only a spare u-joint but also a whole slip yoke assembly. so if the yoke side joint breaks it's a five minute fix.

 

[ufg8r]

Awesome! that's why I carry not only a spare u-joint but also a whole slip yoke assembly. so if the yoke side joint breaks it's a five minute fix.

Pretty good idea. We were lucky we had a couple of spares between the folks in our group.

 

[Randy88FJ62]

Nice slider design. I love the square tubes.

 

[ufg8r]

Nice slider design. I love the square tubes.

Thanks! I don’t have a tube bender so it helped in that respect...

 

[Randy88FJ62]

I did something similar years back when i couldn’t weld well and I didn’t have a lot of tools.

 

[ufg8r]

Well that’s a familiar color on your 60! I’m relatively new to the fab work so i’m just getting practice in with this and may buy some more tools, like a tube bender, at some point. Just being a hobby for me I’m slow to spend $$ on tools unless I know I’m going to use them a lot....but this stuff is fun so I probably will...

 

[ufg8r]

Well, last I had Rukus out was in May for GSMTR.

It did great but we had an incident...was leader on a night ride and there was a tree limb over the trail I didn’t see. I have the windshield out at this point and will have it replaced. Luckily the pillar was not bent.

I have been a lazy bum over the summer and haven’t hardly moved it. But I am acquiring parts to go spring over...among a lot of other things that need attention. Just waiting for the weather to back off....