Builds Flopped My Rig, Time To Chop The Top! (1 Viewer)

[VCCruzr]

Time will tell.

Trust me, this would move along quicker if had my own shop and more time. I am limited to 1 day per weekend at my buddy's shop. It is painstakingly slow for me as I have more motivation than my buddy. But you know what they say, "beggars can't be choosers".

 

[Wrench]

Trust me, this would move along quicker if had my own shop and more time. I am limited to 1 day per weekend at my buddy's shop. It is painstakingly slow for me as I have more motivation than my buddy. But you know what they say, "beggars can't be choosers".

I understand.

 

[VCCruzr]

Bumper Done, almost.

Got a chance to work at my buddies shop again yesterday. We tackled a new rear bumber first and then started bending tube for the cage. Here's a few pics of the bumper.

 

[VCCruzr]

More pics:

After welding everything up, I noticed there was a little too much heat. It caused the tube to sag a little. This will get fixed later when I tie in the rear quarter protection. I want to get the cage done next so I can get out and wheel again.

 

[Layonnn]

That rear bumper looks sweeeeeeeeet!

 

[hawaiicruz]

Nice bumper, that's similar to how I want to build mine (very minimalist). Is that 1.5" tubing? do you think it will be able to take the full weight of the truck without deflecting into the body?

 

[VCCruzr]

Nice bumper, that's similar to how I want to build mine (very minimalist). Is that 1.5" tubing? do you think it will be able to take the full weight of the truck without deflecting into the body?

The main tube is 2" x .120 DOM and the hitch receiver support tube is the 1.5". I too, wanted the minimalistic bumper, high clearance and light weight, but strong enough to pull my offroad tear drop trailer.

 

[1973Guppie]

After welding everything up, I noticed there was a little too much heat. It caused the tube to sag a little. This will get fixed later when I tie in the rear quarter protection. I want to get the cage done next so I can get out and wheel again.

once you are all welded up on that rear bumper I bet you can get those corners to straighten out a bit using some ratchet straps hooked to the cage or a high lift?

 

[Wrench]

I see you have a fan.

 

[VCCruzr]

I see you have a fan.

And you're my biggest right?

It was over a 100 degrees that day, couldn't help myself.

 

[VCCruzr]

Started The Cage Today

Moved on to the cage today. All I can say is that I have a new found respect for fabricators. Even with a good quality tube bender and notcher, it's still no easy task. Progress is taking much longer than I anticipated, lots of measuring and cutting....and cutting some more, "measure twice, cut once" they say. Here's pics of today's progress.

 

[VCCruzr]

More Pics

A couple more pictures of how I tied the tube to the frame.

 

[AuburnFJsexy]

Wow! It is looking pretty awesome! What are your plans for the B and C pillars? Are they just there for reference for now and then you are going to chop them?

 

[shoupe89]

Wow! It is looking pretty awesome! What are your plans for the B and C pillars? Are they just there for reference for now and then you are going to chop them?

Kind of wondering the same thing...

 

[VCCruzr]

Wow! It is looking pretty awesome! What are your plans for the B and C pillars? Are they just there for reference for now and then you are going to chop them?

Originally I wanted them, but now the C pillars are getting chopped for sure, still up in the air with the B pillars. A pillar roll bars will be like the ones in the attached picture, but I can't do those until I straighten out the A pillars and replace the windshield. I was gonna attempt this myself but thinking about having a body shop do it for me. I will not be doing a D pillar roll bar but will add angle support bars from C pillar down to the back of the bed. Still lots of work ahead.

 

[Rwhat]

Looks great. Its gonna look more awesome with leater interior on the trail!!

Its no joke bending that tube. I had a Pro tools and every time i made a mistake it was depressing especially considering the cost. I ended up using pipe and a pipe die to mess around with non structural stuff.

Great job man.

 

[VCCruzr]

forgot to post this pic above.

 

[VCCruzr]

Looks great. Its gonna look more awesome with leater interior on the trail!!

Its no joke bending that tube. I had a Pro tools and every time i made a mistake it was depressing especially considering the cost. I ended up using pipe and a pipe die to mess around with non structural stuff.

Great job man.

Thanks!

I forgot to mention, I made the C pillar roll bar a little lower than B along with a slightly "leaning back" angle to give the cage a "sweeping" look. Trying to avoid a "boxy" looking cage.

 

[VCCruzr]

I went ahead and cut off the C pillars today and since it will be a couple of weeks before I resume work on the cage I put a coat of primer and paint on.

 

[Joben]

sub'd for finished product. looks oustanding!