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

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Thanks for all the compliments!!!

What is your plan for a spare tire location, and are you making a soft top for it ?

I was very specific on the amount of body I sectioned out for the Bob. I laid my 37" spare flat on the bed and pushed it up against the second row seats. This left just shy of 8" to the tailgate and that's what I removed. So long story short, I am strapping the spare flat to the floor of the rear cargo area. I intend to integrate a rack into the tube work I have going on back there and this spare will slide just under it.

Regarding the soft top, yes I am making one. I found some heavy duty nylon canvas with the same (or very close) camo print as the
Tuff Duck seat cover that I am getting.

VCCruzr, what coils are you running up front? Truck is turning out great BTW

I just picked up and installed these. They are Frankies Gen II springs and shocks. I believe they are 3.5" plus I am running the 2" MetalTech spring spacers up front.

:cheers:
 
Progress Has Slowed

While progress has slowed down quite a bit lately, I managed to get some more work done this weekend.

I purchased a windshield channel for the soft top I'm getting ready to make. It's made for a CJ but after searching the web, I found it to be my cheapest and simplest option, only $18. It is a 2 piece channel with each piece being 27". All I had to do was trim 3" off each piece and screw into place. I will provide more detail as I make and install the soft top.

I also started some of the tedious work on the list. I painted the center console and some of the interior trim with black trip paint. I also whipped up a small batch of Al's Liner and sprayed the floor of the front half along with some plastic trim pieces.

I thought I saw the light at the end of the tunnel, but this is one long tunnel. Still lots to do.
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Way off topic, but what, or where's, the story on the rear tube bumper?

Chris,
All I have on this bumper is on page 5 of this thread. After losing 8" off off the rear end, my 4x4Labs no longer fit. I just wanted something simple, light weight, and high clearance, and this is what I came up with. similar to Nay's simple single tube. I still have to add the rear quarter panel protection that will tie into this bumper.

Derrick
 
Well, that's an unacceptable amount of verbiage.

If you need pointers on senseless babble, check out my thread. I've two pages on exhaust manifold studs alone, to paint the full picture.

Hahahahaha.

How's the design of the rear tube maintaining?
 
Overdue For Driveshaft Replacement

I bought some used driveshafts to replace the abused ones I have on my rig. The rear was candy-caned, dented, and twisted, but surprisingly, I didn't have driveline vibes. I didn't want to push it though when I drove 300+ miles last weekend to Turf N Surf. Check out how bad the rear was:
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Skinned My Rear Doors

I purchased a sheet a .063" aluminum sheet today and skinned my rear doors. tomorrow I will skin the inside of the rear quarter panels. I used the masonite core of the door panels as a template, then cut and riveted the aluminum skin on.
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Hey Derrick, I saw you cruising around at Pismo, and wanted to say the rig looks great!
 
Amazing you didn't have any vibrations with that driveline !:beer:
 
Skinned doors look great Derrick. X2 on buffing the aluminum with something to give it an 'artists' look.

Got the front end rebuilt too or just the drive shaft?
 
nice, you should lightly brush that aluminum one way with some sandpaper and they will look really nice !

I might try that either with sand paper or my die grinder with a sanding disc. If it doesn't turn out, I will paint it black. "Once you go black, you never go back" they say, :flipoff2:

ToyotaDon;80727.09 said:
Hey Derrick, I saw you cruising around at Pismo, and wanted to say the rig looks great!

Thanks! Like last year, I didn't go around camps and introduce myself to meet new people. I really want to put faces to usernames here on MUD. Maybe next year. :doh:

Amazing you didn't have any vibrations with that driveline !:beer:

Tell me about it! I hear about people here on MUD that develop driveline vibes from just installing a lift. Then I got stuck on a rock garden and destroyed (or so I thought) my drive shafts. I wheeled on 3 trips after that carnage and experienced no problems.

Skinned doors look great Derrick. X2 on buffing the aluminum with something to give it an 'artists' look.

Got the front end rebuilt too or just the drive shaft?

Yes, after my issues with the leaking birf at Pismo, I replaced the Longfield Wiper seals with OEM and problem solved.
 
VCCruzr said:
I purchased a sheet a .063" aluminum sheet today and skinned my rear doors. tomorrow I will skin the inside of the rear quarter panels. I used the masonite core of the door panels as a template, then cut and riveted the aluminum skin on.

I would consider Nut-Serts in place of the rivets so you can get back behind the panels in the future.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD App
 
I would consider Nut-Serts in place of the rivets so you can get back behind the panels in the future.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD App

The only thing thing I have to to deal now is the door latch. No windows, no motors, etc.,... no problem! If I need to get back in there, just drill the rivets out. ;)
 
Just paint it black and never look back.
 

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