Builds Flopped My Rig, Time To Chop The Top!

[VCCruzr]

What padding did you use? I have been meaning to do this to my truck...

I went the low budget route and purchased some pipe insulation from Grainger, 2" I.D. by 1/2" thick. My cage is 2" and anything from the "offroad" places were "race certified" and out of my budget. Everything you see in my pics was only $40. Most of the people I see with cages don't even have padding. I just wanted something to keep from cracking my and any passenger's skull. Harnesses are next on my list.

 

[DBWood]

I went the low budget route and purchased some pipe insulation from Grainger, 2" I.D. by 1/2" thick. My cage is 2" and anything from the "offroad" places were "race certified" and out of my budget. Everything you see in my pics was only $40. Most of the people I see with cages don't even have padding. I just wanted something to keep from cracking my and any passenger's skull. Harnesses are next on my list.

I was thinking when I was looking at the padding that you might have used pipe insulation.
It will probably stand up pretty well. It sits exposed in damp and musty utility rooms, and never breaks down.

Looks good as always.

 

[Ozdunc]

Good move with the padding. The rig's looking great.

Electrical tape might not be the best for what you've done there. It tends to creep and leave gooey marks as it heats and contracts in sunlight.
You might want to cover that with self-amalgamating tape (silicone rescue tape) - its not cheap, but as there's no adhesive (I think it bonds with itself under pressure by vulcanisation) and it doesn't unravel (once it bonds you have to cut it off).

 

[VCCruzr]

Good move with the padding. The rig's looking great.

Electrical tape might not be the best for what you've done there. It tends to creep and leave gooey marks as it heats and contracts in sunlight.
You might want to cover that with self-amalgamating tape (silicone rescue tape) - its not cheap, but as there's no adhesive (I think it bonds with itself under pressure by vulcanisation) and it doesn't unravel (once it bonds you have to cut it off).

Not sure if it will help, but it will be protected from the sunlight once I install my sheet aluminum top. Will post pictures as soon as I get this done. If it doesn't work out, I will check out your suggestion. Thanks!

 

[VCCruzr]

Workinged On The Cruiser Today...

.. and got a lot done. I finally got around to installing my LED light bar I got from the group buy and I also mounted my High-Lift Jack.

 

[VCCruzr]

Here's how I mounted the jack.

 

[spencertron]

this thing is looking so awesome. i'm so impressed with what you and other people on here can do with some tools, a welder, and a creative mind. keep it coming!

 

[VCCruzr]

this thing is looking so awesome. i'm so impressed with what you and other people on here can do with some tools, a welder, and a creative mind. keep it coming!

Thanks! A lot of credit goes to this forum which has helped provide many ideas and lots of inspiration.

 

[VCCruzr]

Hard Top, Kind of...

In prep for my desert trip this weekend for Tierra Del Sol, I decided to make a new top for some much needed shade. I bought a sheet of aluminum, some door edge trim, and some zip ties (didn't want to screw the aluminum to the cage since it's wrapped in pad). I had previously installed a windshield track from a CJ for the soft top I made. I flipped it 180 degrees so I could slip the aluminum into the track. From underneath, I marked a bunch of spots with a sharpie and then drilled them out with a 1/4" bit. Then I ziptied the top into place. The door edge trim worked perfect for protection against the sharp edge of the aluminum sheet. Now that it is installed, I don't like the square edges on the rear corners so I will be trimming those today to make them round for a cleaner look. Here is the finished product:

 

[bhicks]

Wow!!! Awesome!! You have given me the inspiration to start cutting into my rig. I got my mig welder and pipe bender and am having frame plates cut out as I write. I will start bending and welding things up this weekend. My rear bumper will be very similar to yours. I will post pics when it's all done. It will probably be a few weeks before it all welded up, painted, and installed.

 

[Delancy]

A lot of the blame goes to this forum which has helped me rationalize this addiction

Fixed that for you.

Wow!!! Awesome!! You have given me the inspiration to flop mine and start cutting into my rig.

Fixed that for you, as well.

Unsolicited advice, and not stated in the normal Mud nanny way.

May keep an eye on the ties on AL when driving or trailering.

It's surprising the pressure, evenly dispersed across any area that large, in a 10-20mph wind, let alone 65mph, and it could be turned up, I can't say.

Don't know much about the holding capabilities of a plastic cable tie, nor am I am engineer, but I did sleep in a Holiday Inn last year.

 

[BruntForce77]

One day I'm going to come get those windows so I can see this badarse rig in person. Awesome work!

 

[VCCruzr]

Fixed that for you.



Fixed that for you, as well.

Unsolicited advice, and not stated in the normal Mud nanny way.

May keep an eye on the ties on AL when driving or trailering.

It's surprising the pressure, evenly dispersed across any area that large, in a 10-20mph wind, let alone 65mph, and it could be turned up, I can't say.

Don't know much about the holding capabilities of a plastic cable tie, nor am I am engineer, but I did sleep in a Holiday Inn last year.

I hear you on the ties. I have extras in the glove box and a roll of rubber coated bailing wire in my tool bag. I used 3 self tapping screws on the leading edge for a little added security.

 

[VCCruzr]

Wow!!! Awesome!! You have given me the inspiration to start cutting into my rig. I got my mig welder and pipe bender and am having frame plates cut out as I write. I will start bending and welding things up this weekend. My rear bumper will be very similar to yours. I will post pics when it's all done. It will probably be a few weeks before it all welded up, painted, and installed.

Thanks and looking forward to your progress.


@ Bruntforce, I am in between jobs at the moment so come on up anytime.

 

[Delancy]

I used 3 self tapping screws on the leading edge for a little added security.

Have about 100,000 self drillers in varying lengths, washer types, drill tip capabilities if you ever need a couple handfuls and don't want to pay.

 

[VCCruzr]

Have about 100,000 self drillers in varying lengths, washer types, drill tip capabilities if you ever need a couple handfuls and don't want to pay.

Thanks for the offer Chris! I was a commercial drywaller in my past life and my brother still is, so I have easy access to any screws I need.

 

[VCCruzr]

All Packed And Ready To Go

Tierra Del Sol, here we come!

 

[Ozdunc]

^^^^^^^^^

Now that is feckin' fantastic!!! Super holiday rig!!

 

[80BajaBound]

That "thing" is f'n radical!

 

[FJFOOL]

This has been an awesome build, nice truck ! It would be nice to build a rig without having the main consideration being rain protection !!