The Chronicle's of Wade

[Zukrider]

Welp, things have happened. And re happened. And re re happened. Someday!

And a little test fit with the little boss lady. It is half hers after all. She is big enough to drive it now, so that will happen this autumn.

 

[Zukrider]

 

[Zukrider]

 

[Zukrider]

Really slow progress the last 4 days. Put a lot of time into a floor structure that didn’t quite work. So scrapped it and re did it all. But things are moving along.

 

[Zukrider]

Wow. Exhausted!

I am now left with 2 full days to get this turd drivable for the trip to Ouray. It’s likely going to be incomplete everywhere. The cage will be welded enough to not vibrate off. The floor will be incomplete. The rear cab sheet metal won’t be done.

So. Much. To. Do.

Some updates. I got it running a few days ago, and took it for a test drive today. “Test drive”. No seats or belts or….. it was a short drive to verify I have a drivable rig.

Still to do:
-drill flanges for front driveshaft and install
-reassemble dash stuff
-build drivers a pillar for cage. Add dash and windshield bars. Weld what’s there.
-sheet floor
-build seat mounts and seat belt mounts.
-complete rear of cab
-eleventybillion other things.

Sorry for the lack of pics and chronicling. I have been super under the gin for the deadline. After this trip, things will go back to well documented.

 

[Zukrider]

 

[Mike Shull]

Be safe. Those San Juan Mountains have been there for millions of years. I decided to stay in Denver this summer. The Cruiser won’t be ready and most or my upcoming work requires me to be in person. Next year for me. And the year after that.

 

[Zukrider]

Be safe. Those San Juan Mountains have been there for millions of years. I decided to stay in Denver this summer. The Cruiser won’t be ready and most or my upcoming work requires me to be in person. Next year for me. And the year after that.

Unfortunately I am staying home as well. My rear driveshaft angle is way to steep, and I need to change it to a double cardan. Still be cutting spring perches, yay.

And now I’m pink shopping. So yeah. Stay tuned! At least now I can stop working so damn fast and not cut corners.

Oh yeah, the temp gauge says I’m overheating now to. So there’s that.

 

[Mike Shull]

You had better get back on this thing or you might miss the next Solid Axle Summit!

 

[Zukrider]

You had better get back on this thing or you might miss the next Solid Axle Summit!

Hey! Hey now.

Your right.

 

[Mike Shull]

Hey! Hey now.

Your right.

When you get a moment, can you post a few pictures of your driveline angles? I’m curious what you are working with

 

[Zukrider]

When you get a moment, can you post a few pictures of your driveline angles? I’m curious what you are working with

Apparently these are the only ones I have. And the one is oriented badly. Sorry.

If memory serves, it’s about 7-8” offset to the passenger side, and something like 8-10” down. The first pic is the first attempt, with a standard style shaft. Second pic is the double Carson that’s currently on, that I turned the pinion up for.

 

[Mike Shull]

Taking pictures of driveshaft angles is pretty hard. I was just trying to do that on mine.

What would happen if you angled your pinion up a little bit more? Are front Drive line angles OK?

 

[Zukrider]

In the never ending battle of do it right the first time, I have changed the overall plan on this about eleventybillion times. I have settled on truck with a “bed”. I had the past 7 days off, and with the amazing weather, was able to changes the entire cage design/direction, YET AGAIN!

So I cut a bunch more Land Cruiser off. The cage will now be the door frame at all points. This is a great thing, as I want the door opening longer to avoid elbow pain. Getting the A pillar roof halo bent in one shot, and 99% correct was satisfying. Quite difficult.

But now we have a way forward! I hope to have some great content moving forward.

Also, I scored a narrowed 99-04 SD housing that’s the exact 65” I’m after, for $100. And I scored a Dana 70 that’s rusty, but 64-6/8, with an old school Rockcrusher diff cover, for $200!

Yall enjoy your December.

 

[Zukrider]

 

[Zukrider]

Decided against recycling the old Montero sliders. I’ll probably regret that.

 

[Zukrider]

 

[Zukrider]

Here is a perfect explanation of why the door needs to be bigger.

 

[Mike Shull]

Excellent progress!!! This is going to look amazing. I took advantage of the good weather by cleaning out the garage and raking leaves. Ha. Keep it up !

 

[Zukrider]

Got the slider bases and A pillar contraption welded together. This part is on for good now. I’ve got 2 legs holding it all together to the frame currently. The end result will have multiple more at various angles to triangulate, as well as the lowers being done for boat side skids.

Today I got the B pillar plan mostly figured out and started making the sliders to be able to attach it. Should have a lot more progress tomorrow with the current direction.