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- #1,001
I have not winched anything with the bumper but I don’t expect to have any issues. I wouldn’t change it all, still very happy with it.
Build "The Milk Truck" FJ45 Preservation Sorta
- Thread starter Tank5
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I have not winched anything with the bumper but I don’t expect to have any issues. I wouldn’t change it all, still very happy with it.
- Thread starter
- #1,003
With the tie rod I just installed I could lower the frame side bracket but it would stick down a lot and I would be concerned about the extra leverage applied to it due to length. That bracket seems to be a problem for some on the 80 series. Could just beef it up.
I hope to take it for a test drive later today to see how it handles.
- Thread starter
- #1,004
I took the test drive and it feels good. I have been testing and measuring the steering on the same stretch of road, so I have the same bumps to make comparisons on and It did great on multiple passes up to 70 MPH.
I will have to get some more miles on it to know for sure after everything settles in. It feels really tight but I anticipate it loosening up some after some use but I hope it doesn’t. I will update after I get it broken in.
I will have to get some more miles on it to know for sure after everything settles in. It feels really tight but I anticipate it loosening up some after some use but I hope it doesn’t. I will update after I get it broken in.
Let's hope that 70 MPH was on US 550 and not NM 4!
That's great news! I bet that feels good to hopefully have that behind you.
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- #1,007
I don’t want to jinx it by saying it’s behind me but I am happy with the way it so far. I am looking to taking it on some trips this year.
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- #1,008
The Milk Truck attended its first HDC club meeting today. Round trip I added about 130 miles today. The steering worked great all the way up to highway speeds. I need to get some trail tests done before I close the book on it. It feels very comfortable cruising down the interstate. I would feel good taking on it a road trip at this point.
I love that cruiser. It always looks like it's ready to kick some ass.
Whenever you're ready, let me know. The FJ60 and FJ40 are both ready and waiting. The roads north of town, all the way to Sawyer Canyon on the northern edge of the county, are getting to be pretty decent for wheeling - they've really deteriorated over the past several years.
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- #1,011
That could be a good place to test it. I have not been in that area for a few years and it seemed some of those roads were getting pretty rough which would be great. If the roads are dry enough we won't tear them up that could work. I will let you know when I plan the next outing.
- Thread starter
- #1,012
I found these chain covers on Etsy. They are made of light canvas type cloth. They just slide over the chains and go well with the patina.
I started working on the sliders. I bent the outside runner for each side. The end legs will bolt to the frame and I will add 1 or two additional attachment points in the middle. I made them out of 1.75 DOM. This is the general idea.
I need to order some custom unbolts to fit around the frame and some more material to finish building the slider. I am thinking either 2x2 or 2x3 square tube to run length wise under the body line to act as the slider. I am hoping 3/16 wall is sufficient 1/4 wall seems like it would be really heavy. Anyone have and experience they can share? Is 3/16 was enough or do I need to go 1/4?
Edit: Did some searching and I found 3/16 wall width should be fine.
I started working on the sliders. I bent the outside runner for each side. The end legs will bolt to the frame and I will add 1 or two additional attachment points in the middle. I made them out of 1.75 DOM. This is the general idea.
I need to order some custom unbolts to fit around the frame and some more material to finish building the slider. I am thinking either 2x2 or 2x3 square tube to run length wise under the body line to act as the slider. I am hoping 3/16 wall is sufficient 1/4 wall seems like it would be really heavy. Anyone have and experience they can share? Is 3/16 was enough or do I need to go 1/4?
Edit: Did some searching and I found 3/16 wall width should be fine.
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I always use 1/4 wall for sliders, overkill... maybe, but the number of times 1/2 of my rig's weight was sitting on one of them... and I don't worry about bending them. I have been using the clam-shell way of mounting sliders for some time, eliminating those U bolts. and have been really happy with the results. This is from my 80 series. Always felt like the U bolts were the weak point. This is just 1/4 steel plate bent to width of the frame, then you put a bolt across the top to lock it in place.
here is from my 73 series.
here is from my 73 series.
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- #1,014
Thanks @2fpower for the feed back. The weight savings between 1/4 and 3/16 may not be significant enough to matter much. I may just do the 1/4.
My 80 series sliders have the same clam shell mounting design. I like it a lot. My reasoning for the I-bolt design is due to fitting and installation issues. I suppose I could do both. I am currently thinking 4 mounting legs, so two could be clam shell style and the other two ubolt.
My 80 series sliders have the same clam shell mounting design. I like it a lot. My reasoning for the I-bolt design is due to fitting and installation issues. I suppose I could do both. I am currently thinking 4 mounting legs, so two could be clam shell style and the other two ubolt.
- Thread starter
- #1,015
I have all the materials I think I need to finish the sliders. I have been making the brackets and fine tuning the fit but I stalled at the moment trying to desire how much I want the slider to extend beyond the running board.
Initially I planned to align the inside edge of the tube with the outside edge of the running board like so.
Then I started playing and thinking more. Would it be better to have the slider stick out more. This is the slender extended another 3/4 inches. This would creat a little more edge to use the back side of the slider for a step into the bed.
I don’t really plan to beat of this rig through the sliders. I want them for when I do something stupid and hope that they will save me from creating new body damage. Really I need to protect it from shopping carts when getting groceries.
Taking a break for dinner then back at it. I am not sure the 3/4 inch matters much.
Initially I planned to align the inside edge of the tube with the outside edge of the running board like so.
Then I started playing and thinking more. Would it be better to have the slider stick out more. This is the slender extended another 3/4 inches. This would creat a little more edge to use the back side of the slider for a step into the bed.
I don’t really plan to beat of this rig through the sliders. I want them for when I do something stupid and hope that they will save me from creating new body damage. Really I need to protect it from shopping carts when getting groceries.
Taking a break for dinner then back at it. I am not sure the 3/4 inch matters much.
This baby making it to Ouray in August? 
- Thread starter
- #1,017
As long as I don't break it. The plan is to drive it up. I am looking forward to the trip.This baby making it to Ouray in August?
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Awesome. Looking forward to meeting you and checking this out in person!
I'd put the sliders at track width of the tires man. It's not much but should allow the sliders to do there thing protecting the body and "sliding" past an obstacle directly into the tire. Less hang-up IMHO.
x'2 I saw but did not get a chance to really look at some of the great builds on mud and meet the people involved with them at SAS#7. I will be camping this year and hope to meet more of you guys/gals. I look forward to seeing this in person. I will be at SAS#8.