Builds The Mule: My OM617 swap and other improvements (1 Viewer)

[DPV7070]

What do y'all think the impact on fender alignment will be if I plate over the frame, specifically the 4 captured nuts that the fender support attaches to?

I cut out the metal plates, I just haven't figured the route I want to go with respect to that issue...

 

[DPV7070]

Answer is it causes a significant gap between body panels... I'm stumped now. I really wanted to plate the frame with a continuous piece, but I don't know if that's possible now...

 

[RhinoJr]

Why don't you just modify the fender support at the bottom to account for the extra width caused by your frame plate? Basically cut it at the bottom where it contacts the frame and move that section slightly outboard and then reweld. You shouldn't even need to do any sheet metal work.

 

[DPV7070]

That's what I'm thinking. I really don't want to have it separated into two plates since it kind of defeats the purpose. Of course I'm not planning to wheel the hell outta the Mule, but I'm into overkill!

 

[DPV7070]

Some welding pr0n for you guys...

 

[DPV7070]

I still have a lot of cleaning up to do on some of the welds.

PS, welding upside down is a pain in the butt!!!!

 

[Fast Eddy]

How'd you verify that it was square before you welded it? I decided to let mine flex like Toyoda-san intended.

 

[DPV7070]

Measured width before and after. I only plated it on the outside, welding in small sections to prevent warping. So the rivet joints should still flex a little...

Toyota-San didn't have Saginaw power steering and a OM617 (not that it's a torque monster or anything...), plus I needed an excuse to bust out the plasma cutter.

If I screwed up it's too late now...

 

[DPV7070]

Well as with any first time adventure, I realized this morning I put a rosette weld right where the f250 shock towers go. Dang. Guess I'll just have to get more creative. I feel like I'm really not doing this thing justice, but I guess that's my personality. It'll be good enough I believe...

It's depressing to look at other folks welding skills then look at mine. My wife says it's "character." I think she's just being nice...

 

[want2wheel]

You wife is not being nice. She is telling the truth. Your welds are your welds, and they can not be duplicated by anyone else at any time. I like seeing welds with personality. If you look at a weld you can sometimes see the person breathing in and out. Keep up the good work.

 

[DPV7070]

Haha well if that's the case I might have been suffering from tachycardia...

Marine Clean and Metal Prep'd. Going to put some heat to it and dry it out, then POR 15 it and topcoat...

I don't want to hear any crap about drinking Coors Light in San Diego. I'm out of IPAs...

 

[DPV7070]

New beer! Shameless plug for Bell Helicopter and the venerable V22...

 

[DPV7070]

Decided to blast this little piece.

Last time this was off, a Japanese gent was cutting burlap to fit...

Def needs replacing.

 

[davegonz]

What are you going to do with the exhaust? I see that you kept the factory downpipe. Are you going to use it? If not, I might be interested.

 

[DPV7070]

What are you going to do with the exhaust? I see that you kept the factory downpipe. Are you going to use it? If not, I might be interested.

I think I'm going to use it and just let it dump right now. I've got so much to do and so little time I don't think I can afford to get creative right now. If I go a different direction, I'll let you know.

 

[davegonz]

I feel your pain. The only thing that concerns me is the amount of room the stock setup takes up. If I see a simple solution, I'll let you know.

 

[davegonz]

This is what I'm hoping to do. I just need to find who sells the correct flange for the K26 turbo. This setup takes up very little room near the firewall.

Taken from Expo: http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...nother-109-build-Thread/page3?highlight=OM617

 

[DPV7070]

Just a quick update. Still making progress, but it's slow. Found out this week I herniated 3 discs and 2 are impinging on nerve roots causing a lot of pain. Not good as a pilot to say the least. I'm "medically downed" until I get fixed so kind of a lot to take in for now. Trying to stay positive though!

 

[franklin40]

yikes that's sucks. hope you feel better soon. that's a bad deal for work and truck building not to mention life in general

 

[esh]

Nice to see a well done saginaw mount.