VTcruiser60's Spring Build--Much to do... (1 Viewer)

["N8"]

I have a special puller for that bearing. I have heard of guys loading the hole with grease and driving a round shaft that fits tightly into the hole and it pos the bearing out

I have done this a number of times. one time I just rapped a socket extension in duct tape and it worked, not well but it worked. so if you can actually source a piece of round stock that fits tightly into the bearing itll work fine.

another solution nat and I came up with was to use a slide hammer with a hooked end on it and slowly work the hammer around the bearing.

 

[vtcruiser60]

Made solid progress rebuilding the rear frame and new cross member. I was really putting down some hot welds, several root passes before the pancakes. I am also using SEM copperweld primer...thinking that it might help me with penetration. The welder is a Hobart 187 (220V) so i have plenty of power....just short on technique.

Open to criticism or thoughts......

 

[vtcruiser60]

And some of the bumper in progress...

The plate above the receiver hitch is meant to reinforce the bumper from a recovery. I have a nice swivel hoist ring that I want to mount but would like to have this ring mounted to a reinforced section.

 

[vtcruiser60]

Late Saturday night and Sunday....I was able to add some gussets to the rear frame in order to mount my new shackle hangers. I fabbed up some shackle hangers, boxed out the rear bumper or capped it off. Then I put a hole into the bumper to retain the stock lights. Still have to do the other side.

I also put the tub back on the frame, thanks to some help from a not to happy wife.

Then...I started to load up the tub with everything loose in the garage...wanted to get some weight in there so I could drop the jack stands and see how the springs loaded down. I need to read up on how to place these shackle hangers. I am really not sure how to do this correctly....

 

[green40]

People at the meeting really liked the Hubs!

Lane

 

[vtcruiser60]

People at the meeting really liked the Hubs!

Lane

Good news....thanks Lane.

 

[vtcruiser60]

Found an hour today to finish the tail light fit up.
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I also drilled some holes to fit in the recovery point. I picked up a 360 degree swivel hoist ring on ebay. Its got a 3/4 threaded bolt that goes through the bumper. I'll tighten a nut on the backside through a new hole on the backside of the bumper.

 

["N8"]

I love those little red milwaukee grinders. Only grinder ive known to survive living in nats basement for more than a couple months!

btw looks sweet! keep her goin!

 

[vtcruiser60]

Got the swing out tire carrier set up tonight. I used 1/4 inch 2x3 box tube for the main arm. It is very heavy, but I wanted to avoid major deflection over time. I also really took my time with the welds on the spindle carrier, lots of cleaning, weld through primer, etc. The gusset is probably overkill but as I am not a professional welder, I thought to be on the safe side. The swing out arm actually rises about 1/2 inch over 4 feet. This was not intentional, but probably will work in my favor once the weight of the tire is added on.

I also fabbed up some tail light protectors. I have busted three lenses and am tired of replacing them.

Bonus steel today....while welding one of my neighbors wandered over with two pieces of box tube...some 3/16ths 2x2 and 2x3...both about 5 ft in length. He said they were left over from one of his projects and hoped I could use them. I was stoked......

 

[vtcruiser60]

I also got lucky tonight with paint. While at my son's lacrosse practice I chatted it up with an acquaintance that happens to own a large ass dealership in the area. I asked if I might be able to use one of their paint booths one weekend ....He was more excited with the idea than I was. Looks like I may have access to some sweet guns, a bonafide booth, etc....I need to supply the paint but something tells me this is going to work out nicely.

He asked me if I knew how to spray paint and I said I understand how to do it....but what I have going for me is a complete disregard for runs. I want good paint that will adhere nicely....not too worried about aesthetics at this point.

 

[rabid]

I am assuming Dave?

He is all about cruisers if so. He has owned a bunch, and I have personally bought a few off of him.

Nice to use someone else's paint gear. I am unavailable to help this weekend as I have friends visiting, but we should be able to stop by and throw beer cans at you if that helps.

 

[green40]

Lucky SOB! Wish I had neighbors like that!

 

[vtcruiser60]

Lucky SOB! Wish I had neighbors like that!

I feel pretty lucky and fortunate these days....respectful of life.

 

[vtcruiser60]

I think I am at a stopping point on the tire carrier. Today I fabbed up a latching system..see the picture below. It will probably work fine. However, I still need to get the tire carrier built up and I don't even have a spare tire yet. I think I might stop on the tire carrier for now. The bumper is basically done, though final wiring is needed and some groundings.

I will next turn to descaling the balance of the frame, and coating it with a rust shield product. I have some very minor sheet metal work just under the pedals to do first. These areas will be obscured by the aluminum tub, but I would rather take care of it now. Clutch, tranny and tcase still need to be installed. Then the tub can be mounted.

 

[rabid]

got a few spares for mock up if you need them. one 33x12.5swamper on a bitchin orange rim, and a new 35.12.5 on a rock crawler. The latter is for mike's yeller one in my garage.

Looks great, but I fear the latch plate is really thin.Why the taper there?

 

[vtcruiser60]

I am not all that happy with the latch in its current form. I think it tapered down while grinding the metal. It must have heated up and bent a bit, that's all I can think of. Its not purposeful. I forgot about that spare tire...thanks.

 

[vtcruiser60]

I had a friend really struggle to remove a pilot bearing, so I concentrated on that this evening. I ended up fabricating my own tiny slide hammer and boom....about 12 seconds of tapping popped the pilot bearing out. I am calling it a night after such a stroke of luck.

I thought others might be interested so I posted up pictures of the slide hammer here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/285293-homemade-slide-hammer-pilot-bearing-removal.html

 

[green40]

Simple, but effective! Nice job.

 

[vtcruiser60]

I got a lot of feedback on my welds on another mud thread. I went ahead and ground down a lot of my original welds, and redid them on a hotter setting. Pictures posted here:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/tools-fabr...hese-welds-what-do-you-think.html#post4460505

before and after

 

[vtcruiser60]

Spent about 2hrs this afternoon cleaning up the frame from the cowl back. I used a wire wheel and needle scaler to do most of the work. This evening I cut out several inches of rust floor boards underneath the pedals. I then bent up a piece of 16 gauge steel and tacked in in. Most of the visible steel in the picture will be covered by the aluminum tub, but a few bolts are needed in this new area. I wanted it to be strong.

crappy cell pic....