Flop resurrection

[sandsgg]

Crazy s**t

 

[garrett83]

That chain link truck is quite the engineering feat. I'd love to see it in person one of these days

 

[garrett83]

Hacked up a bit more metal and tube yesterday. I put her back on wheels just to roll her back to work on the front end. most of the tube work is complete now from the windshield back. I am a little unsure about what to do with the tubing at the roof line, I think I'm just going to throw in some short angle braces in each corner and call it a day. I'm trying to keep the tube work away from where our heads will be as much a possible.

I got the front cross member cut and welded in. 2x6 1/4" heavy SOB!! I used 3 1/2", 3/16" angle to tie it into the outside frame stiffeners.

I then got the stinger bent up and welded on, along with a horizontal tube to support the front of the winch plate. I had some 3/8" plate laying around, so we used that as the bottom winch plate. Welded all that solid to the cross member and the tube work.

 

[garrett83]

Found the picture limit!

I'm pretty happy with the progress. I'm trying to get a little better at welding before I tackle the cage, I really don't want a bunch of nasty welds that I won't be able to grind down or want to grind down!!

Does anyone know if Ivan run a non roller fair lead with a steel cable? I really don't want to use the huge roller unit that comes with the winch.

I original plan was to bury the winch behind the cross member, like moparmaniac did, but with this being my first winch, I coul see that location bein a huge pain in the arse. So I decided to kill my approach angle a bit in the hopes of easier access an functionality for myself.

 

[MoparManiac]

Looking good. I'd definitely throw in some short tube gussets from your B/C pillars to the roof line.

You can get a steel hawse fairlead.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/9...oglemerchant&gclid=CI6BvdfjhrYCFUXf4Aod3DoAxQ

Might be able to find it cheaper elsewhere. Was just the first place I Google'd.

 

[kastein]

I buried my winch behind my front bumper, which sticks out exactly 2" past the tabs on the front frame horns. No regrets.

Was going to go behind the crossmember with it but I'd rather keep the bumper a couple inches out and protect my header panel a little more.

 

[Lowrange2]

Yes, I run a Hawse fairlead with a steel cable. Mines actually aluminum. It's scared up but it works just fine.

 

[garrett83]

Looking good. I'd definitely throw in some short tube gussets from your B/C pillars to the roof line.

You can get a steel hawse fairlead.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/9...oglemerchant&gclid=CI6BvdfjhrYCFUXf4Aod3DoAxQ

Might be able to find it cheaper elsewhere. Was just the first place I Google'd.

That's perfect thank you!

I was thinking I was going to need something at those pillars to counter act all those rearward angles.

 

[rockclimber]

Premoxj has a warn steel hawse for sale. Brand new.

 

[garrett83]

Premoxj has a warn steel hawse for sale. Brand new.

I knew he had one, I'll hit him up. He's supposed to be coming to town to get some free truck soon anyways

 

[garrett83]

Some real progress shots!

Spent the weekend welding up all the tube work I have done so far, finished the front bumper, trimmed up the front grill and got that mounted, cut in my tow point in the rear, got the gas tank set in place and just need to bolt it down.

 

[mako my day]

You have too much time on your hands........You need a hobby.....



Lol. cant wait to see the beast in action.

 

[foxwar71]

Looking good. Planning on doing a piece of tubing from the crossmember to the corner there, across where the headlight would be?

 

[garrett83]

Looking good. Planning on doing a piece of tubing from the crossmember to the corner there, across where the headlight would be?

Yes, I'm waiting to put "head lights" in so I form the tube around them. I'm not sure the diameter of the lights, so I will throw those vertical pieces on once I get them.

And thanks mako! My hobby is drinking beer, it just so happens I fill in the free time between sips with working on this pile!! :cheers:

 

[MoparManiac]

Looking good so far! :thumbup:

 

[garrett83]

Some minor progress over the weekend, even though a lot of hours went into it.

Got the tie rod, drag link, track bar, and upper 3rd link all fabricated, welded, painted, and ready for install. Got the track bar frame and axle mounts installed and reinforced.

Also got everything up front painted, final assembled the axle, and installed the new prothane bumps. I haven't trimmed the bumps yet, but they sit right on the bump stop tower at ride height, and from what I've read this will be pretty close to what I want. I'm looking at 4" of up travel, and the bumps should compress about 3 1/2". I ended up cutting a metal disk and welding it to the bottom of the tower so it doesn't destroy the bump, and then just let it free float in the coil.

Pics of full droop and full bump.

Also got the gas tank all strapped in, filler installed, and the fuel lines reconnected. Then sprayed the floor pan and frame rails all flat black.

 

[MoparManiac]

Nice work dude, keep it up :thumbup:

Did you put the bolts back in for where the track bar connects to the motor mount bracket through the frame rail?

 

[garrett83]

Nice work dude, keep it up :thumbup:

Did you put the bolts back in for where the track bar connects to the motor mount bracket through the frame rail?

Thank you! Yes I put the bolts back in but just through the stock frame rail. I plated the bottom of the frame rail with 3/16 and welded the mount to that and the 3/16 Fran stiffener. I'm seriously contemplating running a tube from the bracket to the upper cage tube work... I really don't want that coming apart

 

[mako my day]

Done. Toss a lawnchair in there and lets roll.

 

[foxwar71]

I'm seriously contemplating running a tube from the bracket to the upper cage tube work... I really don't want that coming apart

I was thinking about doing something similar with mine. make sure on full stuff on that side that the top of the tire doesnt interfer with it. I ended up not adding it in mine, its hasnt gone anywhere yet wheeling. if I ever feel the need, ill build a brace from the bracket to the opposite framerail like RE does.