Project Downward Spiral

[RCman]

Worried about any added clearence issues now Bill? Looks like out back should be fine overall, maybe near the coilover at full stuff :dunno: How about the front fenders and inner fenders while turning and all that other junk?

The front will be no issue, I'm running Maddogs up there.
Given that the tire is only 1 1/4 wider that gives 5/8" more per side. At full flex (full droop/full stuff) I had ~1" between the tire and the coilover with the Maddogs. So with the Rockers I should have 3/8". It'll be tight for sure, but I'm hoping I'll be just fine.

 

[asp]

what are you going to run when you gouge the front two?

 

[RCman]

what are you going to run when you gouge the front two?

Hopefully I don't! The only real issue/problem with the tire that I had was a defect and that has been covered by PitBull.

I began laying out the plans for the bumper last night. I think I've got a solid plan now.
I also ordered a steel Warn hawse fairlead so I don't have a huge set of rollers hanging out. That'll work with my wire cable for now, I don't have the big bucks to step up to the big boy rope.

 

[lobsterdmb]

Hopefully I don't! The only real issue/problem with the tire that I had was a defect and that has been covered by PitBull.

I began laying out the plans for the bumper last night. I think I've got a solid plan now.
I also ordered a steel Warn hawse fairlead so I don't have a huge set of rollers hanging out. That'll work with my wire cable for now, I don't have the big bucks to step up to the big boy rope.

I had a steel hawse fairlead sitting here that you could have taken for free...

 

[RCman]

I had a steel hawse fairlead sitting here that you could have taken for free...

Darn it. Now you tell me!

Thanks anyway John.

 

[Begster]

You keep saying defect Bill, but you never say what it was. What is this defect?

Johnny, I'll throw some money your way if you don't want that steel hawse.

 

[5spd_xj]

Johnny, I'll throw some money your way if you don't want that steel hawse.

I'll do ya one better John... I'll buy it from you, AND I'll use it.

 

[lobsterdmb]

I may have 2... i will look tomorrow.

 

[5spd_xj]

haha no problem. not like I'm worried about my approach angle too much with the park bench of a bumper I've got




(sorry for hijacking your thread[again], bill!)

 

[RCman]

(sorry for hijacking your thread[again], bill!)

Yeah, you better be!

Anyway, what are the thoughts on these lights? Whelen OS Series
Thinking about grabbing a pair of the red marker versions and using them as extra brake lights. Obviously I don't need anything DOT, this is more of a courtesy for people behind me on the trail. The one middle brake light works, but more would be nice. I don't have much room between the tubes back there (mounting them elsewhere would look goofy). I can't even fit a 2" round light. I'm not sure if those OS series lights would be a wasted effort or not. I'm trying to keep it inexpensive and easy, otherwise I just won't do it.

 

[foxwar71]

this is more of a courtesy for people behind me on the trail. The one middle brake light works, but more would be nice.

it wasnt THAT bad, i found it kinda funny when i was following you at nacfest

 

[lobsterdmb]

Yeah, you better be!

Anyway, what are the thoughts on these lights? Whelen OS Series
Thinking about grabbing a pair of the red marker versions and using them as extra brake lights. Obviously I don't need anything DOT, this is more of a courtesy for people behind me on the trail. The one middle brake light works, but more would be nice. I don't have much room between the tubes back there (mounting them elsewhere would look goofy). I can't even fit a 2" round light. I'm not sure if those OS series lights would be a wasted effort or not. I'm trying to keep it inexpensive and easy, otherwise I just won't do it.

I didn't think it was bad either.


But... Whelen makes some awesome lights. Best in the business when it comes to emergency lighting and sirens for an ambulance, fire truck, etc. I have never seen a poor product made by them.

 

[RCman]

I didn't think it was bad either.


But... Whelen makes some awesome lights. Best in the business when it comes to emergency lighting and sirens for an ambulance, fire truck, etc. I have never seen a poor product made by them.

Yeah, its something that is on the back burner. If I do it I'll be using Whelen lights, for the small increase in cost over cheap overseas lights its worth it to know they'll work after I put in the effort. That and they have "Made in :us:" on the side of the box.

Got a few things done on the front tonight.

I sunk the winch into the new crossmember. 2x6" x 0.250 wall is just a bit small. The feet on the winch measure 5.75" and thus I had to take a little out of the bottom side of the box to get it to fit. Sinking it in will move it forward at total of 1.75" and give me a little more clearance between the winch and the balancer. Keep in mind this is laying flat and will actually be turned up so the two chrome tie rods face the engine.

After looking at it for a bit I didn't like how the wires were going to be run and how they would be essentially hitting the mech. fan. I also didn't like having to reach around to change the feed/spool. So I clocked the motor and the clutch. I've still got to knock a little corner off the crossmember to keep the green tipped electrical stud from grounding out.

Tomorrow hopefully the fairlead will be here and I can layout the holes for everything and get the crossmember up into place.

 

[foxwar71]

pic 1 vs pic 2:

pic 1: was drinking polar soda stuff and didnt like it

pic 2: drinking local brewery brews and now likes it



see how that works?

 

[MoparManiac]

Your crossmember is already looking better than mine.

Stop working.

 

[asp]

pic 1 vs pic 2:

pic 1: was drinking polar soda stuff and didnt like it

pic 2: drinking local brewery brews and now likes it

see how that works?

i noticed that too hehe. that's a good beer, probably one of my favorite ones that they make.

looks good bill. any thoughts on how it will attach to the unibody rails? (welded, bolted, etc) colin and i were discussing options for his new one last night.

 

[vetteboy]

I had the cask version of it once. It was like heaven from a spout.

 

[foxwar71]

looks good bill. any thoughts on how it will attach to the unibody rails? (welded, bolted, etc) colin and i were discussing options for his new one last night.

it made it soo much better that we had crayons and paper to draw designs on I think the whole welded/bolted thing comes down the winch. if you can install/remove the winch with the bumper/crossmember in place, they why not just weld it solid?

 

[Andy in Pa.]

I had the cask version of it once. It was like heaven from a spout.

LOL... drinking it right from the spout huh...:yelclap:

 

[RCman]

I had the cask version of it once. It was like heaven from a spout.

Yeah, its rough living sub 3 miles from the brewery... ok maybe not.

I did get a few things done on the front this weekend. Not as much as I hoped, but I was taking my sweet time and working in the yard between rain breaks.

Mocked up the winch underneath to make sure all the cuts and holes where lining up correctly. I have just about 3" of clearance between the balancer and the winch. I'm happy I pushed the winch forward. I've got plenty of room in there now. I reclocked the motor back to the stock position, I didn't like the wires pointing at the ground (not shown).

I got the crossmember section completed minus the D-ring mounts and fairlead tabs. Came out decent.

Then I began laying out the tubework. For the most part I am not a fan of tube bumpers, so hopefully this will turn out alright for my liking.
The tube is sitting a little high in the picture and it is hard to make out but there are two 3 degree bends where the orange marks are toward the edges of the grill. With the tubein position the further point out will be ~2" from the grill. I'll have more clearance than the stock bumper I had on there.