Project Downward Spiral

[nhrocker]

Looking great Bill, as usual. Just caught up on everything from the past, oh about 5 months. :laugh3:

About the harness bar. I have my straps just wrapped around. That way when I'm not using them I can slide them towards the b-pillars out of the way. No tabs or anything on the bar itself. (I do still need to add some triangulation to it, will be coming when I redo the whole rear end) I don't really see a need for tabs to keep them from sliding sideways. With mine at least, once they're slid in place I can cinch them down so they don't move much. I didn't even bother with the sub belt. I just didn't see a need with my rig where my biggest concerns would be in a rollover, not a high speed crash. Then again I still have my stock belts as well, which is what I use the majority of the time.

For the cage work, like I mentioned to you at Johnny and Mel's, check out Harbor Freights tube notcher. It may not be the most high tech way to go, but it's a good starting point. They go on sale pretty regularly for like $40 and with a little tweaking work well enough. I loaned mine to a friend and he's liked it enough I haven't seen it in months.

 

[RCman]

Looking great Bill, as usual. Just caught up on everything from the past, oh about 5 months. :laugh3:

Which unfortunatly isn't all that much.

About the harness bar. I have my straps just wrapped around. That way when I'm not using them I can slide them towards the b-pillars out of the way. No tabs or anything on the bar itself. (I do still need to add some triangulation to it, will be coming when I redo the whole rear end) I don't really see a need for tabs to keep them from sliding sideways. With mine at least, once they're slid in place I can cinch them down so they don't move much. I didn't even bother with the sub belt. I just didn't see a need with my rig where my biggest concerns would be in a rollover, not a high speed crash. Then again I still have my stock belts as well, which is what I use the majority of the time.

I won't have any of the stock stuff, that's long gone.
I think I'll give it a whirl like you've mentioned and add something if I need it later.

For the cage work, like I mentioned to you at Johnny and Mel's, check out Harbor Freights tube notcher. It may not be the most high tech way to go, but it's a good starting point. They go on sale pretty regularly for like $40 and with a little tweaking work well enough. I loaned mine to a friend and he's liked it enough I haven't seen it in months.

Hmmm... I've seem a bunch of 'el cheapo ones for under $50 but I've always wondered about their usefullness. I generally try to stay away from cheap tools. I'll have to check that out. I havn't ordered from them in a long time and hadn't planned on it, but I'll keep an eye out for it. Thanks for the tip.



Some parts arrived today! I've got to hand it to Summit Racing. I placed the order Sunday evening, they shipped out Monday morning and I had it on my doorstep this afternoon. That's service!

The 16 gal fuel cell. I've still got to order the rest of the system, but this will keep me going for now.

Energy Suspension bump stops (Made in America!). These have a 2" OD and I'm planning on mounting them to a length of 2" OD tubing that will slip into a mount can very similar to an air bump. I plan to make the dimensions of mine match that of a collapsed 2" stroke air bump. That way once I win the lotto and can afford air bumps it'll be a 5 min swap to change them out.

I had planned on getting some things done tonight, but as its seems to be the trend lately that just didn't work out. Hopefully tomorrow night. :sure:

 

[MoparManiac]

Why didn't you get anything done?!!

I'm not happy.

 

[5spd_xj]

Why didn't you get anything done?!!

I'm not happy.

our late night phone calls.

you already answered your own question :looney:

 

[MoparManiac]

:roflmao:

 

[RCman]

Nah, he had nothing to do with it...!
Tonight, the end of my driveway will be blocked with a large sign that says "No Interruptions!"

 

[5spd_xj]

speaking of interruptions, bill, tomorrow night looks like it'll be raining here. would you potentially be interested/able to use my assistance for awhile with anything? I'm in a Jeepy workin mood lately and I've got no plans tomorrow night; I'd love to lend a helping hand if it's possible. And I won't interrupt. Just help.

 

[cmelo]

I like your idea for bump stops, I just may steal that idea....

 

[RCman]

Got the A-Pillar bars done and 90% of the rest of the interior cage figured out. A few more touches with the angle grinder and the interior part will be pretty much done.

The A-Pillar bars took a heck of a lot longer than I thought they would. In the end I'm very happy with the way they turned out. They hug the A-Pillar nicely and flow right up the the rain gutter.

The cut to the inner fender needed for tube clearance. With this cut I should be able to just trim the outer fender and they'll "disappear" underneath.

After several hours with a sharpie, paint pen, a few angle finders and the tube bender.

The detailed notes I took for the first one paid off tremendously. I was able to whip out the passanger side in about 1/5th the time. Note that the hood is propped up a couple inches in this picture.

Sorry no shots of the interior cage work. As always I forgot to snap pictures before I blew it all apart. :gag:

 

[Begster]

Looks really nice Bill, I love how it hugs the A pillars.

It seems like it would just suck if you had to change the windshield though, the bottom looks pretty close.

 

[RCman]

Looks really nice Bill, I love how it hugs the A pillars.

Thanks, the hours paid off then!

It seems like it would just suck if you had to change the windshield though, the bottom looks pretty close.

It is very very close. However the edge of the glass if out from under the tube so with some creative maneuvering of the gasket I should be able to replace it if I ever have to (hopefully not!).

 

[MoparManiac]

My dad would pwn that windshield in like 20 minutes.

 

[Begster]

Thanks, the hours paid off then!

Yes they did.

It is very very close. However the edge of the glass if out from under the tube so with some creative maneuvering of the gasket I should be able to replace it if I ever have to (hopefully not!).

Ya after I said that, I looked at it again and I realized it wasn't as close as I thought it was first time I saw it.

I should be able to replace it if I ever have to (hopefully not!).

Is this a goal for me if we are out and I'm spotting you?

My dad would pwn that windshield in like 20 minutes.

That reminds me of another question I have to ask you.

 

[5spd_xj]

Is this a goal for me if we are out and I'm spotting you?

that was my immediate thought as well!!






Looks great Bill. If there's any rainy days that you're working on it and I can't do much with mine I'd love to head down and check it out again. Keep on keepin on with the artistic build-skills ya got goin :farmer:

 

[MoparManiac]

If you want to test out the strength/longevity of ANYTHING on your XJ...

Travis is your man.

 

[RCman]

My dad would pwn that windshield in like 20 minutes.

You spelled "own" wrong.
Your father is great at windshields. I can attest to it, as I've seen him do an XJ in under 20 first hand.

Is this a goal for me if we are out and I'm spotting you?

I guess that clears a few things up. Remind me not to listen to ya!

that was my immediate thought as well!!

Or you!

Looks great Bill. If there's any rainy days that you're working on it and I can't do much with mine I'd love to head down and check it out again. Keep on keepin on with the artistic build-skills ya got goin :farmer:

Thanks! Yes, you should. Sorry I never called you back I just got in the middle of things, lost track of time and well Friday night was over... haha.

 

[5spd_xj]

haha no problem, I ended up going down to Colin's to help him with his brother's jeep. And his brother was at work, so that worked out well that I showed up haha. Next rainy-jeep-workin-day, gimme a call I got 40mpg at my disposal now so I'm all for a mini road trip

 

[Dundy]

That looks so sweet. It's gonna be sad the first day you roll it. All that beautifully bent tube will be all scratched up. You'd probly cut out the scratched piece and reweld a new piece that you've already made for such an occasion.

 

[RCman]

Next rainy-jeep-workin-day, gimme a call I got 40mpg at my disposal now so I'm all for a mini road trip

I shall. It'll be a long cold day in .... before I ever drive a ricer like that.

That looks so sweet. It's gonna be sad the first day you roll it. All that beautifully bent tube will be all scratched up. You'd probly cut out the scratched piece and reweld a new piece that you've already made for such an occasion.

Thanks!
The goal isn't to roll it, just protect myself and the passenger if it does happen. I'm not worried about scratches, I'm ready to wheel! So much work left.

Speaking of work, I did get the roof all welded back together last night. Man do I dislike welding sheet metal. I've got so grab some more fine grit (160 or 180) sanding discs and some 600/1000 grit to tackle the welds and smooth the roof out.

 

[Begster]

The goal isn't to roll it,

Maybe for you it isn't...

Ha I'm kidding Bill, I would never purposely try to make anyone roll. I swear I will be a good spotter, should the occasion arise.



Also, I know I've been slacking, and I need to come pick up that header panel and take a look. I have tests and finals coming up, so I probably won't be able to do it until after.