The old girl is wore out--time for a change.

[crash]

So the roof will be tinned for not only protection but my old rig had a canvas top and it was always getting pulled off.

So I had been tossing the idea of a light bar and went ahead and ordered a 42". Now I had planned of extending the front roof edge out mainly to push water forward onto the dash rather than on my legs and it just seemd to work out and have the light bar tucked under it. Unfortunately the only down side was the forward tube had no good support in case a good roll over but it will be cosmetic as the cage behind it is plenty strong and will do a good job of protecting anybody in the cab.

[crash]

I got the roof all done, I was not 100% happy with the back side where I had to weld an extension on. Its not super bad but didn't meet what I was shooting for--has some wobbling to it around the welds. Once painted it should not look as bad-will have to see.

Another big piece done...

[BigSki]

Incredible amount of work and so well documented.

[crash]

Originally Posted by BigSki

Incredible amount of work and so well documented.

Thanks Bigski I always enjoy doing build threads and those on PBB in the toy area know this all too well

Last pics are less than 2 weeks old--almost up to date.

[calcagno45]

Originally Posted by crash

Last pics are less than 2 weeks old--almost up to date.

That's cool! I was wondering how close we are.

How tall are the swamper tires on this rig?

[crash]

Originally Posted by calcagno45

That's cool! I was wondering how close we are.

How tall are the swamper tires on this rig?

39.5's or what the kids call 40's

[crash]

I finally got all my hydro parts so it was time to get that part completed.

[crash]

So I got all the lines at the orbital done and forward. I also got the brake line made that will be soft line from the master all the way down to the front diff. I am adding mounts for the lines as I go.

[crash]

I made a plate that holds the lines where it leaves the chassis and down to the front diff. There in one rub point on the lines but on final assembly they will be in a sock and well protected. ARB and vent hose was just ruffed it at the diff and will also be be completed on final assembly. The brake line goes down to the TEE at the front diff and the brakes will be finished up once the housing is pulled out from under the rig during finally assembly.

[crash]

So next onto the last 2 vents--tranny and t-case.

Started by pulling that goofy plastic vent and tapped the case to 1/8" NPT (the hole size is PERFECT to simply run the tap down it).

[crash]

Ran both vents down under the t-case and down the passenger side of the chassis and and added a couple tabs to secure them.

[crash]

So the vents run up to behind the passenger rear panel and I made a mount for the catch can for the tranny vent. It has a shut off valve in case of a roll over to help from loosing badly needed fluid...

[crash]

So I went ahead and tackled the next big thing. As anybody knows aluminum cannot withstand being smacked like steel can. Since the rig is lower so is the motor/tranny both those need some protection. So this is what I came up with. It contours every thing as best as possible and I was also bale to give the driveshaft some decent clearance. So Fist step build it...

[crash]

So as I went building it I clearanced it to the pan/exhaust and the crank sensor. Got it shoved into place and made sure all was good and next to get it mounted.

[crash]

So my original intention was to make supports of the motor mounts and make the skid/mounts one who assembly and then add holes to access the drain plug. Well this is where I found the motor mounts sit on top of the chassis rails and the rear shock mounts kinda go over top the mounts so if it was one whole assembly there would be no way to remove it. So it required more thinking to figure that out. So I ended up making stand offs and adding a little more support to the skid to help keep it from being able to be shoved to one side. The stand offs need to be fully welded and the back part of the skid mount made under the tranny pan but that will be done once I get the motor/trans pulled out of the rig.

[crash]

As I have been going along I have been pulling parts out of it that are no longer needed.

[crash]

So onto the last thing before I can fully disassemble the whole rig..

Time for skins. I started by getting many tabs welded to the chassis and then plain sheets bolted to it (measuring for holes ect)..

As the panels went on I started by rough cutting them since my final cuts are all measured from the tube.

[crash]

So those pics were as of sunday so I am now up to date on the build

[calcagno45]

Good job sir! Looking forward to seeing the disassembly and paint for final product.

[crash]

Originally Posted by calcagno45

Good job sir! Looking forward to seeing the disassembly and paint for final product.

You and I both