Nothing I need, everything I want (2005 TJR, impact orange)

[mrblaine]

One thing that may not be noticed as to the "why" of doing something a certain way. The crossmember is made from 2 pieces of 1" x 2" x .120 wall rectangular tube. There are 2 reasons, the first is to get enough width for the recessed pieces of tube in them and not have the tubes contact the sides. The second is by using 2 tubes, I get 4 vertical walls to add a bit more stiffness.

 

[Claytone]

I like the double tube idea. 4 walls for support, nice.
I made something similar but went with a single piece of 1x3. It's been fine, but I would have borrowed your double up idea if I were doing it now.

 

[erokj]

How were you able to bend the cross member?

 

[jjvw]

How were you able to bend the cross member?

Looks like a shop press, if I were to guess by the pictures.

 

[mrblaine]

How were you able to bend the cross member?

If your question is for me, I am nothing if not crude. I lay it across the press supports on the shop press. Lay a piece of round solid bar on it and then mash it until I get the bend I need. Since that also bows the sides out, I turn them up on the sides and mash the bowed out sections back to flat.

 

[mrblaine]

Looks like a shop press, if I were to guess by the pictures.

Used in a very crude but effective manner.

 

[erokj]

If your question is for me, I am nothing if not crude. I lay it across the press supports on the shop press. Lay a piece of round solid bar on it and then mash it until I get the bend I need. Since that also bows the sides out, I turn them up on the sides and mash the bowed out sections back to flat.

Thank you!

 

[psrivats]

Used in a very crude but effective manner.

Pretty much sums up what I do at work

 

[mrblaine]

In my neverending quest to find a paint that most closely resembles the factory stuff on the frame, I've tried many. At one point Krylon Rust Tough in semi-flat black was very close. Then they decided to change it, now it sprays like crap and the sheen is off. I've been using KBS Coatings Black Top in satin but it is too shiny. On a whim, I ordered in a can of their flat knowing that most flat finish are way too matte and hold dirt. This stuff is pretty surprising.

I sprayed between the two lines.

 

[3jeepfan]

It's been a while, any new updates?

 

[mrblaine]

It's been a while, any new updates?

What's the matter, YouTube play button broken on this channel? Which parts have you actually hopped in to entertain and further a discussion as to the why of how to do something and keep that within the constraints of a defined build philosophy?

Put another way, if I don't feed him the pics, he can't use them to do this. Convince me to keep taking pics.

 

[psrivats]

It's been a while, any new updates?

Blaine has been working hard and doing some very cool things. I have been far too occupied with stuff at work and been lacking the the energy to do the write-ups that would do Blaine's work proper justice. I will update here once I find that energy- there is plenty to share. I am doing this thread more for myself than for anyone else so there is that, but some participation would make it nicer as always on the forums.

 

[3jeepfan]

I like to participate, but I usually stick my foot in my mouth. So I just read & learn. There are some unbelievably skilled people on this forum, and have learned a lot. But being retired & on a fixed budget, I live my dreams through others projects!

 

[Mike_H]

I like to participate, but I usually stick my foot in my mouth. So I just read & learn. There are some unbelievably skilled people on this forum, and have learned a lot. But being retired & on a fixed budget, I live my dreams through others projects!

Its OK to just ask questions about something you see that piques your interest.

 

[Claytone]

After finishing all this up, Blaine started on the belly skid .. and that will be a separate post since the spectacular work there deserves it's own post!

I'm still waiting for this gem......

And curious if/how it was bent. ...And if there's a way I can duplicate bending something that wide on the press I have available.
I made a 3/8 aluminum skid, but had to weld it, which anneals it, requiring reinforcement ribs, and blah blah.... But it's still better than the stock shovel and it was made from scrap. And it was good practice with the spool gun.
But if I can make something better, then yeah.

 

[Tob]

I assume Blaine’s new profile picture is your Jeep, @psrivats. Is that an aluminum raceway behind the Switch-Pro to clean up engine bay wiring? Looks very nice.

 

[psrivats]

I assume Blaine’s new profile picture is your Jeep, @psrivats. Is that an aluminum raceway behind the Switch-Pro to clean up engine bay wiring? Looks very nice.

Yes Blaine did some really amazing work and this was just last couple days too. I am really very fond of what he did, the pics put a BIG smile on my face when I saw them.

The stock harness and connectors are routed through the inner plate, with lots of room for everything. He put in slots to allow the connectors to get in behind the cover plate without pain. SwitchPro is installed with a grommet for the power. The area with the green oval is for relays for the compressors and for the the power outlet in the rear that I had requested.

I really love this mounting solution .. there is nothing outside that comes anywhere close in functionality, let alone the super clean installed look. Perfect example of Blaine's operational manta of simple/clean and functional.

 

[mrblaine]

I like to participate, but I usually stick my foot in my mouth. So I just read & learn. There are some unbelievably skilled people on this forum, and have learned a lot. But being retired & on a fixed budget, I live my dreams through others projects!

Unless you are exceedingly stupid with your comments, their purpose is understood and dealt with accordingly. Don't be afraid to stick your foot in your mouth, I'm around folks on a continual basis who only open their mouth to change feet.

 

[mrblaine]

 

[Mike_H]

View attachment 566654

So...where did you drill new holes to mount that wonderful mounting panel? I assume you installed nutserts?

Sri and I were talking about your solution on Friday and the foresight to do something like that, especially as most of us piecemeal things together and add on over time. Its a very clever idea.