The post-build thread

[Bigmac]

Oh man I do need a table like that. What thickness did you use for the top?

the top is 3/8". the legs are .188 2x2.
I built it with the idea that ill never outgrow it or have to replace it.
I do use it all the time, sort of all purpose I guess. When I get orders the movers are in for a surprise.

 

[Bigmac]

started the front outboard today. armed with some photos I took at blaine's I was very confident where the lower mounts get placed.

what i didn't initially realize was that not only do the lower shock mounts need to be cut off, but the new mounts need a good bit of trimming to sit where they need to go.

I started out feeling pretty confident diving into the job. now with both lowers tacked in, and one upper tower about halfway cutout, I'm a little wore out.

cutting out the upper towers is a bitch with the angle grinder. If i was doing this alot I'd buy a plasma cutter...

 

[JMT]

great looking build. Lots of work put into this one. Great stuff!

 

[Bigmac]

great looking build. Lots of work put into this one. Great stuff!

thank you. I'm hoping the front turns out as good as the back.
I've had alot of help along the way from MrBlaine if not in person than on the phone.

 

[JMT]

thank you. I'm hoping the front turns out as good as the back.
I've had alot of help along the way from MrBlaine if not in person than on the phone.

He really is someone who gives of his time and knowledge liberally.

with your attention to detail and patience, I have no doubt you’ll get the front right.

 

[TWiG01]

Awesome updates and killer weld job! Makes me want to learn

 

[Mike_H]

Beautiful work. Nice rig (both the camper and the jeep!)

 

[Bigmac]

Awesome updates and killer weld job! Makes me want to learn

forgot the turn the gas on yesterday after i took a break and melted a hole in part of the spring perch when i put in the blockoff plate... gonna be a real pain in the ass to clean up and make look even half decent.

I get by but definitely still a novice.

 

[NDSpeed]

When I get orders the movers are in for a surprise.

the folks who make furniture on the side will sell their homemade furnishings prior to PCS.
The rewards are two fold. They get money for more product, -and get more practice,

maybe sell the table before your next PCS and make a better one?

 

[Bigmac]

the folks who make furniture on the side will sell their homemade furnishings prior to PCS.
The rewards are two fold. They get money for more product, -and get more practice,

maybe sell the table before your next PCS and make a better one?

If I could get more than cost of materials to make up for the time i put into making it I'd think about it.
I've actually grown pretty attached to it. My first big project you know?

 

[Bigmac]

Cut everything out. I should have called blaine first. I cut too much on one side. Now ill have to put some plate in to make up for it.

 

[mattcogdell]

Looks like your headed in the right direction! I felt as if the front was more tedious than the rear. I spent at least an hour sitting there wondering what I got myself into once I cut off the upper shock mounts. A good amount of time was spent on trimming the poly tower, fitting, trimming, fitting, trimming, fitting. I was excited to get to begin the cycling only to realize I wasn’t done fitting haha. The passenger side went in about half the time.

Will you be boxing in your lower mount?

I’m sure you and Blaine have discussed the lower mount to caliper clearance at full lock. Something that I didn’t even realize is that, this distance/clearance will decrease as the brake pads wear. Good think to keep in mind.

 

[Bigmac]

I’m sure you and Blaine have discussed the lower mount to caliper clearance at full lock. Something that I didn’t even realize is that, this distance/clearance will decrease as the brake pads wear. Good think to keep in mind.

we hadn't gotten that far actually, I was too busy admitting how stupid i was for not calling him before cutting the upper tower.

just went and checked. I think im still in the ballpark on the lowers.

 

[mattcogdell]

we hadn't gotten that far actually, I was too busy admitting how stupid i was for not calling him before cutting the upper tower.

just went and checked. I think im still in the ballpark on the lowers.View attachment 206305View attachment 206306

Looks good. You have more clearance than me.

 

[Bigmac]

today ill be working on setting the height of the upper towers, might even get into cutting and tacking in the uppers.

After everything is trimmed and cleaeances are checked I am going to have to go back and clean up alot of my careless mistakes before burning everything in...

 

[Bigmac]

today was eventful. again I am pretty wore out. Got further than I expected, though i am worried about a few things.

1. the gaps in fitment in a few places that will be a real pita to weld up.

2. my towers are leaned too far in at the top so my shocks lean in at the top at ride height.

#1 i can do my best to fix and while I can make it structurally sound I may just have to live with looking at some ugly work and wishing I had been more experienced.

#2 the plus is that my available up travel is almost right on the money, and with the lean Im not even close to rubbing tires or frame any way I articulate it. It does seem odd, and I would like to get them a bit more perpendicular to the ground at ride height. I can do that by trimming the legs at an angle to lean the shock back out, I may lose a quarter inch of uptravel in the process though. I would still be about 50/50 fully loaded though which is close to what I was initially shooting for.

I would like to be around 6 stripped down with doors off no kids no wife etc, and 5.5 on a family trip. The front changes alot less than the back with the added weight.

anyway, here's some photos of progress for the day.

 

[Bigmac]

also, bought a 15 pack of Diablo cutting disks yesterday at Home Depot and have 3 left... lets hope its enough.

 

[Bigmac]

I'm at 5 and 5/8 of an inch at ride height and 5.5 on the other. going to have to trim one mount 1/8 of an inch and then I should be ok.

At bump on my stops I have a little more shaft showing than I would like... the bump is set to keep the tires from rubbing the back of the fenders at full lock, at least from rubbing too too bad.

I was planning in dropping one mount 1/4 inch and one 1/8 inch but then I remembered what blaine said " we dont let bumpstops determine anything"

with that in mind I could shorten the bumps... but the fenders? maybe some new fenders and inners down the road? anyway... again more photos.

Maybe @mrblaine who has had a hand in almost everything awesome about this Jeep could take a look and let me know how it's coming along...

we've talked on the phone but maybe some pictures will spur some additional guidance.

 

[Bigmac]

new phrase WWBD. What Would Blaine Do. well for starters he'd do a hell of a lot better fab work than me...

 

[mrblaine]

new phrase WWBD. What Would Blaine Do. well for starters he'd do a hell of a lot better fab work than me...

This is full articulation, tire turned to its closest point to the rear of the fender, bump stops are the same except without the 1" thick puck under the lower, bumps just touch at 3/4" of shaft showing, Currie 4" springs front and rear, 11" travel Fox RR with 5.75" of up travel. (pardon the film card being a little bitch)

@jjvw