Cynicalriders "J0hnny5 is ALIVE!" 01 build thread.

I've done sections in PA, NJ and NY and really enjoyed all of it. Props to those people who do the whole thing.

Made some (slow) progress. I replaced the pre filter on the fuel pump for my second gas tank, replaced the gasket, cleaned up the rust and sealed/painted the seams of the entire tank. Probably unnecessary but might as well do it while I have the chance.

IMG_1697 by Michael Halat, on Flickr
IMG_1704 by Michael Halat, on Flickr
IMG_1788 by Michael Halat, on Flickr
IMG_1833 by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Now at least I can put it on with peace of mind it should last another 10+ years (though maybe not the used pump).

Also had my birthday, and my wife got me a metal chop saw. More projects and fabrication coming soon.

IMG_1726 by Michael Halat, on Flickr



Bike progress took 1 step forward 2 steps back.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxWNZ1oAE76/?igshid=17xsjhqqjtuka

After this ^ ride I saw the fork seal was blown. Dealing with that now.

IMG_1829 by Michael Halat, on Flickr
IMG_1834 by Michael Halat, on Flickr

 

I’ve done a large portion of the AT in Pa - port Clinton/Hawk Mountain area. The best IMO in the northern most tip at Baxter State Park in Maine. Mt. Katahdin is quite an exceptional experience...

 

Katahdin is a bucket list item for me. The Maine seashore looks incredible as well.

 

No kidding. New England is on my short list of things to see for sure.

 

Reminds me of Mt. Marcy in NY, on the short list of hikes for wife and I.

 

Katahdin is the first point in North America that the daylight touches. Some hikers will ascend it in darkness to be at the summit for the sunrise. Definitely a precarious notion but pretty cool considering what that view would be on a clear day...

 

Took a step back last night to take some huge steps forward hopefully. Realized I am running out of time before my next trip and even though the bike is back to stripped I need to make some serious progress on the truck soon to get my anxiety in check.



Also did a POC for the bed redo.



This will accomplish two things. Not needing to remove the water can as much to have access to it. I can just put my hose on it and use gravity. And it will keep this stuff in line with the wheel well making packing boxes easier.

 

Got one last camping trip in before I put the truck under the knife. More pics coming soon with the good camera when I find time to go through them.





While my Dad was at my house helping me with my roof, he helped me take the bed off.

Once it was off I could dig into this shit. I first power washed the frame as best as I possibly could.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

After it was dry I backed it into the garage to get going.

Shock relocate stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr'

The frame cleaned up really nicely, so the fluid filming is paying off.

Next steps was removing all the easy shit. Basically the spare tire carrier and shocks.

Shock relocate stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Shock relocate stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr

After that I disconnected everything going to the fuel tank and dropped it.

Shock relocate stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Once the tank was out I marked all the spots the old crossmember went to, and unbolted the BPV shit and crossmember. I may have had a few too many because even though the crossmember was unbolted I couldn't figure out how to get it out. So I just cut it on the passenger side, as well as the shock mounts.

Shock relocate stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Shock relocate stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

And this is how I left it. Basically I am ready to make templates.

Shock relocate stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Shock relocate stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr

 

where on earth did you get that shirt? I want one!

 

Wheeleveryweekend.com

Some buddies sent me his page on Insta and I love his build and content. Seems like a down to earth dude. Saw that shirt and had to ask my Wife for it for my bday lol

 

hell yes, I'm gonna order one right now LOL

 

I follow them too, they seem pretty cool and love bashing the whole overland crowd. Bad ass rig too

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx-iHzalknB/

 

MALCRL. Love it. Is he not on TW?

 

Don't think so, I know they used to be but haven't in a while

 

Ian from WEW is a cool dude. Got to meet him when I picked up my RTT from him in San Diego. He used to be on TW but was banned at some point for some reason and never got back on. He really doesn't care.

 

Haha awesome.

So I started making the templates to cut the frame plates. I tried the tape method I found on TTORA and messed it up horribly. I spaced the tape too far apart and when I cut the template, it was coming off in pieces. So I went with the cardboard method and quick gripped some pieces, traced and cut the template. If I were to do it again, I would try the tape method again with the tape being closer together or invest in good quality foam board.

More shock stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr
More shock stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr
More shock stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr

After the templates were made, it was time to head to BPF to plasma them out.

When I rolled up, @HomerTaco and @6 gearT444E were just finishing Craig's swing out fixes and in the middle of building an epic fire pit.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
More shock stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr

I even got to lay down 2 of the beads to brush up on some mig action. I went a little thick.

More shock stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr
More shock stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr

From there it was time to plasma out the plates. Was my first time using one, damn that thing was awesome.

More shock stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr
More shock stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

It took some time to get the feel for it, but it was so satisfying when I could get it to run smoothly.

Frame plates got cut and Craig and Ant cleaned them up:

by Michael Halat, on Flickr

As always big thank you to Ant and Craig, and use of the BPF shop.

Another thing that happened is that at only 31k the starter went on the DD.

More shock stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Thankfully it's warrantied and they let me take a 2019 rav4 with 400 miles on it. I really dig it.

More shock stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr
More shock stuff by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Next up, time to test fit the cut plates.

 

sick having BPF close by! and nice work with the frame plates! stoked to see it all come together man!

 

That shop...



So. Damn. Jealous.

 

Never a bad time at BPF shop.

 

So this week I only have weekdays to work on the truck from 6 AM - 7:30 AM every day, and I don't fire the grinder up till 6:45 out of a little respect for my neighbors (they all are usually out the door by 6:30). Cleaned up the paint, got the plates test fitted and in after some clean up, and sprayed the inside with weld through primer. Hoping to have it tacked in tomorrow. Once it's tacked in I can start fabbing the gussets for the gas tank crossmember.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr