Wishbone Runner's Build

Last nights work, shaping a new front skid from 1/4". My RCI did its job for the past 4 years, but is a mangled pile of shit now, so it is being replaced with some beef. Going to change the mounting points and add a support in the middle that will attach to the cross brace under the motor for support, where the RCI did not and left it rather weak and prone to denting and deformation. Also using a 3 plane approach that will improve ground clearance at the front of the diff supports.

 

Are you using a break to bend that? Or is it notch/bend/weld?

 

That's notch (cut a line) bend and weld the cut.

FYI I can bend up a proper one for you if you have more material and your measurements. @Wishbone Runner the 250T accupress is up and running at work.

 

You can see that? I need better eyes and a huge monitor.

 

Yep, the ol whiskey bend method. Thanks for the offer Tim, got all the hard part out of the way though, just need a lip on each outer edge and then the mounts and any gussets I want add.

 

and a 27" monitor helps too!

 

New resi hoses and mounting, along with a rebuild to fix leaking seal on the driver shock, and new upper and lower rod ends, thanks @TMFF. New hoses clear the arms MUCH better and are clamped nicely to the UCA gusset, great improvement over the janky setup before. Front end is wrapped up and ready to take a beating.

 

BTW, @TMFF, we put the lower collar on backwards, the gap is facing the front. I will see if I can use a rachet strap to unload the shock and rotate them.

 

50% of time it works everytime.

Try a pry bar in the gap to get it to spin. Might need to pull the shock to get it done.

 

Pretty much LOL. I'll see if I can use a ratchet, but otherwise might just leave it, hopefully done pulling the front end apart for the year.

 

@thefatkid what do you recommend for an AC service, I am not blowing that cold any more. Stevinson wants $145 for an evac and recharge, Big 0 $100 for the same. Is using a charged can a risk?

 

If you can pull a vacuum down below 27inhg and have it hold for 5 minutes you should be good. If there is air in the system it will not work correctly. If it is just low on charge a top off should be ok. Stay away from any can that adds oil or types of seal conditioners. Make sure the can it r134a only. Some shit from Mexico can be filled with hydrocarbon based refrigerant crap.

After travel today I don't feel like grammar, you might have to ask again tomorrow.

 

Haha, ok, thanks. Maybe I will have someone do a diagnostic first before doing anything.

 

This weekend's work. Spent Saturday running a sub panel to the garage and added 220 so I can get back to melting metal. Going to make that corner the fab station with a welding table and all the accessories tucked away to try to keep the mess somewhat contained. Probably put the table on casters to I can move it out into the middle of the garage for larger pieces of work.

 

Then, wasting no time burned in TC lower shock mounts to replace the ones that I had built last spring, which while doing their job were pinching holes in the tire when folded over rocks. The TC ones tuck in much better and dont hang down as far. Should have gone with these from the get go, but tried to save a few bucks making my own. Really understanding the importance of making vs buying when it comes to fabbing, and sometimes it is better to just shell out . . . oh well. These came out very nice, welded all surfaces except closest to the hub, will do those when I pull the axles for a regear. The axle seals are probably going to get melted too, so I will have those on hand to swap out as well. Threw some cut shock boots on as well, will cover the shaft at ride height to prevent them getting sandblasted again.

 

let me know how that goes...mine are on backwards as well and been meaning to get to it...was thinking about the ratchet strap idea too....jack up one corner, strap, release jack and hopefully be able to spin the collar

 

Awesome! Yeah I'm planing the same. But I'm going to have to cut half of my table off so I can fit a metal table in the garage. Once I get a welder that is

 

Will do, might take a look at it this week and see what can be done.

 

Thanks Ray, should be a nice little work are when I am done, and infinite power available as well. Going to add a light above there, and maybe a few other outlets as well.

 

Want to build me some custom rear lower control arms and pan hard bar I'm looking at the Rokmen ones now.