Fuck The Reaper

[izzo]

Couldn't do it without him. For whatever reason, we (the three of us) seem to get much more done when working together -- even if it's in separate buildings.

I was just talking to a guy about that. Same here man. I just spent 6 hours cleaning my hubs and flushing the fluid out of the quads brake system and putting new in it. Had someone else been there it would have been an hour job lol

[510freak]

Mucho cool progress happening!

[DRIVEN]

Not a huge update but posting just the same. Bought a gently used rack that the seller claims is a Flaming River quick ratio. Can't absolutely confirm because there are no identifying numbers or marks but it seems to be true. Even if it's an offshore knockoff -- the price was right.

Bolted on a set of wheels and tried to set ride height so I could take all my measurements for the crossmember and trailing arm brackets.


Since I didn't have any wheels that cleared my bigass front brakes, I has to get creative. Don't laugh...okay, laugh.


Starting to kinda look like something...


So, I didn't really do much in the way of fabrication but I DID get a bunch of useful and necessary measuring done. Also did a steel inventory and it looks like I have everything I need on hand. More to come.

[izzo]

wow. That escalated quickly.


I especially like the front wheels. When will they be on the market?

[Laecaon]

Im worried the front wheels will catch on fire with heavy braking, has this been tested yet?

[DRIVEN]

They may burst in to flames but with the low rolling resistance I should be good for 100mpg.

[izzo]

Im worried the front wheels will catch on fire with heavy braking, has this been tested yet?

[DRIVEN]

Didn't get much accomplished but still managed to waste a few hours. Started by cutting the C-notches for the rack to clear.


Then things got interesting. Now I'm not too certain that my bargain rack is exactly what it was represented to be. For starters, the power rack I have (which is the correct one for the kit) and a true Mustang manual rack are 15.5" on center of the mounts. This rack was 16". Not a huge big deal. I just opened up the mount holes 1/4" on each side.

Also, for whatever reason, the manual rack seems to sit about 1/2" higher than the power rack. It's most obvious where the bellows pass through the C-notches.


So now I'm trying to decide whether to just use the power rack as the kit was intended, use the manual rack and raise the C-notches, or lower the rack mounts. I guess I need to reassemble the suspension and compare angles. Obviously, I'm trying to avoid bumpsteer and other handling ills.


The other things I got done was to cut my rear suspension crossmember and rough out my mounting brackets. Lots of cleanup to do still.

Then I took the lower control arms to work with me to press out the stock bushings and install the new poly pieces that came with the kit. They do this to increase the size of the lower mount bolts from 12mm to 5/8".

[izzo]

It's so weird seeing it like this.

Brake lines, gas lines. Engine, body, wiring... very minimal yet very nice when done

[DRIVEN]

Baby steps.

Shooting to have the chassis fab done by the end of November. No hard deadline but if I don't set a date it's easy to blow it off. Money is the real factor at this point. Looks like it's gonna be another slow week at work and these parts ain't cheap. Seems like every time I place an order it's $500-$1000. I'm dreading my trip to the paint store. I have a stack of receipts but have made the conscious decision NOT to add them up until it's done.

[wayno]

I don't add mine up either, I don't even keep receipts, it will make me think I am crazy for putting so much money into whatever it is I am working on, I just get it done and drive it.
I have a fairly good idea how much I put into them, but time takes it's toll on my figures/mind, after a while I forget the little nickel and dime stuff which adds up fast.

[izzo]

Your cutouts look like cocknballs. Giggity.

Wish I had the extra money, even more so the know how, to do what you do.

[DRIVEN]

Haha! "Extra" money.
You've gotta keep in mind that I've been collecting parts for this for about 15 years. I've also been squirreling away money for a long time and hustling my ass off selling some of my stuff to finance this. Even with all of that I'm not sure I'll be able to finish it without having to either stop and make more money or sell a big ticket item to get it done. As far as my day job goes, I don't make that much. It pays the bills but there is no "extra" money.

When it comes to "Know how", I learn just like you do. Just jump in and do it. It's only metal so if I fuck up -- just fix it. I can assure you that there's no special skill/talent involved but I do appreciate the compliments. And thanks for checking it out.

[Taterhead]

Somehow I knew Tim would take to dicks. Lol.

And yes, I get what your saying about it's only metal but it makes my ass pucker when I'm doing minor shit sometimes. I couldn't get up the courage to cut up a frame for one of those.


Regardless, you do nice work Jess so I'm sure you'll get it figured out.

[izzo]

I'm all about the dicks... Wait wat?

I guess I just like your abilities. You've been doing this a while, so you know tricks and shit. And know a direction to go in.

If we were both told to sit down and design a square box from metal. Yours would probably look pretty neat. Mine would look like 5 year old tried welding one of your cock plates to the window. Yes, the window JK. People think of designs or whatever and they come out awesome. I gotta look them up to figure stuff out. Brain does not computer engineering. but can read a book and follow it perfectly. I don't even have to read the L instructions anymore. Know it inside and out, torque settings etc... Where to put a super tiny dabble extra rtv... shit like that... IDK. Maybe I should do moar fabrication. But IDK wtf I would even build. I do need a welding cart... Maybe start on that soon. This weekend is supposed to be a sand lake trip! Saving pennies for it.

[DRIVEN]

Honestly, it really comes down to tools and time. Tools make me money so I don't mind investing in them when I can afford to. I think you made a good deal when you traded the 620 for a box. If you keep hustling the bikes and quads you might consider trying to trade for tools and equipment. I use the shit out of my little band saw and only paid $40 for it. I use the anvil quite a bit as well as my vice. I'd like to upgrade to a higher quality one though. Almost all my equipment (non-hand tools) were previously owned so I keep an eye out for deals.

[izzo]

Yes!

Thought it was a pretty good deal, too. Bought a welder, got the box. Been picknig up tools second hand also. Trading some work and time for that. Been listing some stuff for sale/trade for tools. But people keep offering me shit! 4 year old Iphones and Coby tablets. Lol...

[DRIVEN]

BTW, I did get some work done last weekend but haven't moved the pics around yet. I'll probably just save it for next weekend's post. Izzo deserves quality photos of my cocknballs.

[izzo]

BTW, I did get some work done last weekend but haven't moved the pics around yet. I'll probably just save it for next weekend's post. Izzo deserves quality photos of my cocknballs.

Impatiently waiting

[DRIVEN]

Probably have to wait another week for update pics. We were a tech short at the shop last week so I was really busy. Did just shy of 60 hrs. Needless to say I was pretty useless yesterday but managed to put in about 7-8 hrs today. The reason there's no pics is because I was just going back and forth between the steel rack, band saw, chassis, repeat. Also managed to get distracted by my anvil stand project too. Basically, I just cut shit all day. Have all the anvil pieces cut. Have all the rear suspension bracket pieces cut. So, this week I'll take some of them to work to use the Ironworker to punch some holes (way faster than drilling) then bring them home to weld up and finish-grind. This is the super boring and time consuming stage. Tying not to get discouraged and quit.

Meanwhile, in the paint shop, the body hasn't been touched by my lazy-ass bodyman brother. There are some brand new lower door skins, inner door structures, rockers, rear cab corners, and lower rear cab section. Not because the original stuff was unrepairable -- because he would rather replace than repair. I spent the extra money to make it easier and he STILL hasn't even started yet.
I'm not sounding bitter, am I?