Just a small project

Well I didn't get the two rails together and into an actuall frame today. I needed to do some work for the rear crossmember and so I haven't been able to weld it all together. Both rails are now done and I just need to finish the crossmembers. The front will have to be temporary as I want to reuse my current front bumper. Its 2x4 .250 wall. Good for bashing.

I use a lot of cardboard when I build. I cut out templates to get a feel for how big things will be when done. Also helps to lay things out on plate steel for cutting.



These are the current hold up. These are for rear recovery shackles and will go through the rear crossmember and weld onto the side of the frame rails as well as the crossmember. I needed to use the ghetto lathe at home to bore out some "washers" that will get welded to the sides of these.



However I did decide to mock things up a bit just to see how its all fitting and get a sense of overall size.





They are very close. I need to clean up some of the weld beads and then find a flat spot to start measurning on. Its close enough I'm tempted to just start welding it together. Next weekend I should have a frame. Then I just need to start putting together the link mounts and laying out some other locations and it will be time to take it home and cut the jeep up.R)

Enjoy!
Kevo

 

Can't wait to see it in person! Uh does this mean a wrenching party while I am out there.

 

Looks good. One question though, Is there a reason you made the frame as long as a stock one even though your making it into a buggy and linking the susp??

 

Frame is actually longer than stock. Its exactly 12ft long without the rear crossmember.

Not sure if I can effectively answer that question other than to say its just the way I wanted to build it. For building strictly a rock crawling buggy I could do quite a bit differently. However trying to make this multifunctional and still be steetable I am having to compromise on a lot of things. I think having a full box frame is stronger and its definately going to be easier to build off of.

I did contemplate making the rear section tube, but I don't see the advantage at this point. I don't need more axle clearance and the frame rails are narrow all the way back so the box frame isn't a limitation. The only downside so far is that it will be heavier.

Also this is my first attempt at building a whole vehicle so I am trying to keep things simple. I think if I had more space to work on this and dedicated storage space I would have considered doing some things more on the wild side, but for now this will work out great and should prove to be a good platform for the future.

At least for a while.R)

Kevo

 

Nice work Kevo.

What is a ghetto lathe?

A lathe that plays rap music?

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

The ghetto lathe is the ole' POS jet818 hobby lathe we have in the garage. Its almost worthless at this point. Its only good for making very small parts. It will turn a part, but the plastic gears for the auto feed are broken so its impossible to get a good finish. I suppose I might just hook a motor up to the feed one day and be done with it, but I don't see the point when I could just find a better lathe.

Having said that I did get the washers bored out and I welded them onto the 1/2" plate on monday. Welds are ok. I'm contemplating grinding one down and redoing the welds. Tonight I put one slot in the rear crossmember. Tommorrow I'll do the other. Maybe I'll get some pics.

Kevo

 

Keep it up. Looking good.

 

I've been framed!!!!!

Well, I guess I framed myself.R)

I got the rear crossmember done this week and tacked it together.


Then I tacked the frame together.


After measuring it a few times for squareness etc...., and deaming it "good enough for govement work", I burned it all in.


Keep in mind the rack isn't level in this pic.


So tommorrow I'll be working on welding in all the link mounts and then I just need to pick up some gussets from dave. After that it comes home. Although, I might spray it down with weldthrough primer before I bring it too rusty ole' los osos.

Kevo

 

man that is greta. i'm not a fabricator by trade but that looks pretty darn stout to me. i have been contemplating doing almost exactly that for a few weeks now. i teach a welding class as part of our deaf school's vocational training program---and i think we have just figured out what this years project will be. we have two hours two days a week --with two to three students at a time doing the welding grinding cutting and any torch work. i got so excited a i skipped ahead to the end to post. you wouldn't mind if we kind of swiped some of your ideas would you??

in the case of teaching the deaf pictures are very very valuable. measured drawings are great -- but pictures really really help.- speaking of measured drawings do you have any you would be willing to share??

maybe a pm would be a better idea.

but it does look great though.i'm going back to read the rest of it now.
ray

 

Keep up the good work...

 

:iagree:

 

Have you thought about galvanizing? You're almost at the perfect point to do it. That thing looks great!

 

Nother weekend update. I'm ready for bed. I've been grinding and grinding and welding and grinding and grinding for what seems like all day.

Got the upper link mounts in and finished. Here you can see the steel sleeve that goes through the frame.


This is the other side of the same mount. These truned out nice. I'm very pleased.


This is the upper and lower front suspension mounts. Since the upper overlaps the lower a bit I've had to do some trickery to meld the two together. Since steel is so expensive I've decided to start using cardboard and liquid nails. R)


In case your wondering I now have this thing mounted on my coworkers car dolly he built for his El camino body. Oddly enough its sitting about where ride height is for the frame. Sure makes it easy to roll in and out during the day.

I'll be finishing the front mounts tommorrow and then I'll flip it over to finish welding underneath. I'm planning to tow it home monday evening.

Does anyone know where to buy tall (30") jackstands?

Kevo

 

The drilled gusset in pic #2 (top right, just barely in view) is a very nice touch. Classy and subtle. Good job.

 

it's looking good

 

Might I suggest duct tape instead of masking tape when using cardboard for structural components. It is much stronger R)

 

Ahhh!!! Thats what the problem is!R)

Well I decided to forgo the cardboard and keep using steel. Its only money right!

Well its done. At least for now. I finished welding on the mounts and gussets and did a little cleaning afterward.








Here is a comparison shot with the chev.


So tommorrow I am going to hopefully tow this thing home and put it in the garage. I suspect that next weekend I will be mostly cleaning out the garage and getting my roomates junk out of my way. I need to find some cheap tall jackstands to set this thing on. After that I have to start taking the old heepo apart. I'll get the drivetrain mounted and then start working on the suspension links and axles. Progress will slow down once its home, which is probably good since I need a break anyways.

Kevo

 

Looks good to me!

 

good work