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Post by 99frontierxe on Dec 18, 2006 18:41:20 GMT -5
Well, after the last run I went on, one of my rear shocks was leaking oil, and the other had worn bushings... Soo, I took the opportunity today to remove all the extra brackets (sway bar mounts, etc), and add my Calmini 1.5" lift shackles (that I have had for 2 years, and never installed). Anyway, after cleaning up the old bracket welds, I added new shock mounts above the rear axle, and am gonna inboard them 35* or so toward the center of the truck. I ran out of time today to finish that part, but will do that tomorrow when I have the bed off the truck too... gonna bob it on Wednesday.
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Post by 99frontierxe on Dec 18, 2006 19:00:37 GMT -5
Here's a couple of quick pics I took: Calmini Shackles: Passenger's side shock mount:
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Post by K5 on Dec 18, 2006 19:49:23 GMT -5
Looks good man. Keep us updated.
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Post by rstep on Dec 18, 2006 21:49:01 GMT -5
Should do the trick, will you have the bed off or will we need to pull it Wed?
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Post by 99frontierxe on Dec 18, 2006 23:18:33 GMT -5
The bed will be off tomorrow by the end of the day. New suspension will hopefully be fully installed by noon-ish.
Check your PM's Bob.
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Post by 99frontierxe on Dec 19, 2006 20:10:07 GMT -5
Here's some more photos. Finished the rear shocks, and got the bed off the truck. Been really productive here today. Glad a got a couple buddies down here that know how to turn wrenches and stuff.... Here's the bed off the truck, on saw horses, ready for the knife tomorrow: A couple of the truck without the bed Here's a closeup of the shocks and the lower mounting spots on the axle: The upper mounting brackets. This is welded on both sides, as well as 2" beads spaced along the back side of the 2x2: That is pretty much how Mongo sits right now. I would like to get all the cutting and welding done on the bed tomorrow, and hopefully have it back on by Thursday... Friday at the very latest.
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Post by 99frontierxe on Dec 19, 2006 20:13:27 GMT -5
I know that 2x2 is shifted toward the driver's side a bit. I may go back and clean that later. It is shifted over, because just to the right (where the piece would have been put to make it even), is a bunch of brake line stuff, and I didn't want to remove all of it just to weld. Plus the gas tank is right there, and I didn't want a new "What I learned in the Garage..." post If anything, I may just go back later with my sawzall, and cut that 2x2 to be equal on both sides, then re-weld it. For now, it is functional.
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Post by zjeep on Dec 19, 2006 20:17:38 GMT -5
Looks good, you should wheel it with no bed for a little bit
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Post by rstep on Dec 19, 2006 22:04:14 GMT -5
Alright knife is ready,lets cut some steel.
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Post by 99frontierxe on Dec 19, 2006 22:21:56 GMT -5
Alright knife is ready,lets cut some steel. I am soo lookin forward to it. Hopefully, we can get it cut, tacked, and back on the bed tomorrow. I can finish the welding parts, as well as putting the bumper, and brake lights, etc back on during Thurs/Fri. We'll see how it goes I learned something tonight - Wicked burnouts will ensue with no bed in the back, lol.
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Post by rstep on Dec 19, 2006 22:45:35 GMT -5
Yes they do.
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docchaos
Tail Gunner
TOR Member
Got cow?
Posts: 316
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Post by docchaos on Dec 20, 2006 8:22:34 GMT -5
I learned something tonight - Wicked burnouts will ensue with no bed in the back, lol. Bleach water.......but I'm not one to promote burnouts , just don't eat off your tires by accident... ;D She does look sweet without the bed though.
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Post by 99frontierxe on Dec 20, 2006 11:02:21 GMT -5
Bob should be here soon, then it's awn like Donkey Kong... Will make sure to take progress pics, and get them posted up later. ...damn, its cold in the garage too. I need to buy some chitty sweaters just for workin in the garage. Oh well.
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Post by rstep on Dec 20, 2006 20:02:57 GMT -5
;DNewspapers rock.
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Post by 99frontierxe on Dec 20, 2006 21:11:13 GMT -5
Shut up Bob Today's photos. I am pretty much done. Just have to finish some welding on the inside, then have to grind down the welds, and apply body filler where needed. Today's progress was impressive. Bob and I did all the cutting/welding. Very happy. I ended up removing approx 13.5" so I can still use the stock middle bed mounts, and make that a little easier. Anyway, here's the pics. Lining up for the first cut: The tailgate section removed, exposing the open bed: Here's the next section removed. Note the crossmember, and stock body mounts: Driver's side all welded up: Here's a pic of the bed cut, and matched up: Closeup of my stitch welding: Bed installed on the truck:
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Post by zulu on Dec 20, 2006 21:28:18 GMT -5
Looks good. Sure looks different.
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Post by slick1100 on Dec 20, 2006 21:42:41 GMT -5
Looks good! I've loved the looks of short-beds for a while (I really want a Subaru Brat at somepoint, but...) and seeing the bed bobbed really looks good.
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Post by rstep on Dec 20, 2006 22:03:12 GMT -5
It was a great work day Greg the bed looks great.Love the sound of dueling welder's gonna have to do that again.
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Post by 7Lbar on Dec 20, 2006 23:17:24 GMT -5
All I have to say is, "wow!" Mongo is looking pretty sweet.
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Post by 99frontierxe on Dec 20, 2006 23:21:13 GMT -5
Hey Guys,
Thanks for the compliments. Many, many thanks go to Bob for taking the time to hang with me all day long. Yeah, running two welders, tag teaming the truck was cool, haha.
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Post by zjeep on Dec 21, 2006 0:48:50 GMT -5
Great work guys, cant wait to see the truck when you get it back out on the trails with us.
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Post by 99frontierxe on Dec 21, 2006 13:47:33 GMT -5
Here's a daylight pic. All I have to do now, is modify my bumper so I can reinstall it. Oh, and I am sure "Johnny Law" will definitely hound me now for not having mud flaps. Guess I'd better go out and get some :/
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Post by 2000taco on Dec 21, 2006 19:09:02 GMT -5
Looking good man.
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Post by yotamaster on Dec 22, 2006 0:51:56 GMT -5
Wow That looks way better than mine gotta love the plasma!!! Dude awesome job. You guyings rocked it. Can't wait to see it in person. I glad you got that done. Sorry I couldn't help.
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Post by 99frontierxe on Dec 22, 2006 1:33:21 GMT -5
Wow That looks way better than mine gotta love the plasma!!! Dude awesome job. You guyings rocked it. Can't wait to see it in person. I glad you got that done. Sorry I couldn't help. We actually didn't even use the plasma. That was cut with angle grinders and cutoff wheels
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Post by yotamaster on Dec 22, 2006 10:18:34 GMT -5
No way Thats cool
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Post by 7Lbar on Dec 22, 2006 21:25:42 GMT -5
Alright that sounds like a good story.....let's hear it.
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Post by 99frontierxe on Dec 22, 2006 21:42:20 GMT -5
Alright that sounds like a good story.....let's hear it. Nothing to see here... move along.
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Post by 99frontierxe on Jan 4, 2007 14:35:37 GMT -5
Alrighty, back to work on it today. Today, I ground down all the welds, and started adding body filler to where it was needed. I am not done, just wanted to take a break while waiting for the filler to dry before sanding, and adding more where it is needed. Driver's side all ground down, sanded and pretty: Driver's side with filler: Pass side with filler: I redone my layout, so some of the pics are dead links in the earlier posts. If you want to see all of the pics, I created an album, and it is located HERE.
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Post by 99frontierxe on Jan 4, 2007 17:35:03 GMT -5
I am by no means a body repair guy, so it isn't perfect... Driver's side all filled and painted: Passenger's side all filled and painted:
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