I think that "mismatched" set would actually look pretty cool. The solid spokes on the rear the split spokes on the front...painted to match the VX of course.:yesy:
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I think that "mismatched" set would actually look pretty cool. The solid spokes on the rear the split spokes on the front...painted to match the VX of course.:yesy:
Or put 2 on one side and 2 on the other, looks matched which ever side you loko at it
Yup that's what I was thinking. Shoot I know people who build cars this way on purpose lol
Ascinder...
I know you have been purchasing a lot from Ballistic so in case you are not on their mail list they are currently having 10% everything including their shocks...Use promo code bas10:yesy:
OH, yeah. I'm more of a regular on Pirate than here anymore, so I saw it within 5 minutes of them posting. That said, I have a couple hundred bucks worth of brackets to buy over the weekend. It sucks because I just bought a set of 5 Hutchinsons and I'm buying these things called Centramatics to assist with balancing on what are looking to be 130 lb. wheels, so money is getting flushed out of my account on a quick and continuous basis lately. I swear my sub conscience likes to keep my account as close to zero as possible.Quote:
Ascinder...
I know you have been purchasing a lot from Ballistic so in case you are not on their mail list they are currently having 10% everything including their shocks...Use promo code bas10
Might as well...can't take it with you.:bwgy:
LOL tell me about it! I've been doing the same thing lately, I wish my wife thought like you Billy lol
These are on the way as we speak-should be arriving Saturday:
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/photo8.jpg
They will likely be sandblasted and powdercoated either a matte black or a flat desert tan to match the VX's intended paint scheme. The Centramatics ought to be here tomorrow as well.
So you got them finally! I say desert tan. That would look awesome.
Bart
Those are sweet!
Maybe do the the centers tan and the rest black.:yesy:
ya what Billy said, tan center with black everything else! Man your stealing my paint idea :( I might have to change it now lol. I was gonna do that color scheme to my future rims too
You know, that got me thinking Billy, so I posted it up in the 'Zu forum over there. As for the wheels, I think doing the center that way would be awesome:thumbup:(ramairz, do yours that way too and we'll all be in the cool kids club)Now you know how I felt when Bart went and did his trooper in tan and black, lol. I'm trying to develop a paint scheme right now that incorporates shades of tan and grey together in a streaming-blending-swirling pattern so the VX looks likes it's blowing through the middle of a sandstorm. It's likely to be a lot of airbrush work, but should still be easy to repair if and when it gets Nevada pinstriped or dinged or crushed on rocks:evil2:Quote:
Those pirate guys would go apes@бе over your build! I read a lot there but don't do a lot of posting.
Ya I was planning on this sand color using Durabak Smooth (like line-x and rhino-liner) on the metal panels and then there textured black or dark grey for the cladding and the hood insert. I'm working on a snorkel for it too. I think it'll look sweet all decked out in that color scheme with the tan/black wheels, rack, snorkel, etc. Ya Bart's Trooper looks sweet though.
All business indeed! :yes:
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...m/IMG_0847.jpg
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...m/IMG_0845.jpg
:drool2::drool2::drool2::drool2:
Veddy niiice! How's your back? Is that combo around 120 lbs or so?
Dude, that setup looks NASTY. So, where are you at with the project percentage wise? 50% done? 75%? Almost there?
:p Bart
Close, 116.5 including the centramatics and all the nuts holding the wheels together. This is without the inner beadlock portions which I'm estimating at 7-12 lbs. So we are looking at close to 130 a piece. In answer to your question though, they sucked to move upstairs in the heat, so I was a little sore and a lot tired:waag: :whiteflag: Moving them back down should be fun though :rotate:Quote:
Veddy niiice! How's your back? Is that combo around 120 lbs or so?
I would honestly say 45% realistically. I don't really feel like I'm quite over the hump yet. I have a lot of what I need, so probably not a lot of waiting for parts, but I need a plasma cutter something fierce right now, but can't bring myself to justify the cost for how much I'll be using it. Maybe I should "borrow" the one from the facility for the day:evil: Other than that, there is just a lot of ancillary things to do like get a hold of sensors for the engine and stuff. The order of things is a mess too, it's always take things apart, put them back on for a test fit, take them off cause they're in the way, wash ,rinse, repeat. I have to take the rims out to guard to sandblast them, then order the powder, then shoot them and bake them. Also have to order the 16" o-rings they take and I'd like to scare up some new hardware for holding them together since the current stuff looks a bit ;puke: I may even go really hardcore and drill some safety wire holes for the nuts.Quote:
Dude, that setup looks NASTY. So, where are you at with the project percentage wise? 50% done? 75%? Almost there?
Yeah, after Japan and after the Falcon sells I will be doing up my garage. I can't wait. It just seems like money goes out at warp speed and comes in in slow motion. :rolleyes:
Bart
Alright boys and girls, I just threw down on a Plasma cutter/ AC/DC Tig combo unit(Longevity Weldall 200PI) so the real fabbing is about to begin. It will be replacing a harbor freight cheapie tig unit that could barely stick two pieces of tinfoil together and an oxy acetylene torch that well, just didn't cut as well as a plasma can. This new unit is eventually destined to end up as the torch on a 2 axis CNC plasma table, but in the meantime, it'll be tasked with carving up the VX and burning on some heavy duty mounts. I am also just finishing up most of the loose ends on the engine. I just got a 1/2" tubing bender(Swagelok MS-HTB-8) rated for stainless(read $$$) and a flaring tool(Ridgid 375) for the same. I also grabbed a Protools HSN 500 tube notcher for the upcoming chassis/rollcage/shock hoop fabricating. Also been replacing the split loom on the wiring harness since the old stuff was hardened with age and oil/grease/dirt soaked. The 18" diameter, 4 foot long, 3/4" thick sewer pipe is down at the local plastics manufacturer/distributor getting chopped up into little pieces to become the beadlock wheel inserts.
Can I come live in your garage for a while?:bwgy:
Why do I feel like eventually you'll be able to make new VX's from scratch in your garage?
FINALLY SOME PROGRESS!!! ;) (The fact that's coming from me is what makes it funny.)
I checked on some combo units and that is the one I figured I could actually afford and use. And then life got in my face again and I realized I can't afford it afterall. So that means... I'll be coming to your house again soon! :D
hahahahahaha
Fab party at Ascinder's house! :smilewink
Yes, I need the help:bwgy::_beer:Quote:
Can I come live in your garage for a while?
Because I will, I mean, someone's got to:supercoolQuote:
Why do I feel like eventually you'll be able to make new VX's from scratch in your garage?
Speaking of which,"Hey pot, this is kettle, how's your project coming? Haven't heard anything in while....":bwgy:Quote:
FINALLY SOME PROGRESS!!! (The fact that's coming from me is what makes it funny.)
They'll knock an extra couple hundred bucks off with that "make an offer" deal they have going on. Stop buying Jeeps and you can get one(says the hippocrite:p)Quote:
I checked on some combo units and that is the one I figured I could actually afford and use.
Well what are you waiting for? Let's have a "build Ascinder's Vehicross" group meet. :yes::jump::yes:Quote:
So that means... I'll be coming to your house again soon!
I do need to update my build progress but it is once again on hold cuz I have till the 12th to get rid of a few project trucks and clean up the city's property... I mean MY property. ..|..
Plus since my tree broke off 20 years of growth and that put 10 holes in my roof before BMan I'm getting nickle and dimed out of my build money. So no new cool tools for me yet. Tip: Never buy a house! :mad:
After the stories you've told me about the neighborhood, I can't believe the city would crack down on you of all people. Crazy Mormons...... That sucks about the tree too, life always seems to have ways of kicking you in the nuts when you least expect it. At least now you have a good reason to liquidate some of your excess inventory :) so who's up on the chopping block first?
ya, i could take the $1200 the local shop wants to build a rear bumper with swing arm for my Runner and drive to Reno :naughty:
......ill bring beer........ ;)
Well interestingly enough, all 3 trucks were in regards to ONE project! The Army truck I bought for $600 (no title or A/C or anything comfortable) so I got the 2wd donor truck for the body, title, comforts, 12v system, stronger motor. Then later, I got the '94 for the 6.5 turbo and NV4500; failing to realize I got the 1st year of electronic injection - which was CRAP! All 3 trucks died shortly after buying them and diesel parts are expensive so now I hate diesels! No idea what to do yet... other than toss the motor and trans in the Blazer quickly so I can take the trailer out of the garage and try to figure out how to slide the Blazer to the left side of the garage so AWOL can go back where it was on the right side of the garage. I could throw the extra VX plate on the green truck for now and just let the 2wd go to a pick 'n pull or tow it to a friend's house till the city is off my back. They just want to raise property taxes. :mady:
SOLD!Quote:
......ill bring beer........
There's a shocker. So You just need to get all the parts you need together and ditch those other trucks. Have you looked into govliquidation.com at all for those diesel parts? It seems like they always have 6.2 and 6.5 diesels on there for cheap.Quote:
They just want to raise property taxes.
justin- you know that a 350 will drop right into those SCEV's or whatever their called (if your talking about the military blazer/1.5 ton trucks)
my dad just got done getting a 350 into ours.... runs like a champ now ;)
Plastic tube for the inserts came back from the plastics place and other than trying to charge me an outrageous amount and failing(I had a friendly "chat"), the quality was fantastic. They cut a 30 degree bevel into the edges to help form the tire bead into the rim lip.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...m/PICT1631.JPG
I spent the better part of that morning looking for the 50 year old jigsaw my dad brought over on the Ark, only to not find it(probably crumbled into dust) and having to go get a new one. The beadlock inserts I had made needed to be cut so that they locked together like puzzle pieces, but could be broken down to be able to fit inside the tire(inserts=18" diameter vs. 16" tires). Following pics are an example. Mine are black and don't show up nearly as well.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...s/IMG_5120.jpg
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...s/IMG_5124.jpg
So, that's when I spent the better part of an afternoon/evening cutting out one(1)-yes one insert and getting it completely installed in the wheel/tire combo. I had to do five passes of the 16 nuts that hold the rim halves together followed by two torque passes. Thats tightening down 112 times for, again, one wheel. Not fun. To my credit, when aired up, the only thing that leaked air was the valve core that wasn't all the way seated in. Couple twists, now we're good. Only four more wheels to go:deady:
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...m/PICT1628.JPG
Also, the Longevity plasma cutter/TIG welder showed up. I haven't cut anything yet-been busy playing catch up with everything else going lately.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...m/PICT1630.JPG
I did go out and grab 20 ft. of seamless stainless tubing for the fuel system since the coil of stainless I had on hand kinked like a cheap coat hanger. After struggling with some of the first flares I attempted, I got some help from the pros over at the Ridgid pipefitting forums. Everything's looking smooth now. I also picked up a 32 gallon oilless compressor for running the plasma cutter. I rigged up an oil/water separator to an industrial air filter which goes to another oil/water separator which feeds into a dessicant based air dryer and then into the plasma cutter/Tig unit.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...m/PICT1635.JPG
Yes, I like overkill. What I don't like is having to replace expensive plasma consumables, which are consumed much quicker if moisture is present in the air supply. They way the plasma/tig is set up, the compressed air supply and the Argon/helium supply share a common connection to the unit and you just switch over to whichever system you are using at the time. Kind of a PITA, but it is what it is. I also picked up a 50-50 mix of argon and helium and a ton of welding paraphernalia to get used to the TIG side of the system and practice on some of the unlimited supply of scrap aluminum I have access to(thank you aviation sheetmetal shop:winky:). Aluminum is great to learn on because it requires little to no prep between each weld unlike steel. I also got some 2% lanthanated tungsten electrodes since they are the non:nuke: equivalent to the 2% thoriated electrodes. They also work really well on both aluminum and steel. But with quality TIG, you have to use a dedicated grinding wheel so you don't contaminate your tungstens so I grabbed an 8" wet/6" dry grinder specifically for that purpose:rolleyes:. I also picked up a little wheel type attachment that lets you do perfect straight plasma cuts by keeping your torch from touching the metal and guiding it along rollers along the line. Somehow that last weekend, I also ended up with a hydraulic press whose ram can only be described as: "ridiculously huge" (See the tape measure in the following pic for size reference)I really want to turn it into a plate bender to make brackets and tabs with.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...m/PICT1637.JPG
Aside from buying a bunch of shop toys, I was able to source a complete A/C setup including the corvette compressor, lines, fitting, air dryer, bracket, hardware, and some idlers and tensioners. Got that all installed save for the upper tensioner which was missing two bolts to mounts it. GM doesn't have them in stock, so there's one more loose end for me to chase-good thing, I was running out of important stuff to do:rolleyesg .
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...m/PICT1643.JPG
Also got the new smaller, more powerful starter installed along with 95% of the convoluted tubing for the wiring harness. Also got the huge 90mm MAF sensor. All in all the engine is starting to be a done deal. I have very few things still to get to complete it.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...m/PICT1638.JPG
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...m/PICT1649.JPG
I began the mod of grinding down the shift rail on the NP205 transfer case to allow separate shifting of the front and rear axles. So now I should be able to run 4HI, 4LO, 2HI, 2LO or Neutral in any combination front and rear. Normally it is only possible to disconnect the front(2 wheel drive).
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...m/PICT1629.JPG
Disconnecting the rear allows you to run a FWD vehicle which is good in some circumstances. When used in conjunction with cutting brakes(individual wheel brakes) you can pivot around corners unlike anything else. So yes, I'm totally doing that. Here's a LINK that explains them a little better.
I also grabbed these cool little black chrome LED lights to run as rock lights on the bottom of the rig.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...m/PICT1645.JPG
But enough :bla: for now, time to get back to work. This thing's not going to build itself.:_wrench:
.
WOOHOO! Progress. That motor is looking stellar! Still not sold on the batwing tho. I can't keep my compressor in that location due to frame interference which is part of why I don't like the batwing I guess... can't wait to see what that thing looks like dropped into place however! The rollers... AWESOME! Watch your back. ;)
Awesome dude, the wheels/tires look sickgnar.
Bart
unreal
I have a feeling that if I was good enough with mechanical stuff to actually own a plasma cutter, my project would go seriously off schedule while I tried using it on everything I could think of. Phone books, spiral hams, my friend's plasma cutter (images of light saber battles dancing in my head)... nothing would be safe. :)
Nice work (even if I don't understand it all), can't wait to see pics of everything put back together!