My "other" Isuzu, well, Honda lol

[RamAirZ]

Not as cute as your amigo

[RamAirZ]

Installed my shieldz today:



Getting closer to some real wheel time!

[etlsport]

Installed my shieldz today:



Getting closer to some real wheel time!

I was looking at those a year or two ago... whats the benefit? you dont strike me as the type to do a purely cosmetic mod, they just dont seem like they would offer much more rigidity to the tie rods, why not go with HD tie rods

[RamAirZ]

I got these for $20 so for one they were alot cheaper than the HD rods (this is still a budget build lol), I also wanted to keep tie-rod availability open since Indy doesn't tell you which vehicle they got the end from and supposedly the HD ones bind up when at full droop, the range of movement on the end itself is less "supposedly". The shieldz are supposed to help distribute the forces along the rod ends and adjuster and the inside of the shieldz have a stepped down section around the adjuster. This thick shield keeps one end of the tie rod unit from bending and breaking since once it's clamped down it can't really bend much in any direction. Also it will help against them on rocks.



Now I can't say for sure that they work, but the guys on 4x4wire always swore by them, and I got them cheap and they came with a spare set of complete tie rod units. I see the theory in them and thats enough for me lol

[RamAirZ]

Hooked up the welder and tested it out today. I think she welds pretty good!



Hard starting and working on the bead with the gay helmet they give you. Have an auto-darkening one on the way.

[RamAirZ]

Good eye tom, I actually cut a hole in the bumper (which btw is a thick mofo, took forever) and slid the hitch inside. So it allows room for the Hitch to slide in and also acts as side bracing. I also have the lower section of the hitch tied back into the frame for extra support.

[RamAirZ]

I thought about recessing it in more but this bumper was already on my truck when I got it and cutting through it was VERY difficult lol, it's really thick. Plus I wanted to have the receiver out a bit so when I have the ball installed it's out from the spare tire. Also if I mounted it any higher, the spare would hit it or cover it up so I had to mount it low.

[RamAirZ]

Not much new going on yet, getting her ready for her first "real" offroad trip tomorrow. I was under the truck and remembered that I didn't have a flexplate inspection cover for my new transmission (my old one was a solid bellhousing with no opening), so I fabbed up a metal piece to fit inside the hole:









I have a brushguard on the way from Ron that I am going to build a bumper off of so that will be my next project

[WillyLin]

nice work!! I need to learn how to weld... !

[RamAirZ]

Thanks man!

[RamAirZ]

Been awhile since I updated anything on this, but...

Top is off!







Still need to do the finishing work on it but out of time for today, have to finish it later. I'll probably make a removable top of some sort for the rear. I've just been enjoying her recently and wheeling it. Working on a front bumper design right now.

[VXorado]

Lookin' good. I didn't know the top came off the older Passports/Rodeos.

I see you have your tow strap handy while in the mud... next mod possibly & new bumper with a winch?

[RamAirZ]

The top doesnt come off without some sort of cutting tool im working on a winch bumper, just making some final decisions before I start building

[VXorado]

The top doesnt come off without some sort of cutting tool

NICE

[RamAirZ]

yup, combo of sawzall and a cutoff wheel works wonders. I cut the interior panels yesterday so they fit back in correctly, still need to clean up the cuts and close the openings up. Then I'll start looking at a snap on top or something