Evolution of a Mini truck - Dial up BEWARE, lots of pictures

[Spence]

So no bender im guessing?

 

[Metto]

So no bender im guessing?

nope, not any more the boss sold it
more progress this morning

 

[Metto]

here are my link parts, coils and control arms were FREE from my buddy that works at a 4x4 shop. have about 3 miles on them, came off a brand new JK. will run the rubber bushings till they wear out, then i can just press in RE joints.

 

[Metto]

upgraded from packing tape to EMT for my links

i made these adjustable bushing ends out of 1" fine thread rod. tube inserts are the lower 2 nuts, once the corners are ground off they slide right into to 1.75x.120" DOM

 

[Bigben75ford]

So those axles I bought from you for my yota are clened up and working great!Michael got my SAS done on my truck for me its awesome!Sorry to see your yota like that,that sucks!

 

[Metto]

So those axles I bought from you for my yota are clened up and working great!Michael got my SAS done on my truck for me its awesome!Sorry to see your yota like that,that sucks!

glad the axles are working for you, they did me proud for a few years of wheeling.

obviously im not doing a 3 link, after talking with scott (madmonk), i think a 4 link is a better idea. uppers are triangulated, lowers are straight ahead. uppers are 1.75x.120 DOM 32"ish, lowers are 2x2x.25 square 40"ish long

 

[y2kcrawler]

Wow... nice truggy!! I like those half doors.. .you make em or get em off someone? You are making great progess! Heck id like to get up with you next time im in Boone (which wont be too long). Keep posting pics and ill keep looking!

 

[Metto]

yea i made the half doors, my buddies mom made the soft tops for them. here is my progress on the links. the upper link brackets are 3/8" and 3/16". axle lower tabs are 3/8". Scott are the lowers on the axle end far enough below the axle centerline?

 

[Cperry]

packing tape- $3.59
EMT- .89 cents a foot
1 3/4 DOM stick- $125
Saw zaw blades $8
Grinding wheels- $3.29
Drill bits- $30
Plasma Tips $5.99
Unimix- $45
Coming back from vacation and having no supplies- priceless

looks good so far...ill buy you another bender after I see your skills. for now we will keep working the A/C machine that replaced it, seems to be much more usefull.

 

[ChrisM]

Chase, let me know when you get that bender... I've got a truck that needs to cut up.

Jon, those tires are long gone.

 

[Metto]

packing tape- $3.59
EMT- .89 cents a foot
1 3/4 DOM stick- $125
Saw zaw blades $8
Grinding wheels- $3.29
Drill bits- $30
Plasma Tips $5.99
Unimix- $45
Coming back from vacation and having no supplies- priceless
looks good so far...ill buy you another bender after I see your skills. for now we will keep working the A/C machine that replaced it, seems to be much more usefull.

dude i have been using my own plasma tips, grinding wheels, packing tape, drill bits and sawzall blades back off dog

 

[Metto]

chase and i got back to it last night. made a truss, upper link tabs, upper links, frame side lower link brackets and lower coil buckets (Ruff Stuff). here are the pics

 

[Metto]

i havent finished the link truss yet, it is going to tie into the diff cover. also links need to be shortened, lowers also need to be made. i picked up some 1.5" solid bar at the scrap yard for lowers, not the best choice but the price was right. if it bends they have a bunch more of it and at $15 per link, im not to worried

chase getting some

 

[Metto]

oh and for the record, im not into this for much money at all
bushings and sleeves - $$Free
shocks - $$leftover from leaves
springs - $$Free
Thread rod and nuts for inserts- $20
steel for tabs - $30
steel for truss and lower links - $40
tube for uppers and rear frame - $$ leftover from old build

 

[Metto]

finished lower links, 38.25" hole to hole

rolled it outside to clean up the shop. obviously those coils are too tall and too stiff will be replacing with TJ rear coils most likely

Edit for Scott - just measured and it will drop 5" in the rear with the correct coils, so the link angle will not be near as steep

 

[chromerunner]

^ looks like chase likes his eyes...put some protection on haha. Im interested to see how that rear performs/flexs.

 

[rockcity]

oh yeah, before you go to welding, cutting, or grinding again, make sure you put those gas tanks outside

build looks good

 

[Metto]

progress has been slow, i am trying not to lose motivation but i really just want to wheel this thing NOW. got all the tube welded in for the rear, link brackets all welded in and coil perches welded on. cut the coils down a bit to get it a little closer to ride height, but it is still too tall. ill be picking up some more coils next week to get a softer spring rate and lower it more. still need to figure out shock mounts and build a mount for the gas tank. oh yea i am getting some real tires - 39.5x18x16.5" boggers, not my first choice but the price is right
to do-
gas tank mount
build rear d-shaft
bed floor and sides
mount filler neck to down bar
hook up and bleed brakes
replace radiator
replace alt
clean up upper link mounts and tie truss into diff
build shock mounts
mount lights and license plate
get rear soft window made to match soft doors

pics

 

[Metto]

got my new meats today, no they will not be staying on those wheels
got a deal on these $500 for the set

39.5" Boggers baby!

 

[vanguard]

obviously those coils are too tall and too stiff will be replacing with TJ rear coils most likely

I have a pair of short fat coils that I'm not using anymore. You can have them if you come to Apex and pick them up. I forget what they are from (some kind of jeep) but I have a picture of them from back when there were mounted on my buggy.
http://www.just4fun.org/images/buggy/harlan8106 139.jpg

Send me a PM if you want them.

 

[drkelly]

Updates?

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

It was traded to another guy on the board here (1stgenxxx)... he has done a few changes to it to make it DD'able and add his own touches...

 

[Metto]

Updates?

yea danny its long gone, but i got a project going that is right up your (and JTs) alley

 

[drkelly]

yea danny its long gone, but i got a project going that is right up your (and JTs) alley

Going to show us, or do we have to wait to see it at DPG some day?

 

[1stgenxxx]

After alot of work and a new owner....It's back