Ben and Kami’s TJ Overhaul

[benjy]

I'd add some gussets at the bottom too though, just for more welded area between that tube and the frame.

Good call.

that is removable.

I was going to use these...

I hope you plan to tie them into the grille hoop and possibly the tube fender also

I've thought about both of these... I just don't want it to be a cluster of unnecessary tube under the hood.

 

[Shawn]

Or sawzall-able.

If that is how you build....

 

[Shawn]

I was going to use these...

Perfect.

 

[Gravy]

For sure tie it all together.
I've rolled hard and tweaked by tube fender because it wasn't tied in. I'm going to rebuild a set Highline style and tie them into my grill hoop, A pillar and shock mounts.

Ben: have you seen these style tube clamps?

(images borrowed from Trail-Gear, but there are plenty of other vendors who have been making them for a long time)

 

[benjy]

I've been working on this quite a bit since my last update. This week I started getting burnt out :-\ Worked on it Monday and Tuesday, and not again until yesterday, and all I did yesterday was start on the atlas shifters. Anyone want to come finish this for me?

Has anyone installed an atlas behind a NV3550 recently? I was trying to clock it as flat as possible (don't mind forcing the tub to comply), and this seemed like the best position:

Best side view I could get:

Everything has been coming along well, all air bumps and landing pads are tacked in. The radiator, battery tray, and fusebox have all been mounted. The tube fenders have been started. The fenders were a little tricky to get to look right, since I had to mount them to the grill hoop (inside the grill). I'm ok with how they turned out, but the hood does hang over a little.

The whole build has gone much smoother since my awesome wife bought me a new tool :greg: We went with the Hypertherm 30. This was the beginning of the top radiator bracket.

I also ordered our springs (déjà vu... ) Now I could have it sitting on it's own weight at ride height.

 

[I Lean]

Do you have a circle cutting jig, or really steady hands?

 

[jevyguy]

Looks like a pretty good circle to me too.

I wish my wife would buy me a plasma cutter.

Let me know if you need any help when it comes time to burn it all together.

 

[benjy]

Do you have a circle cutting jig, or really steady hands?

I wish I could free hand that circle I just used an old cutoff wheel with the right diameter

 

[Tacoma]

Looks good!! you have less that 2wks to get it done and enter the WEROCK Na... oh, uhmmm you did know you're signed up, right?

Nice work so far.

 

[chadschoon]

benjammin, I had my atlas in my jeep clocked flat, but I had to cut the floor out and rebuild the floor. I was using the full traction skid plate though. didn't really want to build a new one. you have to cut under the drivers seat.

 

[benjy]

Let me know if you need any help when it comes time to burn it all together.

Thanks man.

Looks good!! you have less that 2wks to get it done and enter the WEROCK Na... oh, uhmmm you did know you're signed up, right?

112" wb on 40s.... sure, I'll keep up with the unlimiteds...

benjammin, I had my atlas in my jeep clocked flat, but I had to cut the floor out and rebuild the floor. I was using the full traction skid plate though. didn't really want to build a new one. you have to cut under the drivers seat.

Thanks Chad. So you had yours clocked the same as the picture I showed?

 

[Corban_White]

I don't know how I ever fabbed anything before I got the plasma. Best tool ever!

 

[benjy]

Made some virtual progress tonight

I've been tossing around some different ideas about the front bumper. I made one out of cardboard, and decided there had to be a faster way. I remember hearing about Google Sketchup, so I gave it a shot. It is extremely user friendly, I got the hang of it after about 10 minutes, and after trying a few designs and minor tweaking (much faster than cutting out cardboard), I decided on this:

I cutout the top and bottom pieces, and drilled holes for the winch mount. Now I'm just waiting on headlights from Nick to finalize the front end (grill, bumper, and headlight mounting locations).

 

[Tacoma]

Bitchin'. I dig the bumper.

Sketchup is a great tool.

 

[benjy]

I made some much needed visually rewarding progress this week. I mounted the HID headlights (from Panos, excellent service btw), the grill, and finished the front bumper.

And here's a closeup of the bumper

 

[jevyguy]

Look'n gooood

 

[Greg]

Very cool Ben, keep that progress coming!

 

[Herzog]

Very cool Ben, keep that progress coming!

x2! Not much left.

 

[Corban_White]

Looking really good! I really like the lines of that bumper.

 

[Kiel]

Nice work, looks Great!