ID Bronco
Registered User
- Location
- Idaho Falls, ID
NICE! Is that one of the tents Mesha was selling? I never unboxed mine yet.
My 1st build! '86 Runna
- Thread starter pELYgroso
- Start date
I got a few things painted last week, the front bumper/stinger, and the rear bumper. I'm using the dark gray hammer paint (rustoleum)
I like how my rear bumper is looking. Not done yet, but I like the profile, and that it hangs out a bit to use it as step, and eventually I'll make a swing away tire carrier for it.
I like how my rear bumper is looking. Not done yet, but I like the profile, and that it hangs out a bit to use it as step, and eventually I'll make a swing away tire carrier for it.
Attachments
Got my Driver's side slider done and on tonight. I started with some crusty old sliders that I've had in my shed for a couple years. I got them off a donor truck that I bought for $100 a few years ago. So far, I've used it for all of my suspension, some interior parts, IFS sterering box, front crossmember and bumper/stinger, a few other things, and now sliders.
These were all covered in mouse poo when I pulled them out of the shed and I almost threw them away to start from scratch. I'm glad I didn't!
I started by measuring and cutting the support tubes. The truck that I pulled them off of had them sticking WAY out from the truck (ugly IMO) but I like the lower profile look. I only wanted them to stick out just enough to use them as a step to get into the 'runner or reach the future roof rack.
After i cut them down I went to town with the flap disc and got it all shiny'd up.
I decided to add 3 cross pieces to add strength to the outside tube....and look better.
Once welded up i painted them and tested the fit....cut down one of the support tubes, tacked them to the frame, and Wall-ah!!!!
These were all covered in mouse poo when I pulled them out of the shed and I almost threw them away to start from scratch. I'm glad I didn't!
I started by measuring and cutting the support tubes. The truck that I pulled them off of had them sticking WAY out from the truck (ugly IMO) but I like the lower profile look. I only wanted them to stick out just enough to use them as a step to get into the 'runner or reach the future roof rack.
After i cut them down I went to town with the flap disc and got it all shiny'd up.
I decided to add 3 cross pieces to add strength to the outside tube....and look better.
Once welded up i painted them and tested the fit....cut down one of the support tubes, tacked them to the frame, and Wall-ah!!!!
Attachments
The finished product......
I'm really happy with them! I can't wait to bash them on WW this Saturday! If you don't already know, Steve, myself, and a bunch others are planning a trip to the snakes! Check out details in the upcoming trip section!
I also realized why my welder has never really given me decent welds. I went in to Humphrey's today to get the adapter needed to fit the 10lb spool in my little 110v Lincoln and I asked the guy why my welder may be giving me poor quality welds and he mentioned to check the polarity connections because they're opposite for MIG and flux core, and they might have set it for MIG from the factory.....He was right! I switched the positive and negative wires and it welds SO SO MUCH better now! I'm so stoked!
I'm going to have a buddy do some beefier welds tomorrow and I'll add some gussets to the frame for strength.
I'm really happy with them! I can't wait to bash them on WW this Saturday! If you don't already know, Steve, myself, and a bunch others are planning a trip to the snakes! Check out details in the upcoming trip section!
I also realized why my welder has never really given me decent welds. I went in to Humphrey's today to get the adapter needed to fit the 10lb spool in my little 110v Lincoln and I asked the guy why my welder may be giving me poor quality welds and he mentioned to check the polarity connections because they're opposite for MIG and flux core, and they might have set it for MIG from the factory.....He was right! I switched the positive and negative wires and it welds SO SO MUCH better now! I'm so stoked!
I'm going to have a buddy do some beefier welds tomorrow and I'll add some gussets to the frame for strength.
Attachments
So, Tomorrow I'm going to try and rebuild the rear spring pack, adding a couple leafs to get a couple more inches in the back and a little less bounciness, and maybe some smaller stuff off the list below. The passenger side slider can wait. I'll only need the drivers side for WW. 
Left to do:
to register it and drive it:
*shock hoop in the rear DONE
*figure out some front turn signals since I took off the stock front bumper w/ the lights in them DONE
*box in rear frame and run some 2X3 down under the tailgate so I can attach a bumper DONE
*build a rear bumper and attach to extended frame DONE (PARTLY)
*eliminate rear buggy leaf set-up by clamping it to the frame then welding the buggy leaf solid to the frame. (Is it ok to weld the buggy leaf to the frame??) DONE
and here's what's needed to be somewhat satisfied w/ a "finished" product:
*shave down foam in rear fender-well where I cut it out, and bondo it solid
*beef-up and install some sliders that I have from a donor truck HALF DONE
*install some fender hoops at least in the rear
*make or have a front driveline madeDONE
*rock lights
*rebuild rear spring pack
*finish painting random areas where bare metal is showing
*re-connect e-brake cable to arm on drum
*re-attach e-brake line to a different spot on the rear axle (it's tight)
*install hydro-assist set-up
*finish rocker guards extending forward from rear bumper
and down the road:
*"mountaineering rack" (as Sami put it) in back
*winch in front
*beefier t case crossmember
*some sort of roof rack
*solar set-up w/ some panels that I have -removable, and connected to a house battery to run camp lights, etc when camping
*selectable locker in front diff
*some nice HID's up front
Left to do:
to register it and drive it:
*shock hoop in the rear DONE
*figure out some front turn signals since I took off the stock front bumper w/ the lights in them DONE
*box in rear frame and run some 2X3 down under the tailgate so I can attach a bumper DONE
*build a rear bumper and attach to extended frame DONE (PARTLY)
*eliminate rear buggy leaf set-up by clamping it to the frame then welding the buggy leaf solid to the frame. (Is it ok to weld the buggy leaf to the frame??) DONE
and here's what's needed to be somewhat satisfied w/ a "finished" product:
*shave down foam in rear fender-well where I cut it out, and bondo it solid
*beef-up and install some sliders that I have from a donor truck HALF DONE
*install some fender hoops at least in the rear
*make or have a front driveline madeDONE
*rock lights
*rebuild rear spring pack
*finish painting random areas where bare metal is showing
*re-connect e-brake cable to arm on drum
*re-attach e-brake line to a different spot on the rear axle (it's tight)
*install hydro-assist set-up
*finish rocker guards extending forward from rear bumper
and down the road:
*"mountaineering rack" (as Sami put it) in back
*winch in front
*beefier t case crossmember
*some sort of roof rack
*solar set-up w/ some panels that I have -removable, and connected to a house battery to run camp lights, etc when camping
*selectable locker in front diff
*some nice HID's up front