Been busy on the 'Yota

[Coreshot]

Well, I finally got the new cab ready to swap. Decided to try doing it without removing the front clip or engine. Worked out pretty good, just a PITA to get all the stuff on the firewall with the engine in the way.

I am removing the rear wall of the cab and the front wall of the bed in order to get a back seat in for the kids.

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Once everything was back together and running, I started building the rear bumper. The rear portion of the cage is going to tie into the supports for the bumper, so it had to be built first.

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Here's a pic of the framework...

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I called PRP last week and ordered the seats, 2 premier highbacks for the front and a 50 inch wide bench with three harnesses for the rear. I recieved the buckets yesterday, but the bench didn't ship until a little later. I should see it on Friday.:p

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Rear view, the seats aren't mounted yet.

[RamToy]

Nice work !

Cool welder, she works great doesnt she.

[Kyron]

how are yoou going to seal the gap between the cab and the bed?

[Coreshot]

I have a boot that clips onto the bed and the lower part of the cab, then I will have a custom top (canback) built for the upper part of the cab.

[BOB-CAT]

Looks good man , I have a back seat for ya out of the waggy

[Coreshot]

Originally posted by BOB-CAT
Looks good man , I have a back seat for ya out of the waggy

Thanks, man, but my PRP bench should be here tomorrow.:p

What are ya going to do with the waggy?

[BOB-CAT]

Pull the d44 diffs for the 4Runner and junk it.:beer:

[Coreshot]

You're going to junk a perfectly good Jeep??!!:eek:














:D :D

[bbagwell]

Is there any such as thing as a perfectly good Jeep?

[tomosborne]

Whats the progress? I really like what you are doing...more pics:beer:

[Coreshot]

Thanks, been a little busy on other things lately. Last night, I got the drivers' side slider under way. Got it all welded to the frame, now I just need to get the outside hoop on the main tube. I'm going to tie the rollcage to the frame by way of the sliders, so I have to plan ahead to know where the downtubes will be coming through the body.

Been trying to figure out exactly how I want the front fenders, so I been trimming them. It's dark outside right now, so I will get picks in a couple of hours and post 'em.

[Coreshot]

Alright, back to the build...

After getting my PRP buckets, I decided that I needed the fat guy seat. Aaron at PRP was way cool about it, even though the seats were custom ordered. He told me to send the seat back and he would build me the wider one for $50 plus shipping. That was way cool of him considering that I ordered a color combo that wasn't very common, so he may have trouble selling the returned one.

I received the bench, and it is BAD ASS!!! It's way comfortable and the three kids fit with plenty of elbow room.

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I've also been working on the sliders, because the cage is going to mount to them in several places. The pic is just the main tube, the hoop that will actually contact the rocks will come later.

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Been doing a bunch of sheetmetal trimming also. I cut my front fenders up as high as I could, then I will install some tubework that will weld to the very front of the sliders, follow the fender up to the front, and integrate into the front bumper.

[Coreshot]

Now on to the fuel tank. I removed the stocker, because of several clearance issues. The yoke on my 9" rear end is offset slightly to the passenger side, so when I flexed the suspension, the DL came in contact with the tank's skid plate. I also didn't like the idea of my kids sitting directly over the tank. I was going to build a steel tank (ie James K's) but B-rad told me that he had an aluminum one out of a boat that I could have. It was 28 gal. and super low profile. I cut it down to fit sideways between the framerails at the back of the truck. It's going to be about 15.5 gallons. Muleskinner ended up with the other half, about 12.5 gallons. An external pump will be mounted on the frame. I will be using one of Holley's new multi-point pickups in the tank, so no matter what angle I'm on, I shouldn't run out of gas.

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another

[tomosborne]

This thing is lookin really sweet. Do you have any pics of the seam where the bed meets the cab?

[Coreshot]

Originally posted by tomosborne
This thing is lookin really sweet. Do you have any pics of the seam where the bed meets the cab?

I have the bed off right now to work out the problems with the tank, but as soon as it goes back on, I'll get some pics up.

Thanks, Cory

[GJC]

Sweet build up, looking awsome :D

[BigDaddy]

Originally posted by Coreshot
. I will be using one of Holley's new multi-point pickups in the tank, so no matter what angle I'm on, I shouldn't run out of gas.

Good luck. I just used that set up in my tank. THAT thing is a JOKE!!! If you can figure out a way to keep the pick ups in the corners let me know. I tried to use some small pvc pipe and force the the pick up to stay in the corners but they just flap around after you put gas in it and go driving around.

I think it should be okay....because both of the pick ups should slide to the side that has the gas. The problem is they will be all over the place when your wheeling.


Did you hear about the Holley MPP from someone who used it or did you read about it?

[Coreshot]

No, I hadn't heard of anyone using it, I saw it on Jeg's.com. Other than them flopping around, do they work OK?

What I'm going to do is run a fuel line to either end of the tank on the outside of the tank. I'm making some weld-in bungs that will be long enough to screw the hose fitting on the outside, but also have enough room on the inside to thread another fitting. A small (1 inch or so) hard line will connect to the pickups so they can't move at all. I hope this works, what do you think?

[BigDaddy]

That sounds better than what I did. I think that should work for sure. I ran the two into one and had it come out on top of the tank.


How much are they from Jegs?

I was driving my truck around on Sunday and it start to cut out on me....I was like great no fule. I got home and looked in the tank.....I was at the very bottom of the tank. I guess after I go wheeling a few times I will know if they work or not. If they dont I may try your idea out!!:yes:

This is what I did. I used the stock sending unit and keep the carcoal canister under the hood and just ran the line to the roll over.

[Coreshot]

They were 69.99 from jegs. I like your tank, did you build it? How much fuel will it hold?

Are you using an in-tank or external pump? That's the one thing I have left to figure out. From what I could figure from all my research on POR, alot of guys are running the E2000.

[Coreshot]

Muleskinner helped get the new tank welded up on Saturday. He's becoming quite a good TIG welder...

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filler neck

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Today, I got the tank into place. It took a little grinding, but it ended up being a perfect fit. The tabs sticking up are going to be removed. As you can see, it doesn't hang down far enough to worry about dragging on the rocks. 15.5 gallons.

[Coreshot]

rear view...

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side view...

[ianwf600]

man that tank is sweet....nice build ...wish i did more with aluminum but i'm too cheap to get another bottle of gas for my mig or get a tig.

[yotagoat]

Hey,

Everything looks really good. I was wondering what you're planning on doing with the front. I want to cut my fenders like you've done, but i'm not too sure about running the tubing. Maybe you could give me some ideas, I'm kinda new to all this.

thanks,
Jason

[Coreshot]

Originally posted by yotagoat
I was wondering what you're planning on doing with the front.

Well, I've got some ideas, but they are kindof hard to explain in words without pics. Basically, picture a tube running from the front of the slider following the fender line to the front of the hood. The tube will continue above the headlights and down the other fender. Then, it will all tie in to the lower part of the bumper. I'll post up pics when I get to that stage. Right now, it's time for the cage work.;)

[yotagoat]

Thanks,
I understand totally. One thing at a time. I'm excited to see how it all turns out.

Jason

[Coreshot]

Finally made some progress on the cage, got the b-pillar and halo in place. Just learning to use the bender, so every tube takes me forever. The halo is tucked super tight around the sunroof. I removed the headliner in order to get it up as high as possible. The bottom of the tube on the halo only hangs down 3/4 of an inch below the sunroof frame. Next up: A-pillars and kicker tubes alongside the doors. Then, I'll be able to build the seat cradles.

Oh, and, no they are not welded yet, only tacked.

[Coreshot]

another...

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and one more...

[tomosborne]

How about an update? I think this is a cool project:Rockonman

[Coreshot]

Well, haven't had a whole lot of time lately for working on it. I ran out of time before the spring outings, so I had to take it out as it was. I'm working on a front winch bumper,but don't have any pics just yet.

The truck is really working well, here are some action pics...

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on top of the obstacle...

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and another...

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since the pics, I have reinstalled the bed and the rear seat. It turned out pretty sweet, but can't use it until I get the rear portion of the cage finished.

[muleskinner]

Looks nice man, What kind of coolers are those?






































































:Rockonman :beer: :Freak:

[Kyron]

I was going to say nice access to the coolers :beer:

[zookbrat]

that thing looks great. sick climb too! Are those 38" swampers or 36"?

[Coreshot]

Originally posted by zookbrat
that thing looks great. sick climb too! Are those 38" swampers or 36"?

They're 36s, soon to be 38s:D

[tomosborne]

I am bringing this thread back from the dead cuz this truck was really looking good. How bout an update:Rockonman

[toy_jon]

this truck is awesome, i go crazy every time i see it. cory you did an awesome job buildin it, and my offer still stands, IF YOU NEED HELP OR ANYTHING, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LET ME KNOW.

i went wheelin a couple of times since i last talked to ya, my truck does awesome but i still need a front locker, and rear bumper.
let me know, keep me posted
jon
:beer:

[Coreshot]

Thanks Guys, I appreciate the kind words.

Been kinda slow here, haven't been doing much building. Finished my winch mount, but haven't completed the bumper yet. I've got a few trips slated for the fall, so I'm gonna have to hit it hard soon to get ready for them.

I'll get some more pics up later today.:beer: