Ricks Bronco: 1and 1/2

[rookieshooter]

Originally Posted by janderson4010

it looks more mad max-ish than ever before. I like it, usually square tubing for cage makes it look like some hillbilly pile of junk, but this looks tough. probably bk you are mitering the corners and following the body lines so well.

And with that single quote you just made my day.
I knew full well what people would think when I said square tubing. There is just so many trash jobs out there.
But after really looking at the truck I saw more angles then curves. But the secret to using square was to follow as close as I could with NO 90 deg. bends.
In fact there were a whole bunch of compound angle cuts that had to be done.

But the part that I liked was "max-ish", cause before I read your post and was taking pics, I thought to myself This thing needs to be in a re-make of Mad Max.



In the above pic I only have one cross over. But that will change by adding one or two more with the exact angles.



Laying out all these angles and then to do a mirror copy on other side actually had more geometry then the linked suspension lol.
IMO it's got a Killer look to it. Again I see more lines then smooth curves in this truck.



It will look more rugged with one or two more roof top cross over pieces.
Also I need to add a short vertical piece down to the lower wheel well exo like I did on other side.



I think the round curves of the roll cage are now not looking correct with the lines of the truck. But no, I'm not changing it or any other of the DOM tubing that's on this rig.

[rookieshooter]

It's about time they put some zinc back in full syn. This oil has some good reviews. Note "Classic Cars" worded on front. I've been using all dino oil made for flat tappet engines that still has the high zinc levels.

Found the stuff at Auto zone when an old school hot rodder who works there told me about after I informed him about a couple years ago with the trouble with the new oils. He's been on top of this issue for awhile now and also told that it was on sale along with A&N filter which he's done some research on and ranks high on quality.



Bottom line is that's what I used today when changing oil.
Check out the first sentence.

On start up after changing oil I do not turn of ignition switch, I just turn the engine over several times and do some pre oiling with out the force of combustion on the bearings. Then I'll stop hit ignition and Rumble Rumble.

If interested, here's a short vid of start up. Note that the electric oil pressure switch does not work untill actual start up. What you do notice that there is very little time from start up to pressure reading. And this Autometer guage measures real pressures not like a lot of new vehicals.
Just click the link below.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v8...t=M4H01970.mp4

[rookieshooter]

Might as well use up the last few small pieces I have. These will be the two pieces that will come up off of the horizontal piece on each side. Do not have enough for the top cross over piece yet.



Have just enough to complete the side rear exo.



Even if I do remove the quick release hood and fenders, I'm thinking it would still be nice to have some more protection to the engine compartment.
And who's to say that I will take off the fenders and hood all the time?
And then the Whoops happen Ouch.
So with all that said. Thinking of coming off the windshield exo pillar, angle down in front of headlights with some miter cuts to follow the original bronco lines, not trashy 90 degree bends.



Now this is IMO where the mitered square really comes into play in keeping the same shape as the body. IMO round curves just don't get it.
But I appreciate no matter if round or square is used just as long as it's got some craftsmanship to it.

And then tie into the front bumper which is already tied into the cage.
That length of tubing would have to be structurally reinforced in the middle to aid in deflection.
But the main thing is it would have to be done in a way that would let the fender come off.



Here is how I think it will work. Make a small notch in the fender which I already have done near the door end to allow the window pillar exo to tie into the inner wheel well cage. Then run a short vertical piece down from the horizontal exo that runs along top of fender and connect directly to the existing tri-angled piece you see above tire /\

This build now is like the old saying "Having your cake and eating it to" or should I say "Having my buggy and Bronco ii
And come later this year or next when it gets trailered to the trails, I'll just leave doors, hood and fenders home.



Just thought of this also while I was posting. Could always add some lateral bracing (blue) also for some hard hits. Just tie into the cage.

So I guess I'll be heading back up to the steel mill come Mon. Knew there was a reason I picked up some more welding rod.

[rookieshooter]

Time to replace those imaginary lines for the real deal.



It's not welded to the truck yet, just getting some ideas exactly where to place it. I don't want it directly over the fender but a little to the outside of the top.
It also has to be installed so I can remove the fender.



About this far out will match the back plus give the fender some protection when left on. Also be able to get to the quick release fasteners that you can see on top of the fender flange.




Without being painted the tubing looks larger but it's the same.
Can't wait to see what it looks like once the exo is painted black like the rest and doors, fenders, and hood are off.
Then slip on the tubed doors.


Then I'll have to make some turns to connect to the A pillar part of the exo.
The one piece of tubing is just laying on top of the cowl to hold the other up for measurements.
Once the tubes are where I want them, then I'll tie it all into the cage.
After final welds are done then the raw edge of the sheet metal around the pillar part of the exo will be done with some RTV stuff.

[bats]

I'll have to mention that oil to my dad. He's been using zinc additive in the old Buicks. Stuff is like 12$ per shot.

[rookieshooter]

Originally Posted by bats

I'll have to mention that oil to my dad. He's been using zinc additive in the old Buicks. Stuff is like 12$ per shot.

Before I went full syn with Zinc I used this Dino oil product by Valvoline with Zinc. Your dad may be interest in this oil if he does not want to go full syn.
I learned first hand that a flat tappet cams with the new oil without Zinc would wipe out cam lobes. Even Comp Cam co who makes my cams told me never ever run their flat tappet cams without proper oil. Proper means Zinc.

http://www.valvoline.com/products/co...g-motor-oil/6/

I think it's called ZDDP levels.

On another note, received an email from Summit and they informed that the ARB is still on back order and they said that if I want to cancel or buy something else they understand. My reply..."I'll wait, thank you very much". But the fact that they keep me informed is good. It's not exactly chump change that I sent them.

[rookieshooter]

Here again I tried to keep the tubing flowing with the truck, had I came straight out and turned 90 deg down it would looked like crap and that goes for round or sq IMO.
The main brace is welded in at pillar where I turned it in to meet pillar and front bumper. I'll add some structural support later.
Could have been a whole lot easier if I'd just came off the pillar straight without the short angle piece. But I wanted the long horizontal piece to be on the outside of the fender.







I easily could have done this in round and took only a 1/3 of the time, but the challenge of doing it in square after seeing so many hacked jobs just made me that more exited about doing it and of course the unique factor lol. I gave it my best shot and I'm satisfied...so far.



Now that I have the main part welded up time for some lateral support. That's if I can still get the fender off which I think will be no problem if I just make sure to hold the vertical part shown in yellow far enough away.
Plus you can see that I will add one at the front also.

[rookieshooter]

Where you see the yellow line is where I'll add another brace.

]

And the fender is still removable.
As long as I can remove the fender I'll keep adding to this side for more protection.
Be Boss Cool if I can make a frame around the outer edge of the sheet metal fender flair but do it in a way that is stays connected to the exo even with removing fender. Then it would match the back and give those front fenders some protection when they're not removed like when I'm banging into trees during the hunting season. I'm not dragging a buck a mile through the woods.





Driver side looks lame compared to pass side.

[rookieshooter]

"Inspector Gadget" is at it again. Form just keeps following function and funtiontion is East Coast Trail Rig.
Just no way the front is not going to match the back...consider it done.
There's a few large Oak trees in the back yard that I promise you I will test it out on as far as deflection goes. But the main thing is this rig will see some trails that it never took before once all the new stuff is here.

And besides, the gas money that I'm not putting in the tank cause were over the national average here and i have to use 93 octane, well now that money is going into body armor...well spent in my thinking. So after the election year and gas is down, I'll have my new suit of armor.
$80 for gas or $80 for armor? No brainer here.

[janderson4010]

now you need a blower on there and roam the roads of australia hunting bad guys and looking for gasoline.

[rookieshooter]

Originally Posted by janderson4010

now you need a blower on there and roam the roads of Australia hunting bad guys and looking for gasoline.

Don't tempt me. Wonder if a twin 50 Cal. would fit on the roof.
Ever wonder why I have a lot Aussie parts. As in Aussie front locker, rear ARB that's made in the big Down Under and even my Strike Force lights are made there lol





Just getting some ideas on exactly on how and where to mount this. No matter what the brackets are going to be strong as in 3/8".
The angle ought to deflect small trees, push off of rocks small kids and kangaroos.

[rookieshooter]

The Apocalypse is coming! the Apocalypse is coming!



Just in case those Mayans are right, and I make it. I need an apocalyptic looking truck don't ya think?





Just need to manicure the fender a little to get it in there and I'll have it street legal again, I hope. Then just a few minutes and instant buggy again.
Really dig the different look, but more importantly it is just so strong.
Also I can now even lift truck up by the fender if need be.

[rookieshooter]

Needed to take a break from the evil chop saw. I think I'm becoming a Chopaholic.
Weather is great so off comes doors and went to my local 4x4 shop where they have a fabrication shop also.
Wanted to see their reaction to the exo. Owner and fabricator come out, don't say a thing, then a little smile with an approval nod of head. "I like it" said owner, of course he's going to say "I like it", the money I spend there, he better like it!




Here we go again.

[rookieshooter]

Here's a little better pic of the exo with fender on.
Still have to put the brace on for some lateral support.

My original idea was to put it where the yellow line is but after studying the pic may run it horizontal above headlight to the red cage that penetrates through the grill area.
Funny how you get ideas from a pic and not the real thing. Guess I just get too focused on one thing when I'm actually working on it.
Then again i better stay focused when I'm holding angle grinder with cut off wheel or a welding stinger in my hand. And constantly checking to see where that burning smell is coming from. I'm serious about that lol.

I bet next time I hit that tree it won't damage the fender again lol.

[janderson4010]

where is the machine gun mount? if that idiot on discovery channel can whip one up a swivel mount for a helicopter in a few days you out to be able to get it rollin in a few hrs.

[rookieshooter]

Originally Posted by janderson4010

where is the machine gun mount? if that idiot on discovery channel can whip one up a swivel mount for a helicopter in a few days you out to be able to get it rollin in a few hrs.

There's a guy in town here that has a restored WW2 jeep decked out with original paint and machine gun mounted on the back.
It has antique tags. He makes all the local car and truck shows.
I need to talk to him and at least let me just sit that gun on the roof.



Getting really close. One main goal was to do the exo with the same angle as the sheet metal fender. It really helps in pushing small trees to the side on these wooded trails. One time I was thinking of those fiberglass fenders but glad that was just an idea. Probably great for the desert guys?




Can't wait to do some crawling once all the goodies get here. But it's mostly for trails now.



Here's how I'm going to put some lateral bracing on the exo. If it takes a good hit it will now transmit a lot of the shock to the bumper/cage.

[rookieshooter]

Well the locals finally talked me into going to the mud pit on this guys farm. It's not public, but this is the same guy that I pulled his chevy out of the mud after his tie rod broke. Samson really did do a sweet job of getting through the soup. Plus before the soup was a real grassy area that had some springs coming up out of. Last year a truck with 40" + tires could not get out and the owner of the property had to get his tractor to yank him out.
This place never dries up due to all the springs seeping out of the ground. This is not flat ground either there's some real muddy hills due to the springs and they were a blast to try to make up. Plus it was just nice not to work on this thing for awhile.
There was about 10 people there and they all was impressed how on 35"s it did so well. The tires i have are those KM2 which are really not hard core mud tires, but as long as I kept then spinning it did well. Got hung up one time but after a series of reverse and forward it walked out.
One guy took a vid on his cell phone and he said he'll email it to me.
It would have really thrown some mud up in the air but those large fender flares blocked most of it. Next time no fenders and I'll have my video lol.






Those removable fenders were nice when time to hose the crap off.

[janderson4010]

I don't know how those guys roll out there but im wondering how many of them are locked? where you are locked front and rear im not suprised you rolled through the mud really well, that and you have a healthy motor and very solid drivetrain helped im sure. good to see you getting that thing out and running it.

[rookieshooter]

Originally Posted by janderson4010

I don't know how those guys roll out there but im wondering how many of them are locked? where you are locked front and rear im not suprised you rolled through the mud really well, that and you have a healthy motor and very solid drivetrain helped im sure. good to see you getting that thing out and running it.

Darn right I was locked, compliments of A&L..... Aussie & Lincoln.
I'm assuming the other guys were not locked, but I was not there when they wheeled.



One thing I liked about getting this truck really muddy and wet was the way the MSD ignition and wires performed flawlessly. Never missed a beat even after taking the pressure washer to the engine at the local car wash.
Used the last bay which all the muddy trucks use lol
Should have seen the looks of peoples faces as I drove into town minus all the sheet metal.
After some more cleaning I'll check fluids and open up the hubs. One thing thats going to help is the fact that all breathers run top side with small filters.

[janderson4010]

Originally Posted by rookieshooter

Darn right I was locked, compliments of A&L..... Aussie & Lincoln.
I'm assuming the other guys were not locked, but I was not there when they wheeled.



One thing I liked about getting this truck really muddy and wet was the way the MSD ignition and wires performed flawlessly. Never missed a beat even after taking the pressure washer to the engine at the local car wash.
Used the last bay which all the muddy trucks use lol
Should have seen the looks of peoples faces as I drove into town minus all the sheet metal.
After some more cleaning I'll check fluids and open up the hubs. One thing thats going to help is the fact that all breathers run top side with small filters.

its good to know its going to be reliable when you go out to get some mud on the tires, (and all over the rest of the vehicle). most people don't understand how much difference a locker will make, its the single best mod you can make on a 4x4, ive been telling my dad that on his cj5 the entire time he has been building it, stubborn old bugger won't listen to me. you can have the biggest tires in the world and they are no good if they aren't turning.