Flatbed & Sliders

[90ranajo]

Its about time to start working on the Ranajo again, as I don't have much more time to get it done before T-haven & the move to San Diego.

So I'll pick up some steel here in the next day or two and start fabing it up. Also will be building winch mounts/bumper for the front and rear. Yep thats right I said front AND rear. I just got 2 Warn M8000s shipped for cheap.

I'll get some pics up tomorrow afternoon.

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

Are you gonna save some work for me when I get home? Actually I just wanted to subscribe so I could keep up with the build.

 

[90ranajo]

If you want, I can save it all for you.
I'm sure there will still be the little things left when you get back.

Here's what I'm starting with, and 2 new M8000 winches!

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

Just remember to prep your welds really good before you weld. My welder seems to only like really clean metal. Also, not sure if you saw it or not, there is a big red Millwake chop saw up on top of one of the shelves in the garage Makes cutting really easy.

 

[90ranajo]

Just remember to prep your welds really good before you weld. My welder seems to only like really clean metal. Also, not sure if you saw it or not, there is a big red Millwake chop saw up on top of one of the shelves in the garage Makes cutting really easy.

That going to come in handy. Just got back from picking up the steel; man did the prices go up!

 

[Burns]

Do i see a set of tube doors on that explorer?

Oh and nice score on the winch buy

 

[90ranajo]

Yep, those would be. That's DWDs X.

And 4WheelParts cut an great deal on the shipping too.

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

Put some air in that left rear tire on the Ex. Just put about 40 PSI into it. That should be fine until the new High Impact Bead Locks go on.

 

[RangerX]

& the move to San Diego.

What's the story on this? When and where?

 

[90ranajo]

Will be moving down there before/after the thanksgiving t-haven. Don't know where in San Diego yet, still haven't found a decent (i.e. affordable) place with a garage and driveway thats available around mid November.

 

[sid23man]

thats gonna be sick!!!

 

[90ranajo]

Got the F350 receiver hitch cut off, and the rear frame brace cut out.

First 2 pics are the mock up for the winch, and the last is final install. Some brace will be added after I start to get the flat bed fab'd up.

Next up is to remove the sissy bar.

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

You're going to want to use more than that one piece of plate. Based on where your spring hangers are, the frame is going to want to twist in at the top toward the winch. Personally I would notch that reciever hitch on the top so that it fits under your frame and sandwiches the frame between it and the plate, and then weld it to the plate and frame. Then also put a truss over the top of the winch with some square to the top of the frame rails and vertical supports going down to the plate. Cut a wedge out of three sides of the square, bend it to the proper angle and weld it up. That will give you the proper ange to go slightly up and over the winch. It would also create the rear height and crossmember for your flatbed.

That's not that 3/16th plate I had near the press is it, I had plans for that. That MGD looks really good about now though

 

[90ranajo]

Bracing is already in the plans, it will be tied into the flatbed and the receiver will get put in there too. I just wanted to get that in place so I can plan everything else around it. Tomorrow I'll hack out the sissy bar and start laying out the frame for the bed.

No that is a remanent piece that I picked up at the steel yard.

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

Just throwing my ideas in there. You know me, always trying to help. I might be able to use some of that sissy bar for something, so if you don't want it I'll keep it for scrap for now.

 

[RockRanger]

Once you get done with yours we can start on mine when you get down here.

We need a picture of the bed you took off, so we can ee the improvements.

 

[90ranajo]

These are the only ones I could find. The passenger side:

Drivers side before being straightened out with a winch:

I don't have any pictures of taking the bed off, as Kevin had to cut it off of the frame.

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

Taking the bed off wasn't a pretty job, it consited of a Sawsall and my winch. It took all of 20 minutes and that incledes digging out the tools.

 

[90ranajo]

Not much progress today, the sissy bar was a PITA to get off. Still need to clean up the frame where those mounts were.

But I did get the front & rear main braces cut, drilled & fitted. The bed width is right about at 53" wide. However, I will need to either cut a big notch out of it for the winch's clutch lever to clear or cut the handle down and weld an extension on to it. I had already planned on fab'ing up a extension that slipped over it, but stuff happens.

Also found out that either the maiden voyage whoops or the Moab abuse has tweaked my cab. It no longer sits square to the frame.

I'll be taking the weekend off and heading down to Elbe to help out, and helping my brother reside his house & install a new garage door opener. So come back Monday when I start laying down the frame and getting everything to fit.

And Kevin, I got you a new toy because I'm tired of taking 10 minutes to drill a hole & having to go get new bits because they're so damn dull.

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

Do you have to have a beer in everyu update picture. Makes it reaeeeaaaalllllly frustrating out her when you know I can't have one. ASS!!!

Looking good though. I would replace those plastic pucks under the rear crossmember though with something stronger to keep it from flexing on you as discussed in my previous post.