The rig gets some much needed TLC

[Josh S.]

Okie Dokie...I'm back from summer and the explorer rebuild project is going full kill. Just finished modifying a set of junkyard beams to replace the ones that I bent and broke on that fateful jump last Spring. Man that was awesome!

Enough talk I'll just post pics

Torn off front end

Old cracked beam...

Old bent radius arm bracket...

Buddy working for beer...

Widened 1-1/4"...

 

[Josh S.]

Both beams are done being modified, now I just need to work on plating them all in and building a fat truss on the pumpkin beam so it will be nice and strong.

Radius arms and tranny crossmember are next after that, then engine cage and cab cage. Can't wait!

I have some parts for sale if anyone is interested...

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

looking good..about time this thing got an update

 

[Josh S.]

Thanks!

 

[R.J.]

looking good! what do you have for sale? are the old beams salvegable?

 

[Josh S.]

Thanks! Coils and coil buckets are spoken for. I still have some King shocks that I may or may not be using. I'm thinking of running a 2.5 coilover, 2.5 bump and 2.5 smoothbody up front. That would make for a pretty stout front end!

The old beams probably arent worth running. I welded up the crack just for the hell of it, but I think they are bent a bit from the landing anyhow.

I've built jigs for my new beams, so I could reproduce them if needed...

 

[R.J.]

how much $$$ to produce them??? im still interested in the old beams too. im tired of my drop brackets, and i have small crack in my beams too at the same spot

 

[Josh S.]

The main cost is labor to produce these things. I've spent a lot of time out in the garage but at least it's fun. I haven't thought about a price or if I want to produce them but I do have the capabilities. Price would depend on how wide you want them (stock width, 1-1/4" each side, 4" wider, etc) and if you want a truss and reinforcement plating on them. Gusseting and reinforcing takes the most time but it is worth it to build them up. I'm not planning on cracking these ones

Well the beams are pretty much finished as of tonight. Still need to do a tad bit of welding to beef up the radius arm bolt bungs as these are a part that I've had trouble breaking off before also. The factory welds are pretty weak on that part.

Here is a teaser of today's work, more pics to follow.

Got my buddy to help cut some steel for me:

Time to party!:bdrunk:

 

[Josh S.]

Well we partied it up tonight and got to see hundreds of scandalous women walking around in costumes varying from hot nurses, army girls, sexy witches and straight up scantally clad women! Man Chico chicks don't mess around!!

Anyhow got the driver's beam painted up before I went out tonight, I'm stoked. Gotta work tomorrow unfortunately so probly not much fabbing gonna go on. Hope y'all like the pic. Can't WAIT until they go on the truck!!

 

[colindo94]

Haha. I just got home from chico. It was a great night. I love Halloween!

 

[Josh S.]

Happy times!

 

[R.J.]

well if you do decide you want to fab some for me, let me know how much for the same thing you have.


but wow looking really good!

no i don't think you'll be cracking these haha

 

[Josh S.]

Thanks for the nice words RJ. I could probly fab you up a set, I would have to cut and sleeve the passenger side axleshaft too which would add to the cost. I'll shoot ya a PM tomorrow or something. Too damn tired to think right now. Its 345am and I just worked 13 hours straight on actual work stuff that pays the bills lol...Gotta love procrastinating all weekend and working on the truck instead!!

 

[R.J.]

tough stuff!

 

[Josh S.]

If anybody wants to buy some coils and/or coil buckets for a smokin deal check here...
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1763595&posted=1#post1763595

Help me out! Do it for your country!

 

[badge49]

Dude, welcome back from your summer! Where are you these days? I'm doin' some Rebel Fab work in a couple months and may need some help.

 

[Josh S.]

Thanks man...I'm over by the Blue Oval side of west sac now. What were you needing help with?

 

[Josh S.]

Got started on the radius brackets last Wednesday before everyone came over for the Halloween party...bushings are for the tranny crossmember. I was gonna fab today but got sucked into working:fire: Tomorrow I will try to get the brackets done and started on the crossmember, depending on tonight's events :smoke::bdrunk:

 

[section525]

Siiick. I think you're paying a shop to do this and you're just taking the pics.

 

[Josh S.]

Thanks man! Wish I was making that kind of money haha...

Got one of the brackets done today and cut and drilled the pieces to make the other one. Took a lil more time than I thought but it came out nicely.

Here is a comparison shot between the old messed up one and the new one. Should hold up this time a little better. I made them a lot bigger too so it should have more room to spread out the load onto the frame. Speaking of frame i have some serious frame straightening to do before these bad boys go on

I still need to throw the tabs on where the tranny crossmember will bolt up but that will come soon. Gotta buy some more metal already!