The Black Hole

[gmanpaint]

Storm passed, sun came out, and began melting the snow. Good day to get busy outside on the rig.

Got a beat up used tube bumper a while back, and decided I can make it work with a little tweaking. Had to run some new welds here & there, make some mounting brackets, grind it clean, and paint it.

This is just temporary and there is more to add to it, and change up a bit in the future. For now, it should work just fine.


Getting the brackets on.

Shop supervisor.

Painted.

Installed.

 

[gmanpaint]

So with this bumper, there really wasn't a place to mount a plate. I really didn't want to attach it to the back hatch either as eventually this will get a swing out tire carrier with a spare fuel can.

So as was posted earlier, the plate mount was made to be removable when not needed, and I wanted it easy to do so. Here is what I came up with.

1/8" plate cut to size of a tag, plus tabs for lights. Used the tow strap hitch mount, cut off the tabs, and ground it clean.

Welded the two together and made it offset so it don't sit too much lower than the bumper.

Primed it.

Painted it.

Wired the lights using one half of a trailer light harness, and installed it. Still need to cut down the bolts on the backside a bit.

The bumper itself will get a 1/4" plate added to the top to be used for a step, and to install the swing out hardware to.

Not really a major job, but took most of the day. Brackets (1/4" channel) were the hardest part to make, as coming up with a set up for a bumper that can tow, and have a 3" body lift that still looks okay, was a mind melt at times. Once the decking plate goes on, it will look a bunch better as it will fit nice and snug directly under the hatch flap just like the stock bumper did.

 

[lynchy wa]

Bumper and plate holder and your bluey shop supervisor are all awesome mate! Seriously sweet!

 

[gmanpaint]

Thank you Greg. I was silently proud of how that plate mount turned out. Turning some transparent ideas into a tangible entity, is a great feeling for me.

The shop super is a friends beloved. Super smart, and as loyal as they come.

I tried talking Aussie to him, and I think he understood me better.

 

[lynchy wa]

hahahahahaha

 

[gmanpaint]

The unthinkable has happened again.

Brake peddle went to the floor again

Another new A1-Cardone master cylinder bypassed.

Thanks to Blueka, a stock Motorcraft Master is on it's way.

I have 2 new rear calipers to install today. Thinking the rears are part of the problem. After these goes on, the only parts not replaced will be the power booster, & the stock lines on the frame rails.

What a hot mess!

 

[gmanpaint]

Decided to install all new calipers all the way around. Front prograde extended lines were also installed.

Just waiting on that Master Cylinder, to finish it all up and bleed these puppies.

 

[lynchy wa]

Glad its getting sorted mate. The need to stop can be underrated

 

[sport97]

ehhh brakes are overrated!

Back in middle school I had a go kart without brakes. If I wanted to stop I drove into something or turned really hard and spun it out, it added a pretty interesting dynamic to driving it haha.

On a serious note, hopefully that fixes your issue, I have a fear of losing my brakes. My brakes SUCK big time. No idea what the issue is, I even had them checked out and they found nothing.

 

[gmanpaint]

LOL!

Rocks & trees are the only thing this rig will be hitting. Hopefully not too many either.

 

[gmanpaint]

Never ever had such issues with brakes in my entire life!

Brand new calipers right. Bleeder on one of the fronts must have been drove in with an impact gun. It was frozen in there so well, that a torch and a monkey wrench was the only way to turn it.

Needless to say that new bleeder didn't survive the operation. Meh..serves it right!

So in the ordeal to remove it, the rubber on the new line got sliced by the wrench.

I was so close to taking a 4' steel prybar and using it to remove my anger on the rig.

This thing is possessed!

 

[lynchy wa]

F***!!!!:thumbdwn: Time to cut a hole in the floor and use your feet

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Agreed, Fred Flintstone Style!

 

[gmanpaint]

Yeah, this rig must have over heard the plans for this weekend and decided it wasn't going. The rig needed to take a short ride to get some more welding done on the rear bumper today.

The master cylinder has not arrived yet. Getting the brakes bled and good enough to travel was needed.

After the caliper debacle was over, the bleeding was done with engine off, and got a firm pedal that was at the top of the stroke.

Fired it up and had a soft pedal. :scratch:

Closed up shop, and Welding was cancelled.

Just have to wait for that Master to arrive and bleed it again when it's installed. Bleeding will be done with the engine running next time.

 

[turboexplorer]

Man you have had some rotten luck with that rigs braking system. Hope that master does the trick!

 

[gmanpaint]

So the Master cyl arrived yesterday afternoon. Thanks again Blueka

A bench bleed, install, and full system bleed to do today.

Asking all of you to cross your fingers, pray to your God, do a ceremonial sacrifice, throw salt over your shoulder, etc... This just has to work!!!

 

[lynchy wa]

I just threw a virgin into a volcano for you, No, its OK, no need to thank me mate

 

[gmanpaint]

I just threw a virgin into a volcano for you, No, its OK, no need to thank me mate

Bwhaha!

Thanks are in order for such a tribute!

 

[GRNMACHINE]

Flashlight in hand, I am slowly lowering myself into said volcano...

Oh, and my fingers are crossed for you Gman!

 

[gmanpaint]

Flashlight in hand, I am slowly lowering myself into said volcano...

Oh, and my fingers are crossed for you Gman!

Thank you, uh...thank you very much..uh....now where is my PB&J with banana :scratch:


Been put together since last weekend, just been waiting on help to bleed them.

My helper to bleed the brakes will be here this weekend. Will find out if the newer master solves this agonizing unbelievable, can't be happening to me, WTF, ordeal is resolved or not.