The Black Hole

[gmanpaint]

Was nice out on a weekend, so I spent a little time on the rig. Had a couple small projects I wanted to get done, and did just that.

1st small project was getting the one pc steel shovel back on the basket. I made some mounts out of 1/8" flat, painted them, and mounted them up. Works great, no slop, nice and tight.

 

[gmanpaint]

2nd small project was to get the side lights mounted and wired up. These match the rear lights. 18W Cree LED, and amazingly bright for what they are.

Mounted.

All 4 lights on, view from the rear.

Flash on to cut the direct glare.

These will work great when camping or on the trails at night when light is needed.

 

[gmanpaint]

The 35" Pro Comps are going up for sale very soon.

Great trail tire, but too aggressive for me on the road. The purpose of this rig is to travel long distances on it's own. A more road friendly tire is on order.

 

[gmanpaint]

Got an email from 4wd supply about the tires. They are on a national back order (again), and are 4-5 weeks out.

I'm going to SMORR the 23-26 this month, and really wanted them installed for this trip. What a drag man.

Oh... If anybody wants to join me out there, the more the merrier. I could use some backup on the trails, and someone to chat with around the campsite.

 

[crazyflights]

I would think about joining, but my explorer won't be ready, RZR is ready.

 

[gmanpaint]

I would think about joining, but my explorer won't be ready, RZR is ready.

I'm mainly going just to get out of the house. Been almost 2 years since I have gone anywhere. I have asked a few others to join me there, but haven't heard back from most yet. If you can swing it, that would be great. Rig or no rig, and the rzr is always a good time there.

Edit:

I just can't seem to catch a break when it comes to something like this. I'm cancelling the Smorr weekend.

Last year's fall meet was rained out, and the same thing happening this weekend. Rain on Thur, all day Fri until Sat morn/afternoon. That means half the park is going to be a flowing river, and 90% of the trails will be impassable for me. That and tent camping in the rains with upper 40's temps isn't for me.

 

[gmanpaint]

And to add to the reason my avatar is what it is.... LOL!

Installed the New 35" MTR/K's using the road forced balance machine for optimum wheel to tire match, then Dynabeads for balance. Only got it up to 60 mph on a short stretch of road, but they ride nice and smooth, with no vibrations. Best part is they are nice and quiet. Objective achieved!

 

[gmanpaint]

Sigh...

Confirmed the rear oil leak is a blown valve cover gasket. The leak is bad enough that it has soaked the Dr side inner Cv joint.

This will make two Intake manifold removal jobs to do now, since Pugly has a leaking lower intake at the rear water jacket.

Anybody want to come by and help knock em both out? I will supply the BBQ stuff and liquids for the day.

 

[gmanpaint]

No takers I see. Fine... More BBQ for me, myself, & I!!

Pugly's intake gasket first, this weekend, and if work/weather allows, then the valve cover/intake gaskets for this rig, the following weekend.

Spoke too soon. Ordered the parts from Rockauto and saved $30, but they wont be here in time for this weekend. LOL!

 

[colintrax]

Just curious, why are you tent camping when you got an explorer?? Too tall to sleep in the back?

 

[gmanpaint]

Just curious, why are you tent camping when you got an explorer?? Too tall to sleep in the back?

Too Much stuff is why!

Between tools, recovery gear, spare parts, coolers, etc.. there is no room for me, and I prefer a nice comfy bed to sleep on.

I have slept on a twin size mattress in the back before, and I didn't like it much. I am tall enough that my head hits the back of the seats/console and my feet hit the cargo door.

 

[colintrax]

Too Much stuff is why!

Between tools, recovery gear, spare parts, coolers, etc.. there is no room for me, and I prefer a nice comfy bed to sleep on.

I have slept on a twin size mattress in the back before, and I didn't like it much. I am tall enough that my head hits the back of the seats/console and my feet hit the cargo door.

Makes sense, I took the back seat out and built a sleeping platform. I dont do tents. I'd rather sleep on an alternator than in a tent

Btw, hows the new tires doing?

 

[gmanpaint]

On this rig, I have no idea on the tires yet. They have 4 miles on them so far. Haha!

I have experience with these MTR's already on a diff rig tho, I'm sure they will be the same.

 

[gmanpaint]

Done did it now!!

I broked it.

 

[Turdle]

Is this going to be a "how many does it take to change a bulb" joke?

 

[gmanpaint]

Is this going to be a "how many does it take to change a bulb" joke?

LOL, no. I was taking it off, to take the grill off when I broke it. Bulbs are fine.

 

[gmanpaint]

So it stopped raining for a day here. After work I decided to get that template for the bumper plate done.

Plan was to add a Jamscal tire swingout to it once the plate was welded on. That's just not going to happen.

After I got the template made, it was obvious that the swingout won't work. Hinge pin location would block the hatch from opening. The edge of the plate needs to be halfway across the Tube bumper to sit flush to weld a bead, so the edge of that plate is only 2.25" away from the hatch. That would push the swingout tube past the edge of the plate, and possibly past the edge of the tube bumper.

I looked to see if I could pull the entire bumper back some to give more surface area on top to accommodate the swingout, but that can't happen with this bumper either. Reason being is the 1/4" C channel mounts are welded on the tube, and there is not enough going along the frame to drill new holes to pull it back as much as needed. I would basically be rebuilding this bumper.

I need to save save save and just get the entire bumper & swingout ($800) from Jamscal in the future.

For now, I am going to go ahead and get the plate bought, cut, and welded on the tube.

Pics got turned after the upload for some reason.

 

[gmanpaint]

A little sumpin sumpin for the rig today. Threw in this cargo mat. Tucked it under the trim best I could. Should be easier to vacuum then the carpet. lol

 

[gmanpaint]

Clearcoat failure on a black paint job is fairly common, and this rig is no exception. I called around to see how much a bodyshop would charge to paint it. Pffffttt!! Um, no thanks. LOL! Time to come up with a cheaper solution.

I messed around last winter and tried to use a Carbon fiber wrap, but failed miserably attempting the install, so I just removed it, and decided to use some Plastidip spray instead. 1st pic below is a sad attempt of installing the vinyl. lol

I got to the 8th coat of gray colored dip, and the can dripped a big glob (tried a new spray tip) in the center, and messed it up bad enough that I would have to peel it all off, and start over. I decided that I will go with the matte black next time around. That day is tomorrow, if it doesn't rain.

I just removed the hood, brought it in the garage, used wide blue painters tape close to the area to be painted. I used 1/4" painters tape to get the clean line with the curve. You have to remove & re-tape every 2 coats and pull it when the dip is wet to retain the clean edge. Tiger stripping is gonna happen some on big surfaces with a rattle can. The spray pattern overlap needs to be about 75% on every pass. This big area really needs an HVLP sprayer and product bought in volume. Oh well, I used what I had at the time, and learned a lot about dip in the process. I will post the final pic when I finish, but for now, here are a few shots.

 

[OffTrac]

How timely. I noticed fading in the back corner of the power dome and was looking at pictures of plastidipped hoods tonight. Can't wait to see your results. I was hoping to do this Tuesday or Thursday this week.