Betty's "I want to be a mule" progress log thread

[Turdle]

Wow,
There is an insurance adjuster tent in town now, so, Puff sat in it for about an hour while they looked her over. I actually panicked and asked them up front not to total her. Ignore the roof and just get me enough $$ for fixing the hood and I will smile-
No dice, they have to call it all as they see it.

The problem for me is Kansas law states any time a car is declared totaled it now has to have a salvage title, and a large decal has to be placed by a highway patrol officer in plain view of an entering driver. You also have to pay inspection fees and another registration. This requires visiting 2 different counties. The vehicle must be towed to the last inspection, as it is then when the roadworthiness is determined. This is the only actual "inspection" of any vehicle in this state.

Well, I got a much larger, in fact over 4 times what I asked for and the truck is not totalled.
This only proves one thing. I don't know when to keep my mouth shut.

I am told dentless repair will take care of most of, if not all of the damage. They had a little magnetic disc which tested this theory, which indicated they should be able to be repaired in this fashion. If I choose this they will waive the deductable, which is kind of like having a 500.00 credit in the shop, as long as it is in the insurance network.

As for now I will still try to find a color matching hood and see how bad she looks with a newer one.

 

[CDW6212R]

Well good for you. I had dropped my collision for my truck three months before our hail storm. Do you want to trade hoods?

 

[Turdle]

Well good for you. I had dropped my collision for my truck three months before our hail storm. Do you want to trade hoods?

Ha ha--it would be a change of scenery

 

[Happy Jack]

Good news Jon!

 

[crazyflights]

Buy some PDR tools and do it yourself, watch how on You tube. Doesn't look like rocket science.

Glad to see keeping it alive.

 

[Turdle]

Things to come teasers, these have been long in the works waiting for warm weather.

 

[CDW6212R]

Lots of new pieces, is the first bit a bumper, and winch mount maybe.

How many new leaf spring perches are there to choose from, for a stock setup? I like the skid plate made into it, though I don't need that, but mine are both in rough shape.

 

[Turdle]

Lots of new pieces, is the first bit a bumper, and winch mount maybe.

How many new leaf spring perches are there to choose from, for a stock setup? I like the skid plate made into it, though I don't need that, but mine are both in rough shape.

Front winch mount bumper in weld up kit form , from Jamscal
rear bumper, also in weld up form, designed and cut by kert307
Leaf perch skid plates designed and built by Brian1 -upgrade 5/8 u bolts from ruff stuff
front skid plate from RCI

I gotta get busy.

 

[sport97]

Real nice additions. They will look purdy when powdercoated. I can vouch for that RCI plate, although mine is his first design back when he was hand cutting things, and it doesn't have the cut outs in it. It has taken a beating. It has gotten hit hard enough I bent my IFS crossmember but the plate wasn't fazed a bit. Saved my ass a lot.

 

[Turdle]

Um, Mr RCI is powdercoated bright silver. It is hanging in my oven in the picture-lol
U bolt Skid plates are black. Bumpers will be this color, as it matches the lower trim well, but turns shades of black also in low light. It is called, "black lava"

 

[sport97]

Ha, I see that now, I just glanced past thinking it was still raw steel... oops. That color will look awesome on that bumper. Can't wait to see it.

 

[Turdle]

Well, ol gal is kicking my ass--
Rear bumper welded and coated. Kurt, that is one heavy mother--geez boy. I ran all outta wheaties I had to use a square tube inside the receiver area for a lifting point, and 2 helpers to get it hung on a hook. Whoa!! I left it hang in the oven overnight ( oven stress test, or did I fall asleep?)
this was the heaviest part I have hung so far.


I have the front bumper back from the welder, gonna try to grind it smooth today. He's bending a tube for the front, not really a nerf or stinger, just something for the driver to gauge how far the bumper sticks out, and maybe mount lights to. Once it is welded on the bumper will go off to powdercoating.

I think I am going to make a set of shackles with about 1" more distance between holes to help take advantage of the higher shock mount on the u bolt plates and coilover shocks, but I couldn't find enough steel scraps in the garage. Might go on a hunt for this later.

 

[kert0307]

Well, ol gal is kicking my ass--
Rear bumper welded and coated. Kurt, that is one heavy mother--geez boy. I ran all outta wheaties I had to use a square tube inside the receiver area for a lifting point, and 2 helpers to get it hung on a hook. Whoa!! I left it hang in the oven overnight ( oven stress test, or did I fall asleep?)
this was the heaviest part I have hung so far.

Oh come on it's only like 100 lbs... lol

You forget I design Ag and Construction Equipment for my "real job," more weight and heavy duty is usually a good thing

 

[Turdle]

Oh come on it's only like 100 lbs... lol

You forget I design Ag and Construction Equipment for my "real job," more weight and heavy duty is usually a good thing

In and out of the oven while hot, 2 times, was the tricky part.

 

[Turdle]

Not much. Just some cool chairs. My dad had them stashed away from way back, when they purchased their 92 explorer, and then the 99. He wasn't sure which chair(s) came with which truck though.

Thanks Dad!!

Sorry for the lack of updates other things have gotten in the way. Back in a minute.

 

[RyansX]

Not much. Just some cool chairs. My dad had them stashed away from way back, when they purchased their 92 explorer, and then the 99. He wasn't sure which chair(s) came with which truck though.

Thanks Dad!!

Sorry for the lack of updates other things have gotten in the way. Back in a minute.

Dude. Super jealous!

 

[Turdle]

Oh yeah, this is not our only ride now. Sheri scored a 2006 Avalon in excellent condition. Did you know they had reclining seats in back?

 

[Turdle]

Today I made and installed a set of scissor shackles, with mounting holes 1.25"longer , or, further apart, than stock shackles for a little more shackle swing. This, combined with the higher shock mounts on the Brian1 u bolt skid plates, using the monroe coil assist shocks yielded about 1" more lift in back

I'll have pictures when it is all done. Front bumper is back from welder and I should have it all smoothed and coated tomorrow. Wait till you see all the custom work done to it.

 

[Turdle]

Ok, ignore the dusty finger print smears on the finished bumper. I wanted to wait for installed pictures, but also wanted to fill you all in on the progress.

As you can see I have a bit more flap disc work to do on the front bumper.

I am having a local pro do the welding for me from now on, I will powdercoat for him and nobody gets hurt.

Look for Wehlage Iron Works on facebook and check out his pictures. Dusty is so good, I don't even want to fool with it.

 

[CDW6212R]

Those do look heavy, nice work.