The Black Hole

[Scott B.]

I don't know - remember, they use rivets because they are cheaper/easier to install than welding on the assembly line.

I think the rear crossmember on my frame is riveted in multiple places (maybe 12" apart.) My aftermarket trailer hitch is welded on. Even without the hitch, the rear crossmember stiffens the frame (does not allow flex) due to the 12" span. I don't know that you have as much frame length - that's why I think welding in a brace might be the better option.

In reality, either solution will probably work just fine - I usually over-analyze and over-build (sometimes, it is really bad habit!)

 

[dkchrist]

the more you put in the less the flex. I would think welding in a brace would be fine. it may crack overtime but it should take quite a while. Welds do in fact flex better than the material right next to them or the HAZ (Heat Affected Zone).

 

[corkey]

i bet the little bit of movement you got when pulling it with the come along might have ben on account of the body lift bolts allowing it to move.
At one time you were talking about putting you hitch back on , but it needed to get modified for the body lift, maybe that would be a better way of holding the frame in the correct position, get the hitch altered and than install that in the back, behind the bumper,,

 

[gmanpaint]

Got my running gears back!

Turns out it was the T-case shifter not going 100% to the 2H position. I simply adjusted the hiems on the shifter to line it up correctly. It was off by a 3/8" or so. That's a relief! Now it can attempt to make the 180 mile trek for the M50D-R1 swap on its own power!

 

[Glen4X4]

Awesome! I never considered the case not going completely into gear.

 

[gmanpaint]

Nothing EX-citing to post this weekend

Managed to rewire the rear roof lights independently, and found an Amber duck bill paddle switch for the fogs. Both are working in the "Bond, Jame's Bond" mod.
It's all filled up now, no more room for anything else.

Been acquiring parts for the next couple of MOD's. I have a bunch of work coming up here in the next few weeks on it. I'm stoked about whats coming next!

 

[gmanpaint]

Here is the ravine/ditch wall that thrashed the rear end. Went up forwards, got stuck on the top lip, so tried it backwards and stabbed the throttle at the bottom. Shackles slammed first, causing the frame rails to bend. If they were not there, this wouldn't have happened.

The thin plastic part of the bumper came off, didn't break really, just a tab bent up on it, it went right back in.

 

[crazyflights]

My bad for pointing you in places you shouldn't go...

U may not want to follow me.

 

[Sbyrne97]

well it looks awesome...hope that lightens your mind...haha and looks like a fun trail(s)...

 

[gmanpaint]

My bad for pointing you in places you shouldn't go...

U may not want to follow me.

Uh, Yeah, you might be right! :

 

[techieman33]

Uh, Yeah, you might be right! :

You hadn't figured that out when he tried to climb on that rock last year at smorr?

 

[gmanpaint]

well it looks awesome...hope that lightens your mind...haha and looks like a fun trail(s)...

Thanks for the props. My mind is still reeling from this trying to figure out when it will be fixed & how much its going to cost to fix.

You hadn't figured that out when he tried to climb on that rock last year at smorr?

Eric, he has mellowed on what he attempts with this rig compared to what he used to do with his other beasts.

This was really the first obstacle that I had trouble with following Brad in his new rig. His front locker pulled him over to where my open front failed. That is going to change in the near future though

 

[crazyflights]

Yea, they are pretty good match other than your missing front locker and little longer. Everything we did at Smorr you did fine. The spot on our farm you woulda been fine with stock shackles, silly lift shackles they gain height but drag easy, remember when mine hung me up at Moab in my EX!!! wouldnt have happened with stockers. My advised for serious trail wheelers, dont use lift shackles in the rear.

 

[gmanpaint]

Parts are piling up waiting for install! Woot!

M5OD & all related parts, including a manual ECU, custom full console boot.

QA1 17" shocks polished--Bling Bling!

Eibach silver 750 lb coils--Blingerific!

Still waiting for funds for the front locker But soon, very soon

 

[Glen4X4]

That's awesome, I miss my 5spd explorer and have often thought of converting the 96. So when do you plan on doing the swap?

 

[gmanpaint]

Swap & coil conversion is in less than 2 weeks away!

 

[Elessar65]

Good deal man! Can't wait for a ride in it at SMORR. I'll need to rest my behind in your soft, plush, coilover ride for a while after getting beaten to death in the Ranger, lol.

 

[gmanpaint]

The thought of it being a softer ride really has not crossed my mind much. The thought of getting rid of my T-Bars has many, many times though.

I am looking forward to the extra clearance with out them. The ride quality is just a bonus.

 

[Glen4X4]

Any thought of upgrading to a suspension lift since your swapping to coil overs?

 

[gmanpaint]

If there is a way without SAS and SOA, or drop brackets, then yes....lol

I will most likely change the front fenders to the glass ones, do a minimal SOA, and fit 35" mudders on it eventually. This wont be till a year or so down the road though.

I have a 1st gen that will get all the crazy wheeling stuff, like SAS, SOA, big mud boggers, etc...