Loki's 416 build (finally)

[loki646]

Loki I was going to stop by and see what progress you have made. Mine is at Dave the Painters getting matched to the 4Runner and the rear wall replaced and made into a fold down tail gate. I don't know if I'll get around to getting a new axle or not but time will tell. Then a black canvas top will be made and perhaps then I will need you help fabbing up some bolt on mounts for a roof tent support structure. And as far as polishing a turd my friend you may be a turd polishing millionaire.

Aaron

Well you wouldn't see much...lol...I brought everything back to my place 2 wks ago to work on it at my leisure....Driving out to the shop one day a week wasn't going to get this thing done. I'm not sure if I'll have a top finished in time or if I'll just run a canvas top for the trip and then finish the hardtop when we get back. I still have all the electrical, propane, and plumbing yet to work out.

Oh and don't be fooled, that's only the outside that looks that good, the inner fender was coated with a rubberized finish by one owner and then painted over by another and using a wire wheel only heats it and smears it. I may have to just do my best to smooth it out and re-coat it with something of the same rubberized finish. My big issue is how its going to react to being heated during the welding of the extension plates.....the extinguisher won't be too far away that's for sure...:yikes:

Just let me know what and when you want to do your rack mounts and I'm sure we can work something up that will serve your needs. Compensate my services with a good RTT discount...********

Tight Wad,
I doubt I will need the spacers as the axle I'm having built won't have any brakes, therefore no big drums to be an issue and I asked them to extend the overall axle length by 2" to help compensate for wider tires. The spacer would only be an alternative to machining the actual wheel due to center hub diameter

 

[xcmountain80]

Try some chemical stripper, ask Sherman Williams what they might recommend.

A

 

[Tight_wad]

I have been using chemical stripper for Napa. It is klean strip and is called Aircraft paint stripper. This stuff works great for paint and undercoating!

 

[Expedition Key]

Well you wouldn't see much...lol...I brought everything back to my place 2 wks ago to work on it at my leisure....Driving out to the shop one day a week wasn't going to get this thing done. I'm not sure if I'll have a top finished in time or if I'll just run a canvas top for the trip and then finish the hardtop when we get back. I still have all the electrical, propane, and plumbing yet to work out.

Oh and don't be fooled, that's only the outside that looks that good, the inner fender was coated with a rubberized finish by one owner and then painted over by another and using a wire wheel only heats it and smears it. I may have to just do my best to smooth it out and re-coat it with something of the same rubberized finish. My big issue is how its going to react to being heated during the welding of the extension plates.....the extinguisher won't be too far away that's for sure...:yikes:

Just let me know what and when you want to do your rack mounts and I'm sure we can work something up that will serve your needs. Compensate my services with a good RTT discount...********

Tight Wad,
I doubt I will need the spacers as the axle I'm having built won't have any brakes, therefore no big drums to be an issue and I asked them to extend the overall axle length by 2" to help compensate for wider tires. The spacer would only be an alternative to machining the actual wheel due to center hub diameter

A torch, a respirator, and a putty knife will do the trick just don't get the hot goo on you

 

[xcmountain80]

Both good ideas and highly recommended, you want that gunk off there so you can address any rust now in the rebuild phase and not later. You as much as I seem to be building these to last for some years to come.

A

 

[loki646]

A torch, a respirator, and a putty knife will do the trick just don't get the hot goo on you

Yea I thought about that after talking to my supervisor of maintenance here at the plant. He and I both pretty much said the same thing, so it looks like I'll be stopping into HD in the morning to pick up a fresh butane tank for my plumber's torch.

On a happier note...:wings:...I got my axle...:wings:..I got my axle.....

and upon arriving home with it, what do I find on my door step...but these little beauties.....

So being the eternal kid on Christmas morning....I decide to breakout the wrenches and go to town....Only problem is I got just a wee bit ahead of myself when it came to those nice new shackles and I failed to check where that right threaded one was and where it was suppose to end up. Wouldn't you know I had it going into the trailer mount and not into the spring....

Fortunately with a little extra effort I was able to get it back out of the spring, though it was now striped of its outer threads. So I simply picked the best of the old stock and used it.:victory:

Once I got everything lined up I checked with little hope that the U-bolts that came with the new axle would work....Negative Ghost Rider! They were both too short for the 10 layer spring pack and too big in diameter to fit through the original spring plates. Solution: Pep Boys here I come! I picked up their only three and reused the one I was keeping as a sample and will replace it when I get another one.

And here is what it all looks like with the additional 2 inches in axle width. (estimate it will end up around 4-6 inches less than the Jeep's width.)

With the fender(held with magnets)

 

[loki646]

Today was spent mainly finishing the interior welds of the sides to the floor and the remaining side rail.

Then while indulging in my bad habit of enjoying a smoke, I got motivated to pop these puppies on and get them set up for the tail gate that I have been avoiding due to trying to decide if I wanted a drop gate or swing gate.

First I set my marks at a quarter the gate opening and marked for the center of each hinge.

Next I shaved the excess metal and created a "tab" insert out of the Jeep JK hinges that I bought from a Jeep club member.

After creating the slots using a cutting wheel & the grinder, I inserted the "tabs".

I won't actually be welding them in until the tailgate is constructed and set in place as the tabs can still be adjusted to the thickness and final fit of the tailgate. Once that is done, a quick weld and cutting of the excess tab material. Best part, the hinges match the tow vehicle...:victory:

 

[loki646]

Yesterday I finally decided to install the rear 2" receiver. I had previously bought a used hitch kit as was simply going to mount it as both the rear support frame and receiver, however at the last moment I chose not to. So this whole time it has been sitting on the floor in my way.

First step was to separate the beams from the actual receiver. Once that was done, I simply measured to the center of the trailer, made my marks and then proceeded to break out the saw-zaw.

Once that was completed it was as simple as welding it into place, grind to finish, and whaa-la. (will insert pic here when I get back home tonight)

Now tonight's plan is to take the remaining two beam ends and fab up a spare tire mount and start framing a basic temp lid for the whole trailer.

 

[loki646]

The start of the rear tire rack/Hi-lift mount. (shown fully extended at 13" so the tire may end up mounted between upright and the tailgate.)

Looks like the jobsite is going to be rained out today so as soon as I finish some paperwork here in the office, I'm heading home to spend the day working on the temp lid.

 

[loki646]

I'm officially out of tubing so until I get some more 1"square I'm kinda halted on the lid. I did get the tail lights dry fitted. I'm re-using the ones that came with the original since they are already LEDs. I simply hole drilled 4" holes and sandwiched the sheet metal between the lens and the LED housing. This way once I find some 4" rounds I like, its a simple swap out.

Recycling a pair of 150lb gate hinges that I've had hanging up in the garage for the last 3 yrs. I also have a bit of a tech surprise in the works for the lid. I have to display a touch of my geeky side even with the trailer for now just know its something you don't see everyday for these things.

 

[loki646]

Stopped by the steel yard and picked up some 1x2 14 gauge and finished the lid framing.

More recycled pieces...Left over hardware from a Rockhard Sportcage for the old TJ

I tried to blend the triangle end of the hinge with the 1x2 crossbar

Sneak Peek with the lid skinned (w/leftover 16 gauge will probably go with 20 or rivet a sheet of aluminum)

 

[loki646]

I'll fill ya in on what the Man in Brown just dropped off lastnight.

That's right....no simple gas shock lift assist for me....nah I had to let my techno geek side show a bit and with a simple push on a momentary switch, the lid for the trailer will lift automatically with one of these 150lb rated 18 stroke electric actuators.....:victory:.....now this will be mounted on the inside at the head of the trailer while a regular gas shock will balance the tailgate end and serve as a back up in the case of electrical or mechanical failure. I have the day off due to storms coming through the area today so hopefully I'll have a short sample video up later today of it working.

 

[telwyn]

actuator

Talk about raising the bar!

How much did that run you?

 

[achampagne]

Can't wait to see that in action!

 

[xcmountain80]

I forget if you were putting a RTT up there. In our conversation I think you said no. But for those who might consider a RTT and actuator lift, I think you will need (2) actuators.

Aaron