Small Upgrades and Stuff
Ok, so other than the brakes, knuckles, and 5speed, I try to do as much as I can to fix up the little things. I started off with the front grill, trim around the headlights, mirrors, and side vents. I taped off the chrome and bead blasted everything. Then hit the plastic surfaces with some adhesion promoter, and finished with some satin black paint.
Mirror after re-paint
Grill taped and ready for paint and blast
After the repaint, I fixed the rear windshield wiper. It wasnt engaging when the switch was flipped so I followed the wire back from the motor until I found it split back up where it hinges between the hatchback and enters the headliner. I cut the wire and added about four inches of heavier gauge wire to sustain the wear of the closing door. Now the wiper works perfect.
Then the other day I got pulled over because my rear license plate lights were out. I checked the bulbs and fuses and they both looked fine. I had to open up the tail gate and chase the wires from the bulbs back to where they connect with the trailer wire's. Before I got there, I found the problem. Just like the wiper wires, the wire had been broken right at the junction between the tailgate and body. So just like the previous problem, I cut it, beefed up the gauge between the gate and body, and called it a day. Lights work great now and we're moving on to protection!
Right now Im working on designing some sliders and bumpers. I want to fine tune my rear bumper design and add dual swing outs, shackles, a beefier mounting system, and a nicer looking design. The last bumper was a great first run but it needs some improvement. Ill probably put the old one on my dads 60 or sell it.
As to the front bumper, I think I found a killer deal. A guy I know got in a wreck and messed up his ARB bumper. He Tboned the other car at an angle so he only messed up the left wing of the bumper and bent in his fender. Since his truck is covered by insurance and he's getting a new bumper anyway, Im looking to buy or trade for his old one. If I get it, Ill chop off the right and left wings, the tube/bar bart, and go from there. What Im really looking for is the winch tray, and chassis mounts. Because those are all connected and perfectly fit, it would take out about 80% of the design and fab work. Once I have the center 40% of the bumper, I can design my own left and right wings, and any top bar system I want. I think this would be a killer way to go and very inexpensive, yet high quality. Most bumper builds go to hell when the load bearing parts arent plum or well constructed. If I got the bent one, most of the work is done and I have a solid base to start from. Fingers crossed.
