M116A2 that can grill a cow... Build !!

[dirtweazle]

Well, dummy me. The 3M product, while good for its intended purpose did not meet my expectations for my purpose. After full cure it was easily scratched off. Sooooooo a paint remover wheel and an entire 85* day later. I removed the frame to get access now knowing what was next.

 

[dirtweazle]

Local vatozone and a bucket of Herculiner later. Easy roll on. Two coats. Remove your edge tape when tacky. You will never get it off at full cure. Fenders are done in flat Khaki and rolled on with fine foam brush. Exactly the type and thickness of finish. Had to scuff up the herculiner shiny so the Valspar anti rust Armor would adhere.

 

[dirtweazle]

Happy day as my front rollup door showed up. Shout out to Dave at 'tape easy dot com'. Got a custom door under two weeks from order during all this Covid cra...errr stuf. All cuts where perfect. Install was a breeze.

 

[dirtweazle]

Started on some of the luggage doors. Already had done the frames. Drilled and pocketed them for hardware. Used same khaki paint. Using 3M VHB tape to adhere all panels. Once you lay this stuff down its not letting go so be prepared. No adjustment of a panel once down.

 

[dirtweazle]

All latches and hinges for big doors will be held with 3/16 SS rivets. (For security piece of mind. Aluminum can drill out in seconds, these Stainless, good luck.) I learned not only are they virtually impossible to pop with a handheld manual gun. The gun does not like it either. 4 down, only about 40 more to go.. Harbor Fright is just down the road and i must say the lower end pneumatic rivet gun is a Chinese Godsend. Did 4 more rivets on second door in 30 seconds.

 

[dirtweazle]

Now its prep doors and easy access panels. Install all their hardware. Get frame back on and install all its accessories, water pump, grill, drawers, electrical panel. Rewire most lights. Gotta get her done. Trip in mid August!!!!

 

[dirtweazle]

Update time!!! Got frame on and installed a few hard to get to hinges and panels. Tank, grill rails, pump drawers are in for the final time.

 

[dirtweazle]

Well. The HF rivet gun worked until it didn't. Total i went through 3 of them. Second lasting 4 rivets. Only had a total of 60 3/16 SS rivets. Guess its not really made for them. The first two failed at the same location. Third is still alive when the job was complete.

 

[dirtweazle]

The triangle and the ramp mounting aft of the fenders where challenging. What I ended up with is using ss angle brackets with the VHB tape. Acitone all pars and scuff the aluminum sheet and they stuck well.

 

[dirtweazle]

Back top luggage doors went in great. Everything clears and i did weather seal all edges with 3M neoprene tape.

 

[dirtweazle]

Most is done. Getting excited but working it every day after work and all weekend for many weeks now is tiring. Goal is in sight, Keep going!!!!!! Working the tailgate finishing here.

 

[dirtweazle]

Im DONE!!!!!! Final part was the upper tailgate section. Rivet gun survived!!! Tailgate is two piece to allow when open the smaller section to fold down further or it would extend past the grill pull out and be a shin splitter.

If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. I have tons more pictures that just didn't make the cut so if anyone wants me to expand on anything I have done i can go into more detail. This was an experience and a half. Learned soooooo much. Wish I could have done this 20 years ago but i just didn't have the experience or know how. To think of having an idea years ago to saying YES i'm going to do this (about three years ago) and just taking the leap and starting it. Staying with the initial design idea and through all the steps and problems that inevitably arise. To finally having what i can say is a completed project that i will enjoy for many years and adventures to come. A big thank you to my friends that helped with ideas, encouragement, monetarily at times, gifts and even the negative naysayers truly helped and pushed me to completion.

Next trip is in two weeks and i will have a report after on any good or bad and some action shots!!

 

[dirtweazle]

Original plans i did 3 years ago the day i bought the M116. I would say I held really damn close.

 

[dirtweazle]

Start to end.

 

[dirtweazle]

Trip to Sequoias.