MOPWR Build
- Thread starter Mitch502
- Start date
Mitch502
Explorer
Well, finished up the bumper tonight. going to make a picture heavy post to show off my friend's welding. He says the welds for the most part look bad, but I think they're pretty awesome.
Got shackle mounts in the mail. 3/4" off e-bay
Have paint now. Gloss black with clearcoat as well
Bumper fits the body line nicely
Fits with the rest of the body well
Making the first pass on the shackle mounts
After the final pass
After some initial grinding
still have some more that should be done Weds.
Also had the transfer case seal that was leaking. It was leaking something terrible. Seemed to be getting worse and worse. Within 15 minutes of being somewhere there would be a 12"x12" soaking wet spot...it was super easy, took all of 20 minutes to do.
Out with the old
In with the new
On the way to do the seal, while moving at about 75MPH, I started to get a real bad vibration from the front, mostly on the left side. I figured the front driveshaft finally went out, since it was still the CV style. Here's what I found when I pulled it...
Left the front DS out so that I could go to the junkyard today (which I did) and find me a u-joint style (which I hope to get on Friday). I took off down the road, and the vibration was even worse. Immediately turned around and pulled back into the driveway to find this...
2 broken studs and 3 super loose lug nuts. I can't say for sure what the cause was, but I'll leave it with I wasn't the last person to have the wheels off. Luckily, I just bought those wheel bearings, and I was able to exchange the whole hub assembly. I didn't feel safe driving on that hub after such bad vibrations going through it for so long.
It took about 20 minutes to swap out, and get it taken care of. A potentially terrible situation that I was lucky enough to avoid.
On another note, I bought a Badland 12,000lb winch, wireless remote, and fog lights. Hooked up the winch just to make sure it worked.
Grade 8 Hardware for the bumper
Winch mounts set and welded in. Final grinding taking place tomorrow hopefully (Weds)
While I was at the JY today getting the front Driveshaft I came across this 'beaut'
Got shackle mounts in the mail. 3/4" off e-bay
Have paint now. Gloss black with clearcoat as well
Bumper fits the body line nicely
Fits with the rest of the body well
Making the first pass on the shackle mounts
After the final pass
After some initial grinding
still have some more that should be done Weds.
Also had the transfer case seal that was leaking. It was leaking something terrible. Seemed to be getting worse and worse. Within 15 minutes of being somewhere there would be a 12"x12" soaking wet spot...it was super easy, took all of 20 minutes to do.
Out with the old
In with the new
On the way to do the seal, while moving at about 75MPH, I started to get a real bad vibration from the front, mostly on the left side. I figured the front driveshaft finally went out, since it was still the CV style. Here's what I found when I pulled it...
Left the front DS out so that I could go to the junkyard today (which I did) and find me a u-joint style (which I hope to get on Friday). I took off down the road, and the vibration was even worse. Immediately turned around and pulled back into the driveway to find this...
2 broken studs and 3 super loose lug nuts. I can't say for sure what the cause was, but I'll leave it with I wasn't the last person to have the wheels off. Luckily, I just bought those wheel bearings, and I was able to exchange the whole hub assembly. I didn't feel safe driving on that hub after such bad vibrations going through it for so long.
It took about 20 minutes to swap out, and get it taken care of. A potentially terrible situation that I was lucky enough to avoid.
On another note, I bought a Badland 12,000lb winch, wireless remote, and fog lights. Hooked up the winch just to make sure it worked.
Grade 8 Hardware for the bumper
Winch mounts set and welded in. Final grinding taking place tomorrow hopefully (Weds)
While I was at the JY today getting the front Driveshaft I came across this 'beaut'
Mitch502
Explorer
Got some more work done on the bumper...
Welds nice and neat....kinda....
First round of primer.
One with my helper...
Had to go somewhere with it on.
Friend who welded it for me saw where I did my grinding. He said he could make them look a little nicer.
Nice clean edges now
Before, the mounts for the winch were very sharp.
So rounded out they look nicer and don't catch your arm when you're working around it so much (already scratched myself once)
Looks so good, it almost looks fake, :wings:
With rain in the forecast for the next couple night/days, I wanted to make sure that it was protected. I had yet to paint in the winch mount area at all. So, I figured I should give it a quick coat of primer.
While I was picking up the winch, I also snagged a solar rope light. I figured that sleeping in the back of the ZJ will be easy enough, but the lighting would be an issue in the dark. I didn't want to have to turn on the dome light every time we needed to see something. These rope lights are solar, $10 on sale, and are pretty bright. I plan on running it to a on/off switch (should be easy enough) and snaking it through the rear hatch and around the cargo area. The solar panel is short/small enough that it is hidden behind one of the roof easily.
http://www.harborfreight.com/Solar-...zIjoiOS45OSIsInByb2R1Y3RfaWQi OiI4MDE5In0=
Here it is after sitting in the sun for about a day.
Should provide a soft lighting that won't blind us in the middle of the night, and also won't allow others to see inside so easily...
Welds nice and neat....kinda....
First round of primer.
One with my helper...
Had to go somewhere with it on.
Friend who welded it for me saw where I did my grinding. He said he could make them look a little nicer.
Nice clean edges now
Before, the mounts for the winch were very sharp.
So rounded out they look nicer and don't catch your arm when you're working around it so much (already scratched myself once)
Looks so good, it almost looks fake, :wings:
With rain in the forecast for the next couple night/days, I wanted to make sure that it was protected. I had yet to paint in the winch mount area at all. So, I figured I should give it a quick coat of primer.
While I was picking up the winch, I also snagged a solar rope light. I figured that sleeping in the back of the ZJ will be easy enough, but the lighting would be an issue in the dark. I didn't want to have to turn on the dome light every time we needed to see something. These rope lights are solar, $10 on sale, and are pretty bright. I plan on running it to a on/off switch (should be easy enough) and snaking it through the rear hatch and around the cargo area. The solar panel is short/small enough that it is hidden behind one of the roof easily.
http://www.harborfreight.com/Solar-...zIjoiOS45OSIsInByb2R1Y3RfaWQi OiI4MDE5In0=
Here it is after sitting in the sun for about a day.
Should provide a soft lighting that won't blind us in the middle of the night, and also won't allow others to see inside so easily...
Little Foot
Crawler/Overlander
Woah that's a cool idea. I may pick some up, do you have a pic of the panel?
And the bumper looks great so far. Did you end up using spray cans or a gun?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
And the bumper looks great so far. Did you end up using spray cans or a gun?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Mitch502
Explorer
I used spray cans for the primer. Cheaper and easier. Pretty much same quality IMHO for something that will never be visible. I don't have a picture of the panel, but it is literally the size of a large egg, if that is an easy description of it.
For the actual paint, I did buy a gallon of Majic tractor paint, and a quart of clear. However, after looking around, I may return the paint and go a different route. Total cost of a gallon of Majic, quart of Majic Clear, and the hardener/activator, and paint thinner (to clean the pant gun after) is ~$90. The Duplicolor wheel paint in Graphite looks like it might be super close paint match to the 5.9 Deep Slate.
Here is a quick comparison. Paint on the ZJ is super dirty here, so I'm thinking it might work out better.
Would you think "closely paint matched" would look better than solid black? My thinking is no matter what I use it going to get beat up/scratched/messed up. This stuff is in a spray can and can easily be touched up, for a definite paint match.
https://www.google.com/search?q=dup...HxggTb7oDoBg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg&biw=1280&bih=953
For the actual paint, I did buy a gallon of Majic tractor paint, and a quart of clear. However, after looking around, I may return the paint and go a different route. Total cost of a gallon of Majic, quart of Majic Clear, and the hardener/activator, and paint thinner (to clean the pant gun after) is ~$90. The Duplicolor wheel paint in Graphite looks like it might be super close paint match to the 5.9 Deep Slate.
Here is a quick comparison. Paint on the ZJ is super dirty here, so I'm thinking it might work out better.
Would you think "closely paint matched" would look better than solid black? My thinking is no matter what I use it going to get beat up/scratched/messed up. This stuff is in a spray can and can easily be touched up, for a definite paint match.
https://www.google.com/search?q=dup...HxggTb7oDoBg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg&biw=1280&bih=953
Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
Bumper is looking awesome! Great idea on the solar rope lights. I'd never seen that before. Would be cool to string around an awning as well.
Pretty sweet! :beer:
Pretty sweet! :beer:
mmaattppoo
Adventurer
Excellent thread documenting your build Mitch502. I'm very envious of people like you with a garage, welder, and other bits and bobs that one must have if they're going to be serious about wrenching on a Jeep. I suffer along working in the parkade of my apartment...which precludes grinding, welding, painting,... you've tackled several projects that I'm looking to undertake over the next couple of years as my 2010 JKU starts to wear out suspension and drive line parts.
I particularly like the dash frame and bumper mods. Very nice.
I particularly like the dash frame and bumper mods. Very nice.
Mitch502
Explorer
After thinking it over for awhile, I'm going to return the tractor paint. I went with Graphite Wheel Paint and Clear Coat from a spray can. I figure it will be similarly as strong, as well as be easier to touch up. Additionally, it is almost a paint match to the 5.9L Deep Slate color.
First coat
Touch up from cutting the bumper mounts out
After about the third coat of graphite, this was the look
The sky was blue and all nice white fluffy clouds....
Yet it still managed to rain on the paint, luckily this paint dries to the touch super fast. (10 mins or so) and I was about to put on another coat, so I was literally able to wipe off the rain and move the bumper into the garage to finish it up.
After roughly the last (~6th or so) coat of graphite
Starting with clear coat
Bumper is super glossy
Unfortunately, the paint streaked some. I guess I was holding the can too close? Anyway, it looks pretty good. I'm happy with it for now. I MAY (it will be awhile) sand it down, use some filler and make it super smooth and repaint it. I'll report back on the bumper after driving it for awhile.
Got my Grade 8 hardware from Tractor Supply
Inside the bumper I sprayed black, it was cheap, and you don't see it, so I pretty much just coated the inside as thick as possible.
Mounting area is still graphite, however.
Even made sure I coated the mounting plate.
I did mount it, but I only have one pic of it on, and it is terrible. I'll be sure to get some tomorrow when I install the front driveshaft.
First coat
Touch up from cutting the bumper mounts out
After about the third coat of graphite, this was the look
The sky was blue and all nice white fluffy clouds....
Yet it still managed to rain on the paint, luckily this paint dries to the touch super fast. (10 mins or so) and I was about to put on another coat, so I was literally able to wipe off the rain and move the bumper into the garage to finish it up.
After roughly the last (~6th or so) coat of graphite
Starting with clear coat
Bumper is super glossy
Unfortunately, the paint streaked some. I guess I was holding the can too close? Anyway, it looks pretty good. I'm happy with it for now. I MAY (it will be awhile) sand it down, use some filler and make it super smooth and repaint it. I'll report back on the bumper after driving it for awhile.
Got my Grade 8 hardware from Tractor Supply
Inside the bumper I sprayed black, it was cheap, and you don't see it, so I pretty much just coated the inside as thick as possible.
Mounting area is still graphite, however.
Even made sure I coated the mounting plate.
I did mount it, but I only have one pic of it on, and it is terrible. I'll be sure to get some tomorrow when I install the front driveshaft.
Mitch502
Explorer
Some were asking about the solar light. I temporarily mounted it today, just to see how it goes. I worth 3rd shift, so I am not able to test it (It's activated by darkness when turned on). Here are the pics for size and how it's mounted until I can run the line better, put it on a switch, and find a way to snake it through the interior.
From the top
Light running into the back
Tucked away for now
This is all you can see when you're standing next to it. Really, I was holding the camera up higher than my head (6'), so you see even less from the ground.
From the top
Light running into the back
Tucked away for now
This is all you can see when you're standing next to it. Really, I was holding the camera up higher than my head (6'), so you see even less from the ground.
Mitch502
Explorer
I'm rubbing the front LCA and the rear shocks/springs so I"m going to have to run spacers to keep the stock wheels. Not my ideal solution, but it seems like alot of people have ran spacers for along time without any issues. 2" seems like a lot. I'm going to remeasure before I order them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Jeep-Whee...s-TJ-YJ-XJ-KJ-KK-ZJ-MJ-Models-2-/111641492214
They come with a lifetime warranty, so I would hope they stand behind their product.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Jeep-Whee...s-TJ-YJ-XJ-KJ-KK-ZJ-MJ-Models-2-/111641492214
They come with a lifetime warranty, so I would hope they stand behind their product.
Mitch502
Explorer
I forgot about my CL find. A guy was selling 5 20# CO2 aluminum tanks for $75 each. I asked how much for all 5, and he told me $250. I told him I would get back with him later. He emailed me about a week later and said he was $140 short on rent, and would take $140 for all 5. I gave one to the guy who did the welding on the bumper. The other 4 I still have. Going to use one of them for OBA for me. I think I'll like it better than using a compressor and having a tank/etc.
Excuse the messy garage
Excuse the messy garage
