livetoride21
Adventurer
But of course! Glad someone else around here appreciates the fine things in life
She may be showing some age now (2003), but she will still keep up with the new rides
Project "Danger Ranger"
- Thread starter livetoride21
- Start date
But of course! Glad someone else around here appreciates the fine things in life
She may be showing some age now (2003), but she will still keep up with the new rides
livetoride21
Adventurer
Made some good progress today on the front bumper! most likely will be able to have it all tack welded together tomrrow, and maybe some finish welding started.
My cardboard mock up served it's purpose well, showing me what I didn't like that would need to be changed, and what just flat out didn't fit.
As you can see it didn't quite fit right, but at least gave me a starting point.
I started by clamping my pieces to my welding table at the proper width and tack welding in place. they would remain clamped until at least 3 degrees of freedom were tacked in place.
I really didn't want to end up with a warped mess...
I got the main structure in place then had to figure out exactly how things were going to be mounted.
I decided on an I-Beam style mount (almost finished, just going to add a cap piece to add even more rigidity.
That brings us to where I'm at tonight, I couldn't go any further without being able to bolt it up, hence the need for mounts already.
Tomorrow, I'll mount it to the truck, and start making the side pieces and bottom pieces.
things are coming along nicely!
My cardboard mock up served it's purpose well, showing me what I didn't like that would need to be changed, and what just flat out didn't fit.
As you can see it didn't quite fit right, but at least gave me a starting point.
I started by clamping my pieces to my welding table at the proper width and tack welding in place. they would remain clamped until at least 3 degrees of freedom were tacked in place.
I really didn't want to end up with a warped mess...
I got the main structure in place then had to figure out exactly how things were going to be mounted.
I decided on an I-Beam style mount (almost finished, just going to add a cap piece to add even more rigidity.
That brings us to where I'm at tonight, I couldn't go any further without being able to bolt it up, hence the need for mounts already.
Tomorrow, I'll mount it to the truck, and start making the side pieces and bottom pieces.
things are coming along nicely!
livetoride21
Adventurer
Had another big day today, all the front bumper is tacked and ready to be welding (besides a bull bar/hoop)
I'm at the stage where I'm not 100% sure if I like it. I'm thinking it will need to be pushed in about an inch for me to be happy with the look. I'll deal with that tomorrow.
Started with the top edges
Than made carboard mockups for the bottom
Cut out the bottom pieces
Than mocked it all up
Time to finish weld!
I'm at the stage where I'm not 100% sure if I like it. I'm thinking it will need to be pushed in about an inch for me to be happy with the look. I'll deal with that tomorrow.
Started with the top edges
Than made carboard mockups for the bottom
Cut out the bottom pieces
Than mocked it all up
Time to finish weld!
livetoride21
Adventurer
Had another big day today!
First thing this morning I started off by modifying my mounts to push the bumper in about an inch.
I much prefer the look now.
Finish welded and ground everything smooth
Than cut out the holes for my stock fog lamps (plasma cutter works great for this)
And got her into paint
Tomorrow I'll get everything mounted up and ready to roll.
Only thing that's missing is the hoop over my fog lights, as I don't have a tube bender yet.
I'll make this at a later date and either weld it on and repaint the bumper, or make it bolt on.
First thing this morning I started off by modifying my mounts to push the bumper in about an inch.
I much prefer the look now.
Finish welded and ground everything smooth
Than cut out the holes for my stock fog lamps (plasma cutter works great for this)
And got her into paint
Tomorrow I'll get everything mounted up and ready to roll.
Only thing that's missing is the hoop over my fog lights, as I don't have a tube bender yet.
I'll make this at a later date and either weld it on and repaint the bumper, or make it bolt on.
livetoride21
Adventurer
Finally today was the day,
Mounted all my lights to the bumper,
Than mounted it all up as an assembly.
Fits great and I really like the look!
Only minor hookup is I will have-to modify my fog light mounting, as I can't put them 90 degrees because they're mounted on the front.
I'll just haveto make a small angle Iron mount for each to have the bolt vertical.
I'm also still unsure how I want to mount my tow hooks, or if I will just get something different.
I have two of these
sitting on my work bench ready to go on, but I'm thinking I may rather a shackle mounting to the front of the bumper instead.
Either way, no matter where I mount them, they will get 1/4" steel bracing going straight to the frame.
The other thing I still have left to complete, is the bumper hoop, which I will make bolt on after.
I'm still waiting on a tube bender to make it.
Now that my bumpers are done,
I'm going to start making skid plates, front belly pan, transfercase skid, and gas tank skid.
I would also like to make a 1/8" steel differential cover.
We'll get there!
Mounted all my lights to the bumper,
Than mounted it all up as an assembly.
Fits great and I really like the look!
Only minor hookup is I will have-to modify my fog light mounting, as I can't put them 90 degrees because they're mounted on the front.
I'll just haveto make a small angle Iron mount for each to have the bolt vertical.
I'm also still unsure how I want to mount my tow hooks, or if I will just get something different.
I have two of these
sitting on my work bench ready to go on, but I'm thinking I may rather a shackle mounting to the front of the bumper instead.
Either way, no matter where I mount them, they will get 1/4" steel bracing going straight to the frame.
The other thing I still have left to complete, is the bumper hoop, which I will make bolt on after.
I'm still waiting on a tube bender to make it.
Now that my bumpers are done,
I'm going to start making skid plates, front belly pan, transfercase skid, and gas tank skid.
I would also like to make a 1/8" steel differential cover.
We'll get there!
livetoride21
Adventurer
haha well said! I'm hoping I can still keep some momentum after I'm back at work tomorrow.
Still have a lot of projects I want to get completed, both on the truck and around the house.
U.A.V.Nissan
New member
Gosh love the setup have very similar idea for my Nissan.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
XJSuperman
OhIOWAn
Nice work. I need to buckle down and build some bumpers for my Jeep.
livetoride21
Adventurer
I look forward to seeing that!
livetoride21
Adventurer
Thanks! It's been in my head for a while. The only advice I can give is just do it! haha
livetoride21
Adventurer
Had a little bit of time and warmer weather today after work, and fixed up my fog lights.
Made some brackets the other day to mount them at the proper angle and a little bit higher.
Friday I'm hoping to start building my skid plates. and possibly start designing my rock sliders.
I also ordered HID kits for both my headlights and stock fog lights to match the 6000k light from my floods.
livetoride21
Adventurer
Got some more work done last night.
Unfortunately, stock my ranger came with no skid skid plates what so ever. Stock, this is their idea of a skid plate up front
So offroading, I've been VERY careful not to hit anything underneath.
Now was the time to finally make some skid plates . First, I had to decide how they were going to mount.
The only aftermarket skid plate for a ford ranger that I know of from RCI metal works, bolts into the stock frame rails.
I decided to go a little different route, mine bolts into the bumper I made with 3 bolts, and then I made nutted plates that fit into the differential cradle up front.
I scored, bent and tacked all my plate and test fitted
Then Final welded
And cleaned things up
Fortunately there was very little clean up due to welding from the back side.
I also welded it all with my lincoln stick welder, and was very happy with the results.
Then it was on to paint
I used an ashfalt undercoating due to the fact it will be seeing a lot of road spray and abuse.
And in the future I can touch up easily.
Today I'm going to work on transfer case and gas tank skid plates, and install my front skid plate.
Unfortunately, stock my ranger came with no skid skid plates what so ever. Stock, this is their idea of a skid plate up front
So offroading, I've been VERY careful not to hit anything underneath.
Now was the time to finally make some skid plates . First, I had to decide how they were going to mount.
The only aftermarket skid plate for a ford ranger that I know of from RCI metal works, bolts into the stock frame rails.
I decided to go a little different route, mine bolts into the bumper I made with 3 bolts, and then I made nutted plates that fit into the differential cradle up front.
I scored, bent and tacked all my plate and test fitted
Then Final welded
And cleaned things up
Fortunately there was very little clean up due to welding from the back side.
I also welded it all with my lincoln stick welder, and was very happy with the results.
Then it was on to paint
I used an ashfalt undercoating due to the fact it will be seeing a lot of road spray and abuse.
And in the future I can touch up easily.
Today I'm going to work on transfer case and gas tank skid plates, and install my front skid plate.
livetoride21
Adventurer
Got another task accomplished today, transfer-case skid plate is done. Cut, welded, and painted.
Tomorrow the plan is to install it, and my front skid plate. Then start on making my gas tank skid plate.
Don't worry too much about the drips. This is Ashfalt undercoating, so it's pretty much unavoidable.
In other news, I've finally decided to start blogging about this project and other things. I will have many interesting projects coming up so feel free to check it out.
My first video of 2016 is up, and it is a walk around of project "Danger Ranger"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL5sbC1C8Zc&feature=youtu.be
Tomorrow the plan is to install it, and my front skid plate. Then start on making my gas tank skid plate.
Don't worry too much about the drips. This is Ashfalt undercoating, so it's pretty much unavoidable.
In other news, I've finally decided to start blogging about this project and other things. I will have many interesting projects coming up so feel free to check it out.
My first video of 2016 is up, and it is a walk around of project "Danger Ranger"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL5sbC1C8Zc&feature=youtu.be
livetoride21
Adventurer
Today finally got one more thing checked off the list, and almost a second one.
Transfer-case skid plate is finished and bolted in place. got some good protection there now.
Front skid plate is on, but I'm going to work on the mounting, as I had some issues with my mounting method. Going to go back to the original design adding some straps to bolt up into the frame.
The issue I had was that it was near impossible to line up my threaded plates in the front cross-member with their respective bolts.
right now It's just bolted on with 2/5 bolts.
But man does it ever look mean with the front skid plate on!
Next up once that's sorted out will be my gas tank skid plate, then another major project.
Stay tuned!
Transfer-case skid plate is finished and bolted in place. got some good protection there now.
Front skid plate is on, but I'm going to work on the mounting, as I had some issues with my mounting method. Going to go back to the original design adding some straps to bolt up into the frame.
The issue I had was that it was near impossible to line up my threaded plates in the front cross-member with their respective bolts.
right now It's just bolted on with 2/5 bolts.
But man does it ever look mean with the front skid plate on!
Next up once that's sorted out will be my gas tank skid plate, then another major project.
Stay tuned!