Refreshing the TJ - Build Thread
- Thread starter GP'd
- Start date
Yuman Desert Rat
Expedition Leader
GP'd great build thread. Can't wait to see the finished product. I, too am in need of a tummy tuck skid. I like your idea.
RugerTrailer
The Trailer Guy
Thanks. Ya I'm trying to keep it looking very simple and clean.
I went with 1/4" steel and I'd recommend aluminum. I would get alum if I were to do it again...it was very tough mounting by myself.
Thank you! I can't wait to see the finished product either; kinda getting tired of seeing it in the driveway and not on the road/trail. I'll keep everyone posted on the progress of the skid.
Thanks for the input. Time for one of those build vs buy mental debates.
Soon Matt, soon!
The Golen on the other hand is a bit far out right now unless you can donate one to me!
Liner Update
A couple weekends ago I started applying Al's liner with very bad results. I mixed one quart and began hitting all the tight areas with a paint brush, then attempted to use a roller on the larger areas. The Dupicolor roller sucked for this and I ended up using a 4" wide chip brush for the application. Frustrated with the first pass that was very streaky and inconsistent I, like an idiot, mixed another batch (after the first had dried) and repeated my mistake. The result was the same, crap. The working time window with this stuff is about 10-15 minutes at 70º, and very difficult to lay on consistently with a brush or roller during the quick change of viscosity.
With a 1/2 gallon left, and repetition of the results with my previous method guaranteed, I ordered Al's Liner Spray gun which showed up yesterday. Problem solved. I mixed another quart last night, threw it in the spray gun and had professional looking results in 5 minutes. Incredibly even and consistent spray and layout, I could not be happier. Now to mix up another quart some time this week or weekend and finish the tub. I'll post pictures when it is light out.
I guess that's what you get for being cheap and trying to half *** a job. Glad the Al's Spray Gun solved the issues, that looming frustration of a poorly done job was starting to get to me.
A couple weekends ago I started applying Al's liner with very bad results. I mixed one quart and began hitting all the tight areas with a paint brush, then attempted to use a roller on the larger areas. The Dupicolor roller sucked for this and I ended up using a 4" wide chip brush for the application. Frustrated with the first pass that was very streaky and inconsistent I, like an idiot, mixed another batch (after the first had dried) and repeated my mistake. The result was the same, crap. The working time window with this stuff is about 10-15 minutes at 70º, and very difficult to lay on consistently with a brush or roller during the quick change of viscosity.
With a 1/2 gallon left, and repetition of the results with my previous method guaranteed, I ordered Al's Liner Spray gun which showed up yesterday. Problem solved. I mixed another quart last night, threw it in the spray gun and had professional looking results in 5 minutes. Incredibly even and consistent spray and layout, I could not be happier. Now to mix up another quart some time this week or weekend and finish the tub. I'll post pictures when it is light out.
I guess that's what you get for being cheap and trying to half *** a job. Glad the Al's Spray Gun solved the issues, that looming frustration of a poorly done job was starting to get to me.
Finished Spray Results.
Did another two quarts of spray at ~43 psi with a very short throw on the gun. I'm very pleased with the results, granted there were hiccups over the past couple weeks and a few today.
Incase someone questions weither a DIY spray on liner can color match :
Passenger Side :
The liner is still setting so the color came out a bit light in the photos. In this shot you can see the driver side is a bit 'yellower' than the passenger side on the floor board. Until the fog rolled in, the passenger side had direct sun causing it to cure faster and set the color.
On the few minor spots where you can see faint hints of the H&R peeking through the green, mainly where the clunky spray gun couldn't reach, Dupicolor Perfect Match rattlecan solved the problem.
Did another two quarts of spray at ~43 psi with a very short throw on the gun. I'm very pleased with the results, granted there were hiccups over the past couple weeks and a few today.
Incase someone questions weither a DIY spray on liner can color match :
Passenger Side :
The liner is still setting so the color came out a bit light in the photos. In this shot you can see the driver side is a bit 'yellower' than the passenger side on the floor board. Until the fog rolled in, the passenger side had direct sun causing it to cure faster and set the color.
On the few minor spots where you can see faint hints of the H&R peeking through the green, mainly where the clunky spray gun couldn't reach, Dupicolor Perfect Match rattlecan solved the problem.
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Well...
On Saturday I was letting the jeep run like I do every couple weekends while it sit in the driveway and.... following a large POP and cloud of white smoke this is what my driveway looks like...
... and the culprit ...
I don't know what the hell happened. Apparently when I bought the Jeep it had a new radiator at 55k, but this is pretty intense. Either the tank has been cracked for a while and I just haven't noticed, or one of the other components (thermostat/cap) failed and built up pressure causing it blow. Picking up the parts this week and will tear it apart and find the problem when I pull the fenders for the AEV install. I guess I can be glad it happened in my driveway.
Meanwhile on the productive side, I finished the final tube welding on the cage tonight before running out of argon. One more night of welding taco gussets in and the cage is ready for paint and to be dropped back into the jeep. This picture clearly illustrates the limitations of having a 1 car garage and too many piles of parts taking up space (mainly AEV fenders). I guess you made do with what you have.
Goals for the week/weekend :
Finish welding taco gussets
Make Winters shifters/transfercase shifter bracket
Prime and paint cage
Put cage in Jeep
Cut AEV fenders for boat sides
Replace Radiator
Replace Thermostat/Housing & Radiator Cap
Prep garage for painting the fenders over the next week...etc...
Really ready to drive this thing.
On Saturday I was letting the jeep run like I do every couple weekends while it sit in the driveway and.... following a large POP and cloud of white smoke this is what my driveway looks like...
... and the culprit ...
I don't know what the hell happened. Apparently when I bought the Jeep it had a new radiator at 55k, but this is pretty intense. Either the tank has been cracked for a while and I just haven't noticed, or one of the other components (thermostat/cap) failed and built up pressure causing it blow. Picking up the parts this week and will tear it apart and find the problem when I pull the fenders for the AEV install. I guess I can be glad it happened in my driveway.
Meanwhile on the productive side, I finished the final tube welding on the cage tonight before running out of argon. One more night of welding taco gussets in and the cage is ready for paint and to be dropped back into the jeep. This picture clearly illustrates the limitations of having a 1 car garage and too many piles of parts taking up space (mainly AEV fenders). I guess you made do with what you have.
Goals for the week/weekend :
Finish welding taco gussets
Make Winters shifters/transfercase shifter bracket
Prime and paint cage
Put cage in Jeep
Cut AEV fenders for boat sides
Replace Radiator
Replace Thermostat/Housing & Radiator Cap
Prep garage for painting the fenders over the next week...etc...
Really ready to drive this thing.
MattScott
Approved Vendor
'Nuff said.
RugerTrailer
The Trailer Guy
Big bummer on the radiator...but like you said better in your driveway than out in the desert.
New CSF all metal radiator will be here tomorrow. Guess I have another project for the weekend.
Some cage progress...TACOS!
I have 2 more to weld in, and need to fabricate a new bracket for the Winters shifter. Then cage paint! Excuse the garage mess.
TIG welding all of these angles and facets is kicking my ***. Wish I could keep it more consistent, but my skill is the limiting factor...
Another note, these gussets are the .090" ones from AA Manufacturing which stuck up a bit above the tube line causing very scalloped welds. I guess I could've used more filler road, but I think they'll do.
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Welding Finished!
Primer Finished!
Paint...well...almost finished! Currently on 6 cans of 8oz Dupicolor Perfect Match. Likely need another two to cover all the primer peaking out. Who knew the cage was going to take this much paint?
It's amazing how much closer you feel to something being done once it's painted. I feel like I'm done once I'm finished painting, but still have the frame tie ins, shifter mount and install, painting fenders and boatsides; at least for this stage.
Primer
Primer (Midway through, still some bare spots)
Primer Finished!
Paint...well...almost finished! Currently on 6 cans of 8oz Dupicolor Perfect Match. Likely need another two to cover all the primer peaking out. Who knew the cage was going to take this much paint?
It's amazing how much closer you feel to something being done once it's painted. I feel like I'm done once I'm finished painting, but still have the frame tie ins, shifter mount and install, painting fenders and boatsides; at least for this stage.
Primer
Primer (Midway through, still some bare spots)
