The Trooper/Blazer I call Blooper.
- Thread starter pappawheely
- Start date
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
Working on the sliders. I wanted some kind of an end treatment on the main beams. I decided to notch the end on an angle. I left some material hanging out on the sides.
Then I cut some tubes at the same angle to fit inside.
I'll weld everything up and grind it all smooth. This will leave a rounded end at a 10 degree angle on the beam.
Then I cut some tubes at the same angle to fit inside.
I'll weld everything up and grind it all smooth. This will leave a rounded end at a 10 degree angle on the beam.
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
Typical, I got one end done and ran out of welding gas. It was a lot of grinding.
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
I got both sliders fabricated. Time to cut the body on the other side to match. If the passenger side rocker was not so hammered I could mount them below the rocker panel. It would have saved me hours and hours. I've watched several youtube videos on this mod. I did manage to get my welder dialed in, but everyone has trouble welding the slider to the thin sheet metal of the truck. I think I will bend a sheet metal flange that's welded to the slider, bit riveted to the body. That way I can seal up the cavity real good with silly cone and won't have to worry about water or exhaust getting in there.
I'm also starting to figure out the exoskeleton. I have some very cool plans for it. It's going to be square tube, not round. In no way is it going to be a race worthy cage, just reinforcement. I won't be going fast.
I'm also starting to figure out the exoskeleton. I have some very cool plans for it. It's going to be square tube, not round. In no way is it going to be a race worthy cage, just reinforcement. I won't be going fast.
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
Hmmmm, this really cleans up the door sill area. Dare I?
pappawheely
Autonomous4X4
I took a few days off because it was cold. When I got back to work I thought I had both the sliders done. That's when I discovered my head was up my azz. The second one I built was 4 inches too short. 
It's not the end of the world. I can use it for the rear section behind each tire. I then had to build one more. I knocked it out pretty quick, but it's not identical to the other side. You can't stand on both sides at the same time so...
I also figured out a great way to clean up the rocker cut. I just wish I had figured it out sooner. I ordered some flanging pliers. Using the body line at the bottom of the door opening I bent the sheet metal over along that edge. It worked great so I purposely left the driver's side long when I cut it. After bending it over it leaves a real nice rolled edge that's double walled. I might even be able to weld it now.
I gave it a bend and then persuaded it with a heavy hammer. Looks nice and so easy.
It's not the end of the world. I can use it for the rear section behind each tire. I then had to build one more. I knocked it out pretty quick, but it's not identical to the other side. You can't stand on both sides at the same time so...I also figured out a great way to clean up the rocker cut. I just wish I had figured it out sooner. I ordered some flanging pliers. Using the body line at the bottom of the door opening I bent the sheet metal over along that edge. It worked great so I purposely left the driver's side long when I cut it. After bending it over it leaves a real nice rolled edge that's double walled. I might even be able to weld it now.
I gave it a bend and then persuaded it with a heavy hammer. Looks nice and so easy.
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