Josh40601's Build Thread. (D-ranged)

[Josh40601]

Really want to do some type of body protection, without an entire exo cage.

The most difficult portion will be the one place that seems to get the most damage... The rear doors.

[/QUOTE]

Here is what Dieselboy over on Pirate is doing on his Super Duty. I like the bar along the side, and I plan on doing something similar to the bed of the truck. (If any of you watch Xtreme, their Trekking Tacoma is VERY similar to what D will be setup like. Maybe not solar powered or ARB anything, but similar. Also looking at going with just an cab Exo setup like this:

Trying to get an idea of how to do this, but still keep both rear doors functional. I mean, I went through all this work to change the body, I want to at least reap the benefits of it.

I don't want to end up with this

I plan on wheeling the thing again, not to the extreme that I take the Explorer, but still on some of the tougher trails, but it won't be a trailer queen. This will be the rig that i can drive to the trail, air down, play for the day, air back up, and head home.

 

[RangerSVT]

Josh, what about making a removable tube just for the xcab doors? You can make a T bar that runs from top to bottom between the front and xcab doors, then run a bar just below the glass height to the bed. You can use those clamps Ian used on the curvy buggy project that goes over the engine. Use those clamps on the 3 attaching points of the T section. This will limit use of the xcab doors whilt out on the trail, but it will give you the body protection you want, and just a couple seconds and 3 bolts later, they're off allowing 'street use'. The storms have done quite a bit of damage here, I'm pushing to get it done for this weekend, but its gonna be real close, still haven't fixed the bridge yet, got more rain this weekend...

SVT

 

[Josh40601]

The only thing about that is I know me, and I would forget it at home one trip, go wheeling, and tear up the door, so the only way that would be feasible is if the removable sections were stowable on the truck somehow.

I also have a gut feeling that the fuel tank mounted on the frame is going to get in the way of the driveshaft again.

 

[RangerSVT]

We can make a holder on the inside bed rail, and the fuel tank can be modded, or replaced with a fsb tank...

SVT

 

[Josh40601]

We can make a holder on the inside bed rail, and the fuel tank can be modded, or replaced with a fsb tank...

SVT

It would still need to be collapsable to fit.

BTW, since Rick won't tell you guys, I will. So far he has the Engine, Transmission, ECU, harness, accessories, and oil filter relocation kit. Doesn't look like we will get it running this week, but hopefully by next week, it will at least do something. T-Case wise, I will be running a borrowed 205 until my doubler is finished. I think he said the doubler was a 1356/205, but I don't remember.

Here in Lexington, I have been doing some parts accumulating, while working on the C10. So far I have a set of 37" Baja Claws and a set of 17x9 Eagle wheels to put on D when it gets back. They are not new, or close to new, but they will suffice until I can afford something else.

Got some awesome news yesterday... I got accepted into grad school!

School starts next month.

 

[RangerSVT]

Congrats on the grad school. So much for the secret in the mad scientist lab...LOL

SVT

 

[Josh40601]

Thanks buddy!!

I'm not a fan of the secrets! I like the Glass Fishbowl builds

 

[-Nathan-]

Awesome man, what are you taking in school?

 

[RangerSVT]

Some of the builds are hush hush til the reveal, like the supercharged 5.0 Jeep that made its debut this past weekend. Quite a few people were in awe...

SVT

 

[Josh40601]

Awesome man, what are you taking in school?

going for my MBA. The program is a consolidated 1 year program, and you intern with some of the largest companies in the area. There are only 28 people a year selected. This is my second year attempting to get in, and I finally made it.

 

[Josh40601]

Some of the builds are hush hush til the reveal, like the supercharged 5.0 Jeep that made its debut this past weekend. Quote a few people were in awe...

SVT

yea, yea. Wasn't too hush, hush. I knew about it!

 

[RangerSVT]

Updates...
I finally found a good core support, and as it turns out its the same year as the cab, even has the same motor and trans (3.0/auto)...

Here it is out and on the dolly...

So that was pulled Friday. Today I decided to get the dash swapped, as it shouldn't take too long. Little did I know Josh decided I didn't have enough to do and made it even harder on me by taking every nut and bolt out of the dash frame except the four or five on the backside. Since it only has 7 bolts holding the dash to the firewall, I started pulling the dash...

Since I had to pull all the bolts out of the old dash, as Josh didn't save the bolts from the grey dash he pulled, I left the frame and wire harness in the truck...
.

Finished pulling the grey dash pad from the frame...
.

Then after a few more hours of installing all the bolts back into the dash frame, the dash was swapped...

For those with good eyes, you will notice the instrument cluster is not installed. The cluster trim panel, knee panel, and radio bezel are just sitting there as I still need to swap the wires over for the tach. I stopped here for the day, as I'll be back on it Tuesday and swap the wires and install the cluster. Monday is grass cutting day.
As much extra work Josh cost me, I think the price of his winch will be enough restitution

SVT

 

[Josh40601]

update, but no pics. 205 is now bolted to the trans.

 

[Robert_1967]

your airbag has been deployed.




Robert




sent with a smile and bottle of pills.

 

[Josh40601]

I got an app, err.. Rep for that