daily doubler build

[Bray D]

For sure. It need gussets at all of the intersection points. I'm hoping I don't come down on it too hard since it's way higher than my current setup, but I'm sure it'll get beat on pretty good, haha.

 

[RockRanger]

What is your current setup? My skid on my BII tank has scratches all over it. There is no way I would want only a bar every 6ish inches protecting it. Always been a fan of your truck clean and simple.

 

[Bray D]

Current setup is the factory bumper with a receiver beneath it. It's pretty low, but has saved my gas tank over the years apparently. I do have 1 dent in it, but I believe that's from falling off a line and backing up into a boulder. No spotter, no bueno.

I have the Ranger tank, so it's slightly more shallow than a BII tank. I thought of skinning the tubes, but I don't want material to build up in there either. This was the most simple/light design I could come up with thus far.

 

[Ford78]

May also want to reinforce the rear frame from the cab back. I landed hard on my rear reciever this fall and bent my frame next too the shock mounts. The pass. side is bent up and creased the frame on that side too. but the earler frames might be more better than the 98 and up.

 

[86 slo-vo]

I like it, clean and simple.

 

[Bray D]

I haven't started on the rear bumper yet, but I've definitely been busy. I finally have the fab shop at the new place to the point where I can start building stuff again. It's just a single stall, but it's sealed up, insulated, heated, with a vent for welding fumes. I built the workbench which I look to use for general assembly/disassembly and crude fab purposes. I went ahead and picked up a small fixture table for the more serious fabrications. I think the whole setup is going to work really well.

Aside from that, I've been prepping the rig for another trip to Moab. Tore the trans out for a rebuild.

I've been going through the truck freshening it up while it's down. New steering joints, new panhard joints, new traction bar joints, tightened up RA joints, etc. Pulled the axles out and found a stiff joint in the passenger side, so I threw a new joint in there. Cages were rusted and the rollers were discolored on the passenger side wheel bearings, so I replaced those as well. Driver's side was all good.

I've got a new flywheel and clutch on the crank waiting for the trans. Still looking to be on schedule to head east on April 10th.

 

[Grunizzle]

Im trying to get to moab on the 15th, maybe I'll see ya there

 

[Bray D]

We'll be there for sure. Looking to head for home on the 18th.

 

[036speed]

I wanna go to Moab. I am thinking 2016 though

 

[escort_gts]

I wanna go to Moab. I am thinking 2016 though

Same here.

Sent from my NOTE 3 using Tapatalk

 

[Bray D]

Phew. Been a while since I've updated the thread. You guys need to just make the decision to head out west. It's absolutely incredible.

I got my trans back in time to put some miles on it before we left. All was well. Thanks again Brett!

We took off on Thursday, 4/10 after work and drove it straight through. Half doors the whole way.

Got there at a decent time on Friday and secured a campsite. Ran Kane Creek Canyon on Saturday, then met up with my buddy who came up from Az. He and his g/f spent the remainder of the week with us. They were in a stock Rubi, which did quite well. We ran Hell's Revenge, Strike Ravine, Flat Iron Mesa, and GoldBarRim to GoldenSpike to PoisonSpiderMesa. Two more of my buddies showed up on Wednesday with their families. We reserved Thursday for hiking on foot and checking out the vendor show. Packed up and were on the road by 10a Friday, putting us back home around 9a Saturday morning. Just in time to hit up the Easter festivities with the family. I'll let the pics take it from here.

 

[Bray D]

Once we got back, I ordered some new tires and got them installed. I decided to go with a slightly more 'mild' tire this go-around. I need more tire life and better road qualities. I got just over 1 year out of both my KM2's and these MTRK's. Guys are claiming 60-70k mile life out of these Coopers. Rest assured I'll put them to the test.

They're been awesome so far. I simply installed them and ran them. They're balanced far better than either of my two previous sets of 37's. Zero weights on the wheels and I can hold 60mph smooth as butter. Once I start creeping up on 70mph I get some vibrations. I'll have them balanced eventually, but this works to get me back and forth to work.

I aired them down and played in the dirt a little too. They hook well. We'll see how they do on the rocks.

I think that's about it. I had to replace a brake line. Pushed through a braided stainless one. I think it was rubbing. I was sure to install the new one in a way to safeguard against rubbing. I also threw a 130a alternator on it for kicks. I was having some starting issues but I think it was simply due to low charge. I'm hoping the alternator does the trick. I've been monitoring it.

 

[Bray D]

I guess another update worth mentioning - I finally got my Swag air/hydro kit welded up and installed. I bent my first tube with air the other day. It's awesome.

I have a couple tube based projects lined up for my buddies. I'm looking forward to doing some work with the new setup.

 

[Josh40601]

interested to see how they do. Those and the OCMT are about neck and neck right now

 

[Kage]

Nice photos! I'll be watching for your updates on the Coopers as well!