Observer's Build Thread

[Observer]

As promised, ive finally arranged my photos on my harddrive and photobucket. I know you guys like them pretty pictures!

THE BEFORE!!!

(it stayed this way for a day after I got it. Maybe less.)

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Oh, and im using the img codes off photobucket. Plz tell me if this is the best way? I dont wanna have to redo them later.. :S

Size too big if thats a problem? Again let me know. Ill just leave these two for now till i get the go-ahead!

 

[willindsay]

Ya that's the best way and size looks good too.

 

[06RangerXLT]

nice. MOAR PICTURES....MEOOOWWWW

 

[jhammel85]

Need mo pics.

It looks good and I'm curious about what the after looks like!

 

[kris97ranger]

whats the plans?

 

[Observer]

The frame!

Weeeelll since you asked.. lol. "Cracks knuckles" Lets get this show on the road!

A rough idea of the bed off but not my picture (I jumped right in and forgot this part, oops)

Stripping the frame by grinding and pounding ALL the ^$%$% rivets out. PITA.

Por-15 following the proper prep and etching steps. Small dog not my idea!

Test patch was on the muffler to see por15 strength

Texture shot:

 

[Observer]

Now, for the cross members and smaller pieces I tried a little trick Ive had my eye on for a while: electrolysis!

Results were:

And that rusty one had been done a little already. It started out worse than that.

 

[Observer]

Painting everything up

New rear spring hangers with tags still attached

I bolted that mid cross member down before realizing it was on upside down. Locknuts on everything of course so that was a nice use of my time

 

[Observer]

Interior

For a change of pace I switched to the inside.

No rust except drivers floorpan!! Very lucky.

And again, texture shot/

Painting the cover black.

 

[Observer]

axle cleaning

See this "7" It does NOT mean its a 7.5. Rookie mistake.

Hey. The red makes it go FASTER!!! Shaddup.

 

[jhammel85]

Now, for the cross members and smaller pieces I tried a little trick Ive had my eye on for a while: electrolysis!

Results were:

And that rusty one had been done a little already. It started out worse than that.

Great idea! It came out great!

 

[Observer]

I know its an awsome little trick! Im going to be using it for something else whenever I can- the solution lasts forever too, no need to remix it just add water as it evaporates.. mine got dumped out because it was in the way.

Next time im going to use scrap iron or rebar though. That zinc coated stuff makes a bit of a mess in the solution.

 

[Observer]

Undercoated the hell out of the box. It was near rustfree and i'd like to keep it so. Spray stuffed the whole thing then used that tar in a bucket kind that ive needed to get rid of..

The top wasn't bad except the paint job was flaking due to little or no prep.

It came with a plastic liner so I removed that because I figured it might be hiding something. It was.

I hate those kind of fixes.

Ill probly bedliner it next summer, no point repainting a wear area..

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

Great work!

 

[Observer]

Thanks man!

Makes me feel better that the non-visible parts are redone but I know when I put it all back together my family is just going to say "you didnt do anything in all that time!" Ugh.