"Big Darla" Build Thread

[Kage]

...The steel fairlead was provided by superwinch and if I upgrade anything on the winch it will be a synthetic line and ill either get a new fairlead or smooth this one out.

I've got the synthetic rope right now, when it dies, I'll gladly go back to good ole steel. While the weight savings an not haveing to wear gloves is nice with the syntheic, its kind of a pain as it doesn't tolerate getting dragged over stuff well, or getting too dirty, or UV.

Steel rope just works, and you don't really have to worry about it too much. You just have to make sure dumbasses aren't standing next to the line while winching in case it lets go (good practice with a syn rope as well, but when those let loose, they tend to be a little less dramatic).

$0.02

 

[XionicWaste]

Good input Kage...

So I gusseted my winch tabs tonight. I cut out 10 3/16ths tabs:

Cleaned em up:

Welded them in underneath:

And could only get one on top but it will be fine with one:

I also started on quick release pins for my doors. I need to get another set of hinges, one for the full doors and one for the bar doors.

 

[railman]

nice addition....you will not be dissappointed that you did

l8r, John

 

[Kage]

Cutting gussets sucks, but they tend to be worth the time. Looks good!

...I also started on quick release pins for my doors. I need to get another set of hinges, one for the full doors and one for the bar doors.

Take some good photos of this please, I'm getting the hankering to run no doors again and I'd like to see what others are doing

 

[XionicWaste]

Okay update time!

I got some TRE inserts from Ruffstuff and also a drill bit from amazon and did steering over knuckle but pics of the process. I also finished the bar door quick release pins awhile ago but like usual didn't update.

Pull the hinge off (2 bolts holding the door on, per hinge... and two bolts to the body.)

Next you need to grind the dimple off:

Pound out the pin and you'll be left with a plastic insert:

Pull that insert out:

And slide in a 3/8th pin (I got mine from Ace hardware)

Now the other side of the hinge you need to drill out to accept the 3/8ths pin:

And you're done:

I haven't tried to put my doors on yet but it should be easier and faster than before.

My next project was to make a center post for the coil springs. The post in this picture was a mock up shot and the post got cut in half (8 inches)

Next I cut 2, 3/16ths discs:

Cleaned them up and drilled a 1/2" hole in the top:

Welded a nut to one of the sides:

Gave her a little paint:

And bolted it up:

The axle can flex soooo much more now:

I only did one side so far.

Moving on... Steamboat Springs has an annual mustang roundup and hundreds of built Mustangs come to town.
To the right:

And the left:

My personal favorite:

Fathers day came around and the Pops and I went offroading and shot some guns:

Next project is one of my personal favorites. I started with a 15.5 gallon beer keg, cut the center spout out and welded in a chunk of thick sheet metal:

Now onto the other side, I cut out a pretty large hole, then welded in more sheet metal. After that I cut a 3.5" hole where the fuel pump will be mounted. (I didnt get many pics):

Cut a hole for the fuel cap:

I didn't get a picture of it but my fuel level gauge is welded to the rear plug and the wire is extended. I bent the fuel pump lines so the pump sits on the bottom of the tank and in the center.

Here is a pic of the bleeder line, fuel cap and tank holder (I put some metal filler compound around the fuel filler cap where the factory pressed it together)

Here is how I kept the fuel pump module in place:

A few straps and she was done:

I was going to braze everything but the heat cracked the tank too much so I welded it and it worked better than I thought especially for stainless steel to mild steel.

Next project will be legit exhaust. My issue is I have an 1 3/4" die for my tube bender so should I use 1 3/4 exhaust tubing or 2" and buy bent fittings? Will it make a difference? Eventually I want to put a built 5.0 in this thing so I want this exhaust to be pretty legit once Im done. Im thinking X pipe and dual something or others. Let me know your thoughts soon because I think I am starting this project tomorrow (6-25-12)

 

[Josh40601]

Awesome, simply awesome.

 

[Kage]

Damm you've been busy! I like the beer keg, how many gallons can you squeeze in there (can you fill it all the way up?)?

Please post up how the doors act once you put them back on. I'm wondering if the Pins add much slop to the setup.

Keep it up!

 

[n_bannerman]

How are you liking the mud rover tires? mainly how they do in the snow, hard pack and breaking trail is what I'm looking for.

 

[XionicWaste]

How are you liking the mud rover tires? mainly how they do in the snow, hard pack and breaking trail is what I'm looking for.

The Mud Rovers have treated me well. They do awesome on dry trails and have great sidewall flex. In the Mud they clean out very well too. The tires are not the greatest in the snow. The reason for this is because these tires are a fairly soft compound and also have rounded edges (compared to the old bf goodrich Mt's

My buddy has these tires and they do great in the snow.

If you get these tires make sure your truck is aligned because again they are a soft compound and will disappear quick if the truck is out of alignment. (this happened to me) Last winter I siped these tires and I was happy the way they handled on the street.
If you are breaking snow trails get some chains. A few of my buddys and I went night snow wheeling and after a while the trail packs down and freezes into a solid block of ice. Well we got one rig stuck and no one could get back to him because the trail was so slick so we decided to come back the next day. Low and behold a few hunters in their stock F250 highboy with chains came through early the next day and broke up all the ice. It looked like something on tracks came through. Long story short, Chains makes snow wheeling amazing.

 

[XionicWaste]

Here's a little shot of what you all have been missing...

 

[dieseldane]

Oooo toob bed! I like design you went with!

 

[crawlin91]

moar pics!

 

[bobbywalter]

Damm you've been busy! I like the beer keg, how many gallons can you squeeze in there (can you fill it all the way up?)?

Please post up how the doors act once you put them back on. I'm wondering if the Pins add much slop to the setup.

Keep it up!

on the door pins i highly suggest to drill the brackets to take brass bushings on both brackets...i used to only do one side....

makes corrosion issues easier to deal with. you need to spread the pillar brackets a bit so the door brackets fit with the bigger brass bushing hats that touch each other. i did one side and not the other and learned its value....when i set up my fresher doors i will do both sides of each bracket that way. if you live where they dont salt the road its likely not an issue, but if you dont have fenderwells though the hinges take a good ass whooping though.

 

[Josh40601]

Wow. Holding out eh? I see how it is

 

[n_bannerman]

More details on the bed