PlumCrazy's Build

[PlumCrazy]

Did some work this weekend.

I took my bumper off to trim/straighten/reinforce. I plan on adding a winch some time on a receiver, but I dont trust the accordion crumple zone frame rails in the Gen III.


Decided to pull the core support and radiator off and plate both sides and the top of both frame horns.

Used 1/4" plate

I also drilled and sleeved two 3/4" holes on each side to mount up the bumper with new brackets.

Didn't have time this weekend to get the bumper done, but Ill do that next weekend. I am trimming 2" off both sides ti clear the tire, redoing the mounts, added a receiver and reinforcing around it, straightening the pass side and bracing the sides to the frame.

I also scored a mint blue super cab headliner. Which may not seem hard to find, but most blue interior trucks were single cab XLs. Took 5 years to find it. And they are a bitch to get out of a truck with windshield in.lol

Also got the new header panel in Lapis blue from the same truck. Since mine has a small crack I figured why not. Only payed 10 bucks for both.

You may have noticed my spare tire is back on again.:banghead:
About an hour into my 2hr trip to parents house the front end started growling and shaking. I was doing 70mph or so and I figured a wheel bearing was going so I pulled over to check it out.

Found that 3 lugnuts were missing and the last two were on by a few threads. Last time the wheel was off was 500 miles ago and tightened up with a breaker bar? All the other wheels were tight.

So anyways. I trashed my rim, lug studs were worn to almost nothing. My buddy bought my spare and i replaced the studs on the side of the freeway at night in the freezing rain.

Picked up a set of rims for 80 bucks. Perfect timing.lol. I am using one to replace my junk one, and another for a second spare. The other two may end up with boggers or something.lol

-PlumCrazy

 

[PlumCrazy]

It looks so tall without the bumper.lol

Got my bumper straightened out finally. With enough heating and beating and a come-a-long its almost perfect.

I also remade the mounts to bolt up to the new frame rails. I used 1/2" thick 4x3 angle this time and bolted it to the frame with 5/8 grade 8 bolts. Should be pretty solid.lol

I decided to add a receiver while the bumper was off. I gusseted the shit out of it. Plan is to use it for a winch, so I wanted it to be stout.

Sorry they are upside down.lol

I also trimmed the ends of the bumper 2" to clear the tires better at full stuff.

Ill upload more pics later.

I still need to sand it down and shoot another coat of paint on it and put my lights back in.
-PlumCrazy

 

[036speed]

Nice work!
I was going to tell you that I would have helped with the studs. But then I saw the freezing rain part.

I built my front bumper to use a winch in a 2" reciever. Just havent had a need for a winch yet since I always wheel with full sized rigs

 

[PlumCrazy]

Nice work!
I was going to tell you that I would have helped with the studs. But then I saw the freezing rain part.

I built my front bumper to use a winch in a 2" reciever. Just havent had a need for a winch yet since I always wheel with full sized rigs

Most of the time I see people using winches to pull someone else out.lol. I lucked out and never needed one last time out, but I imagine I will eventually.

I had my buddy bring my spare. I was just north of the 95 exit on 71. Thats like an hour from you.lol.


I did get my tire swapped over to my new rim this weekend finally. I even mounted my old MTR with the plug in it in a new rim for another spare.

-PlumCrazy

 

[PlumCrazy]

Bumper is done. Pulled it off and slung paint. Bolted up lights too.

5/8" Grade 8s

-PlumCrazy

 

[PlumCrazy]

Small insignificant update.

Swapped my cupholder portion of my console out for one out of a Eddie Bower with the lighted ashtray.

I threw and Amber bulb in and pulled power from the old unused 4x4 switch plug.

-PlumCrazy

 

[PlumCrazy]

Decided to swap out the headliner the other day...

What a pain in the ass. 2 door Super Cab headliners are a pain to do with the dash out, let alone with a dash in. I had to take out the center console the passenger seat, the pain in the ass rear plastics that are held in with a million xmas tree popper things.

I should have dropped the column too, but it was late and I wanted it done.lol. Its easy to get loose in side the cab, but sneaking it out the door without bending it blows. It is physically larger than the door opening.

Here is the old one. Pretty nasty and ripped. I sealed up my leaky third brake light too. Thats what made the last one so gross.

Ill get pics if the new one soon. It was dark and late and i was tired by the time it was in.lol

-PlumCrazy

 

[escort_gts]

I have the same water stains from the brake light. Seems to be a common thing. I need to remove the carpet, its all nasty from being wet all the time.

Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Tapatalk 2

 

[PlumCrazy]

I have the same water stains from the brake light. Seems to be a common thing. I need to remove the carpet, its all nasty from being wet all the time.

Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Tapatalk 2

The truck I pulled the new one from had a little too.

The gasket under the light doesn't even touch in a few places.lol. I said fawk it and ran a bead of RTV around it. Rained all day yesterday and its dry as a bone.

The water will follow the rear window around and dump into the cab corner too. Thats why the rot out under the jump seat.

BTW. Good to hear from ya. Wasn't sure when you would be posting again.

-PlumCrazy

 

[escort_gts]

The truck I pulled the new one from had a little too.

The gasket under the light doesn't even touch in a few places.lol. I said fawk it and ran a bead of RTV around it. Rained all day yesterday and its dry as a bone.

The water will follow the rear window around and dump into the cab corner too. Thats why the rot out under the jump seat.

BTW. Good to hear from ya. Wasn't sure when you would be posting again.

-PlumCrazy

That's why my driverside cab corner is gone.

Thanks, I'm glad to be back.
But I won't be on here like I used to.

Sent from my HTC VLE_U using Tapatalk 2

 

[PlumCrazy]

My hub showed up today. Thanks 1BadExplorer.
When I trashed my rim it wore just enough out of the hub that the new studs dont quite press in.

Also got new lugs that match the rest (except t''hey still have chrome and are shiny)

Picked up seals and slung paint.

Also put my yellow fog bulbs in. During the straightening process banging around I shattered the bulbs. No pics though.

-PlumCrazy

 

[escort_gts]

I just noticed that your profile pic is the same as mine. lol

 

[PlumCrazy]

Noticed it a while back.lol We should trade avatars to screw with people.lol

-PlumCrazy

 

[Grunizzle]

do you think the headliner would come out easier through the rear window if that was removed?

 

[PlumCrazy]

do you think the headliner would come out easier through the rear window if that was removed?

It would be cake if the rear or front window was out.

-PlumCrazy