Project Trail Authority (Official Build Thread)

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Not quite sure yet.. If I had a tube bender, I would just go to town, however that's not the case. Ha ha. I might just get creative, and make one out of square tubing like everything else on the truck. Lol. If I use my imagination, I think I could come up with something pretty bad ass.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Does anyone have pictures of front or rear bumpers made from square or rec tube? I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do for the rear, but ideas/pics always help.

Thanks!

 

[wakingtowinter]

I got this one covered



All credit for bumper goes to 99RangerKrazy.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Thanks man! Any other shots? Close ups? I guess I'll see it in person when we work on your rear bumper mounts, but I want to start drawing it up. I have most of the material already. Just need the plate for the winch mount, and angle iron to bolt it to the frame.

Get your brakes all squared away? Ha ha

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

The countdown begins fellas. Less than ten days, and I'll have my 5.13's for the D35

 

[wakingtowinter]

Here ya go:

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Word! Thanks bud. I like the design. I'll make some modifications to it, but it will be pretty similar. I think I'll incorporate a skidplate too. Not only would it be nice to have, but it would look bad ass!

 

[wakingtowinter]

Yeah dude a skid plate would definitely be awesome. If I were to redesign that bumper I would probably make the top grill-guard section more like a stinger, and by that I mean just angled out more toward that front. Reason being it would really be nice to be able to have some room to mount some lights in a safe spot, behind the bumper. I'm going to be putting some light tabs and lights on soon, but as far as I can see my only option is to put the tabs up front where the lights could get smashed...

Also I would use thicker steel on the winch plate.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Yeah, your winch mount plate could use some help. You could always just pick up a 3/8 or 1/2" plate, and weld it to the bottom. That would fix ya right up. As to your bumper.... It can be modified at any point. Cut and weld bro! That's the beauty of working with metal

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Welp.. I got most of the steel needed to finish my tube bed. All I'll be missing, is the mesh to go over the top, a plate for the work space in the rear, and the lights. I also got enough to start on the front bumper!! I managed to score a perfect sized 3/8" cold roll plate for the winch mount too. I'll be able to get a good start on it this sunday. Pics to come!!

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

I wasn't able to get to the front bumper this weekend, but I was able to make some good progress on the tube bed. Keep in mind, I HATE the top!! It's going to change next weekend. I'm going to 45 it on the corners, like I did on the bottom. Other than that, I'm really happy with the way it's turning out. I still have some gusseting to do, tube ends to cap off, and the decking to finish. After that: Rino line, and lights... and I'll be done for now.

Added a cross member in the center:

Added some 1x2x120 wall tube supports, and the angle iron cut at 45's on both sides, to make it more bumper-like (I think that's where I'm going to mount the lights)

A good rear view:

Getting started on the roll bar:

What it looked like by the end of the night:

Like I said, I really really don't like the top of the roll bar. It just looks like a standard headache rack. Next weekend I'll fix it, as well as some more cross members in the roll bar, and have some updated pics. My gears are supposed to come this week, so I might be posting some gear install pics, and info. It's almost lift time

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Fixed:

Still needs some bracing like I said, but I ran out of both time, and steel. I also took an inch out of the overall height, so it sits closer to the top of the cab. I'm pretty happy with how it's turning out.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Just got off the phone with Jeephut.com, and the guy said he still hasn't seen my gears I was supposed to get them this week..... No wait.. I was supposed to get them a month ago... I'm really starting to run out of patience with these people. I know shit happens, but they haven't taken any time to notify me about anything, and clearly don't have their shit together. Sorry for the rant. Guess I needed to vent.

It feels like I'm pretty much talking to my self here anyway, so what the hell. Ha ha.

Rambling continues:

This weekend I should have the tube bed close to buttoned up, and I think I might just start on the front end (cutting rivets, remove sway bar, shorten drive shaft ect..)

 

[Bennybooster]

That sucks that they are jerking you around, nothing you can do but keep building what you have and write scathing emails to the guy after you get your stuff

 

[BONES]

Interesting design/idea on the tube bed and roll bar. Looking forward to seeing it completed. You planning on running hi-clearance fender bars over the rear tires too?


Have you heard of miter cutting square tube at all. I did my back bumper corners that way. It's time consuming but looks not bad when done. Miter cut 3 sides of the square tube for several inches and many cuts so you can bend the tube to what ever angle your after, then once bent, weld it back together for a curved square tube bend. Just an idea to add to your build.