Project Trail Authority (Official Build Thread)

[Viva*the*Ranger]

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

Yeah, it's a total bummer. It wouldn't be such a big deal, if they would just let me know what was going on. I guess that's what happens when you deal with Jeep people

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.

Thanks man. It is definitely a one of a kind. At first I was kind of doubting the strength of the square tube roll bar, because of all the corners, and welds, but it's pretty stout as it is. Once I get some more bracing, and cross members on it, I'm sure it'll hold up just fine. I'm not planing on running any type of fender. I think all I need to be legal in the state of Wa, is mud flaps. I'm going to make some detachable ones, that mount to the very rear.

I've never heard of mitering tube like that before, but that's quite interesting. It could actually turn out pretty slick. Do you have any pictures of it finished? Thanks

-Denny

 

[wakingtowinter]

at this point I think I would just ask for my money back for the gears and go somewhere else...

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Yeah, that's kinda what I'm starting to think. The bummer is; they have the gears for about $100 less than other places, and I've already waited this long, might as well wait another week. If I would have know this would have happened in the beginning, I would have paid the extra cash, and been on my way. It is, what it is though... I'll stop complaining now. Ha ha

The bright side is; by the time they get here, I'll have everything else done, and pretty much have it ready to hit some trails. Still needing a sploder 8.8 though... I'm just keeping my eyes pealed for a good deal. After all, it is a budget build.

 

[wakingtowinter]

Yeah I know what you mean. But if it's been this long already, it could just as well be another month before you see them. In cases like this I think it's worth paying the extra money to a reputable company. Like with my tires, TireRack.com gave me different options for shipping. Cheapest option was OnTrac for $75, second cheapest was UPS ground at $125. 75 bucks shipping for 4 tires is a smoking deal, but when I looked into OnTrac (I had never heard of them) I read PLENTY of bad reviews, so I decided to cough up the extra cash for UPS. I'm happy I did; the tires are going to get here tomorrow.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Yeah, you scored a great deal on that one. Tires are freaking expensive to ship. In that case, it's definitely worth paying the extra cash. Got em on yet?

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Picked up the expanded metal, some more 1-1/2 x 1 1/2 tube for bracing the roll bar...... I think it's more capable of handling a roll now. Ha ha.

Here are some pics:

Here's the expanded metal plopped in (unwelded) On the back section, I'm going to get some diamond plate and make it kind of like a work bench. I''m gona mount a vice on the right side, to make U-joints a little easier on the trails, as well as what ever else I decide to break.

Bottom supports:

More cross members:

Got started on the front bumper too. Bumper off, wire wheeled the hornes, and started cutting the fenders a little.

I got the main tube welded on the frame horns, but it was too dark to take a picture. I have everything I need to finish it, except for the tube for the receiver, so next weekend I will have some sweet bumper pics!

I'm gona call jeephut today, and if they still don't have their shit together, then I'll just have them refund my money, and I guess I'll just have to pay the extra cash, and get this ball rolling.

 

[Bennybooster]

Good start on the truck, maybe this summer we can get some Oregon guys and some Washington guys and hit TSF

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Thanks for the compliment man. Where is TSF? A Or/Wa meet would be awesome!! I'm sure there's quite a few people we could round up, if we set it up a few months ahead of time. I've always had to go wheel'n with Jeepers, so a RBV group would be a LOT more fun.

 

[Bennybooster]

Tillamook State Forest

 

[MountainMike]

Geez Denny, it appears as though I missed a whole lot of your new Ranger! Why didn't you tell me anything when you stopped by my thread?

I just read through the whole thing, looks good! Really good

 

[TheTopher]

Crap, I just put this whole post in the wrong thread. bahahaha

Truck's looking great, viva!

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Geez Denny, it appears as though I missed a whole lot of your new Ranger! Why didn't you tell me anything when you stopped by my thread?

I just read through the whole thing, looks good! Really good

Thanks Mike! You didn't miss much.... Just me, an empty wallet, and way too much square tubing Progress is a little slower than I'd like, but it's starting to take shape. This first gen is really starting to grow on me..

Crap, I just put this whole post in the wrong thread. bahahaha

Truck's looking great, viva!

Ha ha! Thanks Toph..... You crack me up man

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Here's a little front bumper progress..

Bull bar tubes notched with a grinder. 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 120 wall tube

Tacked up

Welded on. The main tube is 2x2x3/16 wall 58 1/2" long

And for the hell of it...another shot of the tube bed

I have LOTS more to do on the bumper This is going to be the fun part..... I've been looking forward to it for quite some time. It won't be the fanciest, but it'll be functional, and very stout.

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Welp... Just got the gears refunded last night.... Three weeks ago the ass at Jeephut.com (Andy) told me that the gears were finished, and I was supposed to see them the first week of this month. I called and called, and finally talked to the owner, and he told me that the part was discontinued and they didn't make them anymore!! Sooooo.. that mean Andy lied to me about the gears being finished, and shipping. WTF!!

Anyway, I paid for them with Paypal so that's the only way they could refund my money, they said. Pretty much what that means is, I won't see the money in my checking account for up to 30 business days (according to Paypal) hopefully less.

Needless to say, I'm pretty pissed. At least I learned my lesson (don't use paypal unless it's a small, not so important item, and never trust a Jeeper!!!!) Ha ha. The funniest part is I found the gears online and in stock, for three $3 more last night

 

[Bennybooster]

Wow that is so messed up