Safari Pacific MX2 Build

[schanusa]

The tail gate gets taken apart and sanded down for a new coat of paint.

Along with the tail gate the fenders, hood and doors get sanded.

While inspecting for problems I found a huge one. These are the holes in the old guys work.

After patching a the botched job I masked everything off.

 

[schanusa]

Then jumping into a tyvek suite I begin to paint. The paint I'm using is a white epoxy for durability.
With epoxy paint I was worried about it kicking off before I could get a full coat, so I had to move fast.
After the second coat I snapped a few photos. I gave the final coat a mist of paint to give it an orange peal texture.

 

[schanusa]

The next day I pulled off all the masking.
I parked the truck outside to it would air out a bit. Still smelled from the paint.

I ran out of room when I painted everything else, so I had to paint the grill after the fact.

 

[koda6966]

Ooo shiny.

 

[schanusa]

I'm skipping a bit here, though its been hectic the past few weeks getting the truck ready. Right now I'm in Las Vegas for the SEMA Show 2009 and the MX2 is setup on display. Awesome! Thanks to Equipt Expedition Outfitters for the spot.

 

['95 ranger]

i saw that tent thing on your site and i want one!

 

[idfeiid]

Quite possibly the coolest RBV i've ever seen! Great build!

 

[Flash Gordan]

Travis you've given me so many ideas to do to my own truck. I thank you. Your ride is kickass.

 

[schanusa]

Thanks guys!



Small update...

To compensate for the additional weight carried on the trip I needed to increase the axle load capacity.
So I picked up a Ford Explorer 31 spline 8.8 axle and began to dismantle.

As a size comparison I placed the trucks old ring gear next to the 8.8 gear.

Next I cleaned everything up.

Now I'll be replacing all the bearings, install a locker and 5.13 gears.

 

[Flash Gordan]

5.13 gears and 31's? Isn't that going just a little bit overboard?

 

[daniel3507]

i love this build. the MX1 was incredible.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

5.13 gears and 31's? Isn't that going just a little bit overboard?

Pretty sure those KM2's aren't 31's...

 

[koda6966]

5.13 gears and 31's? Isn't that going just a little bit overboard?

Tire size isn't the only reason for changing gears.

Pretty sure those KM2's aren't 31's...

As far as I know, the Mx2 is still riding on 31's.

 

[schanusa]

Right now the truck is on 31"s though the main reason for running 5.13's is the estimated 1300 lbs of extra gear, tools, fuel, water and spare parts I'll be lugging along. That's a lot of weight to be trying to drive up a hill. Also the roads outside the US are not as smooth, so I'll be going way under 55 mph most of the time. I'll be changing my tire size as well but it'll be around the 31" to 33" sizes.

 

[railman]

just curious about the spare tire hanger....have you noticed any flex where the 2 tubes meet, or have you reinforced it any?

really is an awesome build....and like many others have said, alot of ideas for us to use

l8r, John