Ultra cheap offroad race Explorer turned rock crawler

[Shran]

I wire wheeled as much as I could yesterday and am calling it good. Not going to paint anything. Also finished up the engine crossmember. I just used a couple pieces of flat strap on the back side. I might revisit that in the future if & when I have the engine out and more room to see what I'm welding.

Axle is back under the truck and I am waiting on an email from AccuTune to tell me what springs I need. I have a long list of little things to work on this week. I really want to work on the front bumper and get the winch mounted.

 

[Shran]

Still waiting on spring info so I figured I'd work on a winch mount. The original plan was to use a Warn 8274 that I've had for years. I mocked up a quick mount and decided that it just sticks out too far, looks stupid, and is going to kill my approach angle.

Soooo I shifted gears a bit and took the winch off my car trailer. It is maybe a bit more ideal because the solenoid pack can be removed and relocated - makes them really compact. I was able to tuck it under the grill just a bit and that shortened up the nose of the truck by 6".

My original plan was to do my typical style C channel bumper but I got a bit ahead of myself and didn't plan that very well. I have done a bunch of those anyway, time for a change - the new plan is still formulating in my head but I'll just hint that it involves the tubing bender.