Justin's retroactive build thread

[ZOSO]

Been working to clearance the fenders for the larger tires and longer travel. Also picked up my exhaust stuff from ceramic coating today. Rob, thanks for the suggestion on Pristine Powder Coat. They took good care of me and the price was very reasonable.

No problem. Lee is a good dude and does amazing work.

[Justin]

Mmmmm, stuff.

[Gunnibronco]

nice!

[Jesus_man]

Can't wait to see it climbing rocks and putting all your hard work to proper use!!

I also want to know what you think of those trep's!

[Rox Crusher]

So, are you going to be trail leader on our first snow bashing run next spring ?

#strongkicktofinish

[Justin]

Lol! Might be. Still picking away at it daily. Drivers front corner is almost done. Took a little while to figure out the needed inner fender mods.

[Justin]

Thought I'd post up a couple of quick pics of what I've been up to. I've gone through about 4 versions of this panel before getting one that was the best compromise of battery space and tire clearance. I'm pretty happy with how it came out. I've got about 1/4" of clearance between the tire and the fender at full stuff and full lock and there are no sharp edges to cut the tire if things flex enough to rub.

[Jesus_man]

You have left enough room for the battery in that locations still? I like it. I can't wait to see how it performs in the field!

[Gunnibronco]

Nice work. Its amazing how quickly all the extra space disappears.

[Justin]

No joke. It turns out that big tires are big. The battery will still fit, but I'll need to change to an optima specific box (should arrive from RuffStuff today) and move it over a little. I'm going to weld in a second brace on the other side to support a second battery. At some point I'd like move the batteries under the driver's seat so that the weight is lower and farther back, but it's not going to make a big enough difference that i'm willing to invest the time now.

[Justin]

Passenger's front side is done. It needs at least one softer spring and I have to put in the vented wheelwell panel, but the actual work on this side is finished. Not too much left on the driver's side, so in 170 months the front end should be done.

[Eck]

I was just wondering how many months in we were... This thing better print money by the time you're done.

[Justin]

I think we're 3,287 months in. And it better be putting out by the time I'm done.

[Colorado75bronc]

Looks good, and I agree on both accounts as to what it should be capable of! [emoji14]

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[Justin]

The point of no return...

[Rox Crusher]

you might as well start the frame stretch "while your at it"

[Kinder]

I do have the frame extension pieces already cut! Haha

[ZOSO]

so you are just gonna 4 link the rear now?

[Justin]

Linking the rear is definitely on the list, but I'm not sure I'm going to take it on at this stage in the game, mostly because it would mean another $600 in joints and brackets. Getting the EFI done will reap bigger rewards in general driveability, and I don't want to have to engineer sway bar installation yet. The shocks I'm going to run are 14" threaded body Fox's, so it's getting set up so that all I have to do is cut out the leafs and install the links when the time to do it comes. Everything is going to get aligned so that there is clearance to just throw springs on the shocks and hit the road.

[Justin]

Am hoping to get the front end done this weekend and have it sitting on the tires instead of jack stands. Please send vibes to the universe for me to get garage time.

[Digger]

Please send vibes to the universe for me to get garage time.

I'm on it.

[Justin]

That's hysterical. I need to figure out how to set an avatar as a gift.

[Justin]

Well, it's sitting entirely under it's own weight for the first time in over a year. Nothing broke off immediately, so I'm taking that as a good sign. I think I nailed the spring rates, too.

[Colorado75bronc]

Congrats! Get that thing running soon!

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[Digger]

Congrats! I can't wait to see this thing driving.

[Justin]

Thanks! I might need to plumb the rear brakes and drive it around a little before I tear into the rear.

[Colorado75bronc]

I'm sure that will really boost your motivation levels, I know when I couldn't drive mine I was not very motivated to do as much with it

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[Justin]

Turns out I'm not going to drive it before tearing into the rear end. Took advantage of the warmer temps to open up the garage door and keep the burning undercoat from making my house smell like burning condom. Freed up a heck of a lot of room for suspension parts and big tires.

[Kinder]

Wow, and I thought I knew how to cut up a tub, good job!

[Justin]

Thanks! I think you still win. Definitely if measured by total linear feet cut.

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