Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Make sure you torque those spacer bolts a few times. I put some on my jeep, torqued them good n tight then drove around and torqued again. The studs never fully seated even though I couldn't tighten them anymore, short of the story my wife drove around the corner and lost a wheel. Guess it was my fault for thinking they were fully pressed in at the manufacturer.

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Good advice guys, when the weather breaks here I will set these up right! Got the engine crossmember painted, pic's tommorrow!

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Got some pic's of the DIY 4X engine crossmember after paint, and a couple of my new craftsman socket set stowed for the Rampage tool box!Attachment 1370449

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Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Just ordered up a NEW Craftsman torque wrench to be able to torque the spacers/lug nuts to specs! Will be able to torque nuts down and recheck as needed!

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Good thing to have in a lot of situations.

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Weather is getting better every day here. Snow pack in front of pole barn door almost gone too! Warms up a little more, it's time to mount up this wheel/tire combo and fire it up! Got to do a cleanup in the pole barn first but thats no problem. Really thinking about getting rid of the Mercury Capri in there to free up some working room! Come on spring!Attachment 1382216

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Got all 4 humvee shoes and socks mounted and torqued down today. Happy with the way it looks. Spacers worked. I should be able to fire it up this weekend and try them out! Got some pic's!Attachment 1386297

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Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Some more pic's! Gotta try em out this weekend!Attachment 1386302

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Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Looks really good!!!

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Thank's man! Even with the 37" Goodyears it only gives me about 10.5" ground clearance at the diffs. But it does look way better, can't wait to get it out and test drive it a little! The 1 ton diffs sure make a big difference in ground clearance, but it is sure worth it! Future rubber will be 40" or 42" so will gain some height there!

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Are your rear springs in correctly? Looks like mine did when I put them back in backwards. The long side should be up front so it pushes the rear axle back farther in the wheelwell. Maybe it's just the pics but mine sits farther back than yours does. It looks real good with the new shoes. Has a good stance. With the lift, looks like you could easily fit a few inch bigger tire under there.

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Oh yea, rear springs are right. Had the new rear spring perches welded on to the 14 bolt 1 ton axle to set the pinion angle correct enough. Still had to drop the NP205 T-case 1". I think the rear ride height is high enough to compensate for a rear bumper and spare tire setup yet to come! Can't wait to go this spring!

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Must have just been the angle of The pic then. Glad you are getting Stuff Accomplished. I just Bought a house withA garage Again so I can finally work on mine again too. Keep Up the good work.

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Got her out today! Little gas and fired right up. John stopped by and we talked about designing the rear bumper soon! Pic's!Attachment 1386589

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Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Looking great!

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Thank's man! Getting ready to start replacing the body mounts. I have a poly set to install that came with no bolts of course. Bought all the bolts, washers, and nuts from LMC. Kind of leary as to if they are going to be correct. Any advice guys?

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

WOW.. I haven't been on the site that much in the last few years. I remember when you started the build. It's looking real good now :metal:. Seeing this gives me the motivation I need to get back to working on my truck.

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Thank's man! Real happy with the progress, but need to kick it up a notch now. The Humvee wheel and tire setup is temporary, but I do like the way it looks. 40" Nitto trail grapplers on B.A.D. wheels are on my list eventually. Got to get going on the body mount replacement next so I can do some light wheeling this summer!

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Definitely sitting right now that I see more pics. Was just a weird angle. Looks Good man. The 40s are going to fill up those wheelwell a so Much better. But for now enjoy it. I used a after market kit with mine too. Energy suspension bushings. The bolts looked small but I used them and Had No problems ten years now. I did reuse the 5/8 bolts that go through the driver and passenger floors though. The hardest ones to get to were the rear by the tank and the front under the rad core support. If I did it again I would pull off The front clip first and Pop Off The Radiator.

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Thank's Chuli, good tip about removing the front clip! Gotta get going on this soon!

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Off to the blessing of the jeeps in Mesick Mi. this morning. Tons of vendors there, swap meet, and a lot of cool 4x4"s. Probably come home with some goodies for the k5! Post up some pic's later!

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

No problem. Good luck on finding some good parts.

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Wow, that was fun! Ran the obstacle course in my friend John's Jeep-unstoppable! We almost tipped it over on it's side twice. Something to be said about 2&1/2 ton top loaders with 44" boggers. No swap meet this year, so came home with no new parts, but did come home with more money instead. I walked the entire parking area that had thousands of trucks-and not one 67-72 Chevy of any kind, Bummer! Here's some cool pic's of today's fun!Attachment 1398255

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Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

A few more pic's!Attachment 1398260

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Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Blazer build just took a hit-getting laid off from work on friday. Should be a 3 week shutdown-I hope! No worries, I'll make it through. It just slows me down from getting some sandblasting done I was hoping to get started on. Damn!

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

That sucks. Gives you time to work on stuff that doesn't cost too Much money. At least you have the time to Do It. I get one day a week. First week in June I have vacation. I plan to Drive mine every day and try to do Something to it everyday as well.

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Thank's Chuli. It will at least give me some time to clean the pole barn out and organize my parts for the next step on the build. Ben trying to sell off some extra parts that I am not going to need ever to fiance things in case the layoff carrys over.

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Post them for sale section. I'm sure they will go fast. All these guys on here are always scrounging for parts.

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Thank's, I know I was doing the same thing a few years ago. That's why I have so many leftover parts I don't need. As long as I can work through the honeydo list during my layoff, I'll get around to sorting through all the extra stuff!

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

I stayed off the jeep forum to avoid blessing pics, thanks for rubbing it in��. The kids were sick and I still haven't picked the jeep up from storage yet so I missed it. Maybe I'll run the course next month without the waiting line. Hope you're not laid of to long, maybe you'll have more time to think of new projects.

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Your welcome madtrucker! And I had a lot of fun that day riding in the Chaos jeep. Yes, I will find some time to work on this one project. Gotta get it done!

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Decided to try a little different path of progress. Removed my tailgate as it needs some attention. Ended up breaking off two bolts inside the caged nuts on the lower round trunions, damn! Also, removed the hood, and front hood spring assemblies. Plan is to take up the road and have tailgate and hood with assorted parts sandblasted to see exactly what I have to work with. Will get cleaned up and have some welding done of holes and etc. Then just have that stuff primered and reinstall. I do have a plan for the broken bolts in the rear, going to drill out the holes and install rivet nuts with a hand puller, should be a easy fix. Got the time now I'm on layoff, so I'll get some pic's asap!

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

I know this has been done many times before, but am looking for advice on welding up some braces for the A & B pillar door areas and the tailgate before I really tear this thing apart! If I can get some for sure info here, my friend John can weld me up what I need. Help, pic's, anybody?

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Welding a nut on those broken trunion bolts is usually easier than drilling, the heat will help as well. Hit them with some pb blaster first.

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

That won't work in this situation. I think my solution will work better. I will post up some pic's tommorrow after my trip to the Mi. works office to sign up. Thank's for the tip man!

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Hood, hood hinges, assorted hardware, tailgate, assorted hardware, rear inner fender wells etc, off to the sand blaster shop up the road tommorrow. Got a lot of trim holes on the exterior of the tailgate I need filled, and a few rust spots that need attention. My friend John can do all the welding,but I want to get this stuff blasted first to see what I have to work with. Same thing with the hood, looks like it needs some work and want to see what's all there before I move on! All stuff loaded in my GMC and will drop off tommorrow!

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Dropped off the tailgate and rear inner fenderwells today. Said they can't blast the hood, so I took it home and stripped off some paint myself in the troubled areas. Also cleaned up the hood spring assy's, and tailgate parts myself, ready for repaint. Oh, by the way, I'm no body man but I gave it a shot today. Passenger side rear outer quarter panel is in real sad shape, so I gave it a massage. Not done yet, but feel good about the way it looks so far!Pic's!Attachment 1403113

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Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

My drivers side looks just as bad. As a temporary fix I pushed it in from the inside from the light hole as best I could and bondo it do it looks pretty good. Without all the tools and knowledge all you can do Is your best. Looks like it's coming out pretty strait. Mine still needs work but you can only do so much after you bounce it off of a tree. Lol

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Thank's Chuli! All the dents you see in those pic's were there from the po. Except the one toward the front at the body line, and that was from bouncing it off a tree also! Hope to get some more bondo on tommorrow after the rain stops!

Re: My new build thread: Stage 4!
 

Mines po gutted mine for desert romping. I'm still trying to get the interior together and the body wasn't much better. My tear dent happened while following a jeep guy. He said I'd be fine on that trail and was until the last turn. Lol. Front made it so I thought i was good. Nope.