Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Yes sir. I've actually got a couple air metering valves I was going to set one up for my truck but they will be going on my wife's burb instead. You can still get some decent power out of that on the cheap until you go all out or at least start going up. Some timing, retorque the head bolts, (over torque LOL), a gsk after you verify its been tabbed, block the waste gate, and the fuel, and have fun.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

i would kill for a p7100 fueled square burb ... nice enough to just leave alone, not too nice that i feel bad driving it in the winter after a full undercoating/sealing.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Looking good! I like when all the violence happens, it's exciting.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Same here. I just don't know if I could drive it through the entire winter here because of the brine they put on the roads. I drove my 72 through 1 complete winter when I first got it done and it gets used during winter off and on since. That brine really took it's toll after the first winter and I even washed it. The zinc plated parts were the pieces that rusted first and the worst. Now it needs rockers. I built it to drive it but dang. :lol:

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

They started using that brine here in PA over the last few years. It seems they really don't want us to have nice things.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

i LOATH the salt BS ... i always try and drive something i enjoy, but you literally have to have something sacrificial in the winter around here!! my current GMC is on it's way out for sure, already had to replace every last fluid line, the hitch, etc etc

i hate to sacrifice a square burb, but figure if i keep up on it i can at least 8-10yrs before a total restoration to start over with. and for the cost of a new truck i could just pay someone to restore it and still be way ahead of the game.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

They put that crap on the roads up here like there is an endless supply, then follow it up with a good dose of salt.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

sheet metal is so not my thing ... i had to stop the first night i tried to cap the rib before i threw tools thru the windshield. next day took a zen moment and went back to it. not perfect, but good enough to cover in bed liner! i went under the truck and welded it from the bottom so that i could round the edges similar to the stamped rib in the floor.

other progress didn't happen cuz i went n beat on the jeep. wedged myself between a rock and a tree for the first real cowl damage i've gotten. i'm sad, haha

https://i.imgur.com/1a29YcL.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/0hKIGWJ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/paqnwuu.jpg

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Welding sheet metal is certainly not like welding structural steel. It turned out just fine for a floor that no one is going to see.

I got my Jeep on the trail for the first time with the front spool and the 40's over the weekend. Just some local stuff. I am going to work on the trails at Bantam Saturday, then wheeling SOR on Sunday.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

sat down last night to officially tackle the pc that's been giving me anxiety. first shot with cardboard was a total bust, so tried a new tactic. i covered the entire opening with tape, drew on my bend lines, then cut the tape along the edges. best part about the tape was it then stuck right onto my sheet. cut out, transferred bend marks, and BOOM.

so the sharp back corners of the doghouse are kinda bugging me. i'm debating cutting them out for a 1" 45, but really need to just round them like the floor rib and see how it looks after.

https://i.imgur.com/aM4Rfgj.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rMsRySW.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Ie1KGSc.jpg

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Nice work. I think the tranny tunnel/firewall transition is very intimidating. You handled it well...Nice job!!!

Marc

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

I think your trans hump is turning out really nice. It's a tough thing to cover a hole with things sticking up that was never there in the first place.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

That looks great, the lines on the hump line up perfectly! nice work

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

thanks! i really need to get this floor buttoned up, cleaned up, and painted. sooooo many little holes to fill

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Great build.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Get some good 3M seam seal and coat all your seams. Then you don't need to be that worried about pin holes.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

that would be the plan! plus the spray on liner both outside and inside.

do you have a sealer you like? anyone else? took me 10 years to use up the first tube i bought in college, no sure what's out there now.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

It has been a while since I used any, but I am pretty sure this is what I used. It is supposed to stay flexible so it doesn't crack like a lot of other products do.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/MMM0...aAskxEALw_wcB&

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

It was cool to get together and abuse the Jeeps last weekend. Now we just need to get that Canadian guy to come down.

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1ev71...R7ebLThTpYFLZp

https://drive.google.com/uc?id=18ff7...qByiInspsjMlrD

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

he was talking about a trip to RC, lets do it.

was a damn good day on the trail! of the whole thing though ... right now ... i wish i was back in the breeze/shade in that camp chair falling asleep :lol:

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Keep me in the loop. If the schedule allows I'm always game for RC.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Slowly but surely working on sheet n got the tunnel finished! I welded the inside of each joint and ground the outside to hopefully resemble the bends after spraying the liner.

https://i.imgur.com/pq971FT.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/CLu3c6m.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/aFUh3TT.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/8oxbnQx.jpg

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Looks awesome. When do you hope to have it driving?

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

well thank you!

first drive? tough to say now ... i have been procrastination something bad on sheet metal work cuz i don't like doing it and lost some time ... but still hopefully for maybe end of June.

actually ready to be driving around normally but with future projects slated, hopefully end of summer.

i also have to help dad rebuild the entire suspension and install new fluid lines for the 69 Camaro. he just bought it back, it's THE car my grandfather bought new and that my dad took to prom 1970. so it's getting mostly restored vs built.

Re: Project: Tow-Rat (Lil' Blue)
 

Looks great. It always motivating when you close up a large hole like that with fresh metal.

Marc