Time flies when...

You throw your watch into the air...

Wow, it's been 2 months since I last posted!  I am extremely sorry for that, and I want to give you a brief update.  The suspension system from Mayhem Metal works is completed, but weeks behind schedule.  Due to some family emergencies, the cash to pay for it had to be used and I now am making payments to them before that ships.  I normally won't post about my finances on here, but I wanted to say a HUGE thanks you to Andrew for allowing me to do this.  He is being super patient with me and I can not thank him enough.  If anyone wants to help pay that piece off, I would appreciate it.

We have had a very tough 2 months since I spoke with you last.  Many of you know that our home in AZ never sold last year and we are once again trying to sell it.  I will be honest without going into detail, we are going to be putting the build on a much slower pace for a bit while I work every extra I can to keep afloat.

It brings me a huge amount of sadness that The Spike was not done in 2017.  I feel like I lied to everyone.  I feel like I have let my sponsors down and myself down.  Just know, I refuse to give up.  You can call it stupidity, or perseverance, but either way this build and this dream are still alive and I will not give in.  Know that I am still focused on the project and will do everything in my power to earn extra funds to throw at it.

Please keep me in your prayers, and I thank all of you for those prayers all the time.  Happy New Year to everyone, and here is hoping that 2018 The Spike comes to life.

God Bless you all in 2018.

#DakotaDigital #VHX1023 #RenoOffRoad #ROR #BFGKrawlers #BFG #RedLabel #RacelineBeadlock #Powdercoat #DevineDeisel #ProjecttheSpike #UCORA #UnitedChristianOffRoadAssociation #OffRoadSolutions #LowRangeOffRoad #C4x4 #RADesignProducts #PRPSeats #ExtremeOverkillFab #YukonGear #RandysRingandPinion

We hurried up, now we wait

I can assure you, this build is still moving forward.  It just has come to a very slow portion of the movement as we wait for things to be finished.  Here is an update on progress.

Suspension - Mayhem Metalworks is making the custom tuned suspension as we speak.  It's a 4-5 week wait while all the measuring and cutting happen, and we are about half way through that wait.  On the good side, the drop-shipped joints and parts for the system arrived at the shop last week!

Electrical - The wire harness is still being completed.  ORS has given me a list of questions and I have answered most of them I think.  I will be sending them my old harness to use the plugs as necessary in the coming days.

As a part of the electrical, I have decided on dash and layout and gone to the Dakota Digital dash cluster, I am super excited.

Axles - The differential builder should have those parts this week and be able to get me a list for Yukon to which parts I need.  Those will be built hopefully in the coming weeks as well.

So that's about it, I am still waiting, and trying to find every bit of cash I can to keep moving forward.

-Brian

#DakotaDigital 
#VHX1023 

#RenoOffRoad 

#ROR 

#BFGKrawlers 

#BFG 

#RedLabel

#RacelineBeadlock 

#Powdercoat 

#DevineDeisel

#ProjecttheSpike 

#UCORA 

#UnitedChristianOffRoadAssociation

#OffRoadSolutions 

#LowRangeOffRoad 

#C4x4 

#RADesignProducts

#PRPSeats 

#ExtremeOverkillFab 

#YukonGear 

#RandysRingandPinion

Electrical - and I still have most of my hair

While the suspension system is being designed and cut by Meyhem Metal Works, I have turned a bit of my attention to the electrical and all that is drives, no pun intended.  You may remember, Off Road Solutions has stepped up as a project sponsor and will be designing the harness to give power to The Spike.  It's like the Veins and Arteries of this rig!  So I got an email from them asking about the needed connections.  Fuel pump, ECT, etc.  But in that list was one I had not thought about, gauges!

So I started the hunt and began to ask myself; what do I want to know when I am in the driver's seat? The basic dash of the 85 4Runner came to mind, giving me 6 basics to monitor.  But them the "nice to know" items accompanies the list, like Fuel Pressure and Oil Temperature.  So after some searching I was leaning toward 9 different gauges in a cluster for a dash.

Then, enter Dakota Digital.

I was directed to look at them when I found how expensive quality gauges were.  For the same price, or a bit less, I could have a fully digital dash, slim in design, and feed any data I wanted into the display to cycle through when the "Need-to-Know" items were not enough, and I wanted some "Nice-to-know" information.

After some contact with them about the project, I am proud to announce Dakota Digital as the newest sponsor to the build of The Spike.  I will be installing a VHX-1023 Dash with a few extra modules to give me more information that is nice to know when you don't have OBDII in a vehicle.  Even this buggy will have computers to help me monitor the systems.

If you are in the market for a couple replacement gauges, a custom dash to fit your classic Jeep or car, or a full custom dash like I have installing, check these guys out!  Dash technology has come a long way from single item round gauges, this things are intense.  You need to check this stuff out.

#DakotaDigital #VHX-1023

#RenoOffRoad 

#ROR 

#BFGKrawlers 

#BFG 

#RedLabel

#RacelineBeadlock 

#Powdercoat 

#DevineDeisel

#ProjecttheSpike 

#UCORA 

#UnitedChristianOffRoadAssociation

#OffRoadSolutions 

#LowRangeOffRoad 

#C4x4 

#RADesignProducts

#PRPSeats 

#ExtremeOverkillFab 

#YukonGear 

#RandysRingandPinion

Shoe Math, it's like New math, but better!

So do you remember months ago, I purchased a set of Raceline Beadlock Wheels? 

And, if you remember, I had them custom powder coated to match the color scheme of this buggy.

Finally, just last month, I was able to, with the help of Reno Off-Road: Jeep, Truck, Buggy Parts & Accessories, get my hands on a set of new 37x12.50x17 BFG Red Label Crawlers.

So, Randy at Extreme Overkill Fabrication did a little project math, check this out!

Raceline Wheels Beadlocks + Custom Powder Coat by Devine Diesel & Offroad + BFGoodrich Tires Red Label Krawlers = 

That almost brings a tear to my eye it is so great looking!

#RenoOffRoad 

#ROR 

#BFGKrawlers 

#BFG 

#RedLabel

#RacelineBeadlock 

#Powdercoat 

#DevineDeisel

#ProjecttheSpike 

#UCORA 

#UnitedChristianOffRoadAssociation

#OffRoadSolutions 

#LowRangeOffRoad 

#C4x4 

#RADesignProducts

#PRPSeats 

#ExtremeOverkillFab 

#YukonGear 

#RandysRingandPinion

#NewShoes 

#AwesomeSauce

Shoes!

So do you remember those beautify bead-lock wheels we had powder coated for the build?  I finally got a great help fitting them with rubber!

Thanks to my new friend at Reno Off Road, I was given a partial sponsorship and a great price on a new set of BFG Krawlers!  Red Label no less!
Pictures coming soon.

#RenoOffRoad 

#ProjecttheSpike 

#UCORA 

#UnitedChristianOffRoadAssociation

#OffRoadSolutions 

#LowRangeOffRoad 

#C4x4 

#RADesignProducts 

#PRPSeats

#ExtremeOverkillFab 

#YukonGear 

#RandysRingandPinion

Dual Cases Mounted!

Work may be slowing down for the moment, but we are ramping up toward the suspension system install. Tonight the final piece of the drive train was mounted in order to take the needed measurements. Randy, at Extreme Overkill Fabrication with a little help from a mutual friend, Russel, for another set of hands mounted the second transfer case to the engine-transmission-transfer case setup already installed. The triple stick from RADesigns Products LLC will be installed later, but this allowed measurements to be taken for the Meyhem Metal Works 4-link system to be produced. This is going to be one awesome setup!

Here are a couple pictures of the transfer case setup.

Yukon Gear & Axle and Randy's Ring & Pinion. have joined the sponsor list and we will be putting 5.29 gears from Yukon in both axles to turn our electrically locked Toyota axles.

After the suspension gets ordered, Extreme Overkill Fabrication will be raising the chassis as we discussed to accommodate the PRP Seatsonce they get ordered.

The only piece of the puzzle missing to complete the suspension system is the coil-over shocks. I am open to suggestions from all my friends for sure.

Once that is all done, we may have to move the project, but with prayer it will not have to be delayed again. More on that later. We still have a wiring harness from Off Road Solutions in the works and will be still contacting more sponsors as we have more needs. I get overwhelmed every time I think about the to-do list; dash switches, gauges, harnesses, fuel tank, fuel lines, brakes and brake system, pedal assemblies, body panels, tires, lights, windshield, transporting it around, the list goes on and on and on!

As I said in the beginning, this build may be slow, but it is still moving forward! Keep the build in prayer for those who it touches both during the build and once complete, and keep me in prayer for the patience to organize it. Thanks. God is revealing more ideas on how this can be used for His Glory every day, and when it is done I am excited to do just that.

A final and HUGE thanks to my buddy Jon at C4x4.com for the continued coverage of the build.

#ProjecttheSpike #UCORA #UnitedChristianOffRoadAssociation#OffRoadSolutions #LowRangeOffRoad #C4x4 #RADesignProducts#PRPSeats #ExtremeOverkillFab #YukonGear #RandysRingandPinion #LowRangeOffRoad

Things are happening, behind the scenes

I know it seems like a while since I have given an update, but we are in a battle with time. Extreme Overkill Fabrication is moving forward with the suspension system from Meyhem Metal Works and we are nearly ready to get production started.  That has a 4-5 week lead time, so we are waiting.
The axles are getting looked into next and I am currently talking to Yukon Gear & Axle about a new set of ring & pinion gears to get the crawler down to 5.29 ratios.
Finally, the first attempt to mount the chassis was too low to accommodate the 5-seat plan I have for this ministry build, so Extreme Overkill Fabrication is also going to be raising it slightly in order to keep the ministry aspect in full focus.

After all that, we move to getting her running with the wire harness from Off Road Solutions and Seats from PRP Seats.

Remember, as I said in the beginning, this build may be slow, but it is still moving forward! Keep the build in prayer for those who it touches both during the build and once complete, and keep me in prayer for the patience to organize it. Thanks.

#ProjecttheSpike #UCORA #UnitedChristianOffRoadAssociation #OffRoadSolutions #LowRangeOffRoad #C4x4 #RADesignProducts #PRPSeats #ExtremeOverkillFab

New Sponsor - Off Road Solutions!

The build may be going slowly, but I am still as passionate as Iever have been to get this project completed!  I want to give a huge welcoem to new sponsor , Off Road Sollutions, as I look forward to workign with them to put a Monster Wiring Harness in to keep the electrical system running at it's peak.
http://www.offroadsolutions.com/products/ors-monster-wiring-harness/
#OffRoadSolutions

#C4x4
#RADesignProducts
#PRPSeats
#ExtremeOverkillFab
#LowRangeOffRoad
#TheSpike
#ProjecttheSpike
#UCORA
#UnitedChristianOffRoadAssociation

C4x4 Update

C4x4 Online magazine has published the next element in the series coverage of my build. Check it out,http://www.c4x4.com/Projects/Spike/TearDown/TearDown.html

#C4x4

#RADesignProducts

#PRPSeats

#ExtremeOverkillFab

#LowRangeOffRoad

#TheSpike

#ProjecttheSpike

#UCORA

#UnitedChristianOffRoadAssociation

The Waiting Game

I know it feels like the build has once again come to a halt, and truthfully it has, but this will be a much shorter pause than before.

Many of you know, I have moved.  Since early April, I have beeninMissouri training for a new job, and at the end of May, I will be relocating my family here with me.  I have arranged for The Spike to becompleted by my great friend and awesome fabricator Randy at Extreme Overkill Fabrication. Once we finish our personal transition and get my home sold, Randy will be finishing The Spike.

I know it is a small delay, and I appreciate all the prayers while we transition, butkeep following and keep praying for me.  This project has been a dream for nearly 15 years and it is going to be a great ministry tool to share the love Jesus has for all of us with off roaders all over. Thanks everyone for following, and keep watching.

#RADesignProducts
#PRPSeats
#C4x4
#ExtremeOverkillFab
#LowRangeOffRoad
#TheSpike
#ProjecttheSpike
#UCORA

1+1=3

It's been a long few days and updates are going to be slowed down for a few weeks, but I will update when I can.

This past Friday, RADesigns Triple Stick was delivered and is now here and ready to install.  The picture of it installed below is not mine, but from the RA Designs website, http://www.radesignsproducts.com/triple-sticks-1.html
but mine will look like this soon.

My double transfer case is ready to be bolted up and installed before the triple sticks get installed.

So as you can see, in my cases, 1+1=3!

Finally, just giving you all a heads up, posts are going to get spaced out a but more over the next few weeks.  We are going through some major changes right now in our family, but rest assured, I will keep you up to date and the build will go on to the finish line this summer!


#RADesignProducts
#PRPSeats
#C4x4
#ExtremeOverkillFab
#LowRangeOffRoad
#TheSpike 
#ProjecttheSpike 
#UCORA