The frame is ready

After nearly three hours of hard grinding, the frame preparations are done. The next step is getting the frame and Chassis in my other garage so I can begin to build the transfer case.

I am excited to start the building phase now.

More frame prep

Spent some time this afternoon with the help of a friend getting the rest of the frame brackets off.

I left the shock towers on for an idea of placement, but I am pretty sure they will be removed later. Same goes for the rear cross member and the center cross member. I have replacements for those, but wanted to keep the frame square.

It felt good to get a couple hours work in, I just wish I didn't have to roll it out them back in every time. I wish I could leave my tools plugged in and ready to work.

Wheels!

Last week I purchased new Wheels used online for the spike. Raceline beadlocks. They came in the mail today and I am very excited here's a picture of one, but you can see the full set after I have them powder coated.

Finally, more progress

I know it's hard to believe, but I actually got about 2 hours time to work in The Spike!

First task was get it easily accessible. Since I "deal shop" so much, I had a lot of parts for stages I am not yet to under the frame blocking rolling it out. -COMPLETED

Step 2 was to continue cleaning the frame.
I took out the sawsall and a 9" metal blade and got to work. I removed all the small brackets from the top off and the 2 rear body mounts. I also took out the brace that defined the back of the 4runner cab section leaving just the 3 cross braces. The rest I think I will have to use a grinder and take out the welds.

Ran out of time and got fried in the sun. So I rolled it back in and cleaned up. Now I can easily roll it back out to keep working. We have plans tomorrow, so maybe next week. There is still a long way to go, but at least I got more done. Still thinking of taking it to a shop to complete by the 10th anniversary Crawl 4 Christ next summer.

Transmission is out for rebuild

Yesterday, I loaded the transmission in the truck and took it to the shop. Over the next week or so, they will be giving it a compete once-over then removing all the built in great reduction transfer case junk and installing the inchworm transfer case adapter.

Next step, reassemble the motor and prepare the frame for the complete setup. I am moving the chassis and frame into my other garage so I can work on the transfer case rebuild soon too.

Parts Delivery!

Today a few arts came in from Low Range Off Road! (http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/)

Just a few pictures as a tease, build threads coming, but I am very excited to get things going on the transmission and double transfer case, as soon as I find instructions for this adapter...

Drive train lineup parts

Last week, I came across a deal on Craigslist for this used Toyota transfer case.
It's a gear driven, top shift with 4.7 gears already installed and the dual transfer case adapter. A great value at a good deal.
I brought it home and now will be using the other one I have for the dual case setup.

Just a couple more parts to buy then the drive train will be complete. It's expensive, but it's nice to be moving forward again on progress.

I am starting to understand how to do this, but I am way over my head. Anyone want to build a dual case setup?

Goals

I am making a plan, some may call it baby steps.

This week, I hung the chassis out of the way and now have access to the frame easily again. So I want the frame to be cleaned and ready by July.

I also received a picture that the engine pieces are powder coated and ready and I will be bringing them home in July also.

I want to spend a lilt money, okay a lot of money,  and get the drive train finished this summer. I found a transmission shop to go over that, and I have located all the party's I need, now I just have to make some purchases. Wish me luck, and a wealth of blessings from labor help, time, funds,and motivation.

Engine progress

Last week, I shipped off the EGR intake and valve cover for powder coating by Specialty Powder Coating in Zephyrhills, FL.

It's amazing how a person, whom I have met once many years before starting her business, and known mostly online through UCORA, can have earned my trust and respect in the powder coating business. Bonnie is a person of great trust and I have my greatest confidence in her work.

Keeping with my vow to support those who have sorted UCORA over the years, Specialty Powder Coating is taking care of the crown of my engine build. I'd you have any powder coating needs, I fully recommend Bonnie to everyone.

In other news, I have also begun cleaning and getting the exhaust manifold ready to paint. I wad given an aftermarket exhaust which I don't even know the brand,  but as long add I can get some minor repairs on it completed, it will look great in this motor.

What's this? More progress finally!

Well, it has been too long since working on the project, but I am not giving up.   Today, some work was done on the engine while it was out.  Not giving it away, but here are the parts removed so far...

and since the wind is blowing here in AZ as usual, I had to cover and seal the motor from dirt.

More to come, I promise.  I am wanting so bad to get this thing done.

An update, long overdue.

Well, it has been a long while since I updated, but to be honest, it had been a long time since I did any real progress.

So I am still in the tear down stages and getting ready to clean the frame before I start assembly. After lowering the chassis down and putting it on jack stands, I need to pull the engine, transmission, and transfer case or if the frame. That was the project this weekend.

The pictures may be a bit out of order, but you can see we got the engine puked, separated the transmission, and now have it mounted on a stand for some additional cleanup and work.

Enjoy the photos, and keep watching, I plan to keep working as much as I can.