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Well I broke out the new
Thermal Dynamics Plasma Cutter - Cutmaster
101 and the steel bout 1.5 years ago and started fabricating the roll
over protection bar. I've still got to craft and weld in the gussets and under Cab
mounting reinforcement plates before welding and mounting it for the final
time. I also plan on crafting and bolting in some Bikini Top braces to
go between the top outside corners of the Windshield Frame to the upper rear
corners of the bar. These will help stabilize the windshield and
give some side anchors for the soft top. My desire was to build a Bar
that would stay with the Cab should the cab get knocked off the frame and
not interfere with the trucks bed or cab access. Building the Bar out
of 2" x 4" x 1/4" might be a little overkill (and heavy as my shoulder will
attest), but trying to build a bar that gives some strength while not
interfering with a full covered cab is hard to do. Most other bars,
are either full cages, or have diagonal braces to the bed fender wells.
Trying out the Plasma Torch was a little exciting and takes some practice.
Thanks to Paul (in NY) for his machine recommendations and advice. I'm
pretty good using a guide on the straight cuts, but need some more practice
on the free hand work. 08/02/2007 |
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Started fabricating the under Cab Roll Bar
Attachment Reinforcements. 10/06/2007 |
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Fabricated the the front under floor Cab Roll
Bar Attachment Reinforcements. 1013/2007 |
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Fabricated the Roll Bar to Windshield supports.
This will help stabilize the windshield, while also giving clean solid
support for the bikini top that will cover the cab. The three separate
supports are bolted in, so they can be removed and the windshield lowered.
The parts are only tacked together for now, I need to remove them and do the
final welds. Also considering welding in a piece of 14 gauge sheet
metal in the outer two's triangle to further reinforce them while cleaning
up the look. I still need to fabricate and weld in the lower bar to
mounting plate supports, as well as the upper corner gusts, then clean it all
up and give it a coat of paint. 10/21/2007 |
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Finished the lower braces, and welded
everything and a coat of flat black. 11/04/2007 |
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Got the bar re-installed tonight. I think
my final color should be Green rather than black. 11/05/2007 |
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The new Heater arrived and now to start the
install process. 12/05/2007 |
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Started the body modifications and
installation. It's a Heater Craft 401HC Hydronic Heater. (http://www.heatercraft.com).
Technical Specifications/Features
It's also available in 24 Volt. I bought it on ebay for US $197.99 from
Big Guns Marine Parts Superstore. 12/8/2007 |
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The New Canvas arrived today from
Surplus City Jeep Parts. Now
to finish the heater installation and put the top to use this winter.
12/14/2007 |
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Well, we got a few inches of snow last night,
and even though I've not got the heater installed yet, I could not resist
quickly installing the new Canvas Top and heading out side. So as soon
as the driveways were clear, I put the frame and bar on and unpacked and
installed the new Top. Not a bad fit, the top is a little looser than
I expected, but I overall it fit good. The side plate went right into
the slots, and even though the rop was a little short for where I thought it
should tie off, I got it on and snug. The "Cab Bar" fits nicely
inside, and I still need to fab a couple of top on above window braces, and
get a set of bar to windshield straps. 12/16/2007 |
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Well here is Frankenstein out playing in the
snow (and I'm at the wheel of course). If I'd had the heater installed
it would have been fun to hit the road and see who/what is out and about in
this white stuff. I am amazed how much snow gets packed in and under
this truck. WOW I sure wish I'd installed a floor drain in the shop so
I would not have to keep wet vac'ing up the water. 12/16/2007 |
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Well she now has HEAT! Only did a quick
check in the shop as it was dark, but the water flows and she blows.
The two flex hoses are for defrosters, and the grill has a damper so I can
increase the defrost hose flow. The hoses do whistle with the damper
shut, so I may be looking for a non-rib'ed hose at some point.
12/23/2007 |
