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'65 Rubicon Rig

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by timsresort, Dec 27, 2020.

  1. Mar 24, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2014
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    With the snow melting fast, I was able to extricate the club RTI ramp out of the storage yard. This is the way to go for checking flex, travel and clearance.
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    Then, I was just down the block from the body shop when they called for me to pick up the grill. Once in a while, stuff goes right. If you remember, this was a ratty Commando grill I got from parstdude that had marker lights cut in the wrong spots. Then I sectioned the radiator support to move the radiator forward. I think it's appropriate that Nick will be driving around with parts from his uncle Sam.
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    Last edited: Mar 24, 2022
    tymbom, Danefraz, 47v6 and 4 others like this.
  2. Mar 25, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    The first thing I want to do with the grill is get the hood welt I got from partsdude installed. He warned me that the rivets are a SOB to install, so I was thinking about some way to get the rivets to spread and cinch, in an area that is tight. I came up with this, a chunk of 5/8 plate drilled 1/4". Tried it with one of the rivets, they curl right up.
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    I inserted this backing plate behind the top flange of the grill, couple taps with a hammer, and the rivets are good and tight.
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    The ones I could get to, I crimped the rivets a little further. This will work.
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    I really liked this kit from Sam, and I'm glad I did not have to resort to pop rivets.
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    On a roll after work, so I installed the headlights and marker lights. This grill has come a long way.
    [​IMG]
     
  3. Mar 26, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    This is the stock replacement shroud for the 22" radiator from partsdude. I had to shave one small area on the lower driver side, (my motor is not in the stock location), but overall very satisfied.
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    This pretty much completes the engine bay. I am happy that it's ready to run.
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    The grill installed, headlight wiring done, shroud installed, I fired it up and ran it up the ramp.
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    There is a lot to look at, all drivetrain clearance, and body clearance. Also I measured what the bump stops need to be, so I don't tear up the body too much.
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    Some serious droop.
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    I'll set the bump stop just short of this.
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    This is where the stop will be, and the tentative cut.
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  4. Mar 27, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2014
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    Received the lower latch from Ruffstuff. Very nice item btw. Worked on getting it mounted.
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    Had to move the right upright on the tire carrier over to allow for the tailgate to open. I had not taken into account the width of the tire not letting it swing open enough.
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    Then I turned back to the rocker guards. Applied the Steel-it paint, then final mounted the passenger side with stainless hardware through the body and grade 8 bolts though the cage feet.
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    Finished the wiring to the tail lights, and checked it all out.
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    It's coming together, I like that I can get through 3 list tasks in a day now, rather than 1 task for 3 days.
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    NH Charlie, jeepstar, tymbom and 13 others like this.
  5. Apr 1, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    I asked a friend that has sewing skills with olive drab canvas if he would make us a little shade cover. Gave him the dimensions, and this is what arrived. Pretty cool, this will work.
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    I will install some snaps on the cage, probably wait for a warm day, and pull it tight. This is only meant for slow speed crawling, so I think there will be no straps.
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    I like the rounded corners, necessary because of the A to C cage design. And that great canvas smell, I love it.
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  6. Apr 2, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Jan 22, 2014
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    Started thinking about the gas can tie down. First, I made a hook to mate into the can holder by heating some flat bar with a torch.
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    This is how it hooks.
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    Then added a 5/8" rod coupling to thread the clamp into.
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    For the can clamp, I rigged this up for the press.
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    This will work. I have used this on my other jeeps, and it's a simple and easy system.
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    And the last step is 5/8" thread, with a T-handle on top. It has enough leverage to clamp the can down pretty darn tight.
    [​IMG]
     
  7. Apr 7, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Finalized the rack lower clamp. It isn't going anywhere.
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    Finished the driver side rocker, painted with Steel-it. Also had to add some rtv to the rear axle sealed outer bearings where they ride in the Torino big bearing end. Hopefully that solves my gear oil leak out the end of the rear housing. This also shows the newly relieved rear wheel opening to account for the travel noted while on the ramp. I am going to fix the body edge when I have more time, then paint it. (later).
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    With the bump stops installed, time to check the travel again. This is at full bump, everything looks good.
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    This is a look at the front bump stop with full stuff on the ramp. You can see the really flat leaf pack, the difference between the front and rear axle angles, the last 1" of shock when compressed. I am really happy with this, no known issues here.
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  8. Apr 8, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Quick after work project, installed the new V6 emblems from Partsdude4x4. Sam is the only one licensed by Jeep to make these, and others, and they actually used his emblems on a concept rig. They are almost too nice for this jeep, but it deserves a classic touch.
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  9. Apr 10, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    The 2 old rigs out in the sun together for the first time this year. We are getting closer to a rock-test-drive.
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    Small detail, get the rack to open enough to open the tailgate, and set the spring loaded pull-pin to latch there.
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    And, just for fun, still messing with the rear disc brakes. I bought and changed out the rear calipers with new units, to eliminate that as a problem. Did not solve the lack of braking in the rear. So I bled the rears the old fashioned way for 3 hours, never got all the air out. Checked pedal travel, re-bench-bled the master. Finally made this setup, a pressure bleeder. This is a piece of plate over the master reservoir, with an air chuck, set to 30 lbs. There was so much air in the system, I would have died trying to get the air out manually. Now I have all air out of the system, but can barely get the calipers to move. Getting a new master from Sam next.
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    givemethewillys, jzeber, 47v6 and 5 others like this.
  10. Apr 14, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Work is once again cutting into jeep time. I'm doing an electrical job in Yosemite valley, and staying there 3 nights a week for a few weeks. At least they turned the waterfalls back on for us.
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    Returned tonight and had received the Corvette disc-disc master cylinder from Partsdude4x4. This is very nice looking, and I confirmed I will have to switch the postion of the lines, as the outputs are reverse of the old MC. After reading up on my problem of no pressure to the rear brakes, it seems the drum-disc MC doesn't have enough volume to move the calipers. I hope this solves it. I told Sam, when I'm rich, I am never working on brakes again.
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    Danefraz, truckee4x4, duffer and 8 others like this.
  11. Apr 14, 2022
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    I wish I could double like the pic and sentiment.
     
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  12. Apr 15, 2022
    Ol Fogie

    Ol Fogie 74 cj5 304, 1943 mb

    Southern...
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    x2
     
  13. Apr 16, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Brake day, again. Drained the drum-disc MC, capped the lines, and yanked it out. Checked the length of the push rod, I will have to add about a quarter to the rod for it to work correctly on the new MC. I painted the new cylinder the night before, and let it dry by the fire. (I was kind of slacking on the photos). Bench bled the new cylinder, taking care to slightly tip it up to the rear, to allow bubbles to escape. Extended the push rod, then installed it on the firewall. I need a better pressure bleeder fitting, so after 3 tries, I came up with this beauty. Needs to be thick, so it doesn't deflect when clamping. Needs to have a 90 degree air fitting, so it can be clamped in the center. Needs a hood over the elbow to allow for the clamp.
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    I had to re-bend the lines, as front and rear are switched with this MC, but they worked without cutting anything. And after putting 30 psi to it, I found a small leak at the rear hard line to flex line adapter. Bled a bunch of air out again, and checked the pedal. So solid it barely moved. Can this be true? I had to slap myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Not dreaming, so I went for a test drive (in a snow storm). Stomped on it at about 20 mph, very good, this will do. I am a happy man as this Saturday comes to a close. I think a good scotch is in order.
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    Muzikp, duffer, 3b a runnin and 11 others like this.
  14. May 5, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Sorry about the lack of posting, and I heard about it from Jay at the annual Camp Plymouth Military meet. This thing is a ton of fun, a few hundred MV's, big swap meet with plenty of parts, and a good camp fire every night. Great rigs to check out, this is my friend Pete's Dodge resto-mod- a '41 1/2 ton open cab on a M37 frame with a Ford 300 straight 6 on 40" swampers.
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    A 60's M151A2 with a 106 howitzer-just in case you need to do some avalanche control.
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    A nice patina M37 (2 weeks off mine), and an M38. Representing the Korean war era.
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    These 500 lb bombs-they really aren't that heavy after a few mai tai's.
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    Nick contemplating the 80 year old Dodge 1/2 ton with a 1919.
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    Anyway, back to the jeep, I am planning on a rock test drive this weekend, and I am hoping to get some video.
     
    Last edited: May 5, 2022
    tymbom, Twin2, 3b a runnin and 8 others like this.
  15. May 6, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Punch list stuff this week after work: front drive shaft in, skid plate on, tighten the anti-wrap bar, driver seat bolted in, front bumper final bolted and painted, started the modification to the trans cover. All little steps to getting to the test trail.
     
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  16. May 6, 2022
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    The little stuff takes a lot longer than the big stuff.
     
    47v6, 3b a runnin, Ol Fogie and 2 others like this.
  17. May 13, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Got off work a little early on this fine Friday, so time to test it. I ran the 3 miles over to a local off road area that has 3 rock courses, in increasing difficulty. My first attempt, I only got a mile when the brakes started dragging, so I returned and shortened the master cylinder push rod. That did it, and I was off. On the road trip I noticed good oil pressure, 180 degree coolant, the brakes are firm, no bad noises. And it was a really nice 62 degree afternoon, after all the late snow and cold weather we've had, it was nice. Got to the bottom of the first rock pile, locked the hubs, aired down to 6 lbs (to replicate what we do on the Rubicon), and started up the rocks.
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    Looking down the lower 2/3, it's 12-24" rocks on a mild upslope. Not too dug out. A good little test, the jeep did not even flinch.
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    Moved to the next trail, this one is longer, more chewed up, and steeper. I actually got video, but it is waiting to upload (slowly). On this one, I had some unexpected difficulty climbing a rock, and slid off the line, forcing a backup. I then got around it and stopped adjacent to the camera. I decided to review the video, and saw that my right front was not driving, hence the difficulty.
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    I'm now 1/4 way up this thing, and in 3 wheel drive, but it went this far, and there was no problem getting to the top. I decided that was enough, plus I still have a bad rear axle seal issue. Not sure what is causing that on the brand new Currie 60, but it's bad, and a mess. But good news, it runs cool, it crawls and flexes great, it idles on steep uphill angles, it starts in gear on the uphill, brakes are good, and apparently 3 wheel drive will do quite a bit.
     
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  18. May 14, 2022
    Jay's WWII Jeeps

    Jay's WWII Jeeps Member

    Napa CA
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    I was beginning to wonder if you got too much "Dodge time" at Plymouth!! Looking good.
    Jay
     
    timsresort likes this.
  19. May 14, 2022
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    Yup. That was my 3B mode for 4 decades. But front lockers really spoil you.
     
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  20. May 16, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    You got that right. As does power steering and granny low, but we're not getting any younger and we deserve it.
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2022
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