"Roach" build thread

[mikebontoft]

up the twisting canyon roads of hwy 6, over soldier summit and back downhill... and down I-15N.

yeah... hey it's only 2600lbs. perhaps less with all the crap I took out. or more with what I put in. lol.

But really, we will see how it goes. With my recent modifications, I've been able to make it through about 70-75 in 5th without downshifting, where before I'd have to drop to 4th or 3rd and lose speed in the process. And that was not towing anything.

 

[mikebontoft]

You're going to tow a car up Soldier Summit?

Oh, I've got hubs and CVs on a shelf waiting for you.

you think that's a bad idea though? I wasn't sure.

They might have to sit there a bit man, I am so broke.

 

[KidVermicious]

I hauled my '86 around behind my 200hp Explorer a couple times, but when I broke down in Helper I sure as hell wasn't going to try to get over the pass like that. But that was a 4000lb truck, and I was more worried about Splodey's automatic transmission than the motor. You'll probably be ok. I'd plan on a couple half-hour breaks on the way down the west side to rest your brakes.

 

[mikebontoft]

I hauled my '86 around behind my 200hp Explorer a couple times, but when I broke down in Helper I sure as hell wasn't going to try to get over the pass like that. But that was a 4000lb truck, and I was more worried about Splodey's automatic transmission than the motor. You'll probably be ok. I'd plan on a couple half-hour breaks on the way down the west side to rest your brakes.

You broke down in Helper... lol. Fail. But yeah I don't expect any more than 3k lbs. Just a v8 focus and my toolbox. I'll probably take a break in Spanish Fork. That's usually my pee stop anyway.

 

[mikebontoft]

Alright..... time to try and make things a bit more interesting. No, I still haven't done any armor yet. It's all clean up mode as my other project (eventually will get to a build thread for that too!) has been taking up my fab time/money. Learning some new things in the process though.


Anyway, after the exhaust I had to address the damage done by tree branches and age. As shiny as it is, the paint felt dry and you could see scratches in every direction. Finally I had the chance to try out my rotary polisher, clay bar etc.

Of course, I still have to work on it more. I only got a driver's side door and the hood done because this is my first time with a rotary. (or any polisher really...)

A clay bar was definitely needed first. I got this about every square foot from the hood!

Paint on the hood, pre polishing:

and after:

driver's door before:

and after:

Comparison between the front and rear door:

and a few other pictures:

Not done, but I'll update next time I'm working on it

You might notice it was a repost from another thread I made. Well... you might not. It got lost in the detailing section. lol.

 

[mikebontoft]

March 16th, [MENTION=49649]KidVermicious[/MENTION] and [MENTION=88576]smkd13[/MENTION] a few others and myself hit one of the local trails, and my first time on any real kind of trail Just a few of my favorites of my own. I was busy taking pics of the others I could get to in time.

 

[02_SE_Runner]

Well looks like i'm going to have to buy a rotary polisher too since I can't find my last one. What are the steps you did to make it so shiney? Can you elaborate please?
Thanks man!
Nate.

 

[mikebontoft]

Shinies from yesterday:


Aaaand, now for a bunch of artsy photos of the most recent things.






and last but not least, one with my project car...


That's it for now... I'd like to try and build some sliders still, but we'll see how it goes.

 

[mikebontoft]

Well looks like i'm going to have to buy a rotary polisher too since I can't find my last one. What are the steps you did to make it so shiney? Can you elaborate please?
Thanks man!
Nate.

Surprised it didn't notify me of this.... anyway

I bought Meguiars Ultimate compound and Ultimate Polish. For the pads I used 7" lakewood country kompressor pads. Orange with the compound, white with polish (which smells like coconut!) followed up with Collinite #845 paste wax. Hand applied and after it glazes over I just wipe it down with a microfiber towel.

As for the rotary technique... I looked around youtube and google. Autogeek had some good tips too. That's where I bought all my stuff from, for the record. Except for the polisher itself. I bought that from harbor freight for $20. It's been good.

 

[mikebontoft]

little baby update. I've put the thing to use hauling wood and engines and axles... whatever. Anyway it got pretty dirty, so I cleaned up all the brake dust and grease that got rubbed into it. Fiber cleansing shampoo formula ftw.

 

[mikebontoft]

Oh I'm sorry, what's that? You thought I wasn't going to touch it for awhile? lol.

Thanks to Kevin, I've got something to play with. Decided to do a restoration on these AISIN manual hubs!



I already had the black and red paint sitting around, and it's the ceramic caliper paint. After polishing up the body, I went to home depot and bought new bolts and a paint pen to do the lettering. Used a gift card there.

So far this has only cost me $7 because I stopped by the dealer to pick up new gaskets, which they had plenty of.


got one more hub to do then I'll let the paint cure for a week. The lettering on the cap got a bit messed up as I left the paint pen in the sun and the paint thinned out and ran everywhere. I plan to redo that.

 

[KidVermicious]

Those look sweet.

 

[mikebontoft]

thank you sir! I needed something to take my mind off of the job hunt anticipation... this was perfect.

AND...I found another use for Hoppes No. 9. It's a pretty good solvent to use on the hub body to get it all shiny again.

 

[mikebontoft]

ughhh radiator cracked just at the top by the upper hose. going to pull it out, dry it off and solder it.

 

[KidVermicious]

Yuck.

 

[mikebontoft]

been putting it off... don't wanna do it lol. but I work tomorrow so I gotta do it.

in other news... been debating more and more about a 3.4.

 

[KidVermicious]

Do it. There's a couple for sale on RME right now.

 

[mikebontoft]

can't do it yet... but I'm pretty sure it's gonna happen. been deep into a few 5vzfes now and they just make sense...

finished the radiator. had to solder the side strap on as it fell off as well. meh. saved $160.

 

[mikebontoft]

what diameter tube is typically used for rock sliders? I've never seen em in person but 1.5" seems kinda big... doesn't it?

 

[KidVermicious]

what diameter tube is typically used for rock sliders? I've never seen em in person but 1.5" seems kinda big... doesn't it?

4xInnovations makes theirs out of 1.75" .120 wall. Addicted uses 2.0" .188 wall. I wouldn't go smaller than 1.75", and I'd be sure and use a thick wall DOM tube if I did.