- Location
- Murray, UT
Thanks guys and yes Vigg's Designs is where I got it. I wanted do something underneath it like a design which I might do later on.
dude that looks awesome! great job,Alright got a few seconds today and installed my new Hood Matte Black Graphic, I hope when I get the grille done and paint the plastic and replace the bumper it will really tie the color scheme together!
Before...
... After
Vhigg's design is awesome this is the 5 year the cheaper of the products but still great material and my dad was shocked that this little creases and crinkles showing when I got it wouldn't come out but they did!
I also made a quick little time lapse clip of it! I only added music so it wasn't so boring.
[video=youtube_share;volXhEFnGZA]http://youtu.be/volXhEFnGZA[/video]
you could always layer another vinyl over the black in the green you have a make the design that way.
- Location
- Murray, UT
Alright got a little update, finished up the build of the grille but still have 2 more pieces to get powdercoated. I was working while my dad was enjoying his new birthday gift a brand new Milling Machine(no pictures yet). I didn't have a lot of time but I got as much as finished as quickly as I could.
So my dad brought my first piece of the grille back from powdercoating...
Semi Gloss finish
Now here's the picture of the backside I promised.
Here you can see the fender washers which are pretty big washers you can see...
How it mounts
I added some rounded heads aka button heads so when I put the face back on they will wedge in place.
I placed the face over the top so you can see how it looks
Straight on shot
Placed on the truck but not snapped in
Liking the look though!
Next step is the remaining grille sections, after much debate I decided to just cut it all out including the mount
After a lot of quick cutting and bending
Managed to really secure the grille
On this side I can't use the fender washers so I will have to change that up and make sure the bolts aren't too long
Looking pretty slick, you can see the piece underneath that I cut wrong
Testing it out on the truck
With the face on
Once these last two pieces gets powdercoated I will finish off the face with a nice flat black paint and will be all finished!
So my dad brought my first piece of the grille back from powdercoating...
Semi Gloss finish
Now here's the picture of the backside I promised.
Here you can see the fender washers which are pretty big washers you can see...
How it mounts
I added some rounded heads aka button heads so when I put the face back on they will wedge in place.
I placed the face over the top so you can see how it looks
Straight on shot
Placed on the truck but not snapped in
Liking the look though!
Next step is the remaining grille sections, after much debate I decided to just cut it all out including the mount
After a lot of quick cutting and bending
Managed to really secure the grille
On this side I can't use the fender washers so I will have to change that up and make sure the bolts aren't too long
Looking pretty slick, you can see the piece underneath that I cut wrong
Testing it out on the truck
With the face on
Once these last two pieces gets powdercoated I will finish off the face with a nice flat black paint and will be all finished!
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- Location
- Murray, UT
Time for an update, got the remaining pieces powdercoated and back
Next step was to put it all together! I did however take all the washers off the front as I did not need them.
As I mentioned I painted the front face a dark charcoal color, it was suppose to be flat w/ some pearl but there is no pearl showing when I finished and I don't know why maybe the lady who mixed it did too much flat paint.
Back in place!
After thinking it through I decided that I dont like the dark charcoal color I am going to change it to a semi-gloss and match it to the powdercoated grille so that will happen later. Reason why is I plan for a flat black powdercoated Shrock bumper.
No other updates this weekend I am a little busy with homework this weekend.
Next step was to put it all together! I did however take all the washers off the front as I did not need them.
As I mentioned I painted the front face a dark charcoal color, it was suppose to be flat w/ some pearl but there is no pearl showing when I finished and I don't know why maybe the lady who mixed it did too much flat paint.
Back in place!
After thinking it through I decided that I dont like the dark charcoal color I am going to change it to a semi-gloss and match it to the powdercoated grille so that will happen later. Reason why is I plan for a flat black powdercoated Shrock bumper.
No other updates this weekend I am a little busy with homework this weekend.
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- Location
- Denver Adjacent
Looks awesome!
SKAVYNGR
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Lexington, KY
Wow, looking great!
-Jonny
-Jonny
S
Steeze
Guest
Badass bro!
- Location
- Murray, UT
Thanks guys, working on something big hopefully for next week!
- Location
- Murray, UT
Update, today had work off so I had to make the most of it... I wanted to paint the front end of the X all the same matching color as the face of the grille so it was my chance to do it!
Started by getting the bumper off in 30 minutes, broke two brackets trying to do so... I first used a scuff pad to remove dirt and grime then took 320 grit sandpaper and wet sanded it all!
I even got in hard spots, I know I didn't have to get every mm but I know it would help...
While waiting for the paint to dry i took a chance to look over the X and plan some more mods
The paint turned out great! I hope it holds up good but we will see
Final product, took maybe 3 or 4 hours, it's not fully cured but I put it on anyways
I love the way it looks
Finally done, can't wait to do my HID retro fit this summer
Oh and hint at whats coming... no this is not my pic (credit to whoever took it. it's from google)
Started by getting the bumper off in 30 minutes, broke two brackets trying to do so... I first used a scuff pad to remove dirt and grime then took 320 grit sandpaper and wet sanded it all!
I even got in hard spots, I know I didn't have to get every mm but I know it would help...
While waiting for the paint to dry i took a chance to look over the X and plan some more mods
The paint turned out great! I hope it holds up good but we will see
Final product, took maybe 3 or 4 hours, it's not fully cured but I put it on anyways
I love the way it looks
Finally done, can't wait to do my HID retro fit this summer
Oh and hint at whats coming... no this is not my pic (credit to whoever took it. it's from google)
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SpongeX
Bought an X
- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
What paint are you using on the plastics?
- Location
- Murray, UT
It's a custom gray slate I picked up from a custom paint shop.
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
I really like the way it all turned out
- Location
- Murray, UT
Thank you!
Alright decided enough suspense for now... I am going to tell you guys I am stoked the wheels came in Monday which I saw and love. They are 17" rim as the tires which I am getting a smoking deal on the Toyo M/T's are on my dad's work truck and just waiting for him to buy the truck which he will be doing as soon as he gets his Tax return. The tires are 285/75R17 but E-Rating I prefer C or D usually, not that I worry so much about flats more so I like the soft sidewalls for desert running.
As for other things I should hopefully have Titan Swap done next month thanks to Justin who has been working with me. If all goes the way I hope I will be ARB Locked on the m205 with front and rear gears at 4.56 and SOA in rear!
Alright decided enough suspense for now... I am going to tell you guys I am stoked the wheels came in Monday which I saw and love. They are 17" rim as the tires which I am getting a smoking deal on the Toyo M/T's are on my dad's work truck and just waiting for him to buy the truck which he will be doing as soon as he gets his Tax return. The tires are 285/75R17 but E-Rating I prefer C or D usually, not that I worry so much about flats more so I like the soft sidewalls for desert running.
As for other things I should hopefully have Titan Swap done next month thanks to Justin who has been working with me. If all goes the way I hope I will be ARB Locked on the m205 with front and rear gears at 4.56 and SOA in rear!
Golf286
Wheeling
- Location
- Niwot, Colorado
That's gonna be a great setup Alex.. I'm doing the same gears, with 35's and can't wait for the ARB front locker. I'm looking forward to the pics of the SOA.
CaptainMorgan_SOS
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Alamogordo, NM
Sounds like a great setup. Man that thing is sharp! That's a lot of work on that front bumper, no armor before GONE?
- Location
- Murray, UT
Just on the underside for now... going to get myself a radiator skid it's the only skid I am missing (except maybe an underside diff skid for the rear). But a friend of mine is starting a new fabricating business and I am going to do some work for him so I might be able to get a bumper made at cost of materials we will see. BTW I love what Steveo is doing for you man! So clean!
CaptainMorgan_SOS
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Alamogordo, NM
I'm stoked about it. Time can't go by fast enough.
Are you thinking plate or tube? Or a hybrid of both for a bumper? Tire carrier too? Before or after GONE? Sorry for all the questions, I am just really diggin' how your X is turning out! I was afraid it was going to stay mostly stock for a while there
Are you thinking plate or tube? Or a hybrid of both for a bumper? Tire carrier too? Before or after GONE? Sorry for all the questions, I am just really diggin' how your X is turning out! I was afraid it was going to stay mostly stock for a while there
- Location
- Murray, UT
Have a little update from this past weekends adventure! Here's a sneak peek!
- Location
- Murray, UT
Well good news, my dad confirmed I could buy his tires yesterday so I will probably go get them mounted on the rims this week. The Titan Swap still in the air probably a week or two.
CaptainMorgan_SOS
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Alamogordo, NM
But it should be done before GONE though, right? What trails are you going to be running out there?
- Location
- Murray, UT
Right, hopefully will be done here in the next week or two So far for trails I am going pretty simple, Monday - Backwards Bill, Tuesday - Top of the World (going to make it to the top this year!), Wednesday - Poison Spider Mesa, Thursday - Flat Iron, and Friday - Fins and Things. I may end up trail leading Seven Mile Rim on Friday though or maybe another trail or two during the week. What about you, whats the plan?
So far for trails I am going pretty simple, Monday - Backwards Bill, Tuesday - Top of the World (going to make it to the top this year!), Wednesday - Poison Spider Mesa, Thursday - Flat Iron, and Friday - Fins and Things. I may end up trail leading Seven Mile Rim on Friday though or maybe another trail or two during the week. What about you, whats the plan?- Location
- Murray, UT
Alright I think it's time for an update, so this one I have had progress on for the last 3 weeks but been keeping it under the table until I got a little more results to show.
My custom Aluminum switch panel! Yes I have been thinking this over for a long time, I want to take the center console next to the shift (on the automatic) it has that little cubby hole that no one can ever seem to find a use for... I decided originally to put a 6 or 7 switch panel length wise... Which would look good but I have seen someone do it before and I wanted to instead make something completely unique and more complicated of course. So I figured out I could fit 9 switches! Yep that's a lot right?? Well first things first, you could just cut the plastic and lay them in there but it's going to look like crap and leave gaps all over... So I planned on making a level surface mount the switch panels from OTRATTW's in.
I started off by taping off the piece I plan to work on and drawing the panel dimensions in...
I knew to do it right I was going to have to buy a big chunk of aluminum to mill... And well McMaster Carr made it worth it, I bought this piece of L12" x W5" x H3/4" for $24.00
Next I secured 3x of the switch mounting panels from OTRATTW's website
There isn't going to be much of an edge mount to work on so I will have to narrow it down quite a bit
Draw it out, and plan mounting.
Then it was a matter of test fitting!
The inside will be hollowed out to make working on the curved edge much easier
The first step was to cut the length to the correct proportion which I used a metal cutting saw for, the second step was to hollow out the underside which we begin using my dad's new mill for!
It is manual control not cnc, but we plan to later on to add computer operated controls. All the cuts had to be done the hard way which meant learning how to use it.
It took me quite a while to get this far just going a little at a time... layer by layer
Unfortunately I made a few bad cuts, but this was just a rough cut and will be cleaned up later
Remember this is 3/4" thick so I had to cut away quite a bit and left about 1/8" of width between top and hollowed inside
Next step flip it over and drill holes for the corner
There was a lot of cutting then re-positioning and making sure everything stayed square, unfortunately again I made a bad cut notice the bottom right... But luckily it will be covered up by the panel
I didn't want any sharp corners cutting my hand as I reach for the switch so I tried my dad's curved mill end, it's not very big so I kind of cut a little too deep and now I have this ridge but the whole thing is getting sanded and filed so I will smooth it out in the end
Test fitting the switch panel
I also fixed the inside by really taking my time and cleaning up the edges
So finally I have to curve the whole piece to match the curve of the center console, to find this angle I wrapped a pencil with tape to get the desired height and ran it a long the edge of the plastic
It's exciting to make it happen!
I used a file and rasp to get this far!
Test fitting again...
Sorry no pictures of it on the piece with the curve yet, I ran out of time... But to show you how much aluminum I really removed!
So next if your wondering what switches I am going to use I will have an Air Compressor, Front Locker, Rear Locker on one panel. Second panel is Bumper Light Bar, Roof Light Bar, Backup Light Bar. And last panel will be Side Lights, Undercarriage Lights and last will be a Kill Switch (to kill power to all the Lights at the same time, that way when I see an oncoming vehicle on the trail I don't have to flip each individual switch I just hit one to turn it off).
If anyone wants to see another picture at a certain angle or something just let me know I have lots of them!
My custom Aluminum switch panel! Yes I have been thinking this over for a long time, I want to take the center console next to the shift (on the automatic) it has that little cubby hole that no one can ever seem to find a use for... I decided originally to put a 6 or 7 switch panel length wise... Which would look good but I have seen someone do it before and I wanted to instead make something completely unique and more complicated of course. So I figured out I could fit 9 switches! Yep that's a lot right?? Well first things first, you could just cut the plastic and lay them in there but it's going to look like crap and leave gaps all over... So I planned on making a level surface mount the switch panels from OTRATTW's in.
I started off by taping off the piece I plan to work on and drawing the panel dimensions in...
I knew to do it right I was going to have to buy a big chunk of aluminum to mill... And well McMaster Carr made it worth it, I bought this piece of L12" x W5" x H3/4" for $24.00
Next I secured 3x of the switch mounting panels from OTRATTW's website
There isn't going to be much of an edge mount to work on so I will have to narrow it down quite a bit
Draw it out, and plan mounting.
Then it was a matter of test fitting!
The inside will be hollowed out to make working on the curved edge much easier
The first step was to cut the length to the correct proportion which I used a metal cutting saw for, the second step was to hollow out the underside which we begin using my dad's new mill for!
It is manual control not cnc, but we plan to later on to add computer operated controls. All the cuts had to be done the hard way which meant learning how to use it.
It took me quite a while to get this far just going a little at a time... layer by layer
Unfortunately I made a few bad cuts, but this was just a rough cut and will be cleaned up later
Remember this is 3/4" thick so I had to cut away quite a bit and left about 1/8" of width between top and hollowed inside
Next step flip it over and drill holes for the corner
There was a lot of cutting then re-positioning and making sure everything stayed square, unfortunately again I made a bad cut notice the bottom right... But luckily it will be covered up by the panel
I didn't want any sharp corners cutting my hand as I reach for the switch so I tried my dad's curved mill end, it's not very big so I kind of cut a little too deep and now I have this ridge but the whole thing is getting sanded and filed so I will smooth it out in the end
Test fitting the switch panel
I also fixed the inside by really taking my time and cleaning up the edges
So finally I have to curve the whole piece to match the curve of the center console, to find this angle I wrapped a pencil with tape to get the desired height and ran it a long the edge of the plastic
It's exciting to make it happen!
I used a file and rasp to get this far!
Test fitting again...
Sorry no pictures of it on the piece with the curve yet, I ran out of time... But to show you how much aluminum I really removed!
So next if your wondering what switches I am going to use I will have an Air Compressor, Front Locker, Rear Locker on one panel. Second panel is Bumper Light Bar, Roof Light Bar, Backup Light Bar. And last panel will be Side Lights, Undercarriage Lights and last will be a Kill Switch (to kill power to all the Lights at the same time, that way when I see an oncoming vehicle on the trail I don't have to flip each individual switch I just hit one to turn it off).
If anyone wants to see another picture at a certain angle or something just let me know I have lots of them!
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- Location
- Denver Adjacent
wooooowwwww. That looks awesome.
CaptainMorgan_SOS
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Alamogordo, NM
So that switch panel looks pretty awesome.
It looks like we'll be running a lot of the same trails. I took the minimum requirements for each trail pretty literal so I may be being a little conservative on the trails I picked. It'll be my first time out there, so I was unsure of what to go with. I am registered for Backwards Bill, Top of the World Reverse, Metal Masher, Flat Iron Mesa and then Tip Toe Behind the Rocks.
It looks like we'll be running a lot of the same trails. I took the minimum requirements for each trail pretty literal so I may be being a little conservative on the trails I picked. It'll be my first time out there, so I was unsure of what to go with. I am registered for Backwards Bill, Top of the World Reverse, Metal Masher, Flat Iron Mesa and then Tip Toe Behind the Rocks.
metzican
Suspension Lift
- Location
- Lafaytte, la
This looks amazing. I already ran out of room for switches and I need to come up with a plan to add more I think I have 3 that are just laying around as of right now and more to come. I can't quite steal your idea but I might get a few clues from it.
Ddog346
Bought an X
- Location
- Coventry, CT
This is an AMAZING build, like your others. Cant wait to see more!
- Location
- Idaho!
Ooooo, that looks great so far! I cannot wait to see the final product. I am jealous of your workmanship (even the little mistakes made) and of that job. Very very jealous, haha!
- Location
- Murray, UT
Thanks guys and gal! I am pretty excited to work on it again!
I am pretty excited to work on it again!- Location
- Murray, UT
Titan OEM LCA's ordered! Also received a text pic of ARB install on the m205
Also received a text pic of ARB install on the m205 - Location
- Murray, UT
Sorry guys for crappy cell phone pic guys, but just planned out my wiring for the switches. I forgot to write in what amp's for each fuse but hopefully that makes sense... If anyone spots an error or something that needs fixing let me know.
As for the panel it's getting pretty close to done, I am going to hold off on pics of it until it's mounted but I will let you know that I sanded and filed the whole thing down. Cleaned it up with a 2000 grit sandpaper and it's ready to be clear coated. Looks real nice Almost like it was made by a pro instead of a beginner!
As for the panel it's getting pretty close to done, I am going to hold off on pics of it until it's mounted but I will let you know that I sanded and filed the whole thing down. Cleaned it up with a 2000 grit sandpaper and it's ready to be clear coated. Looks real nice
Almost like it was made by a pro instead of a beginner!ddddddd
Bought an X
- Location
- los angeles
Sorry guys for crappy cell phone pic guys, but just planned out my wiring for the switches. I forgot to write in what amp's for each fuse but hopefully that makes sense... If anyone spots an error or something that needs fixing let me know.
As for the panel it's getting pretty close to done, I am going to hold off on pics of it until it's mounted but I will let you know that I sanded and filed the whole thing down. Cleaned it up with a 2000 grit sandpaper and it's ready to be clear coated. Looks real nice
I would add a 100A in-line fuse between battery positive and fusebox. Also, use this table (https://www.eol.ucar.edu/rtf/facilities/isff/LOCAL_access_only/Wire_Size.htm) to determine your cable size per device based on the power consumption of each device. I would go with 4AWG for connection from battery to fuse and from fuse to fusebox. Another example, (E) Bumper Light, if that is a 60W LED light bar, drawing 5A at 12V, I would go with 12 AWG wire. Also, make sure your fuse for that is at LEAST 2x the current, i.e. 10A fuse. Also, 18AWG should be good for the power to the switches, just make sure you use the right size for the connection to relays and devices. Also, make sure the current rating of the relay is sufficient. 30 or 40 amp relays should do.
You could use a power distribution block for both the switches and relays, so that you don't have to daisy chain them. You drew them as daisy chained, but I assume they will all be in the same location, and not distributed throughout the car. Something like this from radioshack will work, and will make it nice and pretty like your drawing (yay for organization!):
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103229
Looks pretty good! Should be fun. Keep us updated.
- Location
- Murray, UT
Thank you for your insight! I am going to consider a lot of that. Infact I am going to switch to a fuse box with built in relays for only the big things.
Well as for the switch panel I resumed some sanding with a 600 grit sandpaper, then steel wool and finally with some flitz before clear coating with an acrylic lacquer... Here is before the clear coating!
On the underside
With the switches in... and clear coat!
It's pretty amazing that I went from this on the right to this on the left!
Lots of material gone and almost ready for mounting!
Things are coming along...
Well as for the switch panel I resumed some sanding with a 600 grit sandpaper, then steel wool and finally with some flitz before clear coating with an acrylic lacquer... Here is before the clear coating!
On the underside
With the switches in... and clear coat!
It's pretty amazing that I went from this on the right to this on the left!
Lots of material gone and almost ready for mounting!
Things are coming along...
- Location
- Murray, UT
Also a little something else to show... Titan m205 Diff, ARB Locker, and 4.56 gears!
Thing of beauty!
Can't wait to be geared for bigger tires, I have always had underpowered X's
Thing of beauty!
Can't wait to be geared for bigger tires, I have always had underpowered X's
CaptainMorgan_SOS
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Alamogordo, NM
Get that thing swapped already!!
- Location
- Murray, UT
I pick it up tomorrow, done and swapped!
slantyshanty
Bought an X
- Location
- 'Merica (DFW)
Damn that green is something else! Awesome work. I LOVE DIY/custom stuffs. Job well done Sir.
- Location
- Murray, UT
Thank you! Yeah I love the color!