TKDX00 - Steena's Build

[Roadwarrior]

You need to gas them at night. They are all in the nest at night and if you gas them the fumes will kill them.

Down here in the south we like to light the gas on fire.. Which can be nice.. Until you have flying, flaming, angry bees swarming you..

 

[TKDx00]

HAHAHAHA... Roadie you bring back memories. I use to live in Greensboro NC and had in-laws out in the county. I remember doing that many times before a BBQ or a crawfish/crab boil.

 

[TKDx00]

Well I canceled my Calmini order. When I called today to verify they got the Email, the salesman said "oh... ok we got some of the parts in and were going to ship out to you at the end of the week, but if you want to cancel I'll send you a confirmation". Now they told me it would be shipped out today the last time. So it's save up time for the King Kong. All I ask is be straight with me good or bad, right or wrong.

 

[Kuzmovka]

Dude in all seriousness. SMOKE EM OUT. just toss a smoke grenade in there and calm the buggers down.

 

[TKDx00]

Folks...this is my front porch...Smoke bombs and GAS!!! Y'all tryin to get me arrested!!! My neighbors would call the cops on me in a heartbeat. The men are pissed at me because I do my own work on the X in my driveway and they go to a garage. The women are pissed cause my wife has me doing the house repairs while they call a contractor.

Anyway, I got some professional strength Carpenter Bee and Wasp spray from HD. Killed 'em on contact. Took the long tube and inserted it into the hole as far as it would go then emptied the can. That was 3 days ago, haven't seen a bee since.

 

[TKDx00]

Getting a set of sliders for a 2" lift from FF X. Thanks Man! Should arrive by the end of the month.
Decides on a Smittybilt XRC 10 winch.

Skids, Steering and new leaf springs are basically all that's left. Then I can begin the 2013-14 refurbish.

 

[TKDx00]

Finally got a chance last night to get back to Steena. Started cutting off the old sliders and PBing the body bolts again.

Did a lil online looking and my local steel connection has a 5 ft. C channel C8x11.5 I can get for $42. It's between 3/16 and 1/4 @ .223 which is a bit heavier than normal but not as heavy as 1/4" steel. I already have enough 1/4" plate for the frame connection.

I compared the tube bender I was going to get to the one Mr. Fink got and I like the JD Squared one better(Mr. Fink's). It cost about $75 more in the end but... that model can bend 1/4" walled DOM and the other model only .120 (less than half).

 

[NMTerras]

Well I canceled my Calmini order. When I called today to verify they got the Email, the salesman said "oh... ok we got some of the parts in and were going to ship out to you at the end of the week, but if you want to cancel I'll send you a confirmation". Now they told me it would be shipped out today the last time. So it's save up time for the King Kong. All I ask is be straight with me good or bad, right or wrong.

Danny's got the King Kong love at ORPP now...

 

[TKDx00]

Danny's got the King Kong love at ORPP now...

Already spoke to ORPP.

 

[Jmac289gt]

I hate to hear about the issues with Calmini and the bees, I do not like bees.

 

[TKDx00]

I hate to hear about the issues with Calmini and the bees, I do not like bees.

Life goes on yanno. Both obstacles have been either worked around or been completely removed. Thanks for the understanding comment and as far as bees...they serve a purpose and gotta live too, just not under my front steps.

 

[TKDx00]

Picked up the Platinum today. Part 2 of the Dual battery setup.

Now I can start wiring in the IBS monitor and install it in the center consol.
All the switches and CB are now installed and wired. Today the Wolo horns and switch go in.

 

[TKDx00]

Found a serious Antifreeze leak just now after running a few errands. Puddle was under the P/S TB adjuster. Leak is coming from somewhere at the back of the engine. I knew a head gasket needed changing but thought it was a minor internal leak since there was never a puddle until now.

Head Gasket run $71 ea. and Valve cover gaskets are $26 ea. Sure am glad I really like this truck.

So now that time has been removed, I can proceed and do a write-up without pressure.

 

[TKDx00]

$200 to just clean and "check" or $550 to completely rebuild heads (gasket kit included). I think I'll get them rebuilt. Wondering if I can get the bolts in grade8 or 10?

 

[Silver dude]

Prices seem good. The bolts need to be actual head bolts. They have a predetermined amount of stretch to them.

 

[TKDx00]

Prices seem good. The bolts need to be actual head bolts. They have a predetermined amount of stretch to them.

OK thanks. I'm trying to use grade8 whenever I can. The winter salt here rusts everything so bad.

 

[metzican]

This is a awesome project you are undergoing here. I'm about to start my own duel battery project but I am only going to remove one back seat. Yet to decide which one.

 

[TKDx00]

This is a awesome project you are undergoing here. I'm about to start my own duel battery project but I am only going to remove one back seat. Yet to decide which one.

I removed both to fit the base from the back hatch as close to the front seats to use as much space as possible, With the rear seat backs up, I lost 1/2 the useable area. This project's design has changed over time after finding this or that didn't work and my skills to do "proper" wood work...I'm no carpenter/electrician. Have fun, I sure am.

 

[TKDx00]

Been working 6 out of 7 days for the past 3 weeks. Kinda tired but managed to get most of th stuff off to get to the P/S head. Ordered the Mega Spindle from AtoZ and got the last piece for the bumper.

 

[Widgeteer]

I am following this intently, especially since you are not too far away and I want to do most of what you are doing. Awesome progress and nice truck.

 

[TKDx00]

Started on the rear bumper today. Cut the receiver hitch opening in C8x11.5 Channel and cut 45* on the ends for the plastic bumperette replacements. Pics coming the battery in the cam ran out.

 

[yellowx16]

can't wait to some pics!

 

[TKDx00]

Tomorrow I'll start the frame stiffeners. Found a post on how o make them since they are no longer made by the company. Hopefully I can finish up both by Friday so I can get back to the heads.

 

[TKDx00]

My AtoZ Mega Spindle arrived today. D@MN this thing is beefy!!! Too dark for a pic now, I'll lay it out tomorrow. If anyone is planning to make their own rear bumper, OR any Fabber out there making bumpers...I HIGHLY suggest using this for tires over 33 or if gas cans are going to be added.

AtoZ Mega Spindle

 

[TKDx00]

Can you believe this... It hasn't rained here in 3 or more weeks. Flowers dead, grass dying, shrubs starting to tern yellow. I decide to start my welding projects and what happens...IT RAINS !!!! WTF!!!

 

[Xado89]

Can you believe this... It hasn't rained here in 3 or more weeks. Flowers dead, grass dying, shrubs starting to tern yellow. I decide to start my welding projects and what happens...IT RAINS !!!! WTF!!!

Mother Nature at her finest right there...

 

[Xterrafauss]

Nice build man!

Good job on the steps too haha :kewl:

 

[TKDx00]

Started on the Frame Stiffeners:

 

[TKDx00]

Ordered the JD Squared Model 32 Bender and 2" Die today thanks to Mr. Fink's post. Much better than the one I was going to get.

If anyone is looking at purchasing Metal Fabrication equipment I can recommend M-Tech. Mike is a distributor for many companies and saved me approx. $100 and time. I know he's not a supporter on XN and is located here in IL. but he is (at this point) willing to deal to get sales. WWW dot MTECHSALES dot COM

 

[Silver dude]

Nice I've been looking at something similar. Not really a fan of screwing stuff to the garage floor though. My dad screwed his to the center of his trailer so he just bolts it in stands in the trailer and starts bending. If I get one I'd likely make a receiver hitch mount. So I can use it then put it away. Small garage rarely used tool.

 

[TKDx00]

I built a work table out of 2x10's and 2x4's. I was planning to drill foot holes in it for a mounting place when in use then store it underneath like my table and chop saws. Mike at M-Tech was really helpful and willing to drive to me to fulfill the order. His site has a few items I was looking for.

 

[TKDx00]

The Bender arrived Thursday and the 2" Die Friday. As soon as I get the chance, it will be mounted on the work bench. WOOOHOOO !!!!

All I need now is a plasma cutter and a brake and maybe a notcher.

 

[Silver dude]

I'd get yourself a metal cutting bandsaw if you haven't already. Man I use mine on just about every single metal fab project. Bender sounds awesome can't wait to see it in action or the projects that bend out of it.

 

[TKDx00]

I'd get yourself a metal cutting bandsaw if you haven't already. Man I use mine on just about every single metal fab project. Bender sounds awesome can't wait to see it in action or the projects that bend out of it.

I started pricing everything at once. From Benders and Bandsaws to Breaks and Plasma Cutters. Figured the Bender was the best first step after the welder. Now that I found a distributor in the area that is willing to work with me...here I grow...lol

 

[TKDx00]

Finally the snow is gone, sun is out and the temp is in the upper 40's. Was able to cut the sliders off today with 2 new Craftsman tool, A Rotary tool and a grinder. Picked them up on sale since another Sears is closing. I burned out my last grinder.

Took off the rear tube bumper and plastic bumpettes to finish measuring for the new wrap-around. Tomorrow I'll take the old slider tubes and play around with the plasma cutter to get a feel. Spring is here finally...let the mods begin.

 

[Jack Stilts]

Spring is here finally...let the mods begin.

I feel ya on that one

 

[Mirage]

I was just thinking the other day I hadn't seen anything from you lately. Looking forward to seeing what your up to.

 

[TKDx00]

I've not been posting lately, just lurkin. Since winter was pretty hard this year I had the time to plan mods better. I figured out I cut the main section for the rear bumper too short by an inch and a half, so it'll be the base for a new front bumper. Until I find a job, playing with different ways to cut and connect metal is pretty relaxing and satisfying stuff. Shoulda done this years ago.

 

[TKDx00]

Notched from JDSquared arrived today. 2 day turnaround.

 

[drbandkgb]

Sweet buddy! Hope to see you back out on some trails soon