Digging the headlight removal for tow chain storage, LOL

 

it was missing the light when I got it. My friend calls it popeye. The tow chain just fit so perfect there, and the hook even matches the mower. I currently need to do work on the "hitch" of it because I was yanking logs with it and pulled it almost clean off. Time to reinforce and rebuild that. Just need more flux core for my harbor freight welder.

 

Oh and forgot to mention the rear spider gears are stick welded so the rear is locked to keep those ags spinning.

 

just picked up a lincoln sp-135 plus mig welder at the local pawn shop for $175 been looking for a 110 welder to go with my Lincoln 180 240 welder more suited for exhaust and rockers, can't wait to throw down so beads tonight

 

that sp is a pretty nice little welder. professional quality, not big box store.

 

Well... it doesn't look like anyone will be buying my hitch. One of the guys in my for sale groups informed me that ZJ owners get a free hitch as a "fix" to the gas tank recall that Chrysler finally conceeded to.... I would normally doubt this, but I've been trying to sell or trade this hitch for like a year on multiple pages and multiple for sale sites.

SO... I'm thinking about just modifying the hitch to fit better on the XJ

I have one like this....



I need one like this....



So, we're talking about cutting off the rails, narrowing the cross bar, and re-welding the rails on the opposite sides so that my shackles won't hit (for one thing) and will have better clearance between exhaust, shackle, and hitch overall.

Question is.... if I were using a stick welder, what rod should I use and what settings on the welder? AND, if I were using a MIG, what settings and what wire/gas combo?

To clarify... I have NEITHER of these welders (all I have is a 90a HF FCAW), nor do I trust my skills this early in the game to weld something structural like a hitch. The REASON I'm asking this is because I THINK I know some good welders that would do this for me, but I want to know how to "test" them when I ask them what they're gonna do.

We all know that not all who claim they're welders is a welder. (Which is why I'm NOT a welder).

 

It's true, the exposed tank was a fire hazard during rear end collision.

 

I mean, I knew that part... I just didn't know the "fix" was to install a hitch to protect it. Glad I have that confirmed now.

 

If using stick, use a 1/8" 7018 rod, set around 90 amps. MIG, use .035 wire, and a 75/25 Co2/argon mix, set at around 30 psi...settings will depend on how thick the metal is/welder used. Not all machines are the same...figure out the material thickness, and consult the chart inside the welder door, or in the manual. If neither is available, find some scrap that's the same thickness, and run some test beads until you get it right.

 

Perfect, thanks!

 

Any time...

 

Doing some welding on some toolings for a fire hydrant company.

 

Beautiful work.

 

Absolutely!

 

Just some more stuff from work

Packer patched and reinforced


Old pin ears...blown out, wallowed


What they should look like...other side


New ears on and clamped in




Got that all welded up, 3 passes...then hit any cracks I found around the bushings. No pics, it got crazy the last couple days of the week...