When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
That's a handy trick. Gonna have to try that for my future torquing.
If its a thru-bolt, mark the head of the bolt on one side, and the threads,nut, washer and carry on to the stationary portion of whatever is bolted together.
That will not only tell you if the nut has come loose but also if the entire bolt is spinning.
Uni-paint makes some good oil based paint pens that last a long time and aren't easily washed off.
Whelp, aside from gears, the ruff stuff diff cover I ordered and reassembly, the axle is all done.
I'm happy with how it came out. Safe to say shafts and the diff are going to be he weak link now.
Extended the truss to the back side of the OTA track bar bracket. The bracket is welded to the tube itself, then the truss is notched out to also weld into the bracket and to the tube. Should add a considerable amount of strength.
First coat of implement paint. Going with a black semi-gloss implement paint from tractor supply. Takes forever to cure, but its about as tough as it gets when it comes to rattle can paint.
Originally Posted by LACK
Ive dabbled in welding for years, by no means a pro and always learning. Roni is a great guy to talk to about welding as well, fabricating on jeeps is easy compared to the stuff he does on a daily basis, he's doing all sorts of repairs and fab work in some much less than ideal environments.
Never too late to pick up a welder and start laying beads.
If you haven't already, go check out the welding thread. I sent you a PM as well.
Thanks for the compliments, guys, but jeeps aren't any easier, especially when you start getting into the serious stuff...fab is hard work, but doable for sure...but a word of warning: You may get bitten by the welding bug when you start...I sure did. So much so, I left a 25+ year career in aerospace to pursue it fulltime. Took a huge hit in pay, but I'm happy, doing what I want to do, and that gap will close someday. Went from working in cleanrooms on millions of dollars worth of hardware, to rolling around in the back of garbage trucks. LMFAO!!! So, my jeep hobby turned into a full on career change...
Originally Posted by TFitzPat87
I hit ya back!
Yeah, Roni is definitely doing some serious welding at his job. Maybe if he wasn't fixing those trucks so good, they'd stop ****ing em up so bad. Stop being so good at your craft, Roni!
Job security, LOL...and it doesn't matter how good I fix them...give an idiot an anvil and a rubber mallet, and he'll find a way to screw both of them up...
Originally Posted by LACK
Another minor accomplishment, got the 4.88 ring gear mounted/torqued on the 3.73+ carrier. Using red lock tight of course.
You'll notice a trend as this build progresses. Everything I torque gets a torque mark with a paint pen. Makes visual inspections simple and eases my OCD.
Originally Posted by LACK
If its a thru-bolt, mark the head of the bolt on one side, and the threads,nut, washer and carry on to the stationary portion of whatever is bolted together.
That will not only tell you if the nut has come loose but also if the entire bolt is spinning.
Uni-paint makes some good oil based paint pens that last a long time and aren't easily washed off.
Like this. (google pic)
Good tip. In the aerospace industry we called it "torque striping"...
Thanks for the compliments, guys, but jeeps aren't any easier, especially when you start getting into the serious stuff...fab is hard work, but doable for sure...but a word of warning: You may get bitten by the welding bug when you start...I sure did. So much so, I left a 25+ year career in aerospace to pursue it fulltime. Took a huge hit in pay, but I'm happy, doing what I want to do, and that gap will close someday. Went from working in cleanrooms on millions of dollars worth of hardware, to rolling around in the back of garbage trucks. LMFAO!!! So, my jeep hobby turned into a full on career change...
Job security, LOL...and it doesn't matter how good I fix them...give an idiot an anvil and a rubber mallet, and he'll find a way to screw both of them up...
Good tip. In the aerospace industry we called it "torque striping"...
I learned torque marks when I worked in wind energy. That industry during manufacturing is extremly clean. Not aerospace clean, but impressive. That is also the source of my OCD when it comes to wiring and electrical which is primarily what I used to do.
I was a field supervisor and commissioning lead. We would take newly erected towers and upload all the software, fully program, fiber optics, final wiring, etc and make them a running machine.
Heres some of the cabinets i've wired for reference. Big boy voltage from 24v DC for the Can Bus system all the way to 690v 3-phase.
Attachment 298237Thanks for the compliments, guys, but jeeps aren't any easier, especially when you start getting into the serious stuff...fab is hard work, but doable for sure...but a word of warning: You may get bitten by the welding bug when you start...I sure did. So much so, I left a 25+ year career in aerospace to pursue it fulltime. Took a huge hit in pay, but I'm happy, doing what I want to do, and that gap will close someday. Went from working in cleanrooms on millions of dollars worth of hardware, to rolling around in the back of garbage trucks. LMFAO!!! So, my jeep hobby turned into a full on career change...
Gotta do what makes you happy! If I caught the welding bug, and it turned into a career, I'd be ok with that.
My job actually consists of welding, just in a different way. I work in Additive Mfg. or 3D printing if you like, so the machine does the work for me. It's actually a solid gig, and they pay me well for being a "lab rat" so to say. Eventually I'll be a full blown applications engineer. At least that's what I'm working towards.
Dude... great job on that axle truss. Those welds look great!
Thank, I appreciate it, im not a fan of all the start/stops but I didnt want to introduce too much heat. Weld a couple inches, stop to let it cool, continue welding a couple inches, stop to let it cool. Over and over. Lol
In the grand scheme of things once its painted and under the jeep, ill never notice.
Got a second coat of paint on the axle. Here's a couple closer up detail shots. A little spatter here and there but not enough to get me to grind it off. Lol, it is a jeep and is going to spend its life covered in dirt.
Looking down at the top of the truss where its notched to further brace the OTA track bar bracket.
Where the truss welds into the cast pumpkin.
Under side of the track bar mount and a peek at the lower control arm bracket
Also got started on the driver side front stiffener.
Mocked up, marking where I need to clean really well and checking the fit. If you look up at the shock mount, you'll notice the previous owner ghetto-rigged some flat stock so he could run the shocks without bushings. Don't ask me how, why, or what he was trying to accomplish..... But, the factory mounting location is in good shape and ill be getting that ghetto fabulous BS out of there when I install the new shocks.
Time to clean!! Got the frame nice n shiny.
Some of then welding. Got a little over half way welding it out before my stomach was telling me to come inside for the night and have dinner.
Don't have any pics of this but had a very well stuck bolt on the bottom side of the stock frame track bar bracket. Bolt backed about 2 threads out and froze solid. Luckily I had a little wiggle room so I took my sawzall and cut the bolt in half so I could get the bracket off.
I plan on buying all new grade 8 hardware for the rebuild so its a non-issue. Could have been a huge PITA but worked out ok.
...just have it ready for the Hammers. You gotta have your own rig! LOL
Im pulling the trailer out with my truck. Buddies are designated to bring their rigs. I don't think it will be done by KOH, cav fab is saying their alpha kits won't ship until the end of January, add shipping to that. Dont think that equals a finished jeep.
