The build is under way
- Thread starter tundramonkey
- Start date
Looks fantastic, just what I want for my 136 to 153 conversion. But my aluminum bending skills are somewhat lacking....Sell me a kit?
Dimensions of your bumper? Trying to do this myself....
I used a piece of 1" OD aluminum square tube with a 1/8th" wall. The total length of the piece was 9' before I bent it. I made it the same width of the outside of the stock tunnel, approx 16 and 1/8th of a inch. Then you can just cut it to the correct lenght for your sled. I used threaded insert about every 6" along the bumper to secure it to the tunnel. You will need the tool to insert these correctly. If you need any more info let me know.
U
untouchable
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Hey monkey, how much is it to powdercoat all of that? Thinking I need to do the running board edges, bumper, and maybe my rails. Thanks
Don't have a solid figure yet, but around 350-400. $125 for sandblasting on some parts, 2 colors $45 setup for each. All the rear skid frame, front suspension, and the rear tunnel setup are being coated = a lot of parts.
U
untouchable
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I guess that isn't too bad for all those parts and its something that's going to last a long time. What colors did you go with?
Another question, how did you tuck the rear cooler up under there? or did you spend the $500 for a U-cooler?
Honestly that is one of the cleanest bumper, running board, tail light setups I've seen. Props man
Another question, how did you tuck the rear cooler up under there? or did you spend the $500 for a U-cooler?
Honestly that is one of the cleanest bumper, running board, tail light setups I've seen. Props man
Thanks. The front will be black with orange springs and the rear will be black with the front and rear arms orange.
I still have to make the rear cooler yet. It will be flat and around 1" thick. I did measure the volume of the stock cooler and it holds 13 oz. of fluid. I'm going to try to build the new one to hold 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 times as much.
I still have to make the rear cooler yet. It will be flat and around 1" thick. I did measure the volume of the stock cooler and it holds 13 oz. of fluid. I'm going to try to build the new one to hold 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 times as much.
I really do likes the looks of your project. Its coming along. Wish I had the patience to do that. I have the skills just not the patience at times for a lengthy build. Those BDX foot supports are nice, but do they weaken the tunnel at all by cutting the boards shorter?
I wouldn't think that they would. The bottom of the BDX foot bracket is riveted to the drop bracket and then to the side of the tunnel to add some support to the tunnel IMO. Then the back of the tunnel (on mine) has the 1" square tube bumper to add support to the rear. The 1" square tube is really strong. When I first picked up the 9' piece I tried to bent it by putting one end on the bottom of my garage work bench and the other on the floor and standing on it, it bowed by sprang right back. I weight 260. Then the piece that I made for the back part of the tunnel boxes it in to add even more support to the tunnel.
Black cloud-
I have been running the conversion with the BDX foot bracktes-and If anything they make the tunnel more stronger.
I have put my entire weight on them (218 lbs) when climbing shutes and they hold fine.
No Issues with the foot supports at all..
I have been running the conversion with the BDX foot bracktes-and If anything they make the tunnel more stronger.
I have put my entire weight on them (218 lbs) when climbing shutes and they hold fine.
No Issues with the foot supports at all..
U
untouchable
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I did mine last night. Holds water, but I am stil going to do a pressure test on it. I didn't see the need to increase the volume, but it wouldn't be much harder to do.
Thats good to hear that they make it stronger. I would like to put a set of them on the sled but at $125 a set thats a little high I think. I would get the whole kit but I already have a VE bumper so I dont really need the rest of it....
I did mine last night. Holds water, but I am stil going to do a pressure test on it. I didn't see the need to increase the volume, but it wouldn't be much harder to do.
Looks good. How did you make it?
U
untouchable
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Thanks, I took the stock cooler which has the 45 degree bend in it. I cut that bend out and welded it all the way around. Pressure test was successful up 20 pounds will no leaks. Here is the bend I cut out of it, sorry I didn't take any before I cut it in two.
Monkey, if you wanted more capacity you could put some flat plate in between the 2 pieces. I'd say you could weld in 2 - 3 inches with no problem, he!! you could probably put a foot extra in there as long as it is supported.
Monkey, if you wanted more capacity you could put some flat plate in between the 2 pieces. I'd say you could weld in 2 - 3 inches with no problem, he!! you could probably put a foot extra in there as long as it is supported.
I found that the stock cooler holds 13 fluid oz. So I just did the math to make it 50% bigger. I'm using a solid piece of aluminum and milling out the fins and the inside portion. Then I'll weld the top portion on it and that will over hang the main part by 1/2 inch on all sides so I can rivet it to the top of the tunnel. Just waiting on my buddy with the mill to get so time to get it done. I will post some pics of the process when under way. Thanks for the info.
U
untouchable
Active member
I've been looking at getting an Enco mill to put in the shop at the cabin, but its a toss up between the 2K for that or a big block. I can always use the mill down at the university, so I'm thinking big block. Sounds like you're going to have a beefy cooler when you get it done, can't wait to see it.
How did you connect the new led light to the old wiring? Where did you hide the big plug from the old wiring?
I cut that plug off. I'm going to use a smaller plug that will fit in side the bumper up by the light. The wiring will come out a hole that is on the inside of the tunnel and the bumper and I will have another plug in at that spot. This will allow the wiring to stay inside the bumper if I every need to remove the light or the bumper. I don't know that I'll have to do this often but just wanted to plan for it. My stuff is still at the powder coaters, but I can send you some pics when I get it back if that will help you out.
