Here we go again.

[dr.dirty]

Looking sexy!

[aw12345]

Hammer it down the street some first to get it to settle a bit, you know they do, then see where you are at ride height wise

[RAT]

Hammer it down the street some first to get it to settle a bit, you know they do, then see where you are at ride height wise

Art,
These are the same old springs I've had for four years. They are as settled in as they are gonna get. Moving them down 6 inches changed the tension on them.

[aw12345]

The angle and location is what changed things still every time you take all the pressure of the springs it takes a bit of driving to settle them.
It will settle an inch or so after you hit a few dips in your street from there you get your accurate measurement

[Tumbleweed13]

Looks good. Do the rear hoops, give the coilover, more room, then the, notch in the frame, towers? Also, do you run the wheel spacers, just to help with back spacing?

[RAT]

Looks good. Do the rear hoops, give the coilover, more room, then the, notch in the frame, towers? Also, do you run the wheel spacers, just to help with back spacing?

I suppose the hoop gives more room although its not really needed. The standard shock tower mod most commonly used work just fine. I'm just being different. And yes wheel spacers were for clearance. Because the suspension flexes way more so it wa rubbing in different places. The spacers made that go away.

[RAT]

Been doing a ton of work on the Rat. Just haven't had time to post pics .

Here I am making billet aluminum reservoir mounts for the rear shocks. Set of four. Kind of labor intensive; takes about 4 hours to make one. Wish I had a belt sander... BTW this is not done. Still have some shaping to do and install allen head bolts.


20130401_175620 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


20130401_175851 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


20130401_175916 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

The reservoir will clamp to the 1" tube in the pic. I have to finish welding the tube on the inside so it's not painted yet.


20130401_175932 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

New tabs for the Anti Rock. On top of the axle. Gotta love it.


20130401_175953 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

Twin Viair 450C compressors going in. Both compressors pump up the front bumper/reservoir and distribute 120PSI air to all four corners for air ups, and the driver side compressor will run the ARB lockers at 80 PSI. Dual relay, four switch control. The air intakes will be plumbed into the cowling in front of the windshield to get cool air to the compressors.

20130401_180006 by MJR RAT, on Flickr


20130401_180017 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

And something I have needed to do for years. Reinstall my damn windshield washer assembly. It fits where the old Viair 400C compressor sat. You can see it on the last picture behind the compressor. FINALLY, no more blinding brown outs coming back from Holcomb in the evenings.

Also designed a different type of fuel cell for the Rat. Having it made by a shop that does nothing but. Will be about 32 gallons and fit in the Jeep with lots of clearance for the differential. It does not sit behind the seat. I'll post pics when it is done and installed.

BTW, I took these pictures with my phone. Damn phone cameras are as nice as the big $$$ money ones these days.

[aw12345]

Busy as a beaver eh Kurt. Planning on doing more overlanding? 32 gallon tank is a big sucker

[jonah]

Those brackets are looking saw-weet! Curious to hear about the fuel cell as I have been considering having a new one made from aluminum like the one I made but increasing the capacity by a few gallons. I would be happy to hit 15-17 gallons, where is 32 going to fit?!?

[RAT]

Those brackets are looking saw-weet! Curious to hear about the fuel cell as I have been considering having a new one made from aluminum like the one I made but increasing the capacity by a few gallons. I would be happy to hit 15-17 gallons, where is 32 going to fit?!?

Jonah,
When I get it done I'll stop by so you can see it. We are experimenting here and there may be a smog issue, but I hope not. We basically copied all the OEM stuff to a larger, different design. Smog guys seem to freak out when they see NON OEM stuff they don't know about. 32 gallons was a bit more than I planned but the design is an exact fit so I ain't complainin, yet. Fill ups should stressful

[dirtman13]

Your not done yet?? Hurry up. Only 2 more weeks left.

[RAT]

Your not done yet?? Hurry up. Only 2 more weeks left.

Nope. There is a pretty good chance that I will be Ratless at IDTT. Won't be the first time. All depends on the fuel tank. Since it is a one off experiment I don't want to rush it. If I don't have Rat ready I'll bring my shooting table and toys and plink away the day...

[dirtman13]

Well...I know you want it done right but I hope you can pull it together. I might need to be winched up Gatekeeper.

[RAT]

Well...I know you want it done right but I hope you can pull it together. I might need to be winched up Gatekeeper.

Thats ok. I'll bring the tow strap and do it by hand...

[RAT]

Only one pic right now. I'll have more tonight. Nice, clean, straight cuts make the job so much easier.


20130403_160350 by MJR RAT, on Flickr

I was in the right place at the right time today. Went to HF tools to get some more cut off wheels. The store manager was taking a pallet off a shelf and dropped it from 10-12 feet. There were two 1.25 HP 12" disc sanders that were destroyed. I asked what he was going to do with them. Write off he says. I bought both for $50.00 bucks and now have one working disc sander. And it works GOODER_ER_ER. I'm diggin it! The fan cover is creamed and the base is cracked a little bit, but a $150 disc sander for $50? I'll take it man! He said he'd even honor the warranty. We shall see... I even have a spare motor for bearings and stuff. The rest of the other one is junk.

20130403_160338 by MJR RAT, on Flickr