CJ3b....That is what the vin tag says.

[jonah]

Thanks for the link Curtis, those are a bit more expensive, but it looks like it could be a more reliable source. I see they have the side emitting version which could be useful in some areas so you could tuck the strip up out of sight and still have the light pointing the right direction for good coverage.

Damn Jonah!! That thing is Bad a$$ !

We have to go wheeling together soon...let's make a demo for a Jeep commercial and send it in

Wait 'til you see phase two, hopefully starting tomorrow - truss with diff cover tie in. Yes, we need to go out soon. I still have an idea that we can work on, not a commercial but something fun. Once I have my house situation under control (hopefully two months) I will be ready to start working on a couple of ideas.

Hey 6spd! Thanks for the soldering primer. Those are some great tips. I learned to solder water pipe first (a long long time ago), then did a bunch of silver soldering in jewelry making (only a long time ago), then I started with the wiring on my jeep. I have definitely been improving, I probably have a tendency to overheat sometimes. Once you know how the solder acts when it is flowing correctly it isn't too tough...usually. This was by far the most delicate soldering I have done. The time between joining the pieces and melting the backing was small. Would probably be easier if I had a better iron.
Good Times!

[vwtipeii]

Where is the shiney disco ball???

[jonah]

Alright, it has been a while but time for some more upgrades but I have a question.

I crushed the super thin diff cover so I picked up a Blue Torch Fab kit: BTF Model 20 Kryptonite Differential Cover for Truss.
So, I am making a truss for my Model 20, do I need to pull the guts out of the axle for welding on the tubes? It will welded from the spring perches in a few inches, so I figure it won't be too close to the seals. So I thought I might get away without tearing the whole thing apart. I also think I am going to make a traction bar while I am under there because I am starting to get some spring wrap. I really noticed it when climbing some of the longer hills on Cleghorn, I got a little hop going a couple of times.

Also, I got some junkyard fans to do an electric fan conversion. Hope to hit it this weekend!

[1 Bad F N Z]

Your going to have the cover off, so you should'nt have any problems.

[inVERt'D]

You don't need to pull the guts out. Welding an inch or so at a time you won't build up a whole lot of heat anyway. When you tack the truss in position with the cover bolted on, just have the fill cap off. Are you going with stick again?

[jonah]

Na, I have a 220 mig now. Although if I still had a buzz box....
I think I will be fine, I am thinking of using some .120 wall rectangular tubing.

Thanks for the input!!

[inVERt'D]

Cool, what did you get?

[jonah]

I picked up a Lincoln 180. It works pretty well. I do have to wire up some 220v at my new home though. Now I am looking for something to cut with. I have been trolling craigslist for a decent oxy/act set up which I think is more versatile than a plasma cutter, although I would love to have both eventually.

[daniel_buck]

Jonah, let me know how that electric fan conversion goes! I'm thinking about doing it on my 2a as well.

I've actually been looking at plasma cutters as well. Though I don't really know much about O/A torches, the plasma just seems like it's less mess? Maybe I'm wrong.

[aw12345]

Jonah, let me know how that electric fan conversion goes! I'm thinking about doing it on my 2a as well.

I've actually been looking at plasma cutters as well. Though I don't really know much about O/A torches, the plasma just seems like it's less mess? Maybe I'm wrong.

Plasma cutter is a lot easier to use and takes a lot less skill. Also it's a lot cheaper to use, but needs an air compressor

[inVERt'D]

Though I don't really know much about O/A torches, the plasma just seems like it's less mess?

O/A can produce a very clean kerf if you do it right. Like Art said, it does take more skill, and it's more expensive to operate compared to a plasma cutter.

O/A is more versatile, and with the right cutting torch you can cut really thick steel. On the up side, it's a lot cheaper to get started with than any name-brand plasma cutter, and far more reliable than any Chinese plasma cutter. You can do what I did and take your chances with an eBay China machine. Mine is still working great, but some others have not had as much luck.

[jonah]

Yeah, these guys summed up the plasma vs O/A nicely. If you are planning on cutting a lot it is definitely worth having the plasma. The gas for the torches isn't cheap and you have to have it set up just right and good technique to get really nice cuts. But I still like having torches around.

I am really tight for space for my cooling fan since I moved the motor forward. I only have 3.25 inches from the water pump to radiator. If you have room (about 4.5 inches minimum) I would just drop in the Ford Taurus fan. I have bought a few from the junkyard for about 35-40 bucks each. They come with a shroud that was perfect for my radiator so it would have been so easy if it could fit. But since I have so little room, I went with a fan from a chrysler town and country minivan. It has two 12" fans so I can mount them in a way that the motors will clear the pulleys and belt on the motor (I hope). I will do a full writeup as I go. My mechanical fan was working fine, but sometimes it would heat up a bit on slow climbs on a hot day(usually runs at 180 but would get up to 210). Plus I want to see how much horsepower the solid mount fan was robbing. I am just curious to see if there is any noticeable difference in power and mileage.

[RAT]

The best reason to have oxy acetylene is for heating and bending. You can't heat with a plasma. Other wise plasma is way better. And I have a chinese plasma that cuts like a monster. Only complaint is that it goes through consumables like a crack ho through a dealers stash...
x2 on the not taking the axle apart. stitch weld and it will keep the heat to a minimum.

[jonah]

Yeah, the torches just come in handy a lot, plus fire is awesome! But for the cost of a torch set and gas I could probably get close to a chinese plasma. A whole bunch of money would make this dilemma go away quick!

Can't decide what to hit first, the axle or the fans...

[RAT]

A whole bunch of money would make this dilemma go away quick!

Can't decide what to [COLOR="red"]hit[/COLOR] first, the axle or the fans...

How about a BANK! I'm in...