What have you done to your ride lately?

TacoXpo

HOAX DENIER
@balakay Did you see the Metaltech 4x4 email where they are released/are making the hybrid bumper now for your Lexus?
I reported Balakay for posting sexy pictures of parts I can't currently afford. Everybody wants to spend my money damn it! lol
 

TacoXpo

HOAX DENIER

TacoXpo

HOAX DENIER
Getting there.
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tx_shooter

It is not a war crime the first time.
Staff member
Nothing as sexy as a new bumper; but I did do a drain & fill on the transmission to get rid of the cheap ATF and put in some Lucas semi syn fluid. This is the 2nd week of this drain & fill treatment trying to get rid of the cheap fluid. The first time had great results so hopefully this time will have positive results as well.

Also picked up some hitch weld on shackle mounts for my rear bumper. These will take some modifying to make work right but nothing a little time with the band saw cannot fix. The top part needs to come off as it is designed for a 4" bumper and this one is only 3". Some fitting to make all the surfaces touch and some high heat on the welder will burn these on nicely before the High Water Trail trip.

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Silverback

Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
Nothing as sexy as a new bumper; but I did do a drain & fill on the transmission to get rid of the cheap ATF and put in some Lucas semi syn fluid. This is the 2nd week of this drain & fill treatment trying to get rid of the cheap fluid. The first time had great results so hopefully this time will have positive results as well.

Also picked up some hitch weld on shackle mounts for my rear bumper. These will take some modifying to make work right but nothing a little time with the band saw cannot fix. The top part needs to come off as it is designed for a 4" bumper and this one is only 3". Some fitting to make all the surfaces touch and some high heat on the welder will burn these on nicely before the High Water Trail trip.

View attachment 6983 View attachment 6984 View attachment 6985

I would still add some 1/2 plate below the hitch... the D-rings will still be higher than your hitch mount. Plus you get a LOT more surface area to weld to.
 

Silverback

Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
I reported Balakay for posting sexy pictures of parts I can't currently afford. Everybody wants to spend my money damn it! lol

Did he send you dick pics? You know those aren't his dick right? Just saying. :)
 

tex

That's Mr Asshole to you
I would still add some 1/2 plate below the hitch... the D-rings will still be higher than your hitch mount. Plus you get a LOT more surface area to weld to.
I have some scrap 1/2" pieces that would be perfect for that.
 

Silverback

Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
Winch wiring ran to the location of the solenoid. Solenoid bracket built.. currently drying. Need to drill a couple holes in the inner fender and install some nutserts. Also got the trailer back on tires by replacing the seal and repacking everything. Want to do the other side as well... not the seal but the grease and check the brakes.

Had to go help the neighbor with his truck so that took several hours. Was really hoping to complete the winch wiring tonight (minus the in cab controller). But this gave me some time to think things over and I plan to do some other nutserts in the bottom of the solenoid cover so not nuts are required. Will make it easier for me to wire up the in-cab controller as I will need to remove the cover again.

Thankfully I leveled the playing field at home and said I ain't doing shit that isn't truck/trailer/camping gear related this weekend.

Sidenote.. its still hot and humid and I smell like a locker-room.
 

Silverback

Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
I have some scrap 1/2" pieces that would be perfect for that.

I would do that. Better to have 3 sides connected than 2.. especially since it could/will be subject to very high tension loads under recovery. If a weld fails that flying hunk of metal will kill someone!
 

Silverback

Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
And burn those fuckers in HOT! Know someone with a stick welder?
 

balakay

BabyMax
I've got a stick welder. You're welcome to use it if you want. Will have to wait until next weekend though.
 

Silverback

Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
Its a recovery point.. they need to be welded in perfectly. Not saying you can't weld @tx_shooter, but its a spot you do not want to practice on or have the wrong equipment on.
 

tx_shooter

It is not a war crime the first time.
Staff member
Its a recovery point.. they need to be welded in perfectly. Not saying you can't weld @tx_shooter, but its a spot you do not want to practice on or have the wrong equipment on.

I burned on the recovery points on my '87 4R and used the crap out of them without a problem. The problem with trying to burn them on top is there is not enough space between the bumper and hitch for the metal piece. Comparing this piece to the piece that 90% of people weld onto a bumper for recovery I already have twice the surface area for welding. That is why I picked this piece over the smaller piece. Going to burn it hot with a deep root weld and then make two passes on top of it. I do not want to burn it so hot that it weakens the metal around the weld - that starts getting counter productive. The Hobart 190 I am using now will do a good job of this.

I am more concerned about the shackle eye being so low so as to provide leverage on the mount. This is why I am more concerned about the bottom being welded instead of the top.

Standard shackle point weld on tab
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Silverback

Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
I don't trust those ones that just weld on in one spot like that. I like the ones you have to cut out a slot and weld it on both sides of the tube.
 

TacoXpo

HOAX DENIER
Let's start off with JB Weld. But really, it reminds me of the story Bill Burke tells on how and why he became interested in training. Let's just say a hitch ball ended up in someone's forehead.
 

balakay

BabyMax
I don't trust those ones that just weld on in one spot like that. I like the ones you have to cut out a slot and weld it on both sides of the tube.

X2. I always look at the mounting if the shackle mounts before I hook up to anyone else's rig. I won't hook up to those flush mount ones. Not enough weld surface for me. Don't want one coming through my back window.
 
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