gipraw
Well-known member
Nice fence. Good to see you back at it. Do you have a HOA that has to approve the fence change?
25 x 40 Texas Detached Garage
- Thread starter TexZ
- Start date
Our HOA is voluntary but they do have deed restrictions which I had to follow when designing the garage. Once the HOA's architectural committee approves new construction though, all authority during permitting/inspection comes from the city. Thankfully when it came to the fence, they had no say as long as I followed City of Houston requirements.
I was able to spend yesterday afternoon putting up the railing and pickets on my side. Had a few bad pickets so I ended up a few feet short. I should be able to wrap that up this week in the evenings.
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gipraw
Well-known member
Nice. I have to replace one of mine soon and am not looking forward to it.
SebringSilverZ
Well-known member
Nice to see you making progress. I'm currently looking for a house in the inner Houston area and thought I'd be able to buy an existing ranch with two car detached garage and expand to four cars but your challenges with permits, HOA, etc. are making me think twice. Keep up the good work!
At least the weather has shifted some.
Thanks. I hope I'm not scaring you away, we love our location. Our lot was the wrong size to squeeze as much garage onto it that I am, but at the time we bought it, houses were getting offers above asking in 1-2 days. There are a few inner neighborhoods with big enough lots for a 4 car, but you may have to spend a bit more time finding the one you want. The seller's market has definitely shifted toward the buyer's some, hopefully that helps in your search. Let me know if you need a realtor, our's has good inner city experience.
SebringSilverZ
Well-known member
Not scaring just good things to think about and consider. Definitely seeing the shift as properties are sitting longer and prices are being reduced. We've got a realtor and aren't in a big hurry but I feel like my townhouse is at it's max value right now and don't want to miss the opportunity to sell. A small property in the Heights on 20th Street popped up on HAR this week with a 50' x 40' metal building in the back that is tempting but really prefer to have something where my primary residence is.
I considered the same thing, but decided I'd rather only pay property tax and insurance on one property. Good luck on the search.
The installer for the gate opener finally made it out. It takes about 15 -18 seconds to open or close, the mag lock doesn't latch immediately and takes a few seconds to apply.
Here are a few pictures of the semi-finished product. I will need to trench the power supply to the control box once I start running the electrical for the new garage. I just attached an extension cord to the middle fence rail using some cable hangers for the time being (not show in the pictures).
Here are a few pictures of the semi-finished product. I will need to trench the power supply to the control box once I start running the electrical for the new garage. I just attached an extension cord to the middle fence rail using some cable hangers for the time being (not show in the pictures).
schmelpboy
Banned
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2012
- Messages
- 1,717
Maglocks are the greatest invention ever. Sure, they're expensive; but just knowing your gate can't be opened short of a vehicle smashing into it leave a lot of peace of mind.
jbmatth
Well-known member
Cool opener, it looks very stout, can you share more info and pictures on the mag lock? I assume it is also controlled by the opener. What if you loose power will the lock come unlocked and/or will you still be able to open the gate?
JB
JB
Agreed, cost is a bit higher but it was almost a must have with how much wind area my gate has. I really needed something to hold it closed so that the opener was holding all of that load.
The opener is the Liftmaster LA500, it's working well so far. I'll have to look at it to get the info/pics for you, all I know currently is that it is rated for a 1200lb holding capacity. The control box has provisions for all sorts of things and the power for the mag lock is controlled by it as well. The opener is actually battery powered so the AC power just charges the battery. The mag lock has a power converter but still runs off AC so yes if the power goes out the gate will be "unlocked". I left my dead bolt on the gate so that we can lock it up if we are out of town, etc for an extended period of time.
Last thing left to do will be installing the LED cap lights on the posts, but will still need to trench the power before those can be connected.
Trey T
Well-known member
very cool opener and maglock combo.
Cobra4B
Well-known member
Nice build and nice car. C7 next 
Here are some pics of the mag lock for you...
Thank you sir.
Nice build and nice car. C7 next
Appreciate it, I would love a C7! BUT, I think a 67 chevelle is in my future! I also have a CB350 to finish and an 87' 325 Lemons car to build...projects are stacking up.
jbmatth
Well-known member
Thank you for the extra info. I assume that even if the lock looses power the opener will still prevent the gate from opening without the remote, it would just be subjected to greater forces than if the lock were energized. Well done and I'm looking forward to the actual build beginning.
JB
JB
I've been avoiding this update, but the garage build has been postponed to next year. I work in the energy industry and it has slowed down considerably. I'm fortunate to have kept my job thus far, and with junior on the way we've decided to hold off on the garage until we are ready.
My hope is that I will be able to pick back up where I stopped in summer 2016.
My hope is that I will be able to pick back up where I stopped in summer 2016.
gipraw
Well-known member
jbmatth
Well-known member
First of all congrats on the addition, hopefully you can get plenty of rest now as it get increasingly hard to find time to sit down once the kids start running the show. Sorry to hear about the delay, but that is the financially prudent thing to do in the shaky time in the energy world. Do you work for an upstream company there? I ask because I'm in energy too but on the downstream side, luckily things on this end are pretty solid, but that can change in a matter of weeks. Make sure you keep us posted on the happenings.
JB
JB
Thanks, definitely an exciting time for us, didn't want the financial strain during that time if we could avoid it...we're very fortunate and thankful to be in that position.
I work "for" an operator yes...subsea deepwater construction is my background.
Happy Holidays to everyone, be sure to count your blessings as life can change in a blink! I'm looking forward to some down time with family and friends and a great 2016.
jbmatth
Well-known member
Interesting occupation that I'm sure would have some fun times and cool equipment. Hopefully for your sake oil prices go back up so you'll have a more stable time ahead of you. I know quite a few people that would love for that to happen, sadly that goes hand in hand with higher fuel prices so you then get 6 of one and a half dozen of the other.
JB
JB
Styx
Well-known member
Been a while any updates???
Cheers.
Cheers.
vntperformance
Well-known member
Any final pics?
Been a while. Where to start.
In Nov 2016 the contractor I was working for decided to close our US office, even though our client had plenty of work. This led to my coworkers and I starting our own consulting business in Jan 2017. Fast fwd a couple years and the operator we were working for offered me a staff position in Oct 2018 meaning more office time, but no longer travelling offshore. Timing couldn't have been better as our daughter was born that Nov.
Due to starting the business, my garage funds went to the startup costs and it was put on hold yet again. We decided still wanted an outdoor space and more storage, so I threw together plans for an attached porch and storage shed behind the garage as a compromise. Fast fwd to today and we've really been enjoying the space for the kids. We are currently shopping for lots in the same neighborhood that will allow us to build the house/shop we want with some extra square feet for our family of 4 (current house is 1670sqft 3/2). We knew we wanted to hold on to this house as a rental so the porch made the most sense as far as return on investment.
I was able to make a white oak table from a massive slab I found for $300 on craigslist that fits the space perfectly.
The shed also allowed me to clear out the garage to bring my FJ60 LS swap project home. It's slowly progressing with fuel system, wiring, shifter install and driveshafts remaining. Also picked up a 2017 Chevy SS, which hold car seats very well...did long tubes and green cats in preparation for a blower in the future. Car is very fun to commute in, made 400/400 to the wheels.
Here are a few build pics and one of the current state. I'll probably start a new thread once we secure a lot and get into the design phase. I'm hoping for a bit more space for garage, but due to HOA restrictions and lot dimensions in the neighborhood, it will probably resemble the current design quite a bit.
Hope everyone is doing well, I wished to have a more exciting update but you can't predict the future yet only react to it.
In Nov 2016 the contractor I was working for decided to close our US office, even though our client had plenty of work. This led to my coworkers and I starting our own consulting business in Jan 2017. Fast fwd a couple years and the operator we were working for offered me a staff position in Oct 2018 meaning more office time, but no longer travelling offshore. Timing couldn't have been better as our daughter was born that Nov.
Due to starting the business, my garage funds went to the startup costs and it was put on hold yet again. We decided still wanted an outdoor space and more storage, so I threw together plans for an attached porch and storage shed behind the garage as a compromise. Fast fwd to today and we've really been enjoying the space for the kids. We are currently shopping for lots in the same neighborhood that will allow us to build the house/shop we want with some extra square feet for our family of 4 (current house is 1670sqft 3/2). We knew we wanted to hold on to this house as a rental so the porch made the most sense as far as return on investment.
I was able to make a white oak table from a massive slab I found for $300 on craigslist that fits the space perfectly.
The shed also allowed me to clear out the garage to bring my FJ60 LS swap project home. It's slowly progressing with fuel system, wiring, shifter install and driveshafts remaining. Also picked up a 2017 Chevy SS, which hold car seats very well...did long tubes and green cats in preparation for a blower in the future. Car is very fun to commute in, made 400/400 to the wheels.
Here are a few build pics and one of the current state. I'll probably start a new thread once we secure a lot and get into the design phase. I'm hoping for a bit more space for garage, but due to HOA restrictions and lot dimensions in the neighborhood, it will probably resemble the current design quite a bit.
Hope everyone is doing well, I wished to have a more exciting update but you can't predict the future yet only react to it.
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SebringSilverZ
Well-known member
Good compromise to free up some space. We traded replies earlier in your thread, but I ended up finding a place not too far from you on the other side of 290 in the Monarch Oaks Neighborhood. Lots are on average 13K square feet and schools are Spring Branch ISD. Our house has a carport, oversized two car attached garage with a drive through to a rear 750 square foot metal building. Drive through doesn’t work great for big vehicles (like a Raptor) but fits my two early Broncos just fine. One of which is getting a 5.3 LS swap that is running/driving but lacks paint and final assembly. Hopefully done with it first half of 2020.
jbmatth
Well-known member
Congrats on the child, they make life a constant reaction. You seem to have made the best of it though. Want to share some photos of the FJ and SS?
JB
JB
Congrats! That's a good area, we have some family off Wirt. I want to see pics of the Broncos...my good buddy has one that is going through its 3rd reincarnation...those things are awesome.
Thanks. Kids have definitely changed our routines but they are awesome. I'll put up some car pics later today.
GLTHFJ60
Well-known member
FJ60 project! Awesome!
Love the evolution of this project. I've been considering building a covered porch/work area next to my garage for a long time. You find that you like it a lot?
Love the evolution of this project. I've been considering building a covered porch/work area next to my garage for a long time. You find that you like it a lot?
Here is the SS. Pretty much stock except for the headers/x-pipe and intake. One of the best cars Chevy made in my opinion...the mag ride, Brembos and LS3 are a good combo along with a comfy interior.
The FJ60 is still a work in progress. I traded a 72 C-10 for it after shopping for one for a while. Scope creep happened and I went from doing an ARB lift to frame off and rebuilding/replacing pretty much every driveline component. I lucked out by having a couple friends with a large shop agree to do the majority of the frame/driveline work for a very reasonable price. I didn't have the space and with kiddos and work it made the most sense. I found a 2013 5.3/6l80 combo and dove in head first. The body came off and frame stripped. We found a couple of spots on the frame that needed repair as well as the rear frame stiffeners which I replaced with a set from Trail Tailor. The frame was recoated with two layer Rust Bullet.
We rebuilt the transfer case and used the Advanced Adapters 6l80 tailshaft adapter and blasted/painted/rebuilt the stock front axle. I opted to ditch the factory c-clip rear axle for an international model full floater axle; we blasted/painted/rebuilt as well and finished both axles with 4.11 gears and ARB air lockers. We finished off the driveline with beefier steering linkages, a rebuilt steering gear box and an ARB lift. While we were there I decided to redo the brakes with new discs/calipers/extended hoses in front and new drums/hoses/etc in the rear.
The motor mounts and trans cross member were completed prior to recoating the frame so that allowed us to drop the drivetrain back in and start checking body clearances, etc. I had to swap to an LS2 intake manifold to clear the hood as well as use an idler pulley/alternator relocation from Dirty Dingo.
At this point the body went back on which allowed us to remove the old 2F accessories in the engine bay that I wasn't retaining and fit the new radiator.
Lots of work to get this point, when I decided to bring it back home. I've since started on the electrical as well as some body repair; I replaced the tailgate due to some rust issues and started on replacing a busted rear quarter glass. I'm currently installing the fuel system which consists of a 42 gallon tank using a Holley Sniper in tank returnless pump, along with some Holley rails and GM LS2 injectors. Currently I need to finish extending the fuel level sender, bolting the tank up and running the fuel line.
Remaining tasks will be modifying the engine/body harness, installing the Lokar 6l80 tapshift shifter, building an exhaust, and ordering new driveshafts. Progress has been slow but I'm slowly knocking things out. I'll finish getting it running/driving and then focus on going through the interior; I have replacement seat covers, new seat belts, plus some other odds and ends.
The FJ60 is still a work in progress. I traded a 72 C-10 for it after shopping for one for a while. Scope creep happened and I went from doing an ARB lift to frame off and rebuilding/replacing pretty much every driveline component. I lucked out by having a couple friends with a large shop agree to do the majority of the frame/driveline work for a very reasonable price. I didn't have the space and with kiddos and work it made the most sense. I found a 2013 5.3/6l80 combo and dove in head first. The body came off and frame stripped. We found a couple of spots on the frame that needed repair as well as the rear frame stiffeners which I replaced with a set from Trail Tailor. The frame was recoated with two layer Rust Bullet.
We rebuilt the transfer case and used the Advanced Adapters 6l80 tailshaft adapter and blasted/painted/rebuilt the stock front axle. I opted to ditch the factory c-clip rear axle for an international model full floater axle; we blasted/painted/rebuilt as well and finished both axles with 4.11 gears and ARB air lockers. We finished off the driveline with beefier steering linkages, a rebuilt steering gear box and an ARB lift. While we were there I decided to redo the brakes with new discs/calipers/extended hoses in front and new drums/hoses/etc in the rear.
The motor mounts and trans cross member were completed prior to recoating the frame so that allowed us to drop the drivetrain back in and start checking body clearances, etc. I had to swap to an LS2 intake manifold to clear the hood as well as use an idler pulley/alternator relocation from Dirty Dingo.
At this point the body went back on which allowed us to remove the old 2F accessories in the engine bay that I wasn't retaining and fit the new radiator.
Lots of work to get this point, when I decided to bring it back home. I've since started on the electrical as well as some body repair; I replaced the tailgate due to some rust issues and started on replacing a busted rear quarter glass. I'm currently installing the fuel system which consists of a 42 gallon tank using a Holley Sniper in tank returnless pump, along with some Holley rails and GM LS2 injectors. Currently I need to finish extending the fuel level sender, bolting the tank up and running the fuel line.
Remaining tasks will be modifying the engine/body harness, installing the Lokar 6l80 tapshift shifter, building an exhaust, and ordering new driveshafts. Progress has been slow but I'm slowly knocking things out. I'll finish getting it running/driving and then focus on going through the interior; I have replacement seat covers, new seat belts, plus some other odds and ends.
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It's been great, use it a lot. We only have a few months of "nice" weather in Houston so I was afraid we wouldn't be able to use it all the time but its turned out to be pretty awesome. We've thrown quite a few backyard parties and eat dinner out there quite a bit, plus the kids are always playing outside. We usually have a 5-10mph wind most times of the year and that keeps it pretty comfortable.
What's the story on your FJ? Looks beefy. 1FZ swap? What axles?
jbmatth
Well-known member
That is a ton of work on the FJ, but it looks to be a very nice all around package and you'll really enjoy it. The wiring really isn't too bad, I'm made a couple of standalone harnesses but they were all for gen 3 engine/trans combos.
JB
JB
Yeah, no shame in saying wiring isn't my strength, should be fun. I'm not planning on any major body work, its fairly straight but has its share of dents and dings. I plan on rocking the krylon paint job for quite a while, just want to get it driving and work out the kinks and I'll eventually get to body and paint.
I got caught up on your thread, hidey hole is coming along nicely! We did the LA to KS power tour in the C-10...was a fun trip! Glad to see you made a few of those now. I need to get the FJ finished for the next one!
GLTHFJ60
Well-known member
Awesome man. I might have to look into that kind of arrangement at my place.
My FJ60 has a 4BT diesel and lot of other mods. Chevy 1t axles (D60/aam10.5).
What fuel tank is that?
BigBronco
Active member
Looking forward to seeing the Toyota all together. Here soon when I get some more progress, I will probably start a thread on here!
onemanarmy
Banned
Huge fan of the Chevy SS as well. Same with FJ60s.
Still have the Dodge?
Place is looking good.
Still have the Dodge?
Place is looking good.
It's from Long Range Automotive out of Australia, sold through Cruiser Brothers in the US: https://cruiserbrothers.com/brands/long-range-automotive/
I looked for a long time and even looked at building a custom tank, but this tank fits well and has been used by quite a few. Once I confirmed my pump would fit w/o modifying I pulled the trigger. Definitely a hit on the wallet but nice quality and mounts to stock location.
Thanks. Dodge is still around, planning to keep it for a long time. It's almost at 80k and no major issues thus far. I put a small suspension lift on and an AEV bumper/winch. Its taken me everywhere I've wanted to go, just got back from a backcountry elk hunt in CO and it did well.
GLTHFJ60
Well-known member
But the price! I've talked to those guys, and their tank looks nice, it's just so damn expensive.
Does it have internal baffles?
Agreed, it took me about 2 years to talk myself into it! It has 2 baffles and a sump. I actually went with the FJ62 version and and was going to try and run a Toyota EFI pump but I didn't have a stock pump hanger and Toyota quit making them, a used hanger was about $300 bucks. I looked at Aeromotive and Holley but the Holley pump fit the existing flange without cutting on the $$$ tank and its a cut-to-depth setup so was pretty easy install.
The only issue I have is their kit came with an extension rod for the fuel level sender float arm and they say to cut and clamp in the extension. It didn't come with clamps so I'll probably just weld it in. Other than that, no real gripes about the tank.