ZMotorsports Shop Projects 2.0

[zmotorsports]

Congrats on video shout out


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

Thanks Shorty.

 

[Ohmthis]

Mike, congratulations on the video compliments.

 

[Spareparts]

Quality work there, always liked to see your projects, gives me ideas, "O" by the way I have this little project that LOL LOL

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike, congratulations on the video compliments.

Quality work there, always liked to see your projects, gives me ideas, "O" by the way I have this little project that LOL LOL

Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments.

Been out of the shop for the weekend and haven't gotten anything done so nothing new to post.

I hope to be back in the shop tonight if all goes to plan.

 

[zmotorsports]

It has been a busy as hell past couple of weeks and I really haven't had too much time in the shop. I appreciate the couple of messages that I have received to check on my status.

My son and his fiancé got serious about looking for a house about a month ago and after looking at a couple with him they made an offer on one last week and the offer was accepted so I've been helping him get everything done in preparation for his closing next week. He paid a little extra to expedite the appraisal and pushing it through the underwriter because there was a time clause in the contract as the sellers of the house also have a time clause on a house they are buying. This was very good thing for my son however, because time was of the essence for the seller and my son wasn't as pushed for time. He offered $25k less than asking and they accepted the day before they had to give the final answer on the house they were buying so it all worked out quite well for my son and his fiancé.

Last week we spent a few visits doing a thorough inspection and research so he is ready to close next week. They are beyond ecstatic to be buying their first home and I couldn't be more proud of him at this point. They found a much nicer home in a much nicer neighborhood than I ever thought they would be able to find with their budget.

I am so very proud of him because he cut his budget dramatically compared to what they qualified for. He wanted to keep his DTI ratio well under 30% because I think once they start having children I don't think my future DIL will be going back to work and he wanted to be able to afford their lifestyle on his income alone. I think that was very smart and when all the dust has settled his final DTI came our around 24% with his income alone and about 18% combined with his fiancé's income so they should be sitting very well. They have no other debt at this time with the exception of her car payment so I think they have set themselves up well for the start of their life together. Again, I couldn't be more proud of the two of them, it's like they were meant for each other.

With everything that has been going on with their house purchase I haven't really spent any time in the shop lately and I would like to get my son's Jeep off the lift and back together soon. I need to make some progress on his rear bumper and tire carrier, then a few mechanical items and I think he is going to drive it as is until they get married and then we'll bring it back into the shop and fabricate the front bumper and sliders.

I also need a vacation as I haven't had one since September and I am quite itchy to take a much needed vacation. Unfortunately my wife won't let us go on vacation until after the wedding in June so I will be going quite stir crazy by then.

I hope to be able to post up a few pictures of some progress on his rear bumper over the next few days.

Thanks.

 

[Finallygotit]

Congrats Mike! Sounds like your son and DIL will be starting out with their feet well planted.

 

[zmotorsports]

Congrats Mike! Sounds like your son and DIL will be starting out with their feet well planted.

Thanks Dan. Yes, they are starting out in very good condition. My son started saving for a home nearly 4 years ago when he finished college and started his career and he was able to put over 20% down and still have about half a year's salary left so he has done well in planning. She keeps saying that feels bad because she isn't bringing that much to the marriage but I tried explaining that she is still financially responsible and didn't acquire a lot of debt so there's nothing to be sorry about. She is such a great person and I feel bad for her because she lost her dad about 8 years ago and I think she relied on his opinion and guidance quite a lot as they were very close. She seems so happy to be part of our family and I just want the very best for them.

Thanks for staying tuned Dan.

 

[snyder]

I don't often post , but I wanted to say congrats on your son's success and thanks for your work in posting. Your work and writing are great.
I will be welding a bumper from DIY offroad next month for a grand Cherokee. This will be my largest welding job to date and I hope to see how you do yours for some tips.
Thanks for what you do.

 

[zmotorsports]

I don't often post , but I wanted to say congrats on your son's success and thanks for your work in posting. Your work and writing are great.
I will be welding a bumper from DIY offroad next month for a grand Cherokee. This will be my largest welding job to date and I hope to see how you do yours for some tips.
Thanks for what you do.

Thank you. I appreciate the comments and thanks for following along on my projects thread.

 

[zmotorsports]

I was able to some work done on my son’s rear bumper last night. Week before last when I was working on it, I had a large center section tacked in place in which to build off of but when I walked into the shop yesterday afternoon and saw it for the first time in nearly a week I almost puked. It looked HORRIBLE. It looked too Mad Max~ish and NOT in a good way.

I cut the tacks and cut the receiver tube back out of the hitch and started over. The plate was just too tall and flat. The WJ already has a big booty and that big flat center section just magnified it.

After cutting the flat center section off and installing a new section of receiver tube that will slightly protrude I put a bend horizontally in the center section. Seeing as how I don’t have a brake large enough I had to get creative but it worked.

That looks much better having a 35-degree bend in the center in which to build off of.


Once deciding we were pleased with the overall lines and look we removed the assembly so I could final weld the center section including cutting thru holes in which to weld the D-ring mounts to then supports from the frame mounting out to the D-ring mounts so everything is tied back to the frame (unibody rails) properly. It bugs me when I see mass produced bumpers that don’t have the D-ring mounts properly placed. Some even state “do not use as recovery points”. Are you shitting me? Why put them on the bumper if they’re not to be used? Looks only I guess.

Here is everything being final welded so it can be reinstalled and fabrication continuing.




Installed back on the Jeep so we could continue fabrication.




Side view. Thus looks much better than version one, although it’s still going to be quite a large bumper.




We then got a little creative as we wanted to keep the actual bumper as tight to the rear as possible to keep the departure angle at least somewhat acceptable. The spindle mount for the tire carrier is actually sunk into the outer body of the bumper.


After standing back and looking at it I felt like it needed just a little more to make it flow. I cut a piece of DOM tubing to give the spindle a molded or “frenched” appearance.




There we go. A little more metal finishing and it will blend nicely.


Thanks for looking.

 

[LXCam]

First off congrats to your boy and soon to be DIL, that's awesome news on the house. And the bumper is looking really cool mike. I like the lower detail and finish, that's going to be slick.

And if you need some vaca time, I've got a shop to move. So if you're bored....

 

[zmotorsports]

First off congrats to your boy and soon to be DIL, that's awesome news on the house. And the bumper is looking really cool mike. I like the lower detail and finish, that's going to be slick.

And if you need some vaca time, I've got a shop to move. So if you're bored....

Thanks Cam.

So is it official? Did you buy a place and are moving?

 

[LXCam]

Thanks Cam.

So is it official? Did you buy a place and are moving?

I wish it were that simple bud. Couple months ago I was approached by a company to head up the AZ division. We finally came to a agreement on Monday to which I accepted. But!, I'm still waiting on the contract so there's still a possibility this could take a dump. I have no doubts they'll be a Non-compete clause that will need some ironing out before I sign on the dotted line.

However if this comes to fruition I'm heading out ASAP. The carrot I dangled included me setting up all my fab and machining equipment in the shop (for now). We'll lease a place in Prescott, start to selling process here and then start looking for the perfect pad or maybe, just maybe - build. The upside doing this is my big expensive heavy **** gets out there for free which will make me very happy. I know what I'm about to say makes me sound paranoid. But I really don't want to list this place with all my shop stuff here and me living remotely for a few months.

Anyhow and in the meantime I've been clearing the excess out in preparation of this job and if that doesn't come thru for some odd reason we're going back to our original exit plan.

 

[bmxdad]

When cutting the stock for the bumper, are you using cardboard first, then trace it out to the sheet or something else like thin plywood or veneer?

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I like the detail of how you blended the spindle down......details!

 

[zmotorsports]

I wish it were that simple bud. Couple months ago I was approached by a company to head up the AZ division. We finally came to a agreement on Monday to which I accepted. But!, I'm still waiting on the contract so there's still a possibility this could take a dump. I have no doubts they'll be a Non-compete clause that will need some ironing out before I sign on the dotted line.

However if this comes to fruition I'm heading out ASAP. The carrot I dangled included me setting up all my fab and machining equipment in the shop (for now). We'll lease a place in Prescott, start to selling process here and then start looking for the perfect pad or maybe, just maybe - build. The upside doing this is my big expensive heavy **** gets out there for free which will make me very happy. I know what I'm about to say makes me sound paranoid. But I really don't want to list this place with all my shop stuff here and me living remotely for a few months.

Anyhow and in the meantime I've been clearing the excess out in preparation of this job and if that doesn't come thru for some odd reason we're going back to our original exit plan.

Best of luck bud. I hope it will all work out to plan. Keep me posted.

 

[zmotorsports]

When cutting the stock for the bumper, are you using cardboard first, then trace it out to the sheet or something else like thin plywood or veneer?

I mock it up using cardboard then transfer it to the sheet metal. For the first few pieces cut from the large sheet I cut them to approx. size with the plasma cutter to get them more manageable then over to the vertical bandsaw and cut on the line then just touch up against the disk sander for fine tuning and final fitment or tweaking before tacking and welding.

Thanks for following along.

 

[zmotorsports]

I like the detail of how you blended the spindle down......details!

Thank you. While standing back looking at it I just thought it needed something else to help it flow. That piece is non-structural and purely aesthetic but I think that was the ticket.

 

[zmotorsports]

I like the detail of how you blended the spindle down......details!

As a side note, I should mention that this spindle will also be welded and gusseted on the inside of the bumper over to the frame mounting location to aid in support for the tire carrier. We cut a small section out of the face of the bumper to insert the spindle into place and will add further structural support once we remove for final welding and blending.

 

[MP&C]

Awesome work on the back bumper Mike!

 

[zmotorsports]

Awesome work on the back bumper Mike!

Thank you Robert, I appreciate that.

If you don't mind, I'm going to be copying your seat belt escutcheons here shortly. The plastic ones in our coach are bugging me and I want to fabricate some new ones as soon as I get some time and I really like the ones that you fabbed.

 

[MP&C]

If you have someone with laser or water jet it will make short work of the visible part..

 

[zmotorsports]

If you have someone with laser or water jet it will make short work of the visible part..

Unfortunately I don't so I'll have to cut it out the old skool way but I liked the way yours turned out, it really caught my attention.

Thanks again for the idea.

 

[4 FN 27]

Unfortunately I don't so I'll have to cut it out the old skool way but I liked the way yours turned out, it really caught my attention.

Thanks again for the idea.

Road trip!!!

 

[zmotorsports]

Road trip!!!

There ya go Pat. I’ll tell the wife I need to run to Minnesota to have some parts cut.

 

[zmotorsports]

Driving home from work today I got caught in one hell of a snow storm.

 

[C2tuck]

So how are those tires working out for ya?

 

[Boosted1]

Why do you have cabinets in your yard?

 

[C2tuck]

Why do you have cabinets in your yard?

Looks like community mailboxes. See them down here in some neighborhoods.

 

[LXCam]

Road trip!!!

There ya go Pat. I’ll tell the wife I need to run to Minnesota to have some parts cut.

I call shotgun!

Looks like community mailboxes. See them down here in some neighborhoods.

Mikes so organized he's got his own addresses for each type of abrasive he buys.

 

[WoodsTruck]

I call shotgun!



Mikes so organized he's got his own addresses for each type of abrasive he buys.

That's pretty smart, let USPS sort and put away his items.

 

[zmotorsports]

So how are those tires working out for ya?

I'm lovin' them so far. They are performing great although I only have about 2300 miles on them at the moment but no complaints. If I'm being 100% honest comparing these to the BG Goodrich KO2's as far as on pavement performance in winter driving conditions I think they KO2's have a slight edge. Not that these are bad in any way, but the KO2's just seeemed to have a bit more grip when the snow is packed on the pavement. Slushy wet snow I really feel no difference and none in the rain or just wet roads.

I'm anxiously awaiting the opportunity to get them off road and try them out. We were supposed to be going with our local Jeep club next weekend out across the west desert on our monthly club run but my son is closing on his house at the end of the week and I don't think we're going to make the run.

Thanks for asking.

 

[zmotorsports]

Why do you have cabinets in your yard?

Looks like community mailboxes. See them down here in some neighborhoods.

These are the USPS cluster mailboxes that are now required in all subdivisions in our area. These have been the norm since around 2006/2007 timeframe. Luckily we have a fairly small subdivision by today's standards with only 20 homes, some subdivisions around here have a hundred or more and two large rows of cluster boxes. Our set of cluster boxes are just as you are pulling into our subdivision and in front of my neighbor's house. I merely stopped here to grab the mail on the way into the subdivision yesterday and when I saw the front of the Jeep I snapped a picture. I also scraped as much as I could off before pulling into my garage.

 

[zmotorsports]

I call shotgun!



Mikes so organized he's got his own addresses for each type of abrasive he buys.

I don't think I'm quite that organized Cam, but that's a great idea.

I may have to explain what my wife's co-pilot duties are before you shout shotgun so eagerly. She is in charge of keeping my drink full and snack cup topped off while traveling in the coach. She is also in charge of navigating, but after 30 years we're still struggling with that one so I end up doing the navigation duties.

 

[zmotorsports]

That's pretty smart, let USPS sort and put away his items.

I wish it were that way, hell they can't even get my mail in the correct box lately. That is the one thing I have noticed is how much wrong mail we get or how often we don't get something of ours. I never have any issues when we had our own mailbox in front of our home for the first 26 years we lived in our last home but in the 2 years we've lived here between USPS getting mail wrong and FedEx not being able to find our place it is beyond a joke at this point.

 

[LXCam]

I don't think I'm quite that organized Cam, but that's a great idea.

I may have to explain what my wife's co-pilot duties are before you shout shotgun so eagerly. She is in charge of keeping my drink full and snack cup topped off while traveling in the coach. She is also in charge of navigating, but after 30 years we're still struggling with that one so I end up doing the navigation duties.

Brother, I'm a rockstar at drink pouring no matter what kind it is.

As for navigation, I know my VV north / ^^ south like that back of my Foot.


But you're the one that said she's busy with wedding plans so I figured what the heck

 

[zmotorsports]

Brother, I'm a rockstar at drink pouring no matter what kind it is.



As for navigation, I know my VV north / ^^ south like that back of my Foot.





But you're the one that said she's busy with wedding plans so I figured what the heck

I think if I told her I was taking off on a road trip right now I’d come back to a divorce.

 

[zmotorsports]

My son and I were able to get some work done on his rear bumper today. He had to work this morning and this was my third iteration of cardboard templates before I come up with something I liked. Once I was happy I waited for my son to get home from work and sign off before I transferred it to steel and started cutting.


He was happy with the design so I started cutting, fitting and tacking pieces.






Then a little more welding before continuing on with the upper corner sections.










That’s about it for today. Next up will be some small filler pieces.

Thanks for looking.

 

[Ohmthis]

Jeep bumper is looking really nice Mike. I know you are beaming with the news of your son and dil getting a house. I call a house a non stop project, but I think he is capable and has some great support. We’ll be waiting for some of those projects soon, maybe? Take care and keep up the great work.

 

[zmotorsports]

Jeep bumper is looking really nice Mike. I know you are beaming with the news of your son and dil getting a house. I call a house a non stop project, but I think he is capable and has some great support. We’ll be waiting for some of those projects soon, maybe? Take care and keep up the great work.

Thank you, I appreciate that.

Fortunately the house they are buying is in really great shape, much like the one we left a couple of years ago. I think they want to do some painting before moving in and then wait for the yard to see what it looks like in spring before making any changes. Also he wants to build his savings back up some before dumping any additional money into it. I doubt we'll get his front bumper and rock rails done until after the wedding but I want to at least get his rear bumper/carrier and a few mechanical things done so he can drive it and enjoy it until then.

Plus I have a few projects yet on my Jeep and a few around the house and I have an idea for a house warming/wedding gift for their home that I want to fabricate.

Thanks for stopping by and checking on the projects.