ZMotorsports Shop Projects 2.0

[zmotorsports]

Send it to Minnesota...we only got about 8 inches over the weekend at my place. My buddies Cabin in northern WI got 30+ inches...guess where I am heading...

You were the first person I thought of Pat when this **** started falling last week. IF I could send it all, I would.

 

[4 FN 27]

You were the first person I thought of Pat when this **** started falling last week. IF I could send it all, I would.

Mike you are not the first person to see something, think of me and be pissed off...

I plowed for about 10 hours over the weekend. And put 25 miles on each sled to break them in.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike you are not the first person to see something, think of me and be pissed off...

I plowed for about 10 hours over the weekend. And put 25 miles on each sled to break them in before we head to the back country.

Our snowplowing crew started plowing mid-day Wednesday here at work and kept going until around noon-ish on Thanksgiving day, left to have dinner with their family then returned around 4pm to finish up around 10pm. This was one hell of a storm.

I do remember the days of wringing my hands watching that snow line drop down the mountain in anticipation of snowmobiling. Now I can't remember what all of the fuss was about.

 

[gearhead1960]

Around here (Wash DC burbs), a hint of a prediction of snow brings out the panicked shoppers for their bread, toilet paper and eggs..... losers

 

[aka Larry]

I have a co-worker who LOVES snow. Any mention of a flurry in a NC forecast and she's as giddy as a 10 year old child. It pisses me off just to hear the "s" word mentioned, much less get excited about it. I would LOVE to drop her off in Minnesota and let her live with that white sh*t 24/7 for months on end to see how much she likes it then.

For those of you that live up North, you won't ever have to worry about overcrowding. Only the insane move North when they retire.

<<<<Snow HATER!

 

[QwikKotaTx]

Thank you for taking the time to read through all of it.

I agree about the Mall Crawlers. They are all over here as well. We basically have two camps here. There are those mall crawlers that never touch leave the pavement and there are those that take their off-road and beat the ever living piss out of them and they don't have a straight body panel on them.

Personally, I want mine to look like the mall crawler that still has pristine paint and no body damage yet I built it to enjoy off-road.

When I visited South Africa one of the car guys told me they call mall cruisers "Soft-Roaders". I can imagine how hard it is to keep the Jeep in good shape. My Dakota pretty much lives in the garage and it's had it's fair share of close calls. Glad you are enjoying it either way. The one car wide driveway makes it nearly impossible to get my toy out of the garage without a headache.

 

[4 FN 27]

I have a co-worker who LOVES snow. Any mention of a flurry in a NC forecast and she's as giddy as a 10 year old child. It pisses me off just to hear the "s" word mentioned, much less get excited about it. I would LOVE to drop her off in Minnesota and let her live with that white sh*t 24/7 for months on end to see how much she likes it then.

For those of you that live up North, you won't ever have to worry about overcrowding. Only the insane move North when they retire.

<<<<Snow HATER!

I like driving in it...just don't like the way the others around me drive in it.

I have mentioned this before on here somewhere. Back in 2004 I flew to Charlotte. Checked into a Hotel. Charlotte got 3-4 inches of snow that night.

Next morning as the news media was stirring the pot about how bad it was, hypothermia and people abandoning their cars on the freeways, my buddy and I were out clearing the snow off our Rental. The Hotel Manager came out in a panic wrapped up in his Parka yelling "you can't go anywhere the whole city is shutdown."

I smiled and said "we're from Minnesota." He waived and said "Have a nice day!"...LOL...

3 days later the News Media was announcing church service cancellations due to snow remaining on roads on the north exposure side of buildings (the shade side).

 

[zmotorsports]

I like driving in it...just don't like the way the others around me drive in it.

I have mentioned this before on here somewhere. Back in 2004 I flew to Charlotte. Checked into a Hotel. Charlotte got 3-4 inches of snow that night.

Next morning as the news media was stirring the pot about how bad it was, hypothermia and people abandoning their cars on the freeways, my buddy and I were out clearing the snow off our Rental. The Hotel Manager came out in a panic wrapped up in his Parka yelling "you can't go anywhere the whole city is shutdown."

I smiled and said "we're from Minnesota." He waived and said "Have a nice day!"...LOL...

3 days later the News Media was announcing church service cancellations due to snow remaining on roads on the north exposure side of buildings (the shade side).

Same here Pat, I don't have any issues driving in it as I have since a young boy but I do have issues with the idiots around me driving in it. I've driven heavy farm equipment and most things with wheels/tires before I was ten years of age but the ones that kill me are the ones driving the big lifted pickup trucks or the soccer mom mobiles that think they're invincible because they have oversize tires and 4 wheel drive and still do the speed limit and weave in/out of traffic. Those are actually the ones I like to see piled up on the side of the road in a drift but unfortunately they generally take someone else with them. I don't understand what is so difficult in picking a lane and just moving along with the flow of traffic and everyone getting to their destination safely. Instead they have to show everyone that they are more important and then cause an accident and traffic delays.

We've not had cancellations of any kinds for many, many years due to snow that I can remember however, we did have some closures about 4 years ago due to an ice storm. Now that was an experience and something we don't get here and hope we don't ever again. I'll take the snow every day of the week and twice on Sunday over an ice storm.

Actually if my wife didn't have a commute to work and I wasn't responsible for snow removal at work I don't think I'd hate it quite so much. Maybe when I retire and can actually get up in the morning and ease into clearing my driveway after my morning coffee it will be different but now I don't have time in the mornings to clear the drive and by the time I haul *** home after work to clear it I'm already out of daylight so NO, I don't enjoy it. Then I have to listen to everyone tell me how to have our contractors clear the snow because they know more than anyone else. These idiots I work with want it to look like it has never snowed 15-minutes after a blizzard and can't seem to figure out we live in northern Utah and YES, we get snow.

 

[lilscorpion]

I like driving in it...just don't like the way the others around me drive in it.

Same here Pat, I don't have any issues driving in it as I have since a young boy but I do have issues with the idiots around me driving in it.

My sediments exactly!! I work about 10 miles from the house. We’ve had some significant snow in the past year causing them (large institution) to close the office now 3 times. I always go in even if the other 4K employees don’t and appreciate no one on the roads. The next day, when everyone is running into each other I work from home.

My son and I also like to go out driving just as soon as the snow is deep enough so we get first crack at cutting a path. It does all come to an end though as the idiots run out of Perrier and adventure out ...the it’s time to yield to them and get off the road.

 

[zmotorsports]

My sediments exactly!! I work about 10 miles from the house. We’ve had some significant snow in the past year causing them (large institution) to close the office now 3 times. I always go in even if the other 4K employees don’t and appreciate no one on the roads. The next day, when everyone is running into each other I work from home.

My son and I also like to go out driving just as soon as the snow is deep enough so we get first crack at cutting a path. It does all come to an end though as the idiots run out of Perrier and adventure out ...the it’s time to yield to them and get off the road.

Matt, my wife thinks I'm nuts (and I may be) because right after a fresh snowfall I LOVE driving my Jeep with the windows down and listening to the tires crunching through the snow and that throaty V8 echoing in the cold air. UUuuuhhh, that sends chills down my spine now just thinking about it.

That is something I have always done since I was driving but now rather than complain about it, my wife merely grabs here heavy coat, scarf and had when we go out in it because she knows the windows will be down and I'll have my head out the window. I try to explain that this is the best time to listen for squeaks and/or rattles because I absolutely despise both.

 

[Mike.ASC]

I can relate ^

 

[zmotorsports]

My son had asked what I was doing in the shop on Saturday as he was wanting some help to complete the last couple of minor things on his WJ before we tackle the winch bumper and sliders.

My wife was going to do some shopping so I told him to bring the Jeep over and we’d knock out the trans temperature gauge and the front locker wiring.

He decided on a location for the front locker switch where it was easily reached yet out of the way from getting bumped. We also installed an indicator light that illuminates when the locker is engaged.


Wiring switch and indicator light. You can also see the 2” diameter hole at the other side of this panel where the transmission temperature gauge will reside within easy viewing from the driver’s seat.


Mocked into place.


Wires ran through the firewall grommet. Wiring going down to the locker and sensor in split loom casing and power wire ran in abrasive loom casing ran along the left fender, across the underside of the core support following the hood release cable and to the power distribution.






A great Saturday spent in the shop with my son wrenching, laughing and just enjoying the shop and each other.

Thanks for looking.

 

[WoodsTruck]

Nice job on the switch. What selectable locker does the Jeep have in the front?

I'm installing a Zip Locker in my Ford 9" for my Bronco. I'm still working on the third member but hopefully wiring/plumbing shortly.

 

[losdudes]

Thanks.

They are the Teraflex Transit flap kit. Here is a link to them at Northridge 4x4.
https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...sJR1G-X4A2XZSUA5SbIJKuINMfsefh49fot9k2tiONYjA

Thanks

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice job on the switch. What selectable locker does the Jeep have in the front?

I'm installing a Zip Locker in my Ford 9" for my Bronco. I'm still working on the third member but hopefully wiring/plumbing shortly.

Thank you. It is an OEM Rubicon locker in the Rubicon D44 housing.

Thanks

You're welcome.

 

[zmotorsports]

I started another little shop project tonight.

All projects should start with a very detailed and accurate drawing. [emoji23]










More pics and details to come.....

 

[WoodsTruck]

I started another little shop project tonight.

All projects should start with a very detailed and accurate drawing. [emoji23]

Some of my best artwork is on the back of old envelops!

 

[Ohmthis]

I like driving in it...just don't like the way the others around me drive in it.

I have mentioned this before on here somewhere. Back in 2004 I flew to Charlotte. Checked into a Hotel. Charlotte got 3-4 inches of snow that night.

Next morning as the news media was stirring the pot about how bad it was, hypothermia and people abandoning their cars on the freeways, my buddy and I were out clearing the snow off our Rental. The Hotel Manager came out in a panic wrapped up in his Parka yelling "you can't go anywhere the whole city is shutdown."

I smiled and said "we're from Minnesota." He waived and said "Have a nice day!"...LOL...

3 days later the News Media was announcing church service cancellations due to snow remaining on roads on the north exposure side of buildings (the shade side).

I know I’m late to the party on this, but it reminded me of a story of my own. I live near and work in Louisville Ky, the town was devastated in the mid 90’s with a huge snowfall. Since then everyone freaks out over the word snow. Fast forward to 2006 and I am in Tanawanda New York (just outside of Buffalo) for a month with work. It’s late October and it snowed 10” overnight. Everyone acted like it was just another day. I cleaned the snow off my rental car and went to work. All day I joked with everyone about how home would have been closed down for at least a couple days! One guy there said “this is the light stuff, we usually get more than a foot at a time”, it just blew my mind.

 

[zmotorsports]

Some of my best artwork is on the back of old envelops!

Exactly. I figured there would be more people than just me that would appreciate that little drawing.

I have a lot of weird ideas that get written or drawn out on scratch paper or napkins then if they pass muster they get moved to graph paper. As you can see the above didn't even make it to graph paper.

 

[aka Larry]

I totally appreciate the drawing Mike.

I've been a draftsman for 35 years. I make a drawing for every project of mine. The few that I didn't, well, they didn't turn out nearly as well. I use CAD, but there is nothing wrong using paper, an envelope, napkin, or whatever works for you!

 

[zmotorsports]

I totally appreciate the drawing Mike.

I've been a draftsman for 35 years. I make a drawing for every project of mine. The few that I didn't, well, they didn't turn out nearly as well. I use CAD, but there is nothing wrong using paper, an envelope, napkin, or whatever works for you!

Thanks Vincent. This drawing came about while I was sitting in a boring as hell meeting on Friday then I decided to look through my metal rack on Saturday and wouldn't ya know it, I found enough to bring the drawing to fruition. That's the best kind of project, one that serves a purpose when done yet doesn't cost anything to build.

 

[Ohmthis]

I tell my son that every project begins with a drawing. We Made a trailer (on here in the build something with your kid thread) for his Jeep several years ago. He was on me for awhile to build it. I told him that every project starts with a drawing and that He hadn’t made that yet. I thought that would hold him off for a little while. Low and behold he came to me about 10 minutes later with a piece of paper with three black blobs on it. He said pointing to his drawing “This is my Jeep, this is my ski, and this is the trailer.” What could I say at that point? It was one of those memories that I’ll tell his kids!

 

[shortykorte]

Boring meetings...man do I have a bunch of sketches.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[4 FN 27]

Some of my best artwork is on the back of old envelops!

1982-1989 Everything was on Paper for me. Any kind of paper. For scaled or full size Models it was Craft Paper.

1989-to present all Cad Models. Thousands of them in a Data Base by Project. To this day people still contact me to make a part for a car I owned 25 years ago and it will bolt right in.

AutoCad, Fabriwin, Cadkey, Pro-E and Solidworks.

Mike nice drawing. More detail than we get from some of our Customers!!!

 

[Wanna Ride]

As usual, it’s been months since I checked in. But I just caught up on your posts, and I had to chuckle at your drawing... when I stop by a local fab shop (of epic proportions!) to pick up some steel, my buddy who works there, always says, “ok, where’s your diagram?” because he knows I’ve sketched out whatever project it is, in thorough detail. He always tells me that he wishes his regular customers did the same.

As always, love to see your project progress and the end results. Got a kick out of the RV seat escutcheons... those damn things will last forever!

 

[zmotorsports]

I tell my son that every project begins with a drawing. We Made a trailer (on here in the build something with your kid thread) for his Jeep several years ago. He was on me for awhile to build it. I told him that every project starts with a drawing and that He hadn’t made that yet. I thought that would hold him off for a little while. Low and behold he came to me about 10 minutes later with a piece of paper with three black blobs on it. He said pointing to his drawing “This is my Jeep, this is my ski, and this is the trailer.” What could I say at that point? It was one of those memories that I’ll tell his kids!

Boring meetings...man do I have a bunch of sketches.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

1982-1989 Everything was on Paper for me. Any kind of paper. For scaled or full size Models it was Craft Paper.

1989-to present all Cad Models. Thousands of them in a Data Base by Project. To this day people still contact me to make a part for a car I owned 25 years ago and it will bolt right in.

AutoCad, Fabriwin, Cadkey, Pro-E and Solidworks.

Mike nice drawing. More detail than we get from some of our Customers!!!

As usual, it’s been months since I checked in. But I just caught up on your posts, and I had to chuckle at your drawing... when I stop by a local fab shop (of epic proportions!) to pick up some steel, my buddy who works there, always says, “ok, where’s your diagram?” because he knows I’ve sketched out whatever project it is, in thorough detail. He always tells me that he wishes his regular customers did the same.

As always, love to see your project progress and the end results. Got a kick out of the RV seat escutcheons... those damn things will last forever!

Thanks for the comments guys and thanks for following along on my projects, poor drawings and all.

 

[zmotorsports]

A little more progress tonight.















Thanks for looking.

 

[lilscorpion]

I started another little shop project tonight.

All projects should start with a very detailed and accurate drawing. [emoji23]


More pics and details to come.....

Thinkin’ a bearing splitter. It it has a flange-like base so maybe they’re clamps of some sort. Only one so it can’t be for a fixture to hold a diff...hmm

 

[zmotorsports]

Thinkin’ a bearing splitter. It it has a flange-like base so maybe they’re clamps of some sort. Only one so it can’t be for a fixture to hold a diff...hmm

Matt, it is actually a fixture for holding live axles on my fabrication table. These two sections will be the lower portion that will bolt rigid to the fabrication table and I will machine the upper clamp section once the lowers are complete.

I could have used solid material but didn't have enough and this was a budget conscious project so I am using material I already have.

Thanks for playing along and staying tuned.

Hope the son's Jeep mods and your Jeep repairs are coming along, I'm anxious to see them. More so I'm anxious to be able to get out on the trails with you two one day.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Mike it's always nice when you can use up material you have laying around. It's coming along, looking forward to the finished product!

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike it's always nice when you can use up material you have laying around. It's coming along, looking forward to the finished product!

Thanks Marc.

I would have liked to have been able to make both upper and lower sections out of solid 1" x 4" bar stock but simply don't have enough so I had to improvise or purchase more and I had plenty of 1" x 2" x .125" tubing kicking around and it should be just as stout for holding an axle tube.

 

[zmotorsports]

A little more progress last night on the axle fixture.

Inserts/slugs ready for drilling and tapping.


Tapping 1/2”-13 threads.


Two down two to go.


Threaded slugs pressed into the 1” square tube after removing the weld seam inside of the tubing and during the welding process.




Ends welded and Rosette welds completed and ready to fine tune on the disc sander.




Ready to weld the verticals to the lower blocks.


Thanks for looking.

 

[C2tuck]

Is that the 1/4hp or 1/2hp die grinder? I’ve been eyeing them lately and need one. What are your thoughts on that one?

 

[jjeffries]

Wow! That's some big boy pants stuff. Nice work as always, John

 

[zmotorsports]

Is that the 1/4hp or 1/2hp die grinder? I’ve been eyeing them lately and need one. What are your thoughts on that one?

My 90-degree (PT210a) and straight (PT200a) are both the 1/2 HP die grinders. They work great for mid to small items like this. One of my co-workers has the newer PT400 series which are rated at 1 HP and they are monsters. Personally I think they're a little overkill for what I use them for as they want to jump out of my hand when I tried them out. I imagine they'd be a bit hard to control for small detail and contouring work that I do so I prefer my PT200 and PT210 models.

I even have a much older straight die grinder (one of the first cushion handled Snap-on die grinders) that is 1/4 HP and I still find myself using it quite a lot. It's about 15 years old and I still reach for it at times and keep a 3" x 1/8" thick grinding disk on it compared to the PT200 that I keep my .035" cutting disc installed.

 

[zmotorsports]

Wow! That's some big boy pants stuff. Nice work as always, John

Thank you and thanks for stopping by.

 

[shortykorte]

I don’t know if it’s just me, but the handle looks like an optic illusion.


Nice work as always.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[zmotorsports]

I don’t know if it’s just me, but the handle looks like an optic illusion.


Nice work as always.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Must be an optical illusion Shorty. I think what you are referring to is actually my 90-degree die grinder lying on the workbench.

I appreciate you stopping by.

 

[zmotorsports]

I completed the lower mounts for my axle fixture tonight.

I started by welding the vertical supports to each lower half.








Next was to cut two pieces of .375” x 3” plate to the length of 11” and clamp in the mill vise to drill three holes in each. I figured if I decide to bolt these to the fabrication table I’ll be glad I drilled the holes prior to welding everything together.






Measured the mounts for proper location of the vertical tubes.


Lower halves completed.












This is how they will roughly be spaced on my fabrication table.


I wiped them down with wax & grease remover and painted them semi-gloss black.


Thanks for looking.

 

[protegeV]

I always get jealous every time I see those welds.


Nice work