Above 1200 Sq/FT The Ole Barn Workshop by BigNuge

BUGTHUG · Jul 15, 2018

looks great :thumbup:

BigNuge · Jul 15, 2018

Thanks guys.

Just had a 19 hour OT run yesterday/last night. I might get to more siding sooner than later...lol.

I have some work to do on the rear wall before I side it.

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Homebody · Jul 18, 2018

I like all sides! Looks great!! :thumbup:

Mr. Roboto · Jul 18, 2018

It all looks incredible, but that door end is something else! Well done!

bdbecker · Jul 20, 2018

I just finished reading through your thread - what a fantastic space you've got! Looking forward to following along.

BigNuge · Jul 20, 2018

Thanks fellas...

I have a couple weeks of long work days, then rolling into our vacation. That said, progress on the shop is going to come to a standstill for a little bit.

In any event, I’m glad to have my shop back! It was plugged up with material and tolls for the siding project. Is that it‘s cleaned up I can use it again!

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BigNuge · May 24, 2019

Soooooo, wow....almost another year gone by and doing a terrible job keeping up with this thread...lol.

It’s been a busy year. New work opportunity turned into a job change with a new company. It’s been great in many ways, not the least of which is being able to work from home most of the time.

Not much has been done to the shop since last summer, but much has been done in the shop. A drainage project to prevent soft spots in the driveway, which will be finished this spring. I have plans to get the rear wall of the barn cleaned up/fixed up and sided (finally). I am also working on the plan to extend the “shop” space another 6’. In short, I bought a boat over the winter, spent a lot of time working on it, and the shop is barely long enough for walking around the boat....that just won’t do.

There’s lots I’m not covering, but I just don’t have time to do a full “update” on things.

I hope everybody is well!

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Mr. Roboto · May 27, 2019

Hey Nudge, good to see you drop in, glad all is well!

BigNuge · Jan 17, 2020

Well hia folks....still breathing, working, playing....

Latest project in the barn:

Anywho...that’s one of several things cookin around the shop. Hope everyone is doing well!

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xtremek · Jan 18, 2020

Nice pics, very nice. What did you prep the semi rusty sheetmetal with? What did you do to the engine, trans, and t-case? What size are the new tires compared to the old? Put in a lift kit? Don't be a tease. give us some details please.

Bears Fan · Jan 18, 2020

This is the first time I have ever seen a steam powered lift :lol:

Awesome job on the jeep :thumbup:

BigNuge · Jan 18, 2020

xtremek said:
Nice pics, very nice. What did you prep the semi rusty sheetmetal with? What did you do to the engine, trans, and t-case? What size are the new tires compared to the old? Put in a lift kit? Don't be a tease. give us some details please.

I cleaned and treated all rust with Rustoleum Rust Reformer. Then top coated everything with Duplicolor bed liner in black. Took my time with prep, cleaned everything thoroughly.

Bought it not knowing the motor was bad (cracked block). It actually ran and drove when I bought it, but it ran rough. Motor was swapped from a 96 with 77k on it. The new motor runs smooooooth. On the new motor I did a full tune up, oil filter adapter orings, oil pan gasket, rear main seal, valve cover gasket, water pump, alternator relocate (high), new belt. I kept the original trans and tcase. I did the hack and tap SYE on the tcase. Also did the Azzys shift linkage. Pulled the trans cooling out of the OEM radiator and installed a simple/separate trans cooler. Basically, if it made sense to do while the drivetrain was out I did it.

The XJ was bone stock when I got it, so stock wheels & tires (225/75 r15). Suspension was beyond tired, sagging and sad.

Lift is a Rough Country 4.5” X-Series. With the sagging old suspension I got almost 7” of lift with it, and that’s before the new tires! The tires, those are 33x12.50x15 Falken Wildpeak A/T3’s. I have those being mounted on a new set of black steel wheels next week.

Today I got to some body trimming and folding to make a little more room for the new tires.

Bears Fan said:
This is the first time I have ever seen a steam powered lift

Awesome job on the jeep

Haha....thanks...

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xtremek · Jan 19, 2020

Thanks for the details. It does look really good.

YJ4000 · Jan 19, 2020

Nice work!

Ryan.

BigNuge · Jan 19, 2020

I sure wish it was ready for the road....just got some fresh snow, can’t wait to have some fun with it in the snow!

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BigNuge · Jan 22, 2020

New DIY bumper showed today...

Can’t wait to get this welded up!

Tomorrow tires get mounted and alignment done. Finally this XJ is going to look the part!

Maybe, juuuust maybe I’ll take it out on a quick winter wheel putt after the tires are done...

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xtremek · Jan 23, 2020

An adult puzzle, looks like fun. Can't wait to see it finished.

BigNuge · Jan 24, 2020

Rolling on new sneakers.....coming right along!

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BigNuge · Jan 25, 2020

Body work today...

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lastgoodusername · Jan 26, 2020

BigNuge said:
I can’t believe this is my barn....the pictures don’t do it justice.

Still have 2 walls left to side, but I am amazed at how it looks now!

I’ll be adding a pair of wrought iron handles to the faux doors up front, as well as a pair of black barn wall lights to accent the place.

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That is really nice, great job sir.

BigNuge · Jan 26, 2020

lastgoodusername said:
That is really nice, great job sir.

Thanks! It’s constantly changing, but that’s the way I like it...lol

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BigNuge · Feb 1, 2020

Got the XJ project wrapped up today.

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xtremek · Feb 2, 2020

If you are pretty much done with it, one suggestion, cap the ends on the front bumper and paint it black to match the rear. Anyway, your job looks nice, and it looks ready to hit the trails.

BigNuge · Feb 2, 2020

xtremek said:
If you are pretty much done with it, one suggestion, cap the ends on the front bumper and paint it black to match the rear. Anyway, your job looks nice, and it looks ready to hit the trails.

It is done for now. The plan is to replace the front bumper with the DIY mate to the rear. I just need a break from working on it. I have a lot of time into it, time to have fun with it some and just use it like it is now.

The “to do” list:
Swing out spare carrier
Front bumper
Winch
Roof rack
LSD rear/front selectable locker
Lights
Headliner
.......................?

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BigNuge · Jun 24, 2020

The newest addition to the stable....

Mahindra 1626 HST with a set of Bradco forks and a Mahindra Box Blade.

Played in the yard a bit, moved a few things with the forks CUZ I COULD...lol

Super happy to finally have a tractor....lifelong goal, it’s finally here!

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xtremek · Jun 25, 2020

I know what you mean about wanting a tractor. Even my little 8n is super handy, so I can imagine how you're going to enjoy your Mahindra.

BigNuge · Jun 25, 2020

I had access to a mini skid steer for a few years while a friend rented the first floor of my house. Now that I’ve converted it back to a single family (after they moved out) I no longer have it around, and it *****! I borrowed it a couple times, but had it for a few short days and had to get it back to him. This last time I borrowed it I told myself I was done with that BS. Started shopping tractors, and here it is.

Already did a few small things with it, nothing of note yet...but I can’t wait to get to work with it!

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BigNuge · Dec 21, 2020

Hey everybody, hope you are all surviving the COVID apocalypse ok!

I’ve been busy doing all sorts of projects, in and on the shop. Finally got the east side finished and siding on, exterior lights on front and back.

Now we have started on the solar project, new 10kw solar system going up. The array is going on the barn roof.

Stay tuned for the updates!

Merry Christmas all!

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xtremek · Dec 21, 2020

Looking forward to seeing this next step, especially since I'd like to try and convince SWMBO to do the same with our house and out buildings

jollygreengiant · Dec 21, 2020

BigNuge said:
Hey everybody, hope you are all surviving the COVID apocalypse ok!

I’ve been busy doing all sorts of projects, in and on the shop. Finally got the east side finished and siding on, exterior lights on front and back.

Now we have started on the solar project, new 10kw solar system going up. The array is going on the barn roof.

That first picture is stunning, easily calendar or avatar pic worthy.

What's the purpose of your solar system? Will you be powering your house and barn or feeding back into the grid?

BigNuge · Dec 22, 2020

xtremek said:
Looking forward to seeing this next step, especially since I'd like to try and convince SWMBO to do the same with our house and out buildings

Solar? I finally took the plunge, been thinking about it for years. The system I’m installing should completely offset my electric bill for the whole property (the shop and all).

jollygreengiant said:
That first picture is stunning, easily calendar or avatar pic worthy.

What's the purpose of your solar system? Will you be powering your house and barn or feeding back into the grid?

Thank you! It’s been a long road with this project, and it’s never ending...lol.

The solar project is going to be a net-metering (grid-tied) system. It should completely offset my electric bill, curious to see if it actually does.

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BigNuge · Dec 23, 2020

Well, it in! It isn’t switched “on” yet because the utility has to change the meter and give the “ok to generate”.

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jollygreengiant · Dec 23, 2020

Looks good!

If you don't mind saying, what was the rough cost of the system?

I've thought that a rooftop solar setup with either heat pumps or a mini split (s) would be about the most economical and low maintenance setup you could have. But last I looked a solar panel setup wasn't cheap.

BigNuge · Dec 23, 2020

System was ~$23k total, with a few extras (new meter socket, extra CT’s for consumption monitoring of all sub panels).

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bulletpruf · Dec 23, 2020

XJ came out nice! I definitely have tractor envy, too.

Solar has always intrigued me; please keep us updated on how that works out.

BigNuge · Dec 23, 2020

bulletpruf said:
XJ came out nice! I definitely have tractor envy, too.

Solar has always intrigued me; please keep us updated on how that works out.

Thanks!

One thing though, I have already sold the XJ....lol.

Moved on to a new build, 2002 Sequoia. The Toyota guy in me just couldn’t go without a Toyota to play with...lol.

Big plans, lift/wheels & 33’s/bumpers....do it up right. The Sequoia platform is so much nicer, bigger, and leagues more comfortable. Can’t beat the 4.7 V8 either.