Above 1200 Sq/FT The Warthog Hidey Hole

[jbmatth]

JB,
Looks like you had a great time!

You could say that Jon, I certainly was never bored or ever without someone to shoot the bull with.

JB

 

[jbmatth]

I don't know what has been taking me so long to get anything done lately but I just seem to be going slow on anything I tackle. I have done some much needed cleaning in the shop and have put most of the stuff away from the HRPT so that took some time to get squared away.

I did manage to install the 8.5" 10 bolt with a limited slip and disc brakes that I picked up earlier this year into the Lil' Blue truck. It has a few little things that are different than the 7.5" but nothing too out of the ordinary. That allowed me to install the new wheels and tires in the rear:

I ended up ordering the hub caps for these wheels and eventually discovered they are not factory GM wheels when I looked closer at them. They are still pretty nice all in all so I won't give them away for scrap.

The rear tires are now 2" wider than they were previously and with their offset vs the stock rims it ended up moving the tread out pretty much that entire 2". Now if I every wanted to have rims made or buy newer 'Vette rims I could even add another 2" on the inside toward the frame and leaf springs without running into anything. That would mean 335mm (13.2") wide tires, compared to these at 285mm (11.2") or the stock at 235mm (9.25").

For the fronts to fit I had to install 2" wheel spacers, now the wheels are centered just slightly wider than before. I'll have to get it out to see what I may want to do as far as lowering it or other suspension work. Here it was this morning after doing all I could until more parts show up:

The hold up now waiting on the big brown truck. The new axle is about 1" longer from the axle center-line to the U-joint mounting surface. I decided to use the 3/4 ton truck driveshaft this time rather than having the 4 cylinder S10 shaft shortened again. Interestingly enough the gas 3/4 ton trucks use a 1350 U-joint as well as the ZR2 Blazer axle so I'll have all the same joints in the driveshaft, it is the small things that make me happy.

3 U-joints should be here today and another couple days for the center support bearing and I'll have it back on the road. Just in time to help work on my wife's Jeep. It is getting some major work done around the 4th.

JB

 

[oldironfarmer]

Wheels look really nice from a distance, but if they're not genuine GM maybe they should just go to scrap...

 

[BUGTHUG]

I smell a melt down

 

[jbmatth]

Wheels look really nice from a distance, but if they're not genuine GM maybe they should just go to scrap...

You do have a point there Andy, I'll make you a deal, pick up some genuine GM rims that'll swap over and I'll let you have these.

I smell a melt down

Herb,
What you should have smelled was me melting down the old tires, but sadly I completely forgot to do that. Oh well there is still time.

JB

 

[oldironfarmer]

We're in luck, I've got some genuine GM rims. And they are durable steel.

 

[jbmatth]

Hmmm, they would hold some good burnout rubber...

JB

 

[rmalkow2]

Huh? What?? Did somebody say burnout?

The new wheels look good.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Fine execution JB!

 

[jbmatth]

Huh? What?? Did somebody say burnout?

The new wheels look good.

Someone may have, I wonder if I'll have enough power to do a burnout.

Thank you, I like them but have spent too much time cleaning plastidip off of them. I'll eventually get them clean but wow.

Fine execution JB!

Thanks Outlaw, I'm ready to enjoy them once the center support bearing arrives.

JB

 

[Grumblebum]

wow great trip JB.

I just went down a little rabbit hole looking at that c12 cat, what a beast. Just google "snappers caterpillar buggy cat c12" and plenty of stats and vids.

GB

 

[jbmatth]

wow great trip JB.

I just went down a little rabbit hole looking at that c12 cat, what a beast. Just google "snappers caterpillar buggy cat c12" and plenty of stats and vids.

GB

Thanks for the info Grumble, I did a search and found this article ya'll might enjoy reading. With 425 HP and 1,550 lb-ft of torque he still enjoys 20 MPG. That looks like a fun rig and hopefully I get to talk to him next year.

JB

 

[jbmatth]

I have a confession to make...read descriptions and measure once and you won't have to order the same part 3 times to get the right one. Yep, the first center support bearing for the Lil' Blue Truck driveshaft was just a bearing, no center support, the second was the whole part but the wrong inside diameter, now the third one should be here in a week, let's hope it works. I did a few small things though such has hang my new signs:

and install the stereo I received for my 10 year anniversary at work:

I also spent a lot of time cleaning the shop as it was in a very sorry state of clutter from all of the projects I've been doing lately mostly maintenance work. I don't remember if I mentioned it before but I picked up a motorcycle while on the HRPT:

Sadly it was just too much weight with everything else in the Lil' Blue Truck for me to feel comfortable bringing it the last 450 miles home from my parents. I went back the next weekend to drop my daughters off for Granddaughters Week and picked it up then. The hard part was going to be unloading it by myself without dropping it on my legs. But where there is a will there is a way:

It may be hard to tell but there are 4 ratchet straps on this thing, one each at the front and back and one on either side for stability. Lift it up, drive out from underneath and drop it down carefully. I wiped it down with some window cleaner real quick and it cleaned respectibly for a bike that hasn't been out of a shed since 1993:

Yep just what I needed another project. It'll set off to the side for a while so I can get a few pressing projects completed then I'll working on at least getting it running again. It'll need a LOT of work just to fire up again.

I almost forgot, it is a 1986 Yahama Phazer or FZX700 with 6,100 miles.
JB

 

[BUGTHUG]

nice bike

 

[oldironfarmer]

nice bike

X2

I've used a plywood platform laid across my lift arms to load and unload lawnmowers, welders, torch set with bottles, etc. Kind of a hydraulic loading dock and very stable.

 

[driftpin]

Not sure how much you are into bikes, the Fazer is often referred to as the "Baby V-Max." Great technology for the time, it won't leave you bored for its performance. I like Yamahas, had more of them than anything else, and I've had English, American, European, and the Big 4 from Japan. The FZ750 engine it's based-upon is a good one, reliable, powerful for its size, and it handles well for the era. Three intakes, two exhausts/cyl.

There is a guy in Wichita KS who swapped a FZR1000 engine into his, which probably came close to doubling the RWHP! You can contact him if you wish, he knows a lot about these bikes. [email protected] & his name is Sean Morley. He may have used parts if you need something.

https://ridermagazine.com/2016/06/22/1986-yamaha-fzx700s-fazer-road-test-review/

 

[mybigwarwagon]

I would have given you my nephews Kawasaki 250 ninja that has been in my front yard for a month. At least he can't wreck it anymore if it is here.

 

[jbmatth]

nice bike

X2

I've used a plywood platform laid across my lift arms to load and unload lawnmowers, welders, torch set with bottles, etc. Kind of a hydraulic loading dock and very stable.

Thanks you Herb and Andy, sadly I didn't think to use plywood to support the bike on the lift arms that would have been a good idea...if I'd have come up with it in time.

Not sure how much you are into bikes, the Fazer is often referred to as the "Baby V-Max." Great technology for the time, it won't leave you bored for its performance. I like Yamahas, had more of them than anything else, and I've had English, American, European, and the Big 4 from Japan. The FZ750 engine it's based-upon is a good one, reliable, powerful for its size, and it handles well for the era. Three intakes, two exhausts/cyl.

There is a guy in Wichita KS who swapped a FZR1000 engine into his, which probably came close to doubling the RWHP! You can contact him if you wish, he knows a lot about these bikes. [email protected] & his name is Sean Morley. He may have used parts if you need something.

https://ridermagazine.com/2016/06/22/1986-yamaha-fzx700s-fazer-road-test-review/

Driftpin,
I've owned a half dozen or so bikes in the past including a metric cruiser, dirt bike, and a few crotch rockets. I sold them all before my first daughter was born. I don't know what I'll do with this one, sadly by the time I fix everything to make it driveable and presentable I'll have more money into it than it'll be worth. I've found some great resources online and and have read a few good threads on the Fazer.

I think I ran across his bike in my searching, that was pretty cleaver but probably more than I want to get into. Thanks for the email, I'll see if he has any parts I may be able to use/need.

I would have given you my nephews Kawasaki 250 ninja that has been in my front yard for a month. At least he can't wreck it anymore if it is here.

Now you tell me, next time I'm out that way I'll pick it up.

JB

 

[jbmatth]

All,
I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable 4th of July. I spent the first few hours installing something for my wife to make it easier on my back to remove the top on her Jeep:

I'm glad OSHA wasn't around when I was lifting the structure from the bed of my truck up to the point where it could be mounted but it is there now and I'm on the ground safe and sound.

This also arrived and is scheduled to be installed in here Jeep this weekend with 35's to follow on Monday along with an alignment and a few other goodies:

Lastly I was pointed out to a deal on a transmission by a friend from St. Louis that I couldn't pass up. Sadly the trans is in Arkansas but luckily it was only 2 miles from my brothers house and they even had mutual friends:

It is a TR6060 6-speed manual transmission from a 2014 Camaro 1LE with 5,200 miles on it. It also came with a VERY expensive clutch, now the problem will be trying to determine which vehicle to install it in. I bought it thinking the Lil' Blue truck but that would mean a ton of rework to make it happen. Pinky Pie would be a logical fit as I still have all of the work to do for installing an engine and transmission combination but the .5 overdrive gear combined with 2.54:1 gears would mean around 1,200 RPM at 75.

So the only other option would be the Cobra but it won't bolt to a Ford engine...

JB

 

[OutlawDrifter]

If you plan on driving the S10 a lot, replace the 80e with another. My vote for the TR6060 would be Pinky Pie. It already has a sporty suspension, so why not give it more fun with a 3rd pedal? Also, swapping the rear end or gears will be far easier than all the necessary changes to the S10.

P.S. love the top removal apparatus!

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice job. I need to get something built to remove my hard top. I haven't had my soft top on for two years now and it's killing me.

I had a hoist at my last home in the attached garage that lifted it up to the ceiling but I only had 10' tall ceilings in the last house. My new attached garage has 14' tall ceilings and don't know that I want to extend something that far or not. I also want to get my attached garage painted and floor epoxied before doing anything with the Jeep top. I've even been thinking about fabricating a lifting mechanism on casters that I can roll up behind the Jeep, raise the top off and then pull the Jeep up to where the top will be above the hood of the Jeep. This may give me more options down the road but haven't made up my mind for certain yet.

Post up some pics of the wife's Jeep after lifted with her 35's please.

 

[jbmatth]

If you plan on driving the S10 a lot, replace the 80e with another. My vote for the TR6060 would be Pinky Pie. It already has a sporty suspension, so why not give it more fun with a 3rd pedal? Also, swapping the rear end or gears will be far easier than all the necessary changes to the S10.

P.S. love the top removal apparatus!

Outlaw,
I'm really leaning that direction as well, I've spent a lot of time and money making the 80E work in the S10 and it would be a lot more work and a decent amount of money to swap it over now. I'm really leaning toward rebuilding the 80E myself, I've never rebuilt a trans nor do I have the tools. I do have the book and the desire to save money so there is that.

I'm afraid it might be too long for the cobra, from what I can gather online it is 33.8" from bell housing to output shaft whereas the current trans is 26.7" which 7" isn't much (Get your mind out of the gutter ), but the driveshaft isn't much more than a foot long right now. I should really look at using a TKO500/600 which is much closer to the length of the current trans. That leaves Pinky Pi.

Nice job. I need to get something built to remove my hard top. I haven't had my soft top on for two years now and it's killing me.

I had a hoist at my last home in the attached garage that lifted it up to the ceiling but I only had 10' tall ceilings in the last house. My new attached garage has 14' tall ceilings and don't know that I want to extend something that far or not. I also want to get my attached garage painted and floor epoxied before doing anything with the Jeep top. I've even been thinking about fabricating a lifting mechanism on casters that I can roll up behind the Jeep, raise the top off and then pull the Jeep up to where the top will be above the hood of the Jeep. This may give me more options down the road but haven't made up my mind for certain yet.

Post up some pics of the wife's Jeep after lifted with her 35's please.

Mike,
I used the Harken lifting system and it was really pretty easy to install if you use common sense and try not to read the direction. I think they may have been the most difficult to understand I've used in quite some time. If I ever get scaffolding I'll take down the frame I just built and build a much smaller one closer to the ceiling. I could have installed it at 12' with no problems, and at that height it would be out of the way enough to pulling anything I have into the shop. I like what others have done with mobile lifting contraptions for Jeep tops but didn't want anything else taking up floor space 95% of the time.

I'll try to get good before and after shots as well I'll be taking measurements to compare as well. Tomorrow will be an early morning to hopefully be done before it gets overly hot out.

JB

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike,
I used the Harken lifting system and it was really pretty easy to install if you use common sense and try not to read the direction. I think they may have been the most difficult to understand I've used in quite some time. If I ever get scaffolding I'll take down the frame I just built and build a much smaller one closer to the ceiling. I could have installed it at 12' with no problems, and at that height it would be out of the way enough to pulling anything I have into the shop. I like what others have done with mobile lifting contraptions for Jeep tops but didn't want anything else taking up floor space 95% of the time.

I'll try to get good before and after shots as well I'll be taking measurements to compare as well. Tomorrow will be an early morning to hopefully be done before it gets overly hot out.

JB

Thanks JB, I here ya on losing floor space. Maybe that's why I've drug my feet a bit because I'm on the fence still.

I used a Racor lifting/storage system at my last house and it worked flawlessly and also was a great storage location of the softop when the hard top was installed.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[86turbodsl]

Thanks you Herb and Andy, sadly I didn't think to use plywood to support the bike on the lift arms that would have been a good idea...if I'd have come up with it in time.



Driftpin,
I've owned a half dozen or so bikes in the past including a metric cruiser, dirt bike, and a few crotch rockets. I sold them all before my first daughter was born. I don't know what I'll do with this one, sadly by the time I fix everything to make it driveable and presentable I'll have more money into it than it'll be worth. I've found some great resources online and and have read a few good threads on the Fazer.

I think I ran across his bike in my searching, that was pretty cleaver but probably more than I want to get into. Thanks for the email, I'll see if he has any parts I may be able to use/need.



Now you tell me, next time I'm out that way I'll pick it up.

JB

Anybody who's into older bikes, do yourself a favor if you haven't heard of it, get yourself a digital subscription to Classic Motorcycle Mechanics out of the UK. Too expensive for printed delivery, but a simply fantastic resource for the older bikes. Beats the pants off the US classic bike rag.

 

[jbmatth]

Thanks JB, I here ya on losing floor space. Maybe that's why I've drug my feet a bit because I'm on the fence still.

I used a Racor lifting/storage system at my last house and it worked flawlessly and also was a great storage location of the softop when the hard top was installed.

Decisions, decisions.

I like the Racor lift and if we had a soft top I probably would have gone for something like that, I'm debating now on what to do with the doors. I like many of the products available online but hate to spend too much on them when I could easily make one. I really just need to decide and build one already.

Anybody who's into older bikes, do yourself a favor if you haven't heard of it, get yourself a digital subscription to Classic Motorcycle Mechanics out of the UK. Too expensive for printed delivery, but a simply fantastic resource for the older bikes. Beats the pants off the US classic bike rag.

Thanks for the tip turbo, I'll check it out. This bike is sadly way down on the list right now. I finished a couple of big projects this weekend and now need to get a bed made for my daughter, then onto working on BP 2.0 which will be a big project. Pulling the trans on the Lil' Blue Truck to rebuild, some engine work will be needed as well. I'd like to make some progress on Pinky Pi this winter too, then finely get on the bike some.

JB

 

[jbmatth]

Well it was a long day Saturday but I was able to get a good bit accomplished. The new bearing went onto the Lil' Blue Truck so I was able to drive it for the first time in 3 weeks. I can't believe it took so long but all is well and it works great, no traction issues now unless you count the trans slipping as a traction issue.

After that I spent the next 8 hours installing the lift kit on my wife's Jeep, here is a before photo:

And after:

It raised the front around 3" on average and the rear 2.25". It also felt like the ride was a bit softer as well which was a welcome feeling. It went on pretty well but I have some issues with the front brake lines I'm not thrilled about. When using the lift the lines get too tight even with the relocation brackets supplied. I've got a set of extended lines on order to replace them with. Along with all the new control arms, springs, shocks, front track bar, and rear track bar relocation bracket I also installed exhaust spacers for front driveshaft clearance, spare tire relocation bracket (to move the tire out and up for clearance for the bigger spare), and snubbers for the spare tire.

While mowing I had to move the vehicles around a bit and thought this was a neat photo:

I was going to get The Warthog in the photo as well but even disconnected the battery was too low to start it. I think the 8 year old battery is ready to be replaced.

Next up is a bed project for the little one (Cat) seen in the photos above.

Keep moving forward,
JB

 

[oldironfarmer]

That's a lot of transmission. How many pounds of aluminum do you suppose is there?

Jeep looks great!!

 

[rmalkow2]

The Jeep does look good. I've others like that with the basic 3" leveling lift kit and it seems to be a good height for Jeeps that are still also daily drivers. Nice to know there is no compromise on the ride quality either.

 

[jbmatth]

That's a lot of transmission. How many pounds of aluminum do you suppose is there?

Jeep looks great!!

It sure is, the interwebs say it is about 145 lbs(66kg) just guessing that means 1/4 of the weight is aluminum it would be 35 lbs (16kg) or so. That would be a big hammer, but would make a much better transmission!

The Jeep does look good. I've others like that with the basic 3" leveling lift kit and it seems to be a good height for Jeeps that are still also daily drivers. Nice to know there is no compromise on the ride quality either.

Well I have a little update, with the new tires the ride is pretty rough again, may just need to run aired down a bit from the 45 psi the tire shop put in them. The best part is both Bear and Cat can still get in without issue. After the tires the total lift is around 4.5" but varies from corner to corner a bit.

All,

So the before photo again:

And after:

We went with Hankook DynaPro ATM tires I've had good luck with them in the past and run them on BP 2.0 currently.

JB

 

[zmotorsports]

I like the Racor lift and if we had a soft top I probably would have gone for something like that, I'm debating now on what to do with the doors. I like many of the products available online but hate to spend too much on them when I could easily make one. I really just need to decide and build one already.



JB

I have been looking at my attached garage and I think I may still be able to use the Racor if I mount it to the back of the stall where I park my Jeep. I can reach the gear mechanism from my landing going into the house to raise/lower the shelf. I think I may go that route once I finish the attached garage.

As for door, I wouldn't purchase a hanger, I would just build one to suit your needs. We fabricated one for my son's Jeep LJ that would hold either the full doors or the half doors depending on what he had on the Jeep at the time. We used pipe insulation to pad the hanger and it worked fantastic.

The Jeep looks great by the way.

 

[jbmatth]

I have been looking at my attached garage and I think I may still be able to use the Racor if I mount it to the back of the stall where I park my Jeep. I can reach the gear mechanism from my landing going into the house to raise/lower the shelf. I think I may go that route once I finish the attached garage.

As for door, I wouldn't purchase a hanger, I would just build one to suit your needs. We fabricated one for my son's Jeep LJ that would hold either the full doors or the half doors depending on what he had on the Jeep at the time. We used pipe insulation to pad the hanger and it worked fantastic.

The Jeep looks great by the way.

Mike,
I'm sure of anyone you'd be able to come up with a solution to work for your needs on the Racor.

I have a design sketched up and a bill of materials together once I get to stop by a box store to pick them up. I'm making it to where it'll work with the doors and the Freedom Panels so they can all store together. I'll also install casters so I can roll it out of the way when not in use. We shall see how that works out in the next couple of weeks.

JB

 

[BUGTHUG]

looks like the daughter got shorter in the second picture

 

[jbmatth]

looks like the daughter got shorter in the second picture

Sure did, she has been experiencing some Benjamin Buttons symptoms lately.

JB

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike,
I'm sure of anyone you'd be able to come up with a solution to work for your needs on the Racor.

I have a design sketched up and a bill of materials together once I get to stop by a box store to pick them up. I'm making it to where it'll work with the doors and the Freedom Panels so they can all store together. I'll also install casters so I can roll it out of the way when not in use. We shall see how that works out in the next couple of weeks.

JB

My son's worked out well at our last home like that. We fabricated a cart to place the top on in the vertical position. The cart was on casters and we merely had to lock the rear window in the closed position to avoid damaging during the removal process. The cart was barely tall enough to allow the door cart to slide in under the rear glass which kept the doors inside the plane of the top and neatly tucked into a smaller footprint.

I liked having mine suspended from the ceiling and would very much like to do that again because it is just wasted space but I'm nervous as this garage ceiling is 4' higher than our last home.

Decisions, decisions.

 

[jbmatth]

My son's worked out well at our last home like that. We fabricated a cart to place the top on in the vertical position. The cart was on casters and we merely had to lock the rear window in the closed position to avoid damaging during the removal process. The cart was barely tall enough to allow the door cart to slide in under the rear glass which kept the doors inside the plane of the top and neatly tucked into a smaller footprint.

I liked having mine suspended from the ceiling and would very much like to do that again because it is just wasted space but I'm nervous as this garage ceiling is 4' higher than our last home.

Decisions, decisions.

Hopefully you are able to get something figured out for the top hoist. I haven't used ours again yet due to rain. The ceiling hanging method seems to be quite popular by people that have the height required.

JB

 

[jbmatth]

With Cat's first day of school fast approaching it was time for me to get her big girl bed made. We'd discussed many different designs and she finely settled on wanting a Scooby Doo themed bunk bed of sorts. I didn't realize how much lumber cost especially when buying a bunch of 2x6 material:

It went together pretty fast and I only have to worry about painting it now which both girls want to help out with. Then I'll let my wife do the final touches but Cat seems to enjoy it:

I also picked this up:

It is a 2000 Silverado 1500 2wd, it has the 5.3L (V8) engine and auto trans with ~150k miles (240k km or 2.4Mm). It was my FIL's truck and it had developed a terrible vibration, they stopped driving it and he said if I scrapped it out or got it sold he would split the money with me. I drove it home very slowly after my initial inspection didn't reveal the issue. Once on the lift I was able to get a better look, I think I found it:

Oops I should have seen that but couldn't get under it very well where it was parked. It is fixed now and drives pretty well. I ordered a radio to fill the empty void, will clean the interior for some photos then post it up for sale as a unit. If I'm lucky this will fund my trans rebuild in the S10, woo hoo!

JB

 

[ODIS]

Looking forward to paint party on the bunk bed! Nicely done!

 

[jbmatth]

Thank you Odis, I'm sure some will make it onto the bed but I'm likely to get a lot on the floor too.

JB

 

[oldironfarmer]

Beds are great!!

I'd run that u-joint like it was, you still had three good cups.

Does he not want the truck back?

 

[jbmatth]

Beds are great!!

I'd run that u-joint like it was, you still had three good cups.

Does he not want the truck back?

Thanks Andy, but it actually has 4 good cups, one is just broken off and another has lost all of the roller bearings. For $11 a new joint was worth it for ride comfort. Sadly I did loose the seat message feature.

No he gave it to my BIL then it broke and sat for months, tags are 7 months out of date and he wanted me to scrap it but I feel like it is worth more as is than parting it out. It's also less work.

JB