Flatland Rig

[Brad S]

Hey everyone, I've been lurking around here for a while and figured I start a build thread. I realize I don't have a ton to show yet, but $$$ is tight these days so I'll post up what I've got.
I'm really hoping to making some more changes soon. Anyways, here's my heart-of-Kansas rig:









Just a 3.5" lift with 32" BFG's - 242 t-case conversion. Bumper and roof rack build in progress.
I know I'm not anywhere close to the mallcrawlin standards, but hopefully I can be sometime.

[suburbia4X4]

Hey man, its more then some of us, at least yours drives right now. I think a few around here cant even say that much due to the tight $$$ you talk about and just day to day wheelin and dealin. Anyhow, Eat Shit and welcome to the mall

[TheOtherSide]

Looking good... I like black ZJ's. I did similar and got rid of all the gold trim... incl the emblems and the 4x4 decal on the rear side. Only thing gold is that stupid painted on pin stripe all the way around it.

for another Black ZJ!

[Brad S]

Hey thanks guys, I couldn't stand the way the gold looked around the belly. I have debated deleting the gold emblems and even redoing the pin striping...

[dangerousdave]

Its amazing how clean any rig is thats not in the east. Mine has mud on it in all sorts of places. Nice looking rig.

[dirty]

Nice Brad!

We are gonna have to drive down to the Disney off-road park (near Grove OK) when I get my new engine put in!

[Brad S]

you talking to me?

[dirty]

you talking to me?

Yup! Was on the phone, typed wrong name, lol.

[Brad S]

Started my sliders on Friday - got quite a bit done in one day actually. Used 1.5x2.5" 1/4" wall for the square tubing and not sure about the round pipe, it was just some stuff I had laying around. It seems fairly thick.

Anyways, pics:






I know my welds aren't the best, but I achieved good penetration and I'm satisfied since it's a stick welder.

[dirty]

Those look real good...and plenty thick in my opinion.

[Brad S]

Thanks. I'm trying to decide what thickness of plate do i need for mounting these suckers to the unibody... I'm planning on bolting on for now so I could remove them for paint if necessary. I will also be tying into the pinch seem.

Do you think 3/16" would be good? 6" wide plate on the outer and inner sides? Any tips would be great. I know, I know, weld. But I'm not sure I trust myself welding to the unibody yet.

[dirty]

Thanks. I'm trying to decide what thickness of plate do i need for mounting these suckers to the unibody... I'm planning on bolting on for now so I could remove them for paint if necessary. I will also be tying into the pinch seem.

Do you think 3/16" would be good? 6" wide plate on the outer and inner sides? Any tips would be great. I know, I know, weld. But I'm not sure I trust myself welding to the unibody yet.

Well, if you ever plan on running long arms you could probably order the unibody "frame" rail thing from Clayton and tie into that. That part might be reasonabl priced...and stiffen up your frame to boot. If not, or your running an extreme budget I would look for some "c" channel shaped 3/16"... like this l_l If you just weld one plate onto the outside of the uni-frame I'm afraid it might rip or warp the shape.

Yea...I had help welding...so god luck. You are more than welcome to take a look at mine and my Kevin's sliders and see what those look like. My big Heep is running again.

[Brad S]

I was thinking about putting 2 - 3/16" plates on the outside of the frame (with the slider's arms welded to them) and then have 2- 3/16" plates on the inside of the unibody rail as a backing plate - Bolting through both.

This rig will probably not go long arms for some time.

[Brad S]

Made progress on my roof rack. Ran out of black paint after I got started painting... grr!

[Brad S]

Painted and mounted.

[Schwarttzy]

What did it cost you to make the rack?

[Brad S]

Lets see...

Pipe was free - had it laying around.
Expanded Steel Mesh - $30
Steel Channel - $25
Grade 8 Bolts,Nuts - $15
2 Cans Primer, 3 Cans Semi Gloss - $20

Total - $90

Then if you count in some welding rods and grinder disks...
meh, probably around $110-$120 total

[dp96zj]

You're still running stock arms right? How's the ride?

[Brad S]

Stiff. I feel every bump. lol

Not sure if that's a control arm thing or springs/shocks... thoughts?

[Brad S]

poser shot - got my lights mounted and played around on a local trail for a bit.

[Brad S]

Got my sliders finished this weekend - welded them on and shot them with some primer and semi gloss. I tried to tie them into the pinch seam as well, but i just kept burning through. I may try to weld some small brackets for self tapping screws later. Also built a new crossmember and tcase skid. Its fairly beefy. I need to build a third support in the rear for the skid, but that may be next weekend.
Here's pics:











High lift jack works good on those sliders. I will be going to Tuttle Creek (for those locals who know where that is) in a few weeks to drop them off something.

[JordanA]

Looking good. Keep up the work!

[kyle95sr5]

How are you bending your pipe? All your bends are kinked. It looks good, I'm just curious.

[Brad S]

Torch and vise. I know someone mentioned using sand to keep smoother bends.

As for the sliders, that tube was just cut at angles and welded together.

[Brad S]

Built my quick disconnects