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Thu Dec 24, 2009 5:17 pm

on vacation, but missing working on my car. just wanted to say merry xmas. and junk. Picked up a how to weld book, (was curious if i was f-ing up anything) good read I would definitely recommend it to any body having problems. this is it.
http://www.amazon.com/Weld-Motorbooks-Workshop-Todd-Bridigum/dp/076033174X
It'll keep my busy on the plane ride home. later dudes

Thu Dec 24, 2009 6:07 pm

Thanks for that link I am gonna pick up that book for sure, I got some issue's welding body panels. I like what you've done so far. I just got done grinding my roof to bare metal as well and I know that can be a bitch on the shoulders. Good stuff

Thu Dec 24, 2009 8:50 pm

roof work does suck, do you like that primer that you used? nice shocks also. i'm jealous.

Thu Dec 24, 2009 9:34 pm

I love the self-etching primer, sticks to anything. It's designed for bare metal, so I would use it on your roof.

Fri Dec 25, 2009 7:24 am

sweet. thanks.

Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:53 am

so got back from my trip super late last night. can't wait to get started on my car again. Utilized my 6 hour flight and started a line diagram for my wiring system. got it pretty much done with a rough draft. this way i will know everything i need and am not just buying whatever making several trips back and forth to the store. Also was thinking about making some kind of hinged box that is about 2" deep that bolts up underneath the pass. side front under the glove box. the idea is to keep all my components clean and dry(have a seal for it) and the hinge idea is so if i need to replace a fuse or something then i unlock it and it hinge it down so i can access everything. Just on the drawing board right know. might end up just putting everything around the stock location though. I think i'm going to need at least 7 or so relays. i plan on running toggle switches for everything except blinkers. probably not any e-flashers unless i can run a toggle for those, which i might if i used the older style. we'll see. Well gots to unpack my suitcases and clean. hopefully get to my car tonight or tomorrow.

Wed Dec 30, 2009 12:32 pm

so i went out and looked at my baby . really wishing i would of bought new sheet metal and used one solid piece instead of cutting and welding it all together. Still thinking about redoing it. not sure yet. what do you all think? If it's 18gauge metal I can pick up a 3x10 piece for 25 bucks and that will be enough and some for anything else. body metal is 18 gauge right? any input would be helpful. kinda on the fence with this one.

Wed Dec 30, 2009 12:38 pm

chubby53 wrote: so i went out and looked at my baby . really wishing i would of bought new sheet metal and used one solid piece instead of cutting and welding it all together. Still thinking about redoing it. not sure yet. what do you all think? If it's 18gauge metal I can pick up a 3x10 piece for 25 bucks and that will be enough and some for anything else. body metal is 18 gauge right? any input would be helpful. kinda on the fence with this one.

If you are thinking about it right now, later when you did not do it, $ 25.00 will seem cheap and you will have wished you did.

Like Nike says, just do it.

Sun Jan 03, 2010 10:10 pm

still havn't had time for the baja, but tomorrow is the day, got some stuff to do around the house and look for a job, but after that it's vw time until about 5:30 plan on getting some sheet metal and redoing the front fenderwells(we'll see how that goes) then hopfully more sanding, sandblasting, then the rear quarter repair. I'll post some pics when done. can't wait. later

Mon Jan 04, 2010 9:56 pm

got my sheet metal today, how nice it is to work with brand new metal. and if i screw up then cut a new piece. got a 3'x10' sheet 18gauge for 21 bucks. cut out the piece i need for the drivers side and got it ready to weld on. need to clean up all the surface rust on the car around that area first though so i don't have a bunch of crap built up in the bottom of the fender/door area. hopefully get both sides done by the end of the week. i'll take a before and after pic of the pass. side and post when done. hope it's worth the effort.

Mon Jan 04, 2010 10:12 pm

I like your idea, I think I'm gonna get some sheet metal and just weld the hell out of it until i get the hang of it.

Tue Jan 05, 2010 12:36 am

i saw a clip on you tube, cant remeber what it was called, but it was about welding thin metal. basically you can weld it at high amps if you just do a series of tack welds in a line. That's what i've been playing with. turn up the welder to a higher setting and do a tack, if you get it right it will flow all the way into both pieces and not burn a hole. I only hold the trigger for about 1-3 seconds at a time and count to like 4-5 if that then do another tack. as long as my metal is nice and clean it works really well. if i can find that u-tube clip I'll leave a link.

Tue Jan 05, 2010 6:47 pm

so i got a little shop time today. was able to sand blast and wire brush the trunk area today. got a little more work to do on it tommorrow. one of the bristles flew off my angle grinder at about 10 million rpms and stuck me in the face. it was awesome. also worked backwards today and cut off my fender wells that i put so much time into. got one of the sides cut out of sheet metal and as soon as i'm done blasting, brushing, and cleaning up the trunk area i'm gonna weld them in place. same idea as i had , but a lot cleaner looking. I'll be happier when it's all done. here are a couple pics.
this is my blasted and brushed trunk.

and this is my sheet metal i cut for the sides, just clamped somewhat in place so you can get an idea of what it will be.

hoping i can get the sides tacked on tommorrow. I can't wait til i'm done with this front end so i can work on the rest of the car. it's amazing how 1 weeks worth of work can turn into 1 month overnight.

Wed Jan 06, 2010 11:16 am

Man, that thing is going to be nice. arnt you affraid that once you get done with it you wont want to beat it or go fast? I have to keep reminding my self of that.

Wed Jan 06, 2010 11:20 am

thanks, the idea is to build so i can beat the shit out of it and not worry bout it fallin apart. believe me I plan on getting into some good mud, unfortunatly the way this project is going, i probably will have to wait til next fall to get into any.

Wed Jan 06, 2010 11:23 am

So what are you thinking for a roll cage? i would assume that you want something bad ass to add to the body lift you made.

Wed Jan 06, 2010 12:49 pm

i do, but i would still like to have a rear seat functionable. i don't plan on racing or junping or anything crazy, but i do go to the dunes occasionally. i was thinking of getting somethin similar to what you have and slowly building off of it. right now my main goal is to get the body done and painted so i can put the car together and streetable, then down the road get a cage. i have an old 6 point bolt together that i could throw in it for now if need, it's not the greatest thing, but it would add a little saftey to the car. I eventually want to go with 3x3's and was wanting to work on a perment cage then. but with this suck ass economy i'm going to be lucky to just get this thing on the road within the next couple months. this car was just supposed to be a quick throw together build, then my imagination took over and also i started to realize it's better to do what i want the first time and not have to come back and rebuild a lot of stuff later.

Wed Jan 06, 2010 7:57 pm

wasn't able to work on my car today, by the time i got my daughter to school, cleaned the house, then i had to go to the hardware store to get some stuff for my house and stuff. fixed my dinning room chairs and coffee table. by that time i found myself fast asleep on the couch and woke up just in time to get my daughter.
was planning on a full day tomorrow, but wouldn't you know it, i might be getting a job!!!! There's a local mom and pop electrical contractor that might be needing another journeyman, going to go work with him for a couple hours tomorrow and see how it goes. WHAAHOOO! Hopefully it turns into some kind of full time deal. fingers crossed. So might not be able to work on the car til thurs night or friday.

Wed Jan 06, 2010 8:05 pm

With all these cell phone talking, big truck driving, loons on the road I would feel a lot safer with a cage. I think your chances of getting hurt at a red light are greater than any crash in the woods. Good luck on that job, bring the boss a cup of coffee in the morning.

Wed Jan 06, 2010 9:32 pm

point taken. thanks