Blue Ribbon 4x4 Build Thread

Can't wait to see the videos!

 

I think I’m gonna start a new YouTube channel and upload the videos there. I have videos already of the build.

 

Let me know when you do! I'll sub I have several up of mine already. But just the stuff I've done already + my ATV stuff

 

I’ll sub too, what’s your channel?

 

Athena Offroad

 

Clear coat applied, almost there…

 

Installed! We’ll wait till later for some night shots and video. Chase lights are up and running. Good to go!

 

Nice work! Looks good !

 

Thanks!!

 

Bumper looks good. Not sure why you took such poor photos of it.

 

Thanks !

 

I posted earlier about my compressor going out. After driving through a heavy rain storm the compressor wouldn’t turn off. I yanked the fuse and saved the problem for later.
So my mistake this morning was not reinstalling the fuse and making sure it works. I uninstalled it, opened her up, and rewired everything that is inside the switch compartment. The compressor comes wired with a switch, and a circuit breaker. But inside the compartment, everything is connected with wire nuts. I just soldered and shrink tubed everything, tested it, and it works great. I didn’t take any damn pictures, but I redid the air lines under the hood to remedy the slow air leak I have. The compressor turns off at 75psi via an installed air pressure switch, it kicks on approximately every two minutes for a few seconds, letting me know there’s a small leak. Right now it’s holding tight, and I’m happy to have my air back in the truck.

 

Ok folks. Please go easy on me. Taillight video is up. I think I’ll start doing these and documenting the build more with video.

https://youtu.be/NB7tA3UgmAQ?si=gUolsmTEr_6fSawB

 

Next project - match the tails. I grabbed a cheapo third taillight on Amazon, and with a little heat gun action, got it apart. You can really see why these leak. It came right apart. The one I wanted had an ugly red stripe down the middle, so it got sanded off and once the clear goes on it should be perfectly clear.
Just a sneak peek of what they’re getting and we’re on our way.

 

Are those the same lights you used as your chase lights?

 

Yes, I had a pack of four.

 

Moving along on the third brake light. Drilled through the board to pass the chase light wires through, and shaped the chase light.
Then I epoxied the lights to the bezel and filled the top area with fiberglass bondo.

 

Little more bondo to smooth out the chase lights. Needs another smooth coat, primer, them one more.

 

Primer down. Actually doesn’t look like an afterthought. Still needs one more coat of body filler.

 

Looks so good!

 

Thanks! Honestly I was disappointed how it looked before. That gap on the inside was really bugging me. Glad it came together.

 

And how many folks get their face a few inches from your 3rd brake light to have noticed? Oh thats right, NONE!








But I do understand. Glad it came together.

 

yeah, yeah you’re right. But what about the close up photos?

 

Got the last coat of filler, primer, and a coat of bluuuuuue.

 

Blue Ribbon and 2K clear. The lens is next, and will get attached in a few days when the clear is gassed off.

 

Paint paint paint.
Applied a smooth bead of silicone around the painted area into the channel.
Taped off the inside area of the lens and clamped the lens onto the bezel.
Sprayed the plastic adhesion promoter after scuffing with a 7447 red scotch brite.
Sprayed with 8T5 Blue Ribbon
2k clear is hopefully tonight.

 

Can’t tell, is the black housing color matched as well?

 

Yep. All of it.

 

Masking peeled. Ready for clear.