Blue Ribbon 4x4 Build Thread

Thanks Mike! Rattle can paint is getting better and more durable.

Thanks Tom! Definitely was tedious.

Thanks Al, I appreciate it.

 

Ok y’all. I got a little something coming this weekend, so I had to do a little prep. Go easy on me, I had to do the BMC, and I’d rather pay for a tool rather than pay someone else to do work since I’m not afraid to learn. I bought a welder today. After a few practice beads, I was ready to lay some booger welds down and get it done, since this is the only free day I have to do it. I got the Century FC90 for $230 at Home Depot, along with some required accessories, and a chunk of 1/8” steel.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Century...re-Feed-Welder-and-Gun-120V-K3493-1/302139495

I started by watching a couple YouTube videos on where to cut, and chopped my mount. I used cardboard as templates and cut out the steel to match, then tacked them in place. After much trial and error with the adjustments on the welder, I was able to get everything together, and much grinding was to be done. Do they look like a $200 BMC? Hell no, but they’ll do the job and I’m satisfied with my first welding job. I’m pretty transparent in my mistakes and shortcomings, and I know this isn’t perfect. If anyone has this machine and has any tips or tricks, I’m all ears.

 

Kick ass Geno! I swear this guy is a Jack of all Trades!

 

Thanks Tin!!

 

They’re here. Had a road trip and picked these up for a crazy price. I got six of them. SIX! Tires are brand new. BMC is a success!!!
Method 308 Roost
35x12.5x18

 

Looks fantastic with your blue! Makes both colors pop

 

Thanks Robert!

 

This is amazing. I've always been curious as to what a lighter/brighter bronze would look like on blue ribbon. And 35s.....this is awesome. If I remember correctly, aren't you set up on 5100s + shims?

 

Yessir! 2.5” lift in front, 1.5” shackles in the rear. I’m ao happy with these wheels! Worth the trip!!

 

Looks Good Geno.

 

Thanks Ricardo!

 

Well worth the trip Geno! Can't wait to get a chance to see them in person. One of the capable and aesthetic tundra on the road! It's ridiculous you learned how to do a BMC on the fly. LOL

 

@tinman10101 Geno has so much skill and confidence. We were messaging and he's like "just picked up my welder so I can do my bmc after some practice". To me that would at least be a few days of trial and error before I'd want to be attempting to weld on the truck. Not Geno! He comes back a few hours later with work that looks better than what I've seen most people pay for!

 

thanks fellas!! Wasn’t crazy difficult. Just a little YouTube university and practice!

 

Getting that big 35” spare underneath the truck. I cut the old spare guides off, past the crossmember so the spare doesn’t rub. I sprayed with a little Rustoleum paint to prevent future rust, then hooked up the new wheel. As I reeled it up, I pressed my feet against the tire, pushing it toward the front of the truck to give the Boss 4x4 shackles as much clearance as possible.

 

Check in a few days to make sure it did not shift. Mine is always shifting back.

 

Cool man, I’ll definitely check.

 

Nice Build.

 

Thank you!

 

Grabbed a high-lift jack, and a couple accessories. If you think that handle is about to be painted blue, you’d be right. Also need to fab up a mount for the deck rail system. I think I’m gonna somewhat copy the commercially available ones.


And then, a pic in front of some Sequoias, because why not.

 

Going on an off-road night run this weekend. Decided to put my spot lights on a different circuit. I blew a fuse while off-road a month ago, so I figured it would be best if the spots were separated from the light bar, working on the same switch. Put this harness together for easy hookup when I pull apart the front of the truck. It will hook up to my fuse block, so the installation will stay clean.

 

A little construction perk- free small oven. Let the powder coating begin!!!

 

Yeeeeeehaw! I like where your head is at! One man's garbage is another man's treasure!

 

Absolutely!! Been on the lookout for a small cabinet oven that works off 120v. Took a while!!

 

Whenever I install anything electrical, I use quick disconnects. Makes things so easy to upgrade or change anything that needs to be wired. I separated the circuit that powered the light bar and the spot lights, and added a second relay for the spots themselves. They work on the same switch, and hopefully the setup is more reliable.

 

Good looking mods! What cost more the mods or the brew to fuel the efforts?

 

I don’t drink! Leaves more cash for mods!

 

Partied in the mountains on a night run last night. 4 Tundras, 8 Tacos, and 1 4runner. Lights worked great, no blown fuses,

 

Where was the night run?

 

In Phelan, off the 15 and the 138.