Rob’s Refresh

[rtslatta]

A refresh of my ‘71.5 uncut wagon.

Transfer case is being rebuilt by a shop. Since the bulk of the drive train is out it seems like a good idea to do some minor rust protection on the frame and underbody. The previous owner’s uncle had welded on a box steel rear fender, so I cut that off. I have a new original-style rear bumper to put in its place. I had jack stands to catch the box steel fender. It was incredibly heavy.

There are plates welded to one side of each frame rail. I don’t want to weaken the frame there by cutting them off. I think the fender will fit just fine. We will see.

Next step is to take my grinder with a wire wheel and a wire disc and remove all the surface rust from the frame. After which I plan on using the POR15 system. I’m putting a 1” body lift in. I’ll update with whether doing the POR15 with the body on is a bad idea.

 

[Howard2x4x4]

Nice clean cut! I also like the idea that you are NOT doing a body-off. I suspect that the body-off compulsion is the cause of many abandoned after the wallet is empty dream Broncos here and there and every where.

 

[sprdv1]

Nice Rob.. Good luck sir. Just one thing at a time within your means

 

[stout22]

I hate welded on bumpers. I had one that they had done multiple layers. I gave up on cutting off myself and took it to a friend who had a plasma cutter.
Yours looks great!

 

[rtslatta]

Covered in plastic to stop dust getting everywhere in my garage. I will carefully move the wires and lines off of the frame for grinding off surface rust with an angle grinder and a wire wheel prior to coating with POR15. I did a small patch last night and there was very little surface rust.

The underside of the body is in great shape but some of the paint has peeled off. I may try to strip the paint so I can put POR15 on that as well. Not sure of the method I will use to strip the paint though.

I will have to fix up the fuel tanks while I am there. The original rubber tubes are less than intact. I was recommended to remove the side tank and put an after-market 23 gallon tank in the rear. It makes sense, but those tanks at $1000, so I may do that down the road. Both tanks have some amount of fuel in them which means I will have to buy multiple 5 gallon cans to receive it. I can't seem to find larger containers that are reasonably priced. I have also had two o-rings and seals for the fuel sending units sitting on my shelf for a very long time but I should have just bought two complete fuel sending units.