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Safari Pacific MX2 Buildip

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  #126  
Old 09-02-2008
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Now its time to get back to work.


Today I started to tackle the wheel wells. Since I want to keep the little curve, where the body line rolls into the back of the cab, I cut those pieces from the cab.




The small portion to the bottom is the little curve I mentioned above. Roughly cutting the two pieces to fit I then clamp them into place.




No backing material was used to weld this up. As you can see, things got a bit ugly.




I repeat on the driver side pieces.




After welding the driver side, I realize the angle was way off. I replace the part cut off from the wheel well edge.

 
  #127  
Old 09-02-2008
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Grinding off the welds I smooth the edges.




Next I cut a extra piece of 18 gauge steel to reinforce the curve. Unfortunately I didn't snap a photo until I was finished. You can see the slight bulge where the reinforcing strip was welded on though.

 
  #128  
Old 09-02-2008
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looks like you made good with what you had. should look great once some paint is on it. who knows, you might just bend it someday anyways
 
  #129  
Old 09-04-2008
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**** looks sick man....lokks like u got some twint trucks there haha both trucks look clean cant wait to see it finished....keep up the work
 
  #130  
Old 09-16-2008
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Wanting a better picture of the body line curves, I went outside into the sunlight. With better lighting they don't look half bad.




Next I dry fit the passenger side onto the body panel. I have to push the panel inward to align with the door.




I make my trimming marks





Then I trim and clean up the sharp edges.

 
  #131  
Old 09-16-2008
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Going in the same fashion I use a strip of 16 gauge steel behind the seams. Tack welded wheel well curve into place.




After tack welding, I tie a piece of string to hold the panel in place.




I finish up welding the passenger side and repeat on the driver side.



 
  #132  
Old 09-16-2008
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Lookin good!
 
  #133  
Old 09-16-2008
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damn nice work!
 
  #134  
Old 09-16-2008
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Originally Posted by PlasticHero
# 10: 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.


Please do not move next door to me.
same here dude. that is some serious fab work. you definately turned it up to 11 with that mod
 
  #135  
Old 09-16-2008
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Looks awesome. What are you going to do for the interior?
 
  #136  
Old 09-16-2008
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sweet god of metal!! that is clean work you do. cant wait to see the finsh product
 
  #137  
Old 09-16-2008
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lol, I love the gas door in the middle of the rear pannel!
 
  #138  
Old 09-17-2008
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Looks great man keep up the good work!
 
  #139  
Old 09-17-2008
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Onto the roof... I start by creating a pattern for the curve. The old groove where the roof and side meets will be rounded as well.




With the pattern in hand and some sheet steel I head over to another shop. There I get the metal for the roof rolled as well as the wheel well pieces.






Back at the shop I start to dry fit the rolled piece. Roof is very rusty!




With the swamp coolers rusting out all the exposed metal I decide to prep everything for primer.

 
  #140  
Old 09-17-2008
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Along with prepping for paint I remove all stickers and clean off the glue.




Primer shows all the small tweeks in the metal.




Painted the roof and leaving a small gap to weld onto.




I sanded and painted all the inside pieces as well.



 
  #141  
Old 09-17-2008
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so sick, coming along really nice
 
  #142  
Old 09-18-2008
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very cool. nice skill you have
 
  #143  
Old 09-19-2008
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Just keeps getting better everytime.
 
  #144  
Old 09-19-2008
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hell yea i want one. this thread makes me wanna go out and fab something for my truck
 
  #145  
Old 09-19-2008
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man u do some good work i give u props that truck is going to look badass..imma have to find a way to swing by and see it when its done
 
  #146  
Old 09-19-2008
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I'm in love!!! Awesome!! Thats all I can say!
 
  #147  
Old 09-20-2008
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Man that looks amazing..jw but what r u gonan do with the interior??
 
  #148  
Old 09-20-2008
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your truck is god-like
 
  #149  
Old 09-24-2008
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damn... that's all there is to it, excellent work, can i borrow your shop?
 
  #150  
Old 10-03-2008
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Thanks all!


-----

After finishing up primering I resume completing the curve of the cab. First I clean up the edges for backing strips.




Using some fancy unistrut and visegrips I clamp down the roof and side panel. The unistrut kept all the sheet steel flat while I added the packing strip.




Placing the pre-curved steel over the gab I mark cut points.




After shearing off one side I double check the second cut's location.




Now I need to create the tapered edge to meet with the old molding groove.

 


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