New project

[xaza]

Took a shot in the dark on some new tires and rims today. Perfect match to the black D window rims on Jeep. The off set on rims did not help much on setting track but they did widen the stance with tire width. Inside tire to inside tire we gained less than an inch at 49". Inside track on Jeep is 52" but aired down I bet it is closer to 50". Outside tire to outside tire we gained about 5" to edge of tread. I like the way the wheels look and they don't require any fender modifications so I might leave them as is. Otherwise I can put on 1.5" spacers and inside track will match Jeep perfectly. Axle gained 1/2" ground clearance. Picking up title and getting registered tomorrow hopefully. With plates and magnetic tow lights I should be able to get it to Blast Tech for paint stripping. Might have to put old coupler back on and get a smaller ball if new coupler is not done yet. Picked up some ATV hitch stuff at Harbor Freight to practice welding before we weld on new coupler.

[Java]

That is too cool, those rims and tires look great. I'd guess the axle bearings and such match dana or other vehicle axles from the same era, probably weren't as many choices for trailer axles back then.

[xaza]

We decided that an easier way to possibly level the trailer out, is to lift the Jeep some more! We borrowed the bottom 2 springs from my old springs and are going to add them in. Will give me a little more lift and less sag which might make it about right.
Finally pulled the welder out and put the trigger in my hand. Will need a lot of practice but was able to see improvements and getting better at keeping tip angled where I want it. Wylie played around with welder a bit too before we started to work on trailer.
We came to the conclusion that we needed a welding table and decided to go with the ghetto white trash style. Worked great though.
Got coupler almost done before getting rained out, Wylie doing the welding of course. Have a couple more welds and angling of one of the tabs left. Should hopefully have trailer connected to truck this week but am on-call and never know how that will go.
Sorry pictures not uploading in order. Total chaos.

[carpenle]

Flux core welder? Looks like it is coming along great!

[carpenle]

One of my first welding projects was to make a welding table. It has 1/4 plate prob. 18" wide an 4 feet long. It works great, I welded a grounding stud into the frame, so I can ground there and not have to try to ground to the work, which is great for smaller stuff.

[xaza]

Managed to get coupler completed today besides grinding and painting. Should have trailer to Blast Tech on Friday. Decided to throw in a couple of plug welds for added strength. I think it turned out pretty great.

[Java]

[xaza]

Everybody here was sick for the last week but we managed to get safety cables on trailer and get it blasted. Got it back today and should hopefully get metal covered tomorrow. He used a starblast media. Metal looks good.

[Java]

That looks amazing!! is it primed? and is the suspension height adjustable via the mounts?

[xaza]

Not primer it is textured by blast media to promote paint adhesion. There are additional holes that if reamed out would allow some adjustment to height.

[Java]

http://jpfreek.com/2014/09/12/barn-f...m-tc3-trailer/

[Shane]

lookin good!!

[carpenle]

What are you going to coat the trailer with?

[xaza]

I have an epoxy primer and industrial high gloss white for top coat. Not sure if I am going to clear coat it. Will see when I get it painted. Going to try and start painting this weekend. Going to test run on truck tool box and see how it goes

[Cr33p3r]

Amazing what media blasting can accomplish, what did they charge for a trailer that size?

[xaza]

They charge based on time in booth which was 110 minutes. Came to $275. I have never done any spray painting except from a rattle can so I am pretty excited and completely ignorant.

[xaza]

Wylie got a chance to lay down some paint today. Things went fairly well with box so he managed to get primer on trailer. We will be thinning the white a bit more for the trailer. We are pretty sure we got the mix figured out. Turning out pretty great so far.

[Hypoid]

NICE!!!

That is a BIG freakin' tent you have there!

[The StRanger]

That looks like a C.OR.E. size tent !

[xaza]

That is a cheap portable garage from Harbor Freight. It is 10'x17'. We are unsure if it is tall enough at door to get my Jeep in, will find out when it is time I suppose. The thing is designed to sit in the grass and has a monster stake for each corner. We will be using this as our protection from elements while wrenching so I wanted it on the concrete slab. Didn't like the idea of only being staked down at corners so I picked up some concrete anchors and went to town. The corners I used plumber strap and 2 anchors to pinch down tube and one at end partially inside tube. The center 4 poles had 3 holes in each foot so I simply used them and washers to anchor it down. Hope it will hold, seems pretty sturdy. Looking forward to getting white laid down today. Hopefully will have time to dry, tape and accent.