Thanks guys!
@Paul and NativeTaco - I'm glad you guys asked about the tires - I strongly dislike them! I too have heard good things about Coopers, but that must be "good for on road longevity" or something as these tires are awful in snow and mud. No problems on rock or road. They are the Cooper Discoverer S/T MAXX (I don't see an "M/T", maybe that's what I'm missing). The 33x12.50 Hercules Trail Diggers I had before were way better and I'd go back if I could.
I'm thinking about getting a tire groover and going to town on it. Or try the angle grinder chain saw thing, which sounds unsafe. And on the safety note:
@dieseldoc - I like to think that I run a pretty safe shop If nothing else, I am a PPE enthusiast with my eyes, ears and lungs covered most of the time. Plus I haven't welded drunk in years! There were a few years after college that I drank a lot and welded scrap metal sculptures:
more: http://evanbeloni.com/art/
I'll be done pretty soon and we'll go run some trails! I'm itching to get out and somewhat regretting starting this project when I did. Whatever, I'll finish it soon and just keep it to weekday projects for the rest of the summer.
Still to do: Remove gas tank to weld rear cage tie-ins. Weld up back area cage, spare tire mount and rear bumper (w/tail lights). Install gas tank. Wire lights. Go wheeling. I do need to attend to the front axle soon, but hopefully that will be a weekday project.