Doodle's KZJ95

[Doodle]

So, the bumpers have arrived, and today we started fitting. The rear was surprisingly easy to do, couple of stuck bolts but it's a pretty simple fit. Need to buy and install the rear lights but otherwise done.

The front bumper is partly fitted, but I need to make up a couple of spacers, trim some plastic and drill a couple of extra holes for some bits I want to retain.

Hopefully this weekend I'll get everything fitted up fully, winch mounted, lighting mounted and all wired up, along with more pics.

 

[Doodle]

So, it's been a busy weekend in the garage. Friday afternoon allowed time to get the front bumper fastened down fully with some new bolts, and the rear bumper lights wired up.

I also returned home to this from the lovely peeps at West Coast.

and Milners contributed a set of new longer ARB links (LC & Terrano rears)

The rear was relatively easy to do once the angle grinder had dealt with the top mounts on the shocks - one of them turned out be leaking slightly so it was a good time to change. Unfortunately there's no pics as I was off at A&E being loaded up with diazepam to sort out some muscle spasms while my friend dutifully continued in my absence.

The front was equally easy and hassle-free, apart from a bit of muscle work required with the spring compressors. Again, new ARB links fitted.

It's looking a little high in the front there, but the winch and ASFIR plates need to go back on yet so hopefully it'll settle a bit.

Final job for the day was to reinstate the rock sliders, they've been treated to 2 coats of red oxide followed by chassis black. No pics yet as it was dark by the time we'd finished putting them back on.

 

[AndyCook]

good progress work!
where did you get the bumpers from in the end? they look good,

sliders very similar to the ones i made. but i only put in 1 block between the inner and outer bars. mine are 4mm steel though.
i also added gussets both vertically and horizontally to the outriggers



keep up the good work, the collie is looking good

 

[Doodle]

The bumpers were made by Andy @ Landy-spares.com, he specialises in LR bits but did a prototype for a couple of Colorados going overlanding to Africa, and subsequently mine is the first production model.

My sliders are 5mm throughout, they seem to be doing fine so far without bracing but I can always add it later if it becomes necessary. As usual, in hindsight there's a few design/build changes I'd make!

Next job is to mount up the winch and lights, and deal with the wiring that goes with it.

 

[roy90]

Lots of work out of you doodle, well done it's coming together nicely! Like the back bumper very
much, are you mounting the original lights into it?

 

[Doodle]

No, they're intended to fit these off the shelf LED units, very commonly available and hopefully more robust than the originals!

 

[Doodle]

A couple of little updates before a big push next weekend.

ASFIR plates are temporarily on until after the event at the end of the month - nothing special to see there.

However, this arrived on Friday from Japan.

 

[OG.]

A Japanese mail order bride? I thought they were all Thai!

 

[Doodle]

Lol...not quite, although it'll probably be just as comfortable.

It's a seat rail to allow my Recaro seat to fit.

 

[Dark Dude]

Man

When your truck is finished, it's going to look the don. May just invited you and yours to North East London to see how your truck deals with the mean streets of Tottenham.

John

 

[Doodle]

Badly need to get some updates in here, there's been further works since. It's been surviving the daily commute ok, and a few forays into London, fending off errant cabs and ropey looking VWs

 

[Doodle]

I've got some catching up to do, but in the meantime the most recent job has been a CB install. Having used borrowed gear on previous outings, it was about time for something more permanent.

I had considered a gutter or front bumper mount, but have decided to give it a go with a spare wheel mount. Found a couple of bits of metal bar and fabricated something up, on the basis if it doesn't work, it's not cost me much.

And the finished product after a couple of coats of paint

Due to the length there's a bit of movement but that should serve to give the aerial an easier time. If it doesn't work I'll come up with something else