Installing Bailie Bilt bumpers

[Boss Hugg]

It hinges up! But there’s an adjustment to be made on the front pivot point. Needs to be dropped about 1/2 to 3/4 inch. Sure wish I had the actuators today. But it’s about to rain so I had to pack all the tools inside the shop. Also wish I had space to get the bronco in there. But with this hinge system I won’t have enough ceiling clearance to raise the hood inside.

 

[Yeller]

Glad to know I’m not the only one with a shop he can work on stuff inside lol.

Looking good, keep at it.

 

[Boss Hugg]

Glad to know I’m not the only one with a shop he can work on stuff inside lol.

Looking good, keep at it.

 

[Speedrdr]

I can understand why you are including actuators in this build. Lots of weight to be wrestling around…more so when you get past the wrestling around with heavy stuff age. Lol. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Randy

 

[Boss Hugg]

I can understand why you are including actuators in this build. Lots of weight to be wrestling around…more so when you get past the wrestling around with heavy stuff age. Lol. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Randy

I mean, i DO intend to put some fiberglass parts on it, but in order to get structure in those glass parts, they may be bulked up so much they weigh the same as steel parts?? But there shouldn't be bolts sticking thru fenders and such like I have now. We'll see.

 

[Boss Hugg]

More progress. But I got sidetracked with a possible blown head gasket in the explorer which I’ve been doing a v8 swap to.

 

[Boss Hugg]

Dad came down and helped me fix the dent in the drivers end of the grill. At least it’s not apparent t from a mile away there’s a dent there. And I made it a two tone blue paint job!

So trying to figure what to do next I started cutting rod thinking I’d build the new grill as one piece and then cut it apart and mount the center section solid like I had planned. But then this happened. I need some 3/4 or 1” steel strap material to make the vertical parts of the old grill and I’ll be nearly done with it. I need to figure out whether or not to build the lower center section or just leave it alone.

 

[Speedrdr]

If you indeed build the lower center section, will it clear the winch as it raises and lowers? I really couldn’t tell from your pics. What is there now looks good to me.

Randy

 

[Boss Hugg]

The lower center section is the whole reason I cut the grill out to start with. I should've cut out the minimum to start with and it would've save some time and materials. But alas, here I am. If I build a lower center section, it will mount solid to the frame and stay in place when the hood moves.

 

[Boss Hugg]

I suppose it’s time for another foto dump. Getting close to needing paint on the bumper. Probably gonna have it sand blasted before I rattle can it.

I had the drivers side bottom corner of the grill contact the bumper on its way up. I think when I get around to putting my glass fenders on it, I’ll be able to straighten up the bent part of the grill that I think is forcing that contact. It only touches for a second before it rotates up and away from the bumper.

 

[Boss Hugg]

Fotodump!

Had to remove the elbow from the intake. The plastic air tube was in the way of the new cross pipe for the hood structure. So all that is now turnt just a bit to fit.

Also had to cut/splice all my front light wiring. No pics of that because, well, let’s just say I’m a fit/form/function kinda guy as opposed to a cosmetologist!

And there’s some action shots of blasting and painting. Getting close!!

 

[Boss Hugg]

I feel like there’s an event I’m supposed to be at this weekend, but I’m not leaving till this thing is finished…. Just gotta remember what that event is…

 

[Boss Hugg]

I’ve read that the first thing you want to do with a HF winch is to replace the cheap cables with real cables. If you look close, you can see the cables are copper clad instead of solid copper. Also, ramsey winches used to come with 6ga cables on their solenoid packs. I’m running 2ga between the solenoid and the motor with 1-0 cable from the battery in the back of the bronco. I hope to never have a motor problem with this winch!

 

[Yeller]

Regarding that event somewhere..... Are we racing to see who gets there first or last?


PS: looking really good!

 

[Boss Hugg]

Regarding that event somewhere..... Are we racing to see who gets there first or last?


PS: looking really good!

ummmm....YES. LOL. BUT, I know it'll take me ten minutes less to get there this time because the bypass is open. So I don't have the two hours on Mill Creek Road. (I've never cared to run very fast on that narrow road.)

 

[Boss Hugg]

Well, today.... Ok, let me back up...

Many moons ago, I was trying to flush the coolant system. It seems that my engine had stop leak put in it at some point before I got it, and I wanted the system clean. So I had the engine warm, and thought I had the pressure off the system, and pulled the upper clamp off the radiator, which lead to brownish red coloring all over EVERYTHING in the shop, including the sheet rock in the ceiling, AND across part of my belly ending in time at the ER...which sucked because they didn't do anything that I hadn't already done at home...except give me a shot for pain meds.

Fast forward to more modern days...like today. This engine and under the hood are STILL coated in that coloring. But today I spent some time doing a proper flush. As in two cycles with two bottles of flush. Reving the engine up and down, letting it idle, raising the idle... I got it pretty clean inside from what I could see.

So now I've got that color all over just about everything because of the way I had stuff splashing. So I decided to get some Zep industrial strength cleaner and spray all over under the hood, and then power wash it off. Simple, right? Now I've got three plug wires throwing spark between the valve cover on one side and the alternator cover on the other. So tomorrow morning, I get to put new plugs on it before loading it up for OCBR. And I MIGHT have time to get the rear bumper mounted. But I have the top rear 1" of the frame rail to replace so I have something to bolt to, so it's not really simple. Just not a full weekend of work. I had to cut that part off due to the previous owner having a piece of 4x6x3/8 angle iron welded on for a bumper.

Fun times. If you're read this entire, worthless post, give it a like to say that you had nothing better to do!