My winter project is to finish cutting the good parts off of the P'up I bought on ebay so I can sell them and scrap the rest. I am considering making some drop diff brackets out of the P'up diff brackets like I did for my Amigo to sell on here; but I don't know how much interest there would be after putting in the time and effort.

I already did an unplanned winter project last weekend. I was hitting the surface rust on the Amigo with a grinder so I could add some fresh spray paint. Grinding -> more rust -> grinding -> more rust -> grinding -> grinder goes through the side of the truck <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> Ended up with a 1.5" x 6" hole by the time I got to clean metal. Apparently said rust had gotten worse than I realized. So I dug around the barn and found some old duct work (galvanized = no rusting). Cut it with tin snips to match the hole. Spot welded all around until it was filled in... which sucked on such thin metal, BTW. Sealed the bare metal, several coats of high-build primer, sand, primer sealer, and about 6 coats of fresh spray paint and it looks better than ever! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

I need to get rid of my trooper. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

If the brackets from a Pup will fit a VX, I'll be first in line for 1 1/2-2" drop. Let me know how much. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Then I'll have a winter project.

1.get tranny fixed and put it back in the Luv
2.redo my t-bar crank and add longer rear shackles, along with new shocks
3.order a Aussie locker from Matt and have it installed as well
4.buy and install a new set of off-road lights (KC's I had on there were stolen when my truck was in the shop 2 years ago)
5.go to CO and do some snow wheelin after it's all done <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

We will do it at my dads shop this time. Done for sure in 2 days. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Finish mine and go wheeling!

That sounds like an awesome winter project, Don! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

It was great to see you and the family at the Friends of Eldorado work project. Awful damn cold, but a good project and great turn-out regardless.

As for winter projects, I have a ton of loose ends to tie up... the motor swap has given me many grins this year, but I rushed it (pause for a giggle of what 'rush' is in this context) to get out and play. I have long been tempted by this setup: http://www.inchwormgear.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=21_38&products_id=985
...but even more tempting, now I find that Jim is selling Lefty in kit form.

Randii

Good to see you and turbo as well, still trying to thaw out but had a great time. Don

I started to post up on this thread when it first came up but I realized I didn't have any pictures of my current project to show you guys.
So I took some for an update.

Some if you (Older Members that is) have heard me talk about this project before. And as usual, I'm slow. But I eventually get around to the projects I plan. Even if it takes years to plan.

Although it's not a 4X4 it is an Isuzu I'm building. Or shall I say converting.

Do you remember this 89 I Mark?

This is the picture the former owner sent me before I bought it.

Here is a shot of the 140 hp 1600 cc Dual cam gas motor it had in it. It got 28 mpg at the time I brought it home.


And after I post this up update, I am headed out to the shop to install this.


I have all the wiring harness and everything else ready to go. It will be a plug and play install now. The radiator outlets are in the same place as the gas motor. Even the fuel tank has been flushed and has diesel in it ready to pump.
It's an Isuzu 4EC1T 1500cc Turbo diesel used only in the Japanese I Marks. The intercooler will come later. What a cool little power plant! There are oil squirters under the pistons.
(And yes I know the first picture shows it missing a pulley. It's on there now!)
I had to modify a clutch plate to mate the engine to the tranny, but that was all the machining it needed. Really easier to do than you would think. Someday I'll post up a picture of how I did that. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />
An odd fact: The cold engine high idle switch on this motor is a water temp sensor type. I had to use two "T's" in the water heater hoses to make it work. That's right, water powered cold idle!

I did have to fabricate a glow plug circuit for it. That took some research on the Isuzu Diesel Forum. And as usual, Jerry's help on this project has been invaluable!

It won't be a power house, like the 140 hp 1600. It only puts out about 80 hp. But it will turn 4500 rpm and get around 50 mpg on the highway. The best part of this project is all the suspension & brakes have been rebuilt. The 5 speed tranny is almost new. I have new axles in it too.

I'll post up some pictures after I get to drive it next week. Oh, and window tinting is scheduled on it's first drive to town. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

BTY, Melissa's Trooper is coming along and is next to be finished after this one is on the road. I have all her parts here and it's assembly will be just like a model car kit for adults. I just need to put it together.

Curtis

3.4 swap done. need to get back to my Trooper now <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />