Project MULE - Expedition build on a 1991 1500 4x4 Suburban

[pma4x4]

I finally did it, I melted thru the air hose. I had stopped cutting with plasma gun and I heard a hissing gradually getting louder. I finally melted the air line.

A quick 10 minute repair job and I was back up and running... and I only lost 5 feet of the coiled hose.

 

[muddysub]

nice work so far, ive been wanting to see someone build a swing out bumper for a barn door suburban.

 

[Greg Ducato]

nice work so far, ive been wanting to see someone build a swing out bumper for a barn door suburban.

X2

 

[pma4x4]

With tires on the swing outs it's going to be a bit challenging. While the swing out is a straight 90* swing out the doors are angled so they change position.

With a dry run prior to cutting the spindle holes it looks like the doors will be able to open about 70-80% of thew way. The idea is to have the swing outs lock into position and the barn doors will lock onto the swing out. Kind of like those little "T" latches you see on the back of RV doors that lock the door open. That's the idea right now. it may change later.

 

[pma4x4]

Still finishing up the end caps and I have the spindles fully welded in. Started working on the swing out arms today. This may get put on hold as I may be doing some custom tub and lid work on a customers Bantam 416 trailer.

 

[lloydrage]

man this is going to be awesome

I need to get one built for my blazer

 

[pma4x4]

I got the sliders back last Friday. I was one such a good pace with the rear bumper through the weekend I didnt want to break away from it.

The krinkle powder coating turned out awesome! These guys do great work! My hats off to Glendale Powder coating.

Here are the final pics to the slider project. Some one had asked about under body shots of the mounting and such so I took some of those as well.

 

[Richcz28]

I have never seen a truck as rust free as yours. Wow, that thing is clean underneath.

 

[pma4x4]

Just had that exact comment just now on another forum I have this build thread on. to which I repsonded

"That was one of the reasons why I bought this truck. When I was first looking at it and I crawled underneath I was NOT expecting to see that and i quietly mumbled to myself.... "holy s***"." and promptly bought it.

 

[Babaganoosh]

Glendale powder coating is right around the corner from where I work, always wondered about them. Do they coat small items for a fair amount or do they require a fair batch to be done?

 

[pma4x4]

Glendale powder coating is right around the corner from where I work, always wondered about them. Do they coat small items for a fair amount or do they require a fair batch to be done?

I don't know. So far I like the prices. I think if you have a small item either you would have to pay a minimal fee or maybe get it tossed in with another batch of parts getting painted the same color and texture. That's actually how I got my sliders back in 2 days. there was another batch going in for same finish so he tossed those in with them.

 

[Babaganoosh]

Awesome, I work at Sands Chevrolet just across the other side of Grand.


Project looks great as always.

 

[pma4x4]

Thanks!

 

[muddysub]

those turned out awesome man! nice job.

 

[elyon]

Sliders

You sure you don't want to kit these? They look great! I like the LED inspection strip lights. Good idea. Have you had a chance to flex the truck? See how the attach points work?

 

[pma4x4]

You sure you don't want to kit these? They look great! I like the LED inspection strip lights. Good idea. Have you had a chance to flex the truck? See how the attach points work?

I have thought about a semi finish welding kit for these. I will just see how much interest I get on them.

What LED "inspection" light are you referring to?

I have not had a chance to flex the truck out. I dont plan on doing any stupid amount of of flexing but I will work it in the next couple weeks.

 

[Greg Ducato]

Sliders came out great, well done!!

 

[elyon]

I could swear I see an LED light strip on the underside of your slider. Guess not huh.

 

[pma4x4]

I could swear I see an LED light strip on the underside of your slider. Guess not huh.

Nope sorry.

 

[pma4x4]

I decided to add a cross support from frame plate to frameplate at the last minute.

Bumper bolted on and getting the driver side swing out tacked up and verified for dimensions.

Building the sub-frame on the swing out for the accessories.

It's just a stock tire but its still needed for testing.

Everything on with room to spare.