'wittle 'wesistor (Mini Jeep)

[Denny]

Did you anneal the aluminum first? It may help. Just use som body hammers and dollies to finish the corners. Not hard. I am surprised at the amount of success you have had though.

 

[Functional Artist]

Hey Denny,

Did you anneal the aluminum first?

No, I just cold pressed 'em

I am surprised at the amount of success you have had though.

Me too
...but, enjoying the challenge

 

[Functional Artist]

I worked on them light sockets a bit more

I think the holes were too small (too much material left to deal with)

So, I drilled (sawed) "em out a bit more

Left side/before second drilling & right side/after

Individually repressed (with wood dies, washers & bolts)

Wood dies without washers & bolts

Back side view

Light sockets after re-drilling & re-pressing

Headlight fits much better now

 

[Denny]

You should put a chrome hooded bezel over the lights after you paint that grille. That would look quite cool!

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Really well done. Ever have someone ask "where did you learn how to do that?" And the answer is: no where, I just tried and tried again until I figured it out. People living in their little boxes...

 

[Functional Artist]

Jeep:
I work hard
...so, my Jeep can have a better life

Mini-Jeep Grille slots

Lower Mold

Upper Mold

Plus, a 1/2" x 4" x 6" piece of Red Oak
...& a Rubber Mallet
&
We have "slots" (Aluminum test piece)

 

[Master Hack]

Wooden die! Thats pretty clever! Looks like it worked purdy well! Amazing work!
i never in a million years would have thought to use any soft material like that!

 

[Functional Artist]

Wooden die! Thats pretty clever! Looks like it worked purdy well! Amazing work!
i never in a million years would have thought to use any soft material like that!

Thank you sir!

I got the basic idea from this guy

Phrase of the day: (7:15)
"You just beat it into submission"

 

[Master Hack]

I particularly like your use of used materials. Seeing the potential in junk is a valuable skill.
I have become a scrounger and have amassed a pile of junk (as the wife says). l see other uses in things. New material is expensive. If i had to buy everything new, l couldnt do this stuff.
Your “recycling” is very creative, and the end product is looking amazing.
people that don’t do this stuff don’t understand why lt takes so long to build this stuff like this,

 

[Functional Artist]

Here is a steel version of a Mini-jeep Grille (with slots)

I used some sheet metal plyers ta "clean 'em up" a bit

The (4) slots on the left are just "roughed in"
...& the (3) on the right have been "cleaned up"

 

[Functional Artist]

Still bouncin' around
...but, thats what you do in a Jeep

Jeep Wheels

I was thinkin' tall narrow rims & tires should look appropriate for this application
...so, I went with 4.80/4.00 tires
...& then, figured I'd put 'em on some plain white 8" rims (leaves room for customization)

I also wanted some tires that looked more automotive like
...not like your standard Turf Tread lawnmower tires
...but also, not too aggressive like on roto tiller & snow blower tires

Lookin' around, I found these kool lookin' "S" tread tires (Hi-Run SU05)

They looks kinda automotive to me

...but, I also, found that there is a HUGE price range difference (depending on where you get them)

Tractor Supply ~$44.00 ea. (4=$176.00)
E-Bay ~$35.00 ea. (4=$140.00)
Lowe's $20.99 ea. (4=$83.96)

Yup, Lowe's was the winner (under $100.00 with tax)

Specs.

 

[BaconBitRacing]

@Functional Artist those tires are great looking! Very Jeepy. Good deal too, under $100!

 

[Functional Artist]

@Functional Artist those tires are great looking! Very Jeepy. Good deal too, under $100!

Thanks!
I have found that it helps a lot (in many aspects of life) to be as frugal, as possible

Rims
Here are the rims I got for the Mini-Jeep (~$15.00 ea.) (4=$60.00)
https://www.bmikarts.com/8-x-3-34-Rim-4-on-4-_p_33390.html
But,
They also have these from Azusa for (~$50.00 ea.) ($=200.00)
https://www.bmikarts.com/8-Steel-Rim-4-on-4_p_3283.html

Um...yea

Here is about the easiest way, that I have found, to mount small tires on small rims

Bolt 'er down to a bench top

To get the first side on, lubricate the bead (of the tire) with some dish soap (approved rubber lubricant)
...& then, manually & forcefully just "ram" the tire onto the rim with a bit of a twisting action

The second side, takes a bit more workin'

I simply use a clamp, to "clamp", one side of the tire down to the work bench

...& then, carefully & gently work the bead, of the tire, around the rim with a big (for extra leverage) flat head screwdriver

Mounted tire, ready for "airing"

More Saw-Glu R&D (experimental product)
Small tire mounting kit

(1) set of Mini-Jeep tires

 

[BaconBitRacing]

Saw-Glu is an approved tire lubricant. I don't see the reason to buy Azusa, they probably both come from the Land of Red anyway. @Functional Artist, are you planning on keeping those rims white? Those tires look great!

 

[Functional Artist]

are you planning on keeping those rims white? Those tires look great!

Thanks!
Ima gonna wait 'til they are mounted on the Mini-Jeep
...to see how they look
...& then, determine "if" any additional customization is needed

 

[BaconBitRacing]

Thanks!
Ima gonna wait 'til they are mounted on the Mini-Jeep
...to see how they look
...& then, determine "if" any additional customization is needed

What's the final paint color?

 

[Denny]

Pink of course! With Barbie in huge white letters across the hood!

 

[BaconBitRacing]

Pink of course! With Barbie in huge white letters across the hood!

It would be truly masculine.

 

[Denny]

Sorry Kevin, I couldn’t resist.

 

[Functional Artist]

What's the final paint color?

First, we gotta "nail down" the exact "look" that were going for, like
...old Military (M38)
...new'er military (M38A1)
...old civilian (CJ5) or (CJ7)
...new'er civilian (Wrangler)

* Remember, most all of these style Jeeps had basically the same body (late 40's thru Um...well, kinda now)

I was thinkin', to keep my range of options as "wide open" as possible, this "is" one of those surplus Army Jeep's (like a "flat fendered" M38) that someone bought, back in the late 60's/early 70's (for use as a personal vehicle)
...& then, customized it

This way I'm NOT "locked in" to any specific "period" correct-ness BS
...like, the look of the steering wheel or rims & tires or seats or color or even upgrades & modifications

So, with that "in mind" I'd say it "should have" started off as (WW2 era) M38 Army Green (AKA Olive drab)
...& now we have a blank canvas to work with (thinkin'...thinkin...)

1 solid color
...or racing stripes
...or maybe the look of a circuit board
...or murals (mountains, forest etc.)
Still...(thinkin'...& thinkin...)

Pink of course! With Barbie in huge white letters across the hood!

NO Denny, it will not be Barbie themed
...&/or any variation of pink