Fired up the grille for the 4th!

[Hoosier Daddy]

OK, here are the follow up pics of the finished grille install. Lower mount detail etc.

Just some 1/8" steel strap rolled over and welded in place, factory clips slip on.

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Then after powder coat. I did it matte black and it kind of just disappears into the hole, oh well it will look fine once the bumpers match, and the rock rails, and the roof rack, and the ladder, and the roll cage

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[Hoosier Daddy]

Oh, and before I get called out...no, that is not my new rear bumper peeking out in that pic. I haven't had time to get them started. I did list mine on CL, apparently too cheap, and some guy came and snagged it up. So I grabbed a piece of 2x6 steel and mounted that, in hopes of keeping my quarter panels from getting crunched in the mean time.

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New rear will have this for the main structure. The wrap around the passenger side will serve as the bottom two rungs of the ladder ....eventually...

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Well maybe...if I can commit. I really want to move the hitch up and integrate it into the bumper, but then it will block access to the under floor storage and I've thought of doing a drawer there...but that requires a different center design all together...you see why I haven't started it yet ha ha.

[bknudtsen]

Looks great! Decisions, decisions.... At least it looks like you have a great shop to work in once you make up your mind!

[Hoosier Daddy]

Looks great! Decisions, decisions.... At least it looks like you have a great shop to work in once you make up your mind!

Thanks, on both accounts! I did the cat/muffler delete while I had it up on the lift. Just put a piece of 3.5" straight pipe in for now. Hoping to see an increase in mileage, if I can ever keep my foot out of it!

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I'm surprised you didn't pick up on the fact I did the 2" front lift in those pics. I know you are waiting a bit to do your axle swap, as am I, so I did this to tide me over. I also picked up some 265/75-16 Nitto Terra Grapplers and I feel like it doesn't look like a Contractor/Mom van (as much) anymore. It definitely doesn't drive like one! Check out this impromptu vid from when a buddy stopped by in his girlfriends Turbo Mazda Speed 3.

[Jeffh555]

The 2" and 265s look really good. I agree it looks a lot nicer. I've been thinking of going that route to tide me over until I convert to 4x4 (and I really need new tires yesterday). What lift did you use? Spacers from maxx-lift.com? Did you lift the rear as well?

[Hoosier Daddy]

Jeff,

I did use the Maxx lift coil spacers, nothing in the rear. Read this guy's install, if you haven't seen it. I didn't take that many pics, but it is a very good guide. Just make sure you get all of the hardware ahead of time. I had to swap my hardware out for SAE, to go with the extenders in the kit, and use the washers to tailor your fit. Probably take 45 minutes on the first side and 30 on the second. Just plan on an alignment afterward. So $110 for spacers and hardware, then the cost of an alignment and you can run 265s (285s won't).

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[bknudtsen]

You know, I did notice the lift, but it was more of a "Hmmm... That van seems higher than normal." thought, than an "Oh wow! He put a lift on it." realization. Not much sleep happening in my camp right now, so I'll blame it on that. Hard to tell in your pics, but is your van metallic silver or non-metallic grey?

I would love to make some headway on my rig, but all my extra dough is going toward paying off debt. I may still be able to sneak my D60 up to Randy's to have it re-geared. Once that happens, then I can start to put it back together. However, since I am going with Chris' crossover steering, I will be waiting on the funds to by his new machined knuckle before I can fully complete the front axle. Well, the 20 hours of overtime I have scheduled in the next 38 hours should help at least.

Oh! Nice video. Must be fun having a closed course with professional drivers nearby!

[Hoosier Daddy]

It is silver, metallic silver. Yes, the vid is funny. Did I forget that disclaimer?