Operation BREADBOX

Thanks TBukit,

I've modified the fin templates a little bit, but not much has happened in last 6 months, as our winters in Canada are very cold where I live, especially when I do not have a heated garage. I expect over the next month I'll be getting back in the garage and you should start to see some updates!


WP

Love the build. Radical rules. Who did you get the front clip from? I'm not slamming and bagging but I need steering that setup.

Thanks jwristen,

I got it from full tilt IFS.

Hey all, it's been a long, cold winter, but I've been buying parts and planning the next steps.  But mostly, I have been anxiously awaiting to pick up the heart and soul of #YEGRBOMB.  I have decided to go with a 2JZGTE-VVTI with automatic transmission.  I bought it from JDM and I was very happy with them.  They did a compression test before I committed to buying it, and I was able to look over the entire engine before decision too.  I've been doing some research into getting this thing going, but for now, it is taking up space in my garage until I can get brakes, plumbing and some wiring done.











I started working on finishing the fuel tank/bomb.  I broke a piece of 16ga steel and cut the hole to match.  After welding it in, I was not happy with the end product, so I think I am giving up on that idea.





Sorry, no finished product picture...I was not happy.

So, then I started working on fabricating the rear caliper brackets for the Wilwood 11" rotors and 4 caliper brakes.  Right now there is a spacer between the red spindle and the hub assembly.  My bracket will replace the spacer.






WP

That's one heck of a Cool Project, thanks for taking us along for the ride!

Awesome Update. Keep the pics coming.

I've got the template for the brakes done, I just need to make the brackets now.  But in the meantime, I worked on fabricating the engine & tranny mounts.  Which, coincidentally, one should never google image search for tranny mounts, when looking for transmission mount ideas....














WP

Worked on the accessory box.  This will house the battery, additonal electrical distribution, air ride control system and anything else I can jam into it.







I also made my first run at a bomber seat.  This one will become my garage chair and the final seats will have 1/4" round stock on the edges and mexican blanket covered cushions










WP

Nice Work! Looks like a lot of progress. I hope the cushions are comfy cozy cause I know my back wouldn't last 10 minutes sitting on a metal seat

Vanny, I'm hoping the air bag suspension will provide some relief, however, time will tell!!!  

I've decided to put the battery at the front of the accessory box instead of the back.  I plan to have a removable seat over the front half of the box, so it's kind of turned into wasted space.  I will most likely leave the details of the box until fall/winter as it's work that can be done later.  For now, I have FINALLY turned my focus to start the floor pan fabrication.  After wrecking 5 pieces of steel trying to form a nice bend with an electrical conduit foot bender and a tiger torch, I broke down and bought a hydraulic bender.  This has made it so much easier, still not perfect, but I am satisfied.  The front tubs will join at the bottom where the step and the fender radius join.  The front tunnel will form into the wheel tub with some cup holders and the auto shifter.  The doghouse will resemble OEM, come apart in upper and lower pieces and the tranny/driveshaft tunnel will be a mix of angles and half circles.

Started on the passenger tub last night and I'll put up some more pics when I get sometime between minor ball finals and holidays.








WP

Amazing work! Keep picking away at it!!!

Well the front became too complicated, as I have to incorporate the doghouse with the seats and the tunnel to the front of the truck.  I decided to start at the back end and hopefully get inspired for the front half.







And one pic with the single seat, but I'm building a bench style seat for the back.




WP

Sometimes you just need to move on to something else to get the brain juices flowing again...Can't wait to see what you come up with! I really like the look of that bead you created in the back of the front seat!

I agree Vanny, I just couldn't get inspired for the front. Now that the back is done and I've started on the tranny tunnel, I'm starting to get some inspiration. Thanks also for the beading comment, it was my first attempt and I'm quite happy with it. I think I'm going to convert my garage rolling seat to accommodate the bomber seat!

WP

WOW !
Don't know if it will help but on the front if you can keep the rad as low as possible it helps with options for tunnel and seating. I like that rear IRS set up, I'm still trying to figure out some less than ugly trailing arm design for the Jag/64.

Thanks Digz,

I'll keep that in mind when I start planning. I contemplated a while with using a Jag rear end, but like you, I struggled with a clean trailing arm design. This IRS is adapted from a T-Bird setup, with custom subframe.


WP

After finishing up the back half of the floor framing, I was able to spend some time thinking about the front floor framing.  I also had some winter tires fall in my lap that will be much closer to the diameter of wheel I will be running.  This has pushed my front tubs up much higher than I thought they would be.  Being 6' tall, the top of my head now comes within an inch or so of the roof.  Of course this is when I'm sitting up right, and not in my more relaxed, cruising stance so it should work.  The step down behind the front seats is where I will have reverse facing seats.











I also plumbed in the new 3/8" air line to the front and back bags.  I have to terminate them into the bags yet, mount the manifold and plumb the air lines within the accessory box I made earlier.  It was hard to get some decent pix of the full installation, but here are a couple pics to show how I did it.







I also got my 13" big brake kit in a while back.  The rotors are slotted and cross drilled with 6 piston calipers.  Should go nicely with the rears.



Next steps is to frame out the dog house and the center console / air tunnel.  I'm not sure how to join the center console to the front tubs without it looking like a big rolling hill of sheet metal.  I need to swing by Pick-a-Part and get a rad  and intercooler for it before I frame out the console though.  I'd like to have the dog house removable as much as possible to make working on it as easy as possible, plus I'd like to show off the 2J at shows.  

On a good/bad note, my daughter was in an accident with our car a month ago(she was not hurt at all) but because the airbag went off, they wrote the car off.  What does that mean for me??  Well, I don't have to put all my fabricating tools away for the winter so I should be able to work through this one.  The only problem is the -30*C weather, but I've got a tiger torch and a chunk of 6" pipe to heat the place with.  Hopefully it's a mild winter and I'll be able to roll right on through!


WP

Holy cow batman

Finally got all the components together to use my plasma cutter, and the rear brake bracket was my first creation.  I know it looks like my dog chewed on it, as best as I could, I could not keep a steady hand.  Thankfully this part is completely hidden between the rear spindle and the wheel bearing assembly.





11", 4 piston brakes installed








I also cleaned up the MN12(thunderbird IRS) rear diff, checked the seals, checked the gears and then reassembled.  I had some 500HP axle shafts made for it and before you think...oh my god, how much HP does this guy want to run, it was either 250hp or 500hp rated axles.








WP

Well, it's been a bit of a delay in posting here.  I've been doing the mundane air line installs, wire installs, tidying up welds and then prepping for winter.  I was also not happy with the old school air compressor tank for my air ride system.  It had gunk in it I could not remove, it had leaks I could not fix and the limited ports were all 1/4".  So I ditched the old tank and mounted two 5 gallon tanks, flanking the rear seat.  Sorry no pics for that today, but I'll get some up later.  I did manage to complete my air ride control system, so check out those pics below.  I finally found the adapters I need to get a driveshaft built, so that is on order.  Can't wait to link the drivetrain together!!  I've also been buying parts and getting ready for spring/summer so I can get back into the garage.

Wiring diagram and relay rack



control box template



control box fabbed



Control box with rocker switches installed



Switches wired up



The finished product.  I am not 100% sold on the rocker switches.  I really wanted the bat wing switches guys use down in So-Cal, but haven't found the exact ones I like yet.  This may get changed.



Air ride components installed




Function test of the system. (I hope the link works for you)

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnt9BLgHkbh/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

I've also started to give serious thought to my wheel combo.  I love the 'salt flat' look like these two rides are wearing.  I just want big 20s or 22s, so my options have become limited.  So that is where my mind is at.





WP

Since February, I completed the brake line install, plumbed in the fuel system, mounted the radiator and plumbed it in, mounted the intercooler, wired up a fuse panel, battery and cut off switch.  Got wiring from fuse panel over to underside of dash where original wiring is and got the key switch wired up to a master relay.  Tossed the propane tank fuel cell and old dumpy 5 gallon air tank in favor of a new fuel cell and two - 5 gal tanks.  Wired up the ECU and did my first start up.  From all that, I was able to take it for its maiden voyage yesterday.  It was a super exciting time a great milestone accomplishment.

Next to do, is dress up the ECU wires, wire up some points from the ECU to the dash, shifter and some sensors.  Plumb the intercooler and then start work on the floor pans.















WP

Congrats on the maiden voyage. That thing is crazy!
When I bought mine I was always thinking of going pretty low with IFS and bags (thanks VanGo and VanSlam for planting silly ideas!) but after seeing how much work is it I'm going to take the easy 'slightly dropped' route and just admire ones like yours from a distance instead! Haha.
Keep it up!