[bluestarguy]

Great build!! I'm hooked. Subscribed so I can keep up.

[MO2500]

Originally Posted by bluestarguy

Great build!! I'm hooked. Subscribed so I can keep up.

Thanks man

[flatlander757]

Hey Mike, what "level" of Bend Tech did you use? I'll need something for a cage/chassis soon if things go right

[MO2500]

Originally Posted by flatlander757

Hey Mike, what "level" of Bend Tech did you use? I'll need something for a cage/chassis soon if things go right

I used Bend-Tech EZ3D. It's worked really well and has made everything come out to the exact dimensions I designed it to. The only down side to not having the Pro version is each piece has to be designed individually, there is no assembly view like there is in Pro. So you can't design the whole cage or chassis all in one shot and then go out and bend everything. I started with measuring, designing and bending the B-pillar. Once that was where I wanted it, I took measurements, designed the C-pillars, and bent them. Then I took measurements, designed the A-pillars, and then bent them, ect, ect...

I think it would be nice to have Bend-tech Pro for the sole reason that you can design the whole thing and see the final product before you get started. You could also change and modify things until you are happy with the design before you go out and bend any of that expensive DOM.

I only had an idea in my head and a few crappy sketches of my design and as it came together it changed quite a bit. With Pro you can see if pieces are all going to fit together before even starting.

[flatlander757]

Originally Posted by MO2500

I used Bend-Tech EZ3D. It's worked really well and has made everything come out to the exact dimensions I designed it to. The only down side to not having the Pro version is each piece has to be designed individually, there is no assembly view like there is in Pro. So you can't design the whole cage or chassis all in one shot and then go out and bend everything. I started with measuring, designing and bending the B-pillar. Once that was where I wanted it, I took measurements, designed the C-pillars, and bent them. Then I took measurements, designed the A-pillars, and then bent them, ect, ect...

I think it would be nice to have Bend-tech Pro for the sole reason that you can design the whole thing and see the final product before you get started. You could also change and modify things until you are happy with the design before you go out and bend any of that expensive DOM.

I only had an idea in my head and a few crappy sketches of my design and as it came together it changed quite a bit. With Pro you can see if pieces are all going to fit together before even starting.

Thanks! I think I'll definitely get "Pro" in that case then

[MO2500]

Originally Posted by flatlander757

Thanks! I think I'll definitely get "Pro" in that case then

If your considering building a tube chassis I definitely would. I'll upgrade to Pro before the next cage or chassis gets built I just went with EZ-3D to save a little on my first project because I knew the cost to upgrade is only the difference in Pro and 3D

[mferrari]

If you are going to do a chassis then get Pro. Even with cages I suggest getting Pro as well. I have turned out pre-bent cages for customers that are un assembled but completely bent by just building in Bend-Tech then cutting and bending as prescribed. When I did my chassis it was dead on from start to finish!

[MO2500]

Gerald added the lower valance cover to my package. Thanks for the heads up Fuzz

Can't wait for the new goodies but I need to finish my dang cage first lol

[Sgt.Fuzz]

Originally Posted by MO2500

Gerald added the lower valance cover to my package. Thanks for the heads up Fuzz

Can't wait to see it installed. That's on my short list too.

[MO2500]

Originally Posted by DaFuzz

That's on my short list too.

My short list just keeps getting longer lol.

The list:
- Finish cage; X at the B-pillar, A to B bars, seat and harness mounts
- Make cage tie-ins
- Pull dash and center console
- Pull cage and finish weld the whole thing
- Raptor line the tub
- Prime and paint the cage and frame.
- Paint corners and tailgate skin while I'm painting other things
- Install everything back in the jeep; cage, dash, seats, harnesses
- Pull old gas tank
- Mount and plumb the fuel cell
- Relocate rear upper spring perches and install new coils
- Install front currie bumps and install new coils
- Install corner armor and tailgate skin
- Also want to make the windshield frame easily removable for wheeling trips so I can leave it at home.
- And finally, get a few good extinguishers and fab some quick release mounts for fire safety. I'v been reading too many stories about rig fires and my buddies truck caught fire going down the highway a few months ago and burned to the ground on the shoulder. His truck was an '03 and not a POS at all. They are not sure what caused the fire. But anyway, it made me think that it can happen to any vehicle at any time. Not just Jeeps that go offroad. I carried a small 2.5lb extinguisher before and a larger 5lb stowed in the back but I want some more quality stuff.


Hope to accomplish this by the end of March so that it's ready to wheel by April. Then I will begin collecting for the D44 (and most likely HP30) project.

[Imped]

That's a pretty good list man. Luckily, April is still ~45 days away. My list has grown thanks to you....*** hole I've been putting a lot more time and research into cages.

[MO2500]

Originally Posted by Imped

That's a pretty good list man. Luckily, April is still ~45 days away. My list has grown thanks to you....******* I've been putting a lot more time and research into cages.

Glad I could help

[MO2500]

Maybe someday

YouTube

YouTube

[MO2500]

Some goods





Ready to get to work tomorrow. I'm hoping to get the cage close to complete this weekend.

[mferrari]

Man the cell looks fimilar. I may require you to keep the orange on it!