Raider Upgrades

[RedRaider]

So my gold v6 raider is getting some upgrades this weekend. I'll be putting in a fuel cell, pump, filter, and new hoses up to the engine. Surprisingly this setup is about 1/3 the price of an oem replacement gas tank. About a month ago at Rock Run Rec, I split the seam on my gas tank, though it was leaking earlier from some rusted lines. It is a 12gal poly cell that I'm gonna mount in the cargo area so I don't have to worry about smashing a gas tank anymore. After the fuel cell is installed, I'll be putting on a winch I got from www.winchdepot.com for $310 shipped, a Smittybilt XRC8 (8000lbs). I also got a Mile Marker universal mounting plate to help install it on the raider since arb is the only company that makes a winch bumper and the bumper alone is around $900. Next week, I'll be ordering a 3" body lift and 3" wheel spacers so I can fit the 35/12.5/15 Dunlop Mudrovers(they're used) I just got, with minimal trimming. Any advice or suggestions?

[mxracer513]

pics when you're done!!

[RedRaider]

Well, the fuel cell is installed. It was a piece of cake. The fuel lines haven't been trimmed to length yet because i want to make sure they're long enough for the body lift, but they are hooked up. Started to prep the front end for the winch. It appears I'll have to make a new bumper since I had to cut off the bumper mounts to have a flat spot on the frame rails and the winch doesn't leave any room for the stock bumper.

[RedRaider]

Got the 35s mounted today, also working on makin some rocker guards out of angle iron. There is still no lift, I'm waiting on a 3" body lift to be delivered. And the tires do rub in the front when turning, and I'm sure they will rub under compression front and rear until the body lift is installed and clearance is made with a bfh.




After the body lift is installed, I'll probably be adding wheel spacers, width tbd.

[Sycotik Skier]

if you want that to pass inspection that fuel cell will need to be covered so fuel fumes can not enter the driver compartment.

[RedRaider]

I never planned on getting it inspected. it gets trailered everywhere

[Sycotik Skier]

i don't think it'd be a bad idea to enclose it anyways. Possible fuel vapors in a closed cockpit doesn't sound like a good idea to me.

[RedRaider]

I am going to, so I can still put cargo in the back and not hit the lines, fittings etc. and of course for the safety reason. I'm gonna hinge the top of the enclosure so I can still fill the tank

[RedRaider]

Got the 3" body lift installed today. I hate old rusty vehicles. I lost count how many bolts I broke and had to drill out. Fortunately none were body mount bolts, just everything else that needed moved for clearance. Had to remove radiator and make new brackets to lower it to stock position. I also removed the entire interior to fix floor pans and put on bedliner. Still have to clearance the transfer case and shift levers, can't get it into reverse or 4lo easily. There is currently no rubbing at full lock and compression w/ 35s and 3" body lift, surprised me too. I still have to mount the winch and bumper, after which I'll be crankin torsion bars to level it.

[village_idiot]

looks f'n great!

[limegreentj]

cool shit...i dig

[RedRaider]

I got the winch mounted this afternoon. It's a smittybilt xrc8 (8000lbs), mounted using a milemarker universal winch mounting plate. I made new brackets for the bumper and got it mocked in place. I have to weld the new brackets to the frame and cut out the hole in the center of the bumper for the roller fairlead, then wire up the winch and put the front end back together. I'll also have to make a front skid plate extension to cover the winch bolts, and compensate for the raising of the bumper.

[cityslicker]

that thing is sweet. I never heard of a raider b4.. looks like one of them 70s bronco's kinda..

nice build...

paint it bright orange with black trim and bumpers.. would look sick as hell

[limegreentj]

i almost bought one that still ran but needed a head gasket...the rest of it was in decent shape too....dude wanted 150 bucks for it, but i had enough shit to do at the time...now i kinda wish i woulda snatched that up

[RedRaider]

I bought this one running for $500, though I think one or more of the piston rings are shot, and most of the brake lines and fuel lines were rotted, and one spot at the rear of the frame was rotted. All in all, I think I have a just under $2k in it, including the cost of buying it, plus my time. My dad actually willingly volunteered to sand and paint the whole thing. I was supposed to order the paint today but I forgot. It will be a military tan (desert color), using Milspray's single stage flat paint, only have to prime and paint, no reducing, just pour the paint out of the can and into the gun. Bumpers will remain black.

[RedRaider]

Got my bumper mounted today. It's just the stock bumper moved and trimmed to fit around the winch, but it's pretty strong for a stock bumper, around 1/8 steel, they don't make em like this anymore. Bumper is welded to the frame for strength, yet the winch and the rest of the front end is still removable. Approach angle is still pretty good. Next step, the floor pan. I still gotta pick up some sheet metal to fill the hole and finish trimming under the brake pedal, grinder wouldn't fit and I ran out of air saw blades.

[cityslicker]

you should just drive it like that,, Flintstone the **** out of it.

but yea flat sand paint will look bad ass..

[Dozer45]

that looks sweet. I got the 31's that were previously on it, and those 35's look like they fit the beast for sure. keep the updates comin.

[RedRaider]

Today, I got the driver's floorpan and the rear fenderwells fixed. I also painted my bumper and radiator support before I put the grill back on. I also bought a diy bedliner kit for the interior that will be going on sometime next week. I'd appreciate any advice or suggestions from those that have done a roll on bedliner kit.

[limegreentj]

my buddy did his in his yota and it took WAAAY longer than it said to dry.....even with fans pointing on it all night long...IIRC it didnt stick very well either and remained tacky until the day he sold it....most people say they'd much rather buy the shit in a can. good luck to you though. i hope you have a better experience than he did

[mxracer513]

3 words. OLIVE DRAB GREEN. Badass build i'm really liking it!

[Barillms]

Straight axle up front?

I bought the Duplicolor from Autozone, and it's thin and has no texture to it, so you gotta really put it on thick.
It's a good idea to add SAND to the Duplicolor because it thickens it and also adds some texture and really makes it work much better.

It takes a day to dry, but it dries all the way and leaves a pretty good coating for the floors.
It's cheap, but if you dont' want to spend $90 for a gallon it's the way to go.

If you wanna pay for it, get Hurculiner or Duraback. Hurculiner is THICK and it's some pretty tough stuff.

[limegreentj]

i always heard adding sand is a good idea...never did it though

[RedRaider]

no straight axle on this one, yet. eventually it will get one. I actually bought the duplicolor one cause it was the cheapest. at what point do you add sand, after it's rolled on, or do you try and mix it in the can

[village_idiot]

I would think mix it in.