When some people do drivetrain lifts they lift em high enough so that they can take a piece of sheet steel or even aluminum and "skin" the bottom of the frame so that rather then having an open belly that can get hung up they have one long skid plate from behind the front wheels all the way to the back, is kinda hard to explain and i can't track down a pic now but do you kinda understand? I'll try and get something better a litle later

 

ahh yes... I don't think i'm going that far but i considered it.
Heres some pics that Bud sent. Its a bellypan that connects the front IFS skid to the crossmember.
http://www.budbuilt.com/new/images/BBBELLYPAN1.JPG
http://www.budbuilt.com/new/images/BBBELLYPAN2.JPG
http://www.budbuilt.com/new/images/BBBELLYPAN3.JPG
http://www.budbuilt.com/new/images/BBBELLYPAN4.JPG

Well i learned a few bad things today. My rear A-arm sub-frame is spread apart by 1/4". I measured in at 17.25" but according to the Total Chaos IFS truss i picked up yesterday the correct size should be 17". Hopefully it's something i can fix. Another thing is my BudBuilt skid plate wont bolt up if i use the IFS truss which is a must have on any 2nd gen. I'm thinking about cutting the skid plate 5 inches shorter so i'll have enough room to fit the truss.

Some better news is i finshed the BL today and got my CB in place.

Ash tray out:


Pocket piece out:


Glove box out:


Popped the ignition trim piece:


Pulled off the temperature control knobs and pannel:


Main center trim piece out:


I've had this peice out few times before when i installed the head unit and i recently discovered that the ashtray light comes on when my head lights are on. So this is where i started thinking more than just the CB...



Ashtray/light bracket off:



Setting the CB in place but now it's time for the Dremel:


Perfect fit:

 

I secured the CB by drilling one hole and it was enough to keep it in place. The next picture shows how it's mounted with one bolt.

I could'nt let the ashtray light go to waste so i came up with a plan.
I slightly grinded the rivets that held the light mount on the ashtray bracket and removed it. I then cut out a hole in the main trim peice (for the light) and more holes to mount it.


Light installed:




I used #6 hardware (3/8" flat head slotted screws, flat washers, and lock tooth washers) to mount it. The scuff mark you see next to the light was a mishap of the Dremel getting outta control:

 

Heres a couple pics while finishing up my BL and bushings on the passenger side.
Front mount:


Rear mount:


Side view: The red lower bushing is upside down but i realized it before i bolted everything together

 

This thread is awesome. I love this kind of posts... And you've done mods that are possible in Spain...

David

 

nice write-up Erik. glad to see everything is coming together.

 

any finished pics?

 

I have the first bellypan and IFS skid made by Bud for 2nd Gens. It never went on due to my mechanical difficulties. I'm hoping it will fit with dual cases - if not, it will be up for sale. I have Bud's low-pro crossmember also (no DT lift though). I had them all powdercoated black.

You should be able to make your own truss that will clear the Budbuilt skid and bellypan.

 

Any more pics. I would like to see how it turns out.

 

Great build thread man, subscribed! Im also planning on

getting the budbuilt skid plate and crossmember, my

question is, for the crossmember to work, do you have to

do the drivetrain lift or no? I've been emailing budbuilt, but they havent given me a response on

an out the door price for the skid plate and the crossmember. I'm

ready to buy! lol I'll email him again in a couple minutes.

 

Heh jaino, this is a 5-6 year old thread

 

LMAO, my bad. I had another page open on the build-up section and thought this was new.

 

So what happened with everything? I'm looking at doing the same BL and possibly bushings too.

I know, thread revival...