P500 My cheap but effective build!

[willyqbc]

So in the spirit of saving pennies for tires and a winch, I decided to see what i could do with material i had laying around the shop to spruce up the new 500!

First up was storage on the back rack, this was easy enough as i had a checkerplate truck box. so i just cut out a chunk, slid the ends together and welded it back up. Used the trimmed out material to make a frame of the back for gas can and chainsaw. Bolted it through the flats on the back rack.

 

[Admin]

 

[willyqbc]

Next up was a roof, again pretty simple as i had most of a sheet of 1/8 aluminum. Also have access to a brake at work. measured and cut it up and took it to work with a template for the bends. Mounted up with 1 5/8" muffler clamps

 

[willyqbc]

Now all that good roof space seemed to good to waste....didn't want to add any height so I made it wedge shape level with the height at the back of the roof



The toolbox under the hood is mounted to some 1 1/2" square tubing that I welded in a "y" shape that went between the front and rear frame bars. was able to mount it to the side to allow full access to the rad reservoir. drilled and bolted on.

 

[willyqbc]

next up.....bumpers. rear is mounted right into the open rectangular frame on the back and bolted through. used some tube and angle iron i had

 

[willyqbc]

today was working on front bumper and bush guard....again, some angle iron, flat bar, heave wall pipe I had on hand. Gotta search around to find another chunk of expanded metal to finish the brush guard. All attached with muffler clamps. Gotta hit it with the grinder and smooth out the corners then it'll be ready for paint! hopefully get up pics of the completed work tommorrow!

 

[gullyjumper]

Looking good !

 

[Chooglin]

Yes , looking good!

 

[500oneer]

You saved a lot of money and it looks great!

 

[willyqbc]

all done and ready to hunt moose in a week!! will see then how it all pans out! Will look a lot better and perform way better when the new work boots get here (rip-saws).

 

[Timmy]

all done and ready to hunt moose in a week!! will see then how it all pans out! Will look a lot better and perform way better when the new work boots get here (rip-saws).
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Hey Willyqbc
Looking good!

 

[Eltobgi]

Nice work! There is just a certain level of satisfaction when you use stuff you have lying around your shop that you don't get with buying something and bolting it on!

 

[willyqbc]

Thanks folks! Pretty happy with how it all came together...just hoping its rattle free! Will find out on next weeks moose hunt!

Chris

 

[Richd]

Perfect...Well done!

 

[willyqbc]

here she is with her new dancing shoes! Also pulled the sway bar and plan to add spacers in at least the back end. Have been warned that these tires will cover me in mud so next fab project will be fender extensions!

 

[willyqbc]

have the basics of a rear extender worked out...needs more shaping but the basic idea is there....still trying to figure out the front

 

[trigger]

have the basics of a rear extender worked out...needs more shaping but the basic idea is there....still trying to figure out the front
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Nice, digging that diamond plate! I kicked the idea around a bit myself and would only suggest putting a downward bend toward the outside edge. Would give it the look of a flare instead of a flap and make it more rigid as well. Takes more time and work, which is why I bailed on it, but would look BA!

 

[jinx]

Great work!

 

[willyqbc]

Yeah, thats the plan trigger! Have started shaping the curl where it comes down in the front using a hammer and a baseball! once I get it shaped in the front, the straight run to the back will go pretty quickly! But it definately does take time....probably get em roughed in and leave it till after hunting season!

Chris

 

[Mudder]

Thinking of rubber flares as sometimes rub trees and want some flex and not crack plastic fenders.

 

[willyqbc]

Yeah, I had the same concern, so i'm staying away from the plastic fenders as well....muffler clamps right to the back tube rack. not sure what i'm gonna do in the front though