ZMotorsports Shop Projects 2.0

zmotorsports · Jul 31, 2017

I have decided to start a second "Shop Projects" or 2.0 thread which will display work performed in my new work shop going forward.

For anyone who may wish to view my first Shop Projects thread here is a link.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=215062&highlight=zmotorsports

Here is a link to my new 50x60x16 Shop and RV Garage that was built during the first half of 2017.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=351489=zmotorsports

I will more than likely treat this thread like a blog of work performed in my shop similar to my last projects thread as well as similar to other members who have project threads.

I hope you find it informative and interesting.

Thanks for looking.

Mike

DaleJR88Fan · Jul 31, 2017

Great. I love the new shop. Looking forward to seeing and learning from your projects.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

slodat · Jul 31, 2017

Subscribed. Looking forward to following along, Mike!

dirt_dobber · Jul 31, 2017

Sub'd - I learned so much from the garage build that I'm looking
forward to what I can learn from this one.

speedfreek1210 · Jul 31, 2017

Subscribed. Can't wait to see what you get into.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

LXCam · Jul 31, 2017

Gezz Mike, after 85 pages on the build thread I can't imagine why you'd start s new one.

-Brent- · Jul 31, 2017

So... what's on the short list for upcoming projects?

I think I'd like to do a similar thread, too.

zmotorsports · Jul 31, 2017

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the quick responses and comments. I hope I don't disappoint.

Mike

zmotorsports · Jul 31, 2017

-Brent- said:
So... what's on the short list for upcoming projects?

I think I'd like to do a similar thread, too.

First off I have a latch component for my Jeep toolbox that I need to machine and modify. Followed by a lot of work on my son's new Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ) that he is going to build.

More than likely tomorrow night I have some minor suspension upgrades to do to my FIL's Dodge truck.

I hope you do a projects thread Brent. I'll follow along for sure.

Mike

rmack898 · Jul 31, 2017

So I have to ask Mike, will the bench tops be installed here or will that be on the build thread?
Can you modify the Jeep suspension without a bench?

Inquiring minds want to know.

zmotorsports · Jul 31, 2017

rmack898 said:
So I have to ask Mike, will the bench tops be installed here or will that be on the build thread?
Can you modify the Jeep suspension without a bench?

Inquiring minds want to know.

I will actually show the completed benches in the shop and garage build thread because that is where the other bench pictures are at. The actual projects and work that goes on in the shop will be in this thread.

We should have the bench tops done before we actually start on his Jeep.

Thanks.

Mike

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

MP&C · Jul 31, 2017

Subscribed!

rmack898 · Jul 31, 2017

Well, now that we got that all straightened out I feel better. At least I know where to go for what.

zmotorsports · Jul 31, 2017

I had to pull the coach out of the storage bay tonight so they could program the RV bay door remote so I figured while the coach was out I would pressure wash the engine bay and undercarriage to get all of the paint and sanding dust off from the paint shop. I also vacuumed the storage bays, watered batteries and wiped down the utility bays so it is ready for its next trip.

Engine bay all cleaned up.

A couple pictures of the coach while backed up to the shop.

After parking the coach back in her bay I trammed the head on my mill and squared the vise on the table in preparation for use.

Thanks for looking.

Mike

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

NUTTSGT · Jul 31, 2017

zmotorsports said:
First off I have a latch component for my Jeep toolbox that I need to machine and modify. Followed by a lot of work on my son's new Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ) that he is going to build.

More than likely tomorrow night I have some minor suspension upgrades to do to my FIL's Dodge truck.

I hope you do a projects thread Brent. I'll follow along for sure.

Mike

Jeep tool box ? Anything like a custom built Jerry can tool box ?

BTW, love the plate on the motorhome. Awesome and perfect.

zmotorsports · Aug 1, 2017

NUTTSGT said:
Jeep tool box ? Anything like a custom built Jerry can tool box ?

BTW, love the plate on the motorhome. Awesome and perfect.

Thanks Eric.

Actually my toolbox in the Jeep is one that Mac's Tie Downs sells that is called the "Black Box". It is a great box/sliding drawer but the latch design is a bit anemic in my opinion for as much weight as I am carrying in it, which is still below what they advertise it can hold. I have had to replace 3 latches now, all of which Mac's has been very good to warranty, but it is still a PITA. The one component that keeps failing is a cast aluminum part so I am going to machine one out of steel and give it a try. When the aluminum one fails, it is usually at the most awkward time such as on a Jeep run and I have to deal with trying to keep the drawer closed while bouncing around off-road and not scratching my tailgate.

I will post up more details once I find an old latch that I kept to duplicate. I'm still digging stuff out of the basement from the move to put in the shop. :wtf:

Mike

NUTTSGT · Aug 1, 2017

http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/product/black-box-storage-for-jeep-2007-jk/jeep-JK-storage-box

That one ?

I think I would get a couple of military style container latches and put on the outside. Although they wouldn't look as nice as the recessed latch, I doubt they will give you any trouble in the future.... and I know you're probably jonesing to do some machine work in the new shop.

:beer:

zmotorsports · Aug 1, 2017

NUTTSGT said:
http://www.macscustomtiedowns.com/product/black-box-storage-for-jeep-2007-jk/jeep-JK-storage-box

That one ?

I think I would get a couple of military style container latches and put on the outside. Although they wouldn't look as nice as the recessed latch, I doubt they will give you any trouble in the future.... and I know you're probably jonesing to do some machine work in the new shop.

That is the one Eric. My wife got it for me for Father's Day 2016 and I love it but that latch does need some redesign work. On the last one they told me they redesigned the latch but I couldn't tell any difference. So far it has held up for the past 4 months but I am not chancing it and will machine a new part for it.

In my other Jeeps I had individual bags and boxes with tools and repair items in them and it was always a pain to find things when I needed them in a hurry. The few times I have had to get into this one it is nice to be able to pull up in front of someone's Jeep that is having issues, open the tailgate, slide the drawer open and have ALL of my tools and equipment right there at my disposal without having to dig through any other boxes or tool bags. When I built my rear bumper I also installed LED lights in the rear bumper that I operate through a separate switch that does not go through the ignition or accessory relays. This way I can open up the rear, flip on the LED lights and light up the vehicle behind me that I am working on with my tools handy. So far it has worked out great with the exception of that latch component that keeps failing.

Mike

NUTTSGT · Aug 1, 2017

Attached should what I was talking about, just for the latches.

If you machine something up Mike, maybe you can send them a ZMotorsports "version" and start production of latches for them. :thumbup:

zmotorsports · Aug 1, 2017

NUTTSGT said:
Attached should what I was talking about, just for the latches.

If you machine something up Mike, maybe you can send them a ZMotorsports "version" and start production of latches for them.

Thanks Eric. I've used those in the past. They work on a cam action that pulls the components together once the latch is engaged in the opposing part. Pretty slick and durable.

Mike

C_F · Aug 1, 2017

zmotorsports said:
Engine bay all cleaned up.

I have a hunch that there aren't very many pusher motor homes running around with an engine bay that clean. :thumbup:

Looking forward to checking in here, on your various projects!

zmotorsports · Aug 1, 2017

C_F said:
I have a hunch that there aren't very many pusher motor homes running around with an engine bay that clean.

Looking forward to checking in here, on your various projects!

Thank you. It is definitely a labor of love. I sanded and painted the engine bay about six years ago and it has held up well. When I dropped the coach off for paint I pleaded with the paint shop to mask off the engine bay as good as they could and they did a great job. The dust washed right off.

Thanks for subscribing to this thread as well.

Mike

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Ohmthis · Aug 2, 2017

Looking forward to your ext run of work. I have always thought you have done an amazing job. Thanks for posting for us mere mortals.

snyder · Aug 2, 2017

Am looking forward to the WJ work. My daughter has an 01 limited that she loves.

zmotorsports · Aug 2, 2017

Ohmthis said:
Looking forward to your ext run of work. I have always thought you have done an amazing job. Thanks for posting for us mere mortals.

Thank you, I'm flattered. However, I am just as in awe at a lot of member's work here as well. There are truly some talented forum members that we have.

Thanks for following along. I hope I won't disappoint.

Mike

zmotorsports · Aug 2, 2017

snyder said:
Am looking forward to the WJ work. My daughter has an 01 limited that she loves.

Thank you. The WJ's have a pretty decent following.

My son started out with a 1996 ZJ that we handed down to him when he started driving. He built it up a little during high school and loved that thing. He then bought and built up an extremely nice 2004 LJ that I still can't believe he sold. When he told me he wanted to sell the Wrangler and build another Grand I about fell over and still can't believe he sold his LJ but it was his decision. He looked for quite a while to find a fairly clean and virgin WJ to begin with. He has been anxious to get started on it because I told him he wasn't tearing into it until the shop was done because I didn't want Jeep scattered all over the yard or attached garage.

Now he's ready to start building his WJ. :lol:

Mike

awdblazer · Aug 3, 2017

subscribed for another awesome thread!!!

zmotorsports · Aug 3, 2017

awdblazer said:
subscribed for another awesome thread!!!

Thanks. Welcome aboard. I hope you will find it enjoyable to follow.

I promise the projects will start soon. :bounce:

I did some suspension work on my FIL's truck the other night and I was going to post but it was too basic and straight forward to waste everyone's time.

Mike

zmotorsports · Aug 5, 2017

Today I finished up a couple minor repairs on our coach (inside the garage) while our friends who have stayed with us the last couple of nights prepared to get on the road in their coach. I checked fluids in the generator and had to install some additional screws in the radiator grille that the body shop must have forgotten or overlooked.

My son started doing a few cosmetic items on his WJ in the shop and making a list of parts he needs for it.

I pulled my Jeep in the shop to drop the driveshafts so I could lubricate the center ball in the double cardan joints and the rest of the drivetrain.

I also had to replace the EGR valve in my Jeep while it was on the lift.

Parts for the EGR replacement. Old one on the left after removal. Also showing the plastic push-pins and plastic rivets for the inner fender.

All in all a great Saturday. Hung out with my son in our new shop and it was awesome to work IN the shop rather than ON it for a change.

Mike

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

MP&C · Aug 5, 2017

Nice and neat shop!

zmotorsports · Aug 6, 2017

MP&C said:
Nice and neat shop!

Thanks Robert.

Mike

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

zmotorsports · Aug 6, 2017

A little Sunday afternoon machining.

A friend of ours gave us a grab handle for the wife's side of the Jeep. He didn't have the fasteners nor the required spacers but I told him not to worry, I know someone with a lathe. :lol:

Feels good to be making chips again with my machines, really good.

After turning to length and drilling the through hole I put them in the mill vise and used a 3/4" end mill to put a radius in the spacers.

Next up was a new component that seems to keep failing in the latch mechanism of my Mac's Tie Downs Black Box in the back of my Jeep Wrangler. I have gone through three of the OEM latches and although Mac's have been good to warranty them, I would rather have parts that don't fail vs. a good warranty.

I disassembled the latches and found the same part failed in each so I opted to machine a steel one rather than the cast aluminum component.

I grabbed some 1045 bar stock and went to town making chips.

Once I got the three diameters turned I put the part in a collet block and drilled the hole for the pin as well as machined the void for the handle relief.

Part out of the collet block to be turned around and machine the four flats on the minor diameter.

Completed.

Test fit in the pivot and ready for installation.

Now that the prototype is complete and I have all of the measurements down, I am going to machine another as I have a good friend who is experiencing the same issue.

Thanks for looking.

Mike

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

slodat · Aug 6, 2017

Nice work, Mike!!

zmotorsports · Aug 7, 2017

slodat said:
Nice work, Mike!!

Thanks. I appreciate that.

Mike

bullnerd · Aug 7, 2017

Beautiful shop and machining.

Just curious what do you and your son do for a living? Bankers?

zmotorsports · Aug 7, 2017

bullnerd said:
Beautiful shop and machining.

Just curious what do you and your son do for a living? Bankers?

I am a mechanic and my son is a Mechanical Engineer.

Not smart enough to be a banker. :lol:

Mike

bullnerd · Aug 7, 2017

zmotorsports said:
I am a mechanic and my son is a Mechanical Engineer.

Not smart enough to be a banker.

Mike

LOL!

Thanks.

zmotorsports · Aug 7, 2017

Finished up the grab handle for the wife's side of the Jeep tonight. After a quick test fit I realized I had to take .100" off the lengths of the longer of the two spacers as it was putting an odd angle on one of the fasteners.

After shortening the spacer it fell right into place.

Next I knocked out another of the latch parts for a friend's Black Box as he is experiencing the same thing. These two will be our test pieces.

Clamped in the collet block and ready to machine the flats.

Last flat being machined.

Two test pieces down and ready for some off-road testing.

Thanks for looking.

Mike

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Duker · Aug 7, 2017

Mike, good to see you working in the shop again! Always fun to see what project comes out of the shop.

NUTTSGT · Aug 8, 2017

zmotorsports said:
I pulled my Jeep in the shop to drop the driveshafts so I could lubricate the center ball in the double cardan joints and the rest of the drivetrain.

I also had to replace the EGR valve in my Jeep while it was on the lift.

****, I spot a new workbench. Now I have to go back to the other thread and catch up. . . . again.

ZMotorsports Shop Projects 2.0

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Well-known member

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Well-known member

Well-known member

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Well-known member

ALLIANCE MEMBER

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Well-known member

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Well-known member

Well-known member

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Attachments

Super Moderator

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Super Moderator

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Super Moderator

Attachments

ALLIANCE MEMBER

ALLIANCE MEMBER

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Well-known member

Well-known member

ALLIANCE MEMBER

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Well-known member

ALLIANCE MEMBER

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Attachments

Well-known member

ALLIANCE MEMBER

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Attachments

ALLIANCE MEMBER

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Well-known member

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Well-known member

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Attachments

Well-known member

Super Moderator

Attachments