Mighty's Li'l Red 2.0

Threw some new red paint on the body panels.



Didn't work on the frame any. Although I took this pic for those surprised by the frame extension at this point. I sat the grill on it at it's approximate location. See, not as long as it appeared.

I decided to go ahead with reinstalling the shifter brackets.  In an effort to remove as many self tapping bolts, I have been changing them out with grade 8 bolts with lock washers and nuts.  I didn't want to run the bolts from the top down, as I have to remove this brace should a new 5/8 belt need changed with the 820 in there.  

So...
I mounted the bolt as a stud for the brackets. (Found out the frame was a little bent doing this.  Opportunity for some straightening)




Installed.  I am on the fence changing the transaxle mount self tappers.  They have not been taken out ever and they are pretty stuck in there.  One of the front mounts broke.  As for the corner self tappers behind the rear plate are just there.  Those corners are welded solid.




Someone called to order the 3rd annual 45th Chapter of the Shawnee, OK Toads convention.  Here! Here!  Obvious who is the harder to convince there are bugs by this door.

Man that paint looks good!

I bought about 30 nuts, lock washers and bolts from Lowe's awhile back, gonna be replacing all the MM's.

As for your transaxle mounts, I'd probably just do a quick weld on the backside of the bolts. Nothing much, just enough so that if you ever have to remove the brackets, you can cut the heads off and replace them with the nuts. If they're really in there, I don't think they'd go anywhere. My brothers front end is solid and he beat the crap out of it as you saw.

That is some awesome looking paint. Is that done with rattle cans? I agree on the trans bracket being secure. Especially if the rear plate is still used.

Yep, Rustoleum Cherry.  Rear plate is welded on.  I'll look it over.  Looks to be 6 bolts.  I'll need more bolts if I change them out and I will need some more rods if I weld.  LOL

I think I will keep the stock headlights and find some high output LED bulbs for them like I did with Patriot.  I will also have some Nilights on the future bumper.

There's 6 bolts that hold the 2 plates together, 3 for each transaxle bracket, and I think 6 for the bottom rear plate, but you said you welded one of those on. I'd also replace them 2 bolts that hold you body on in the rear, that is, if you weren't already planning on it.

I didn't change out the decorative back cover (seat mount back plate) tapping bolts, and do not plan on it.   I did change the two out the back with nuts.  As for the back plate with the hitch and connects to the rails, that is welded on to the 2 frame rails. I am considering and probably will change out the 3 on the trans mount on each side.  I had already changed out the ones going through the trans.

Here we go...

Green has been replaced
Blue no longer serves a structural role as that part of frame was welded together.
Yellow, not concerned at this time.
Red, I do plan on changing, but currently afraid the bolts may snap as they have never been backed out.  Don't think I will weld that bracket on, just bolt change.



Man that is a lot of bolts for the back foot of the frame.  I don't even have them all X'd!

All those bolts probably explains a lot of the flex. Should be pretty solid when you’re done

Heh, when I went to buy the bolts for the MM, I was like, "Eh, no big deal, shouldn't need more than 15...", Here I am now with 30, LOL.

I'm gonna bolt the hitch plate on, that way if I need to access the trans I can, but I'm gonna weld my top half to the bottom half so I can eliminate those 6 bolts.

Cool pic. When you think about it, the hardware and bolts on these things actually make up a decent amount of weight when you add it all up. When I was doing the GTR project I looked into titanium bolts to save weight. Until I found out it's like $1.50 for one 1/4" bolt. Very expensive.

Wozers...

Latest update.  You can really tell now that the extension is not really that long. Things may slow down from here. My tractor funds got used on a family emergency. We are ok, but there is some sketchy stuff going on with my wife's niece.      

Very nice...I like that paint and graphics. Hope all goes well with the family issue.

Took me four days. Painting each color. Thanks. Wife's family needs it.

Wow, that looks good! Very eye catching...

I see we went ahead and did the column too eh? I had one with a painted dash once. Is the body mounted now?

Did you replace them transaxle bracket bolts?

Sorry to hear about the family issue, hope it gets all sorted out.

Super nice paint on the hood!

@Murraymountain wrote:

Wow, that looks good! Very eye catching...

I see we went ahead and did the column too eh? I had one with a painted dash once. Is the body mounted now?

Did you replace them transaxle bracket bolts?

• Thank you.  I wanted something a little different.  Not done with the hood yet.  Then there are STICKERS!  LOL
  
• Yeah, thought it would be something different.  Just did the outside part. Leaving the inside part back.  Also, leaving the part with the switchs and throttles black as well.  Yes the rear fenders are now mounted as well as lower tower.  
  
• Yes, all 6 bolts replaced.  I did also decide to do 6 good tack welds on the brackets too just to be sure all the shimmy was taken out of them.
  

@mr.modified wrote:

Super nice paint on the hood!

Thanks @mr.modified!

Maybe it’s the humidity where I live....I just can’t get my paint to dry as fast as you. My painted parts stay tacky for 2 days so it’s becoming a slower process to get things done. I been using rustolium also with a under coat of sandable primer.

Maybe.  Pretty humid here too this year.  I have done this process.

After prep,

Paint
Leave in direct Sun all day long to get super hot. (been in mid/upper 90's this week until today)   Then I take it out of the Sun at the end of the day and let cool overnight. Leave out of sun until I paint next layer.

@MightyRaze wrote:

Maybe.  Pretty humid here too this year.  I have done this process.

After prep,

Paint
Leave in direct Sun all day long to get super hot. (been in mid/upper 90's this week until today)   Then I take it out of the Sun at the end of the day and let cool overnight. Leave out of sun until I paint next layer.

I will have to try that. I been painting all the small parts and hanging under a shaded carport.

Yeah I normally leave my stuff in the sun. Humidity does seem to have an effect on everything.

Lots of planning and measuring tonight. Not much more. Did drain the oil from the engine after I discovered the carb let gas drain into the block.   It had 2x the volume it should have had. The carb does have a rebuild kit on it now.

This is approximation of where things will look later.



EDIT:
Before Pic. Sorry older pic, not many side shots with the original hood.

Could you mount the seat lower by getting rid of the hinge and doing a different spring setup? Just trying to think of how to get it lower.

I really like the paint scheme you have going on the hood

@CraftsmanQuad19 wrote:

Could you mount the seat lower by getting rid of the hinge and doing a different spring setup? Just trying to think of how to get it lower.

I really like the paint scheme you have going on the hood

Yeah, I haven't thought more on that right now, but I have thought of some changes to the seat. I am also eyeballing a set of tires that are like the rears on Kal that are only 19" tall as well. Thanks for the compliment on the hood!

Back to those tires, I was super impressed with the ones on Kal's rear.  I was starting to feel like superman in the mud at Haspin.  I never had to back up and try again or try to wiggle my way out of any hole.

The ones that I am eyeballing below.  Just got to save some $$ first.

really good work on this thing man, that Hood paint is crazy! looks great super professional