I'm building a Rock Lizard

[J Kimmel]

my wheelbase is set at 112" and I should be able to mount my Toyota front clip and cover the winch completely. I am going to build a winch mount just between the axle and the front bar, that will tie back to the chassis as well as the front shock mounts. Hopefully get those tacked in tomorrow

 

[rover67]

Looking great, thanks for posting it up here, I enjoy seeing the fab work and awesome progress!

 

[J Kimmel]

Thank you I’m hopeful it will be running in March.

 

[J Kimmel]

Front links are done, I have to make minor adjustments and finish welding a couple of spots but links are done. I ordered 2 1/4” solid 7075 for my lowers from Wide Open Design on Tuesday and they showed up Friday. For custom cut and drilled links I’m impressed to say the least. I set my anti squat in the rear at 110% and 80% in the front. Should work great

 

[AxleIke]

Looks great! must be so nice to build without trying to work around body work and truck frame.

 

[J Kimmel]

Looks great! must be so nice to build without trying to work around body work and truck frame.

Yes and no...it’s great because I can put things in the best place, but that can be tough because everything affects something else...think stuffing 10lbs in a 5 lb bag and don’t forget you need easy access to the first thing you stuffed in!
I’m loving it though, it will be so much fun to drive

 

[Steve]

Nice, Jeremy! I'll be watching.

 

[J Kimmel]

I took a week off since my wife went on a girls trip to Mexico. It’s hard to get stuff done with my 4 year old daughter so I waited until today. I ordered in some miscellaneous tabs and parts in the meantime. Today we got the front shock mounts in and the links are now all done. I also got the driver seat partially mounted so I can get an idea of where things will fit. I tacked in the brake pedals, I’m going to need to trim down the plate and move it over about 1/2” to clear the steering shaft so it’s centered.

 

[J Kimmel]

I figured I was going to use the factory gas tank if it fits, but we put it in the rear and I think I’m going to go ahead and get a fuel cell. An 8 gallon will be so much more compact, and I’ll be able to fit more in here. Space is a premium, and while I’m not concerned about carrying much, some tools and occasionally enough for a camping trip would be nice!

 

[J Kimmel]

Finished mounting the driver seat and I have all the pedals mounted now. We tacked in floor supports so we can figure out available height for exhaust and whatever else under the floor. I re-used my factory gas pedal and build a mount for it. I’ll skin the floor when I tear down to final weld and paint everything.

 

[J Kimmel]

Spent a little more time on it tonight. I was hoping to get further but I ran out of welding gas so I guess I’m mostly done for the weekend. Bummer because we planned to come to Denver but decided against it because of the incoming storm so I was excited to get a couple good days in. Not so much now I guess.
I started mounting stuff like the steering reservoir, coil, and started making the ram mount on the front axle. I’m going to reuse the winch plate off my old one as well. Should actually fit nice.

 

[rover67]

Hey does that PS reservoir have a filter in it? I forget. Looking good bummer about the gas I know that feeling

 

[J Kimmel]

No filter in this one. I think I did that for packaging on my last one. This one I could fit whatever but it’s what I have.

 

[AxleIke]

Looks great!

 

[J Kimmel]

Slowly moving on, I recycled my winch mount and installed it today. I also finished my front ram mount. It’s all as minimalist as I can do. I tied the winch mount back to the chassis and then I braced the front of it underneath the shock mount.

I have to go to Denver tomorrow unfortunately so I’m starting on the passenger side floor next week, so far there looks to be plenty of room for s two piece front driveshaft as well as coolant lines under the passenger side.

 

[Hulk]

This may be a dumb question, but will this be street legal when you're done? Will it have a license plate? Seeing it with the Toyota hood and grille made me wonder.

 

[J Kimmel]

Haven’t crossed that bridge yet. No because it’s not a vehicle. Yes because I can get an old title and then title and license as “xxx”
I have to make sure it’s got brake lights, headlights etc but there’s no inspection up here. If I get pulled over, even with a title and plates, really depends on how the officer chooses to go. I’d imagine the only time it sees pavement is Moab and as long as you’re not being stupid and it’s not Jeep Safari they’re usually completely fine.

 

[J Kimmel]

I can get it inspected by state police and get a home built VIN issued as well.

 

[ScaldedDog]

Gotta be some 85 mini-truck in there somewhere, right?

Mark

 

[J Kimmel]

or an 83, or an 88...somewhere I am sure of it