Roll Cage, Push Bar and Engine Cage were powder-coated. I finished up during Superbowl Weekend most of the front suspension, the pan gasket, emergency brake tubing, and fitted the push bar.
I mounted the body on the chassis. I also fitted the roll bar to check clearances with the body and to get it ready for additional bars. The trailing arms are installed. (I need to bolt it together with all the hardware, but I need to check mm-bolt sizes.) I cut the hole for the steering column. Just a note on my black paint. I cannot stand bare metal. From day one it starts to rust. I always clean, prep, primer and give a light final spray coat. (This is for those who see my brown primer poking out.) I know it will have to be done over many times before it is done, but it makes things much easier to work with even if you have to grind it down for more welds. The only real change I am going to make is to enlarge the roll cage bolt holes. They are a pain to line up and it took way to long to bolt it onto the frame. I think over Christmas I can get the front steering installed and the gas tank drilled for a new inlet.
I bought new transmission mounts, but for the life of me I don't see how they are going to work with the set up I have installed for the rear cage. The rear cage slides on/off the transmission mount on stubs that are welded to it.
I bought a stock 1600cc motor to start with in the dune buggy before I try and rebuild the original motor with a little more pep. It seems that it is pretty solid. It was suppose to be freshened up, but I have my doubts. Ut has a new clutch and pressure plate and it is somewhat shinny (from 10'). Trailing arms now have urethane bushings installed and are ready to go in chassis.
I fit the front beam. The chassis is a little wider for the beam mounts. The steering stop was in the way so it had to come off. I will have to fabricate a stop after it goes together with the body.
I also covered the fiberglass with 3M paint tape to protect it from bumps and scratches.
Last items are the IRS trailing arms. I had bought some off of Samba in the used parts area. I am stripping them and will have them sandblasted this week. The bearings seem to be fine so that will be one of the few things that will not be replaced.
I am bidding on some wheel adapters for 4 lug to chev 5 x 4.75. I am the high bidder, but now I find out they don't work with front disc brakes. Someone told me that this can be solved, but he cannot remember what he did?????? I cannot remove my high bid so I have to pray that I lose this one.
I had 3 days in the mountains to do what I wanted. Cindy, Caison and the girls were going to head up and spend a long weekend, but it was raining so they cancelled. It work out great for me. I was able to tack, weld, prime and paint the cage for the body and engine. I still have several bars to add to the cage, but it is easier and cleaner to touch up areas. I also pulled the motor from the donner bug. I have unbolted the body on the bug and will use the front end loader to pull it off the pan. I also have the gas tank out so I can weld in a new gas outlet and seal up several vents holes and the original filler location.