Aircraft guy builds first ground based Raptor.

[BlueOvalF22]

I've been using everything, roloc disks, wire wheels, wet medial blaster, blast cabinet, paint stripper and rust disolver. Then cleaning and a final clean of Picklex-20 before I shoot primer.

Suspension and frame rails look new.

I have the SVC ABS (bump stop) and the traction bars.

From the area under one strike plate to the other the axle is all refinished. I'll get the ends of the axle the same time I cut off the stock shock mounts and weld on the mounts for these two sexy beasts.

 

[CoronaRaptor]

Looking good. Should last a long time.

 

[BlueOvalF22]

I'm setting up the shop to weld tomorrow.

The new welder gets here.

New helmet is here.

I just got a full bottle of C25 for doing MIG and locked it into the cart next to my bottle of Argon for TIG from the old machine.

I'm going to have to drop the tank to weld the driver's side track bar bracket in. On both sides, I'm going to have to pull the spring out the forward mount to weld them in.

The axle shock mount welding I'll be doing first since I can just droop it out, pull the U bolts set the axle on shorty stands to give me lots of room to dry-fit, jig up and weld the shock mounts. It's why I used the non-locking nuts that came with the Deave U-bolts for now and not the lock nuts I bought. When it goes back together with the welding done those will go on. In aviation, you don't ever reuse nuts like those. You aren't supposed to in automotive suspension either.

 

[Joey DeLorenzo]

Look forward to having another fellow Veteran brother/Raptor driver in the Lone Star State!
V/R
Smokey


ALANG Iraq 2003
(I'm sitting on the wing)

A viper driver?! Now, 1) thank you for you service 2) we all know the viper drives itself and real men drive 60's (just not MH-60S's). I see your pointy nose, and I raise you, one bulbous nose! This was taken above the arctic circle, it's about -3 degrees out! (I'm kneeling in the flight suit closest our mascot, Red Cloud)

V/R,
Bags

 

[BlueOvalF22]

I was a 15U and a 15T.

iT'S ALL ABOUT THAT CHINOOK!

 

[Smokyray]

Thanks to both y'all for YOUR service too...

*There I was, 3AM over downtown Fallujah with my wingman, trying to ****** 2 HH-60 Dustoffs to a clearing in a neighborhood to pickup some WIAs. My wingman commented later, "man those Helo dudes have some BIG brass ones"
Yup they do...
V/R
Smokey

 

[BlueOvalF22]

Just wired 250v 50 Amp outlet in the Garage.

The bump stops came.

 

[BlueOvalF22]

I'm considering just doing the bumpstops and track bars. Sell the bypass rack. Events/Family may have me moving where I grew up and won't need the travel.