Got My Lightweight!! Stay Tuned for Project Updates and Plenty of Questions!

[Moose]

Glad you posted that pic ktom300. Wasn't sure I described very well the way the plate was mounted.

Brett

[jac04]

Mine has the hole on the inside of the tailgate for the center plate light wiring, but that's it - no signs at all of a center plate mount. The holes on the body for the side plate light appear to be factory. Keep in mind that mine may be a very late body, like 1983 vintage.

[ktom300]

Mine has the hole on the inside of the tailgate for the center plate light wiring, but that's it - no signs at all of a center plate mount. The holes on the body for the side plate light appear to be factory. Keep in mind that mine may be a very late body, like 1983 vintage.

If your's was meant to have the center plate, you'd have two brackets or at least four rivet holes for the hinge mounts. You'd also have a square punched hole for the plastic bushing that allows you to swing the plate down and lock it back into place.
Seems like there were a a lot of variations with these vehicles. Especially with the marker lights and interior guages.

[JayGoss]

Jac,

Was looking at the pic of the painted tub mounted on the frame (looks great by the way). I noticed that the rivets were left unpainted- my Series II is was finished the same way by someone else & I like the look. I was wondering how you did that- did you mask each rivet prior to paint or did you remove the paint after spraying?

[LaneRover]

I am going to guess that painting was done before riveting.

[jac04]

Yes, I drilled out the rivets on the rear body before painting. I did this so I could prep & paint in between the panels in the areas where they were riveted - I didn't want to risk the paint peeling over time. However, I ended up using #10 stainless phillips head screws and stainless nylock nuts to put these areas back together. I tried the rivets, but had a tough time getting the panels to come together. I did rivet all the galvanized trim.

[jac04]

The tailgate is now complete:


The front hub assemblies and brakes are done:

[ktom300]

Looking good. I noticed your axels have cone shaped center caps.
How are these different from the flat style like mine?

[jac04]

Mine are the late style axles, so they use 24 spline axles and hub caps that are the same as the civilian version. Your axles are a special shorter length for use with the flat caps.

[jac04]

Gauges and heater are installed:


Got my XZLs mounted & balanced today:

[brucejohn]

Wow. That is so sweet. I drool every time I visit this thread.

[jac04]

Thanks. Here are a few more pics (tires & wheels put on rear and radiator installed):

[Rineheitzgabot]

Nice work man.

Have you seen a doctor about your OCD?

Inspiring.

[JayGoss]

Jac,

Drooling over those wheels and tires....and I like the look of the black floors.

Been meaning to ask you- where did you source your rebuilt transmission? I may be looking for one in the near future and I've never seen one that comes back from the rebuilders like that one!

[badvibes]

Drooling over those wheels and tires....

Ditto.....