Project "Marlin Catalog" Updated 07 July

[HFCRAOffroading]

Dallas at www.stinkyfab.com has started the "Marlin Catalog" build for me!!  The reason I call this Build the "Marlin Catalog" is because 90 percent of the parts for the build was ordered from Marlin Crawler!!

 The front axles will be Bobby Long's new 300mm, 30 spline Birfield "Super Axles".

 Rear axles are Marlin Crawler Chromoly.

 Pro Gear set up the Bobby Long Chromoly 5.29 Yukon Gears with a Detroit Rear and Lockright front.

 An In cab cage and Rocker Guards will be Fabbed and installed by Dallas.

 Drivelines will be from Jess at High Angle Driveline.

 T Case is a Marlin with 4.7 Gear set and a BudBuilt crossmember.

 In addition to the Lift the new springs will provide, the truck also has a Roger Brown 2 inch Body lift.

 Seats are the PRP Competion Pro Series



The IFS removed



The IFS JUNK Pile



Front suspension and shock towers tacked in place



Rear Suspension Removed



Front axle diff armor and gusset tacked in place.  The gusset was installed on the top of the axle for more ground clearance



More JUNK removed


Sorry if this sounds like a commercial!!  I just wanted everyone to know where I got all of my parts before the questions started.

As the build continues I will keep posting pics.

 Jack

[genericposter]

Sounds like the build I am working on. Supporting the Toy dealers is the way to go.

[scheid6996]

looken good

[whiteman]

shwank!!

[alwayzbroken]

What are the details on that front bumper? Is it home made? Can you post more pictures of it? Thanks. 

[HFCRAOffroading]

What are the details on that front bumper? Is it home made? Can you post more pictures of it? Thanks. 

 The front bumper is a Marlin Bumper with out the stinger and turn signal tabs.  The winch is a WARN 8247.

 I forgot to add that this project will also include a 12" Bed Bob and a Marlin Rear DOM Bumper.  Once the bob is done the mounting brackets will have to be modified for proper fit.

 I will post more pics as they become available.

[alwayzbroken]

Thanks!

[TrackVino]

I don't know about you, but it has made things easier for me because I live near Fresno, and I can drop by Marlins whenever I want, which is often, so I get to see the expertise at work, and not have to pay for shipping on anything. Actually, if I need something in a hurry, all I have to do is pick up the phone, and tell Dean to bring it home with him, I will just pick it up from his house which is only a couple of miles from my house. Now thats customer service.     

Look forward to seeing this thing being built.

What is your projected completion date?

[HFCRAOffroading]

We are shooting for a mid to late May completion date.

 Once everything is done, I still have to take the wife to get the seat hieghts correct.  Once that is done, I have to get it "towed" back home and get fitted for the five point harnesses.

 I am hoping to have it on the trail sometime early June.

[UNBREAKABLE]

whats up with the "jeepaholics.com"  Heeps are .....and your rig isn't BTW what size tire you runnin'?

[HFCRAOffroading]

whats up with the "jeepaholics.com"  Heeps are .....and your rig isn't BTW what size tire you runnin'?

 The "Jeepaholics.com" tag is from the Website where I use to Moderate thier Land Use Forum.  The owner of the site figured he was giving free pic hosting, why not advertise.

 On the tires, right now I haven't decided between the 36" IROCKS, 36" SSX or the 35" BFG MT's.

[To The Floor]

36" iroks hands down

[HFCRAOffroading]

Updated as of 25 April

Nice clean axles and some fresh paint






Front suspension all welded and painted




New axles installed with new bearings and seals.




and whats left of the old bearings and retainers after removing them.




 Dallas ran into some issues with the Rear Axle location.  The rear axle ended up 5 inches farther back than original.  Once he get's those worked out, I will post up the pics and how the location issues were resolved.

 Big props go to Dallas, the owner of StinkyFab, he stayed at his shop this weekend to work on this Project instead of heading out to the TinBender's Jambo.  That is taking care of your Customers!!  Thanks Dallas!!!!

  Jack

[StinkBug]

Hey everyone, this is Dallas. Thanks for all the kind words and buisiness Jack, heres a couple new pictures of the front end all finished out.







Dallas

[alwayzbroken]

Very nice work.

[StinkBug]

Well  unfortunately the parts we ordered yesterday didnt' show up today so I wasn't able to finish out the rear end today, but I did manage to get the rest of the little details on the front done. Mounted the steering stabilizer, brake lines and built bump stop pads on the frame. I didn't happen to have any 2x4 rectangular tubing sitting around, and that looks kinda lame anyways so I decided to just make these outta some plate. Looks a little more interesting than just slapping a chunk of box tube in there.



Dallas

[HFCRAOffroading]

Dallas got the "Marlin Catalog" on all four wheels today! 

 I will let him update the project when he a gets a chance.  Here are a few pics:

[Hyena]

All looks really good other then that front driveline angle.  It is even connected?

[HFCRAOffroading]

All looks really good other then that front driveline angle.  It is even connected?

 No, it's not connected.

 It is the original driveshaft hanging from the t case

[alwayzbroken]

Did you have to move your steering box forward?

[HFCRAOffroading]

Did you have to move your steering box forward?

 Sorry I haven't answered your question, I have been out of town.

 AFIK, the steering box was left in it's stock location.  I will find out more in the next few days.

[4DEES]

that rig is lookin real sweet,keep us posted!

[Rotozuk]

I remember those darn wheel bearings...

So Jack, how was the shop visit?

-Wayne (lending an extra hand on your project as needed.)

[HFCRAOffroading]

I remember those darn wheel bearings...

So Jack, how was the shop visit?

-Wayne (lending an extra hand on your project as needed.)

 The shop visit went very well!!  I dropped off the rear bumper and hubs.  Dallas was in the process of bending the tube for the B pillars.  We discussed a few things about how he wanted to build the cage and how the rock sliders will tie into the cage.

 I got the drivers seat height and location done today.  Also took some measurements on the ride hieght of the truck.  The 2" body lift is going to have to be removed so I can get it into my garage on 35's.

 All in all, I am VERY impressed with the work Dallas and yourself have done on the truck!!  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend StinkyFab to any one requiring fab work!  Just wish the shop was a little closer to Imperial Beach!!     Well, Dallas is probably glad I am not located closer because I would be over there every day trying to "help"!  

  Jack

 

[HFCRAOffroading]

Did you have to move your steering box forward?

 The steering box was left in it's stock location.

[StinkBug]

Got a bunch done in the last couple days, and I know Jack has been dyin to see some of it, so heres a few pics. The body lift is gone now and the cage is coming along nicely. Started off saturday by bobbing the bed 12". Its all back together now, just need to do the finish welds and smooth it all out.










Next I got started on the front section of the cage....




When I moved to the rear again I found that there was going to have to be one small casualty.....

Jacks Jack just had to go, sorry Jack.


Got a bit more structure in back..


And checked to make sure the seat would fit.


Seat fits ok, but its gonna be a bit tricky to get in and out. With how comfy these PRPs are though, I'm not sure you're ever gonna wanna get out once you're in. Had that one sitting in the office last night, and my girlfriend sat down and passed out in it for a few hours. When I woke her up to go to the movies she said I needed a set for my rig. 

Dallas

[StinkBug]

Got a bit more done today. Built the seat mounts which is usually one of the most difficult parts. Its usually pretty challenging to get the seat rails low enough to the floor to allow good headroom, and get everything to fit around the tranny tunnel, shifters etc. Jacks truck ended up working out really well. It took a little time and experimenting but it came out pretty clean and the seats are exactly where he needs em to be. All that needs to be done now are a couple roof spreaders, finish welds and a few little details.






Dallas

[StinkBug]

One more pic for ya. Finished up the fabrication on the cage this morning, now I just gotta weld everything solid. Before you ask the horizontal tubes on the rear section are for seat belts.



Dallas

[blackdiamond]

Is anybody going to fit between the seats and the steering wheel?  It look very tight in the picture, I'm sure there is more room than it looks.

Glad to see the body lift gone     

[HFCRAOffroading]

Is anybody going to fit between the seats and the steering wheel?  It look very tight in the picture, I'm sure there is more room than it looks.

Glad to see the body lift gone     

 It's a tight fit to get in.  I am currently looking for a Quick Disconnect Steering Wheel set up that I like.  That will make getting in and out easier and adds a little security when the vehicle is parked.