Swing for the fence

So here’s the map mural side after distressing the crap out of it. She likes it like this, but there’s a Horde shield I was planning on adding. (see the next pic)

Here it is with the Horde shield my buddy Rob Mrowiec made with his 3D printer. Just sanded the top surfaces and like it like this. (temporarily taped on since I lost the glue gun)

I went a little nuts with the Dremel and etched the window

Here’s the front with the Horde symbol Rob Mrowiec made with his 3D printer. Sanded the surface and thought it looked awesome just like this.

The red lit fans aren’t doing exactly what I wanted them to do, but looks a lot cooler than this pic.

Here we are all lit up – kinda hard to get the full effect with the shop lights being so bright.

I put my thumb over the camera flash and turned out the shop lights – looks pretty cool.

Top down with the blow hole fans.

I don’t know… I like it better with the Horde shield.

That new/old Jeep smell

Went to Austin, TX last Saturday and scored a complete ’86 258/T-5/D300 for my pal’s ’86 Golden Eagle, and found me a 304/TF-999 for my ’80 CJ-7. Of all the luck, the 304/TF-999 came with an ’80 CJ-7 Laredo, which I’m thinking my other BFF needs a Jeep project, once I swap the 304/TF-999 for my 258/T-176. Also scored an early YJ top for mine (I like the bigger windows), and grabbed some half doors, a YJ soft top, and some ‘like new’ CJ fenders for my pal’s new project.

I got really super lucky. My buddy Harry was looking for a ‘new’ 258 for his Jeep, and found a guy on Austin Craigslist selling the ’80 Laredo, since I’d mentioned a long time ago wanting to swap in an AMC V8 & TF-999 – we were originally thinking of me getting the Jeep, swapping the 304 & TF-999 into mine, using the Jeep for parts, and giving him the 258/T-176, but then he noticed the same guy had another ad for the ’86 258/T-5/D300 also for sale. He decided to go for that, and I also found a bunch of other listings (an ’89 258/TF-999/D300 and thought about getting that, but then I asked my other buddy Dave if I got the Jeep, if he’d be interested in a project Jeep after I swapped in my 258/T-176 – which he was indeed interested).


So, I’ve had yet another car-related “SQUIRREL!” moment, but at least it’s not a ‘new’ car project… just freshening up an old one and hookin’ up my BFF with a new toy. At least it’s not as bad as my Mustang project started out – with the engine and tranny from my Jeep in there, at least it’ll be a runner when Dave comes to pick it up.

We’re Off!

Here’s the metal side panel all taped up ready for some paint.

Here’s my first run at the WoW map mural I had stuck in my head. This is just the background art for something special I have planned as the main feature. But, I screwed it up and forgot which side was ‘Up.’ (hint: the bolts on the bottom secure the panel to the back of the case, so it’s 90-degrees off)

I decided to etch the World of Warcraft logo into the window, which turned out OK… but it’s a little lonely out there by itself.

Finally got the machine fired up and loaded with Win10 and WoW. I love the red lights, and it’s actually pretty quiet, considering it’s missing its side panels at this time.

World of WarCraft Computer

So I pretty much blew my wife’s stimulus check on the gear to build a super hot-rod gaming computer for her. I decided to make it WoW-themed and hopefully, a little over the top. Fractal Design makes awesome computer cases, and I’m hoping they’ll like it enough for their case mod gallery when I’m done.

Here’s the gear:

Fractal Design Focus mid-tower case
ASUS TUF B450-Plus AM4
AMD RYZEN 7 2700 8-core CPU
G.Skill Ripjaws V 16GBx2
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
Crucial MX500 1B SATA III SSD
Thermaltake Toughpower GX1 500W power supply
Lite-On Super AllWrite 24X SATA DVD+/-RW
Rosewill RDCR-11004 Data Hub

American Legion Car Show – 2 Jun 20

Had a GREAT time at the American Legion Car Show today! Got to see my good friend Dutch, and hang out with a bunch of cool car guys again. What’s not to love?!

Frank pulled a ‘Top 30’ award, and we raised over $1900 for the American Legion. I might actually wind up joining, as well.

Here’s Frank next to Ken Barros’s awesome ’69 GT-500. Thanks to Kevin Tyler for sharing his pics – I forgot my camera [again].

Cars & Coffee – Post Lock Down

Finally got a chance for C&C after COVID-19 Lock Down. Went to Fuzzy’s Tacos and had a GREAT time with all the cool car guys. Went by Stan’s place after and helped stuff goodie bags for the upcoming American Legion Car Show.

Stephen Horton took a bunch of cool pics as well.

Here’s one showing my good friend and optometrist (Ed Grimes and his wife) Frank’s ‘Baby Book,’ with all the gory details of the restoration.

Here’s one of his ‘artsy’ shots – which is my new desktop wallpaper, BTW.

New Jeep Tech pages

I finally decided to chronicle some of the bigger projects on the Jeep with new Jeep Tech pages.

In addition to the Jeep Corners page,
http://www.mister4x4.net/Off%20Road/jeepcorners.htm

I’ve added the following:
Spare Tire Rack:
http://www.mister4x4.net/Off%20Road/tirecarrier.htm
Nerf Bars & Front Bumper:
http://www.mister4x4.net/Off%20Road/frontbumper.htm

All of these projects happened back in 2009-2010 before I started in on the Mach 1. Some new upcoming projects include:
– Engine mods (Clifford Intake, Borla Header, Holley Sniper Fuel Injection, valve job, clean up the engine compartment)
– Adapt the TJ seat brackets to fit the seats better
– Full carpet & insulate the hard top
– Do something different with the Mister 4×4 graphics

Enjoy!

1st Car Show of 2020

Benefit show for one of the guys from the local Corvette club – his daughter has some pretty serious medical appointments in DFW, and money was raised to help offset the costs for transportation and lodging. It was an awesome turn out with 91 cars and raised over $2500 for the Vasquez family.

Stephen Horton took a bunch of awesome pics. Here’s a link to his Photo Album.

IMG_0246
Stephenintx Flickr Photo Album – 2020-02-29 Benefit Car Show for Vasquez Family