We are moving ahead. Looks like we will not be taking the red car out this weekend because of the rain. with a bare metal chasis (for weld inspection), there is no point to destroy the car before Parker. Instead, we will drive the white class 5 prerunner out at the course in the Sportsman class.
Yesterday was pretty productive. Ted got the rear D44 axle swap done and Dave just finished inboarding the front leaf springs to hang the newer Scout II axle under the Scout 800. Ted also figured out the bearing situation in the rear 44 of Patrick's Rubicon and has started shimming a fresh set of bearings.
Ted is also mounting a 4.3L in a CJ5, building custom motor mounts. Dave is rebuilding a rear trackbar mount that ripped off a lifted H2.
Other projects for the week are a clutch in a 240Z, front and rear gears in an 77 EB, and finishing some details on Patrick's Rubicon.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Krawltex Goodbye South Austin/Cam's 30th B-day Party
As I sit here on my computer, I really am amazed at the success of our company in just a little over three years... There was Glenn and my humble beginnings in a 1000 square foot hole in the wall. I don't know how we got our first fab job (a trussed M20 housing)! The first Krawltex club meeting drinking beer around a crowded lift, my first Baja 500 as a chase driver for Hooters Desert Racing Team, Krawltex wheeling club sponsoring the O'reilly's 4wd Jamboree in Fredricksburg and then Houston the next year, Cardosa's class 5 and the creation of Bombshell Racing, the Fall Classic 2008 at Long Ranch, Christmas Parties at Tony's, my first Baja 1000, spectating King of the Hammers, Katemcy Rocks and all the other runs, the vast number of projects we have been honored to put our name on, but most importantly... this whole crazy ride, making the friends that have given us the great support, leading to our new larger facility.
We just passed the building inspection Friday morning and are moving half the equipment this weekend. We race the class 5 next weekend in Sweetwater. This will be the first race where I transition from navigator to driver. After a little bit of work inside the shop, Krawltex expects to be live at the new location around October 18th. At least, this is our goal.
While we will soon say goodbye to South Austin, the adventure will only continue to grow in North Austin. I have a few surprises for Krawltex coming very shortly. But we can't leave our original stomping grounds without having one last hoo-rah! My 30th birthday is October 15th. On Friday, October 16th we will have a "goodbye South Austin/Cam's Birthday" at Don's Depot off 5th Street. Come one, come all. Party starts at 8PM and goes till we call you a cab. There's a $3 cover because Don and his band are performing. Unfortunately, it is a 21 and up only bar. We would like to have a tentative head count so we know how much of an area to reserve. We will try to provide some form of snack food.
Again, I want to thank everyone that has made our company such a huge success and become a great friend on a business and personal level.
We just passed the building inspection Friday morning and are moving half the equipment this weekend. We race the class 5 next weekend in Sweetwater. This will be the first race where I transition from navigator to driver. After a little bit of work inside the shop, Krawltex expects to be live at the new location around October 18th. At least, this is our goal.
While we will soon say goodbye to South Austin, the adventure will only continue to grow in North Austin. I have a few surprises for Krawltex coming very shortly. But we can't leave our original stomping grounds without having one last hoo-rah! My 30th birthday is October 15th. On Friday, October 16th we will have a "goodbye South Austin/Cam's Birthday" at Don's Depot off 5th Street. Come one, come all. Party starts at 8PM and goes till we call you a cab. There's a $3 cover because Don and his band are performing. Unfortunately, it is a 21 and up only bar. We would like to have a tentative head count so we know how much of an area to reserve. We will try to provide some form of snack food.
Again, I want to thank everyone that has made our company such a huge success and become a great friend on a business and personal level.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Lots of things going on at the rock shop. We recently hired Zuki Dave (formerly of jeep Masters). He started working at Krawltex yesterday. With many years of hot rod building as well as Jeep repair, Zuki also knows a thing or two about building Samurais!
The new shop is coming along and we hope to move in around my birthday, October 15th. We passed the water inspection and await the building inspector and fire marshal approval for our certificate of occupancy. We are all very excited to move in to the new, larger facility off 500 Brushy Creek in Cedar Park.
This past weekend we got a couple chores accomplished at the new shop. Davin and Tony came up to help Ted and I construct some work benches. We also ran over 200 feet of 1" ID 450 PSI pvc air lines through the shop. we will have 9 points for compressed air with 3 seperate welding plug circuits!
More parts are trickling in for Jake's 12V swap. We did get the NV4500 installed. The 241 t-case, shifters, pedals, and cross member still need to be routed. Ted has been working on a Honda cylinder head and camshaft replacement as well as diagnosing the factory defect ARB in Patrick's Rubicon. Zuki did a steering box frame repair and bolt on brace on Tony's 82 Chevy K10. He also readjusted an e-brake set up on Chris' 8.8 disc converted Mazda Navajo.
Today, Ted will finish up this Honda and take a look at Jane's eclipse AC system. If there's time left, will do some work on the 12V suburban. Zuki is building a swing out tire carrier for Patrick's Rubicon. I will be doing a front bumper addition to the other Patrick's 84 4Runner.
The new shop is coming along and we hope to move in around my birthday, October 15th. We passed the water inspection and await the building inspector and fire marshal approval for our certificate of occupancy. We are all very excited to move in to the new, larger facility off 500 Brushy Creek in Cedar Park.
This past weekend we got a couple chores accomplished at the new shop. Davin and Tony came up to help Ted and I construct some work benches. We also ran over 200 feet of 1" ID 450 PSI pvc air lines through the shop. we will have 9 points for compressed air with 3 seperate welding plug circuits!
More parts are trickling in for Jake's 12V swap. We did get the NV4500 installed. The 241 t-case, shifters, pedals, and cross member still need to be routed. Ted has been working on a Honda cylinder head and camshaft replacement as well as diagnosing the factory defect ARB in Patrick's Rubicon. Zuki did a steering box frame repair and bolt on brace on Tony's 82 Chevy K10. He also readjusted an e-brake set up on Chris' 8.8 disc converted Mazda Navajo.
Today, Ted will finish up this Honda and take a look at Jane's eclipse AC system. If there's time left, will do some work on the 12V suburban. Zuki is building a swing out tire carrier for Patrick's Rubicon. I will be doing a front bumper addition to the other Patrick's 84 4Runner.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Shirts are in. There are small to double XL sizes.
We are still gathering parts for Jake's 12V swap. Just got the fan bracket in. Ordered the late model exhaust manifold yesterday to move the turbo and down pipe in a better location. Got a lead on the correct intake manifold to clear the brake booster and should know later today. But the motor is sitting in the freshly painted engine bay right now.
Ted is continuing to shake down the whirring noises in Patrick's Rubicon. Today we will start on Kenneth's Early Bronco cage and hopefully be done tomorrow.
We will work on Patrick's swing out tomorrow, focussing on a Scout cut and turn and the 12V on Friday.
We are still gathering parts for Jake's 12V swap. Just got the fan bracket in. Ordered the late model exhaust manifold yesterday to move the turbo and down pipe in a better location. Got a lead on the correct intake manifold to clear the brake booster and should know later today. But the motor is sitting in the freshly painted engine bay right now.
Ted is continuing to shake down the whirring noises in Patrick's Rubicon. Today we will start on Kenneth's Early Bronco cage and hopefully be done tomorrow.
We will work on Patrick's swing out tomorrow, focussing on a Scout cut and turn and the 12V on Friday.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
New T-shirts arrive WED, September 23rd!!!
small through XXXL is $15 each for pick up at the shop
I'm not sure why it takes till Thursday before there's a small enough break to update the blog... We have been focussing on Jake's 12V swap for most of the week. Chris cleaned the motor, painted it red, and did the Killer Dowl Pin mod. I POR15'd a bunch of motor brackets and SKY u-bolt plates, painted the oil pan, motor plate and engine bay, and swapped the grade 8 u-bolts on to the front axle. Ted cleaned up the 14 bolt FF and POR 15'ed the housing. We'll wait to swap that when we get it running (still have the detroit and brakes to do). He also worked on a peach of a 93 Ford Probe, as well as knocked out the body lift on Kenneth's 1977 EB.
Today we'll put the flywheel and clutch together on the 12V and mock it in to place. I want to start planning the engine truss because the TN diesel crossmember will not work with the ORD highsteer. On friday, I'd like to start working on the early Bronco family cage.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Jake's 12V suburban progress
here's some pics of the stock drivetrain removed. the crossmember from TN diesel will interfere with the ORD highsteer so we will fab one up. Chris POR'd the frame and did the KDP mod on the 12V. Tomorrow the gaskets come in for the timing cover and oil pan so we can replace the rear main. Clean, paint and mock up...
Ted is working on refurbing the 14 bolt FF. we'e ordering brakes, POR'ing the housing, and dropping a Detroit in it.
OLD TBI 350
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_001.jpg[/img]
Before power washing
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_003.jpg[/img]
Post power wash
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_004.jpg[/img]
clean timing cover
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_007.jpg[/img]
KDP Mod... pretty clean internals
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_006.jpg[/img]
before KPD mod
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_008.jpg[/img]
after kpd mod
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_012.jpg[/img]
POR 15 engine bay
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_010.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_011.jpg[/img]
Ted is working on refurbing the 14 bolt FF. we'e ordering brakes, POR'ing the housing, and dropping a Detroit in it.
OLD TBI 350
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_001.jpg[/img]
Before power washing
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_003.jpg[/img]
Post power wash
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_004.jpg[/img]
clean timing cover
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_007.jpg[/img]
KDP Mod... pretty clean internals
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_006.jpg[/img]
before KPD mod
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_008.jpg[/img]
after kpd mod
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_012.jpg[/img]
POR 15 engine bay
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_010.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.krawltex.com/newtex/albums/album261/9_10_09_011.jpg[/img]
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
We had a pretty good time at the Trees Ranch Labor Day Run. Chris got 4th in the rock race. Ted broke in his new 36" Iroks. I figured out the electric ghost in the XJ before spitting out the rear driveshaft. It was a very relaxing wheeling trip and the weather was pretty nice. It got a little challenging with the drizzle.
Today, Ted and Chris are concentrating on removing the stock suburban drivetrain so the 12V can be transplanted. I ordered all of the gauges today and am on my way to the paint supply shop to pick up some more POR15. The rest of the week, we will focus on this project and a cut and turn D44 in a Scout 800.
Next week we begin on an EB cage, 2" body lift and regear... but it may get finished at the new shop. So much is up in limbo about moving, getting out of the lease a month early, and whether or not the electricians will have our wiring done on October 1st. We are very hesitant to take on any more long term projects until that transition is made. We already have a 4.8L YJ, a 6.0L buggy, an Avalanche enginering buggy, a 2500 HD solid axle swap and a few other projects on the books when space and time permits.
Today, Ted and Chris are concentrating on removing the stock suburban drivetrain so the 12V can be transplanted. I ordered all of the gauges today and am on my way to the paint supply shop to pick up some more POR15. The rest of the week, we will focus on this project and a cut and turn D44 in a Scout 800.
Next week we begin on an EB cage, 2" body lift and regear... but it may get finished at the new shop. So much is up in limbo about moving, getting out of the lease a month early, and whether or not the electricians will have our wiring done on October 1st. We are very hesitant to take on any more long term projects until that transition is made. We already have a 4.8L YJ, a 6.0L buggy, an Avalanche enginering buggy, a 2500 HD solid axle swap and a few other projects on the books when space and time permits.
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