Advice needed - new guy with MEP004A

[Back-in-Black]

Got the radiator, shutter, radiator support, grille and fan installed. I'd like to meet the guy who designed the way all that goes together! 3 very heavy pieces and 1 light piece that all have to been put on at the same time and they all bolt thru / to each other. Idiotic!

I could have told you that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was thinking about you when I typed that in. Was thinking: boy, I bet Guyfang knows exactly what I'm talking about!

 

[Guyfang]

If you just want to take the radiator out, it helps when you do not remove anything but the top and the bolts front and back, then use an over head lift to simply pull the radiator out. And this is NOT a job to do alone.

 

[Back-in-Black]

Yeah, I sandwiched it all together (less the grille) on the "bench" and used the 4 bolts with the pass-thru holes on the front grille to hold it all together while we lifted the whole assembly (less the grille) into place on the skids. Then I hung the grille on and started trying to get the rest of the bolts stabbed and started - NOT! Had to use a couple of scissor jacks to finagle it all into alignment. Took hours to finish that up. Actually most of the day for the whole job.

Had my son come over and help lift it into place.

 

[Back-in-Black]

Took it easy today. Needed a holiday from this project and splitting wood. Test fit the intake grille and made a plate to cover some holes - in the interests of bug abatement.

 

[Back-in-Black]

Ok, I got a part I really can't figure out. No clue where this came from but I'm pretty sure it's a part of this set. Anyone have a clue? The piece of channel with 3 holes in it...

I've looked at the drawings in the TMs and don't see it there. It looks like the braces they used for the radiator mount but it's a lot shorter than those are.

 

[Guyfang]

You knuckle head. Its the battery hold down.

 

[Back-in-Black]

Darn it! I figured it was something for the batteries or the fuel tank but couldn't remember taking it off. Thanks, guess I don't need that anymore.

 

[Guyfang]

As long as it stays in one place. Driving down a tank trail, it was kinda nice to have.

 

[Back-in-Black]

Oh, I got them tied down now since I didn't want them vibrating all over the place. Got them in boxes and the boxes are strapped to the "floor". They aren't going anywhere.

 

[Chainbreaker]

Damn! I figured it was something for the batteries or the fuel tank but couldn't remember taking it off. Thanks, guess I don't need that anymore.

Looking at the picture in post #69 I don't think that there was much left for it to hold down. Perhaps you found it lying loose in the bottom of unit as you dismantled the lower skid frame area.

Coincidentally, today after reviewing the spec's on Amazon I ordered one of the same "NOCO battery boxes" for another non-generator project. Looks like they are made pretty well & I needed the UV resistance they offer as it will be outside exposed to elements housing a battery fed by a solar charger.

 

[Back-in-Black]

Looking at the picture in post #69 I don't think that there was much left for it to hold down. Perhaps you found it lying loose in the bottom of unit as you dismantled the lower skid frame area.

Coincidentally, today after reviewing the spec's on Amazon I ordered one of the same "NOCO battery boxes" for another non-generator project. Looks like they are made pretty well & I needed the UV resistance they offer as it will be outside exposed to elements housing a battery fed by a solar charger.

Yes, having been around boats most of my life, these are pretty nice battery boxes. Pretty happy with them.

I modified mine a bit. Was having problems getting the lids off even before I re-installed the radiator due to the clips on the top of the boxes - the ones in the back being unreachable to unlatch. Since I have them strapped down and the lids ain't going anywhere anyway, I ground off the locking tabs from the lids so that they no longer latch onto the bottoms. Now it is MUCH easier to remove the lids in tight quarters and the straps will never let them come off anyway.

 

[Back-in-Black]

Looking at the picture in post #69 I don't think that there was much left for it to hold down. Perhaps you found it lying loose in the bottom of unit as you dismantled the lower skid frame area.

Look at these pics:

I don't remember but that battery hold down must have been just laying up inside there. It certainly wasn't "installed". I guess that's why I don't remember taking it off or where it was installed.

 

[Mullaney]

Look at these pics:

I don't remember but that battery hold down must have been just laying up inside there. It certainly wasn't "installed". I guess that's why I don't remember taking it off or where it was installed.

View attachment 864663

View attachment 864664

.
Well, at least you aren't losing your mind and you have pictures to prove it!

 

[Back-in-Black]

.
Well, at least you aren't losing your mind and you have pictures to prove it!

Naw, I was just telling my son the other day; Of all the things I've lost during my life, I miss my mind the most!

 

[Guyfang]

Long gone. yes sir. Mine is long gone.

 

[Back-in-Black]

Small step forward - mostly just messing around so I bolted this on.

 

[Chainbreaker]

Looks a tad bit better than the same shot (top photo) as in post #432

 

[Back-in-Black]

Looks a tad bit better than the same shot (top photo) as in post #432

A little bit.

 

[Back-in-Black]

Last pieces to be painted!!! Weather permitting, I will flip them over and paint the other sides on Sunday and I will be DONE painting!!!

 

[Back-in-Black]

Well, I spent about 3 hours soaking and cleaning the paint gun tonight. I'm sure I'll need to pull it back out for some touch up at some point but for now, I'm done!!