Found a company willing to possibly make us a parts line-up

Cobalt-60 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 14, 2011 2:44 pm

Just called and left them a message. We will see.

bunkermonkeycw · **Posted:** Mon Feb 14, 2011 4:02 pm

<------- Crossing fingers

Jeepin_it_real · **Posted:** Mon Feb 14, 2011 10:59 pm

goodluck to all that are getting in contact, let me know how it goes, and if you know anybody with a KK drag them along with you for my sake!

jhblackwell · **Posted:** Sat Mar 05, 2011 8:37 pm

O.K., folks, and especially you nay-sayers. Colin and I went by Kevin Wilson's (SIXDITCH) shop today and left him Colin's KJ to measure for bumpers, rails, etc. When done I'll take him my '06 gasser to do the same. While there I took some pictures of the stuff they do and we talked at length with Kevin about fabrication specifically and wheelin' in general. The young man is knowledgeable, capable and experienced in modifying anything built with an internal combustion engine, as well as taking his stuff out and playing with them. He's also a real nice guy. Some of the pictures are attached.

This is a pipe bumper he's custom making for a client.

This is a propane powered rail buggy he's building to take out West and race. Front view

Rear view

This is a pipe bumper he's putting on a Toyota Land Cruiser.

For those of us East of the Mississippi this could be an oportunity to start a relationship with someone that not only builds rigs but races them competitively and who is willing to fabricate stuff specifically for the Liberty. I, for one, can't wait.

Cobalt-60 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 05, 2011 8:56 pm

To add to John's post, this shop is well familiar with Jeep unibody designs. We saw two XJs (Cherokees) and two MJs (Comanches) that were in the build stages (one of these is barely visible behind the pic of the 'zuki rail buggy). Kevin Wilson (the co-owner) has been off-roading XJs since 1999, and is interested in learning more about the KJ/KK designs. He is especially interested in producing both tubular and "fully boxed in" front and rear bumpers, as well as other things (he has an idea for useful tail lamp guards, etc.)

Dan, I talked to him about welding on your rock rails (after he measures John's 05-07 KJ), so that he can get an idea of the differences between the CRDs and the 05-07 gasers.

We are still on the look out for a 08+ KK in the Metro-ATL but we may have a lead.

We will keep you posted.

bunkermonkeycw · **Posted:** Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:29 am

Thanks for all your hard work thus far, cant wait to see what we get...

Id love some pre runner action! :JEEPIN:

dgeist · **Posted:** Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:58 am

Cobolt-60 wrote:

Dan, I talked to him about welding on your rock rails (after he measures John's 05-07 KJ), so that he can get an idea of the differences between the CRDs and the 05-07 gasers.

Appreciate the mention...but I was hoping they could actually do the BOLTING of the rails. If I were to weld them, it would likely just be spots on the frame that I could grind off later if need-be and I'd want to do that part myself (itching for an excuse to use the welder I got last year).

Got to get out from under being a parent one of these days and ping the guys on the work I need done.

Dan

jhblackwell · **Posted:** Sun Mar 06, 2011 12:56 pm

Cobolt-60 wrote:

We saw two XJs (Cherokees) and two MJs (Comanches) that were in the build stages (one of these is barely visible behind the pic of the 'zuki rail buggy).

Pictures of the other rigs in the build shop.

'nuff said :BANANA:

Jeepin_it_real · **Posted:** Sun Mar 06, 2011 2:07 pm

I'm glad you guys made it out there to chat with them! Finding these guys is turning out to be really great... keep me updated and keep :JEEPIN:

jhblackwell · **Posted:** Sun Mar 06, 2011 3:41 pm

Colin posted this on facebook. I hope the link opens for ya'll. More pictures of Kevin's operation.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?fb ... &aid=48322

John

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:02 pm

What differences are you trying to determine between the CRDs and the gassers??

Cobalt-60 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:54 pm

tommudd wrote:

What differences are you trying to determine between the CRDs and the gassers??

Any differences that might effect the creation of front bumpers or skids that result from front fascia, engine cradle, half-shaft, or transmission differences between the 05-06 CRD and the gassers.

--Visual inspection of Dan's CRD front fascia made it appear to stick farther out (because of the supplementary fan) than John's gasser (both 06, I believe) and might impact aftermarket front bumper design/mounting;

--Whether the engine cradle drop to fit the CRD engine would cause any differences in the mounting of skids;

--Whether the displacement of the front differential and the different sized half-shafts would create any unexpected fabrication differences;

--If there is any difference in clearance and mountings between the 545RFE in the CRD and the 42RLE in the gasser that would cause any differences in the mounting of skids.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Mar 06, 2011 11:13 pm

Pretty easy answers not sure what the problem is

blackwidowkj06 · **Posted:** Sun Mar 06, 2011 11:25 pm

Might be contacting this place in Sept. for some custom parts. Plus I'll need a nice long road trip by then. It's 6hrs from my house to Sixditch. :JEEPIN:

jhblackwell · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2011 9:50 am

O.K., people. Here's the situation as I understand it. Sixditch is a custom fabricator. You drop your vehicle off with them and they custom build what you want on your vehicle, or modify it to your specs. They are not a mass producer of offroad products. And they have NEVER...I repeat...NEVER worked on a KJ or KK before. Therefore Kevin wants to inspect all the models available to be able to provide a well built, properly sized product. There may be insignificant differences between models to some people, but it has been my experience, meager as it is, that 1/4 inch difference can make it very difficult to install a mass produced product. I think everyone needs to sit back, relax, take a deep breath, try not to be so critical, and let this process take it's course. It's possible that nothing at all will come of this. But it's also possible we may be witnessing the birth of a manufacturer of aftermarket products specifically for the KJ and KK. One can only hope.
John

jhblackwell · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2011 3:15 pm

My last post was directed at all, and I'm sorry if I confused anyone. The whole point of approaching Sixditch, as previously stated, is to find a capable, commercial fabricator East of the Mississippi that will be able to fill orders for aftermarket, bolt-on products for the KJ and KK made from jigs specific to each model Liberty. Since one doesn't exist, Colin and I are attempting (as I understand it) to provide Kevin with as many Liberty models as possible to gather data that would help in starting the process of jig building and ultimately filling orders. In other words, if you want a front bumper that has built in turn signals and fog lights, he'll fabricate it and mail it to you. If you want to use your factory turn signals and fog lights in a front bumper, he'll fabricate it and mail it to you. Again, the object is to provide a quality built, affordable product that most shade tree mechanics, with a few hand tools, can bolt on and use. If you want the bumper now, drop your vehicle off. If you want to order it and have it mailed to you, you'll have to wait a year or two for the model data to be gathered and the jigs to be built. In the mean time if anyone has dimensions, pictures, etc. that would help Kevin with this process, it would be real helpfull if you could get that to him. If you notice the title of this blog it is "a company willing to POSSIBLY make us a PARTS LINE-UP". That's what we're working on. Please, have patience, and with a little luck, some cooperation, and a lot of hard work, we might get this done.
John

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:39 pm

There are 3 or 4 people with Sundance Customs bumpers too... just sayin'.

jhblackwell · **Posted:** Mon Mar 07, 2011 8:44 pm

Thanks for the reminder. Hopefully shipping will be cheaper to the East Coast folks from Atlanta, and "parts line-up" implies more than just front bumpers. Just sayin'.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Wed Jul 13, 2011 7:03 am

I'm not a fan of the phrase "Just Sayin". If you have something to say, just say it. Don't hide behind something like that. If you have gonads use them! I think most people on here know that I have one of the bumpers by Sundance. You also know how much trouble I had to get it. Now, to try to equate Sundance to the company that is being discussed here is like comparing apples and oranges. Sundance was 1 guy trying to make bumpers spare time at home. He had no idea of how to run a business. All he had was a really great bumper. The company in question here is an established business with a physical shop and has regular business hours. He also has a work history in the field that we are interested in, 4X4. Sundance would best be described as a fly by night outfit that didn't know what was going on in the least.

Maybe I'm not politically correct, as they say. I speak what is on my mind. Sometime I get in trouble for it. So be it. If anyone wants me to expound on this issue a little more I would be happy to comply.

Terry

liquidxit2 · **Posted:** Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:55 am

Id be interested in seeing what they make and how much they run.

Found a company willing to possibly make us a parts line-up

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