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Discussion starter · #201 ·
Sorry for the delay for an update guys but unless I have something more positive to tell you on the progress than what I already posted, I'd rather just not post up any more excuses. I will tell you that they are looking good but just not quite good enough for my taste. I'll come to a stopping point for tweaking this weekend and tweak more on future runs and feedback as I'm sure the process can be improved upon as more $ is available for me to invest in more R&D.

I just came back from Lowe's for more supplies to make this tweaking go faster and expect to have pics for you guys before the weekend is out. I will update again this weekend regardless but expect it to be extremely favorable.

Sure, I could take pics right now but what's the point? It wouldn't properly represent what you'd be getting.
 
Sorry for the delay for an update guys but unless I have something more positive to tell you on the progress than what I already posted, I'd rather just not post up any more excuses. I will tell you that they are looking good but just not quite good enough for my taste. I'll come to a stopping point for tweaking this weekend and tweak more on future runs and feedback as I'm sure the process can be improved upon as more $ is available for me to invest in more R&D.

I just came back from Lowe's for more supplies to make this tweaking go faster and expect to have pics for you guys before the weekend is out. I will update again this weekend regardless but expect it to be extremely favorable.

Sure, I could take pics right now but what's the point? It wouldn't properly represent what you'd be getting.
Don't sweat it Jim!
 
Sorry for the delay for an update guys but unless I have something more positive to tell you on the progress than what I already posted, I'd rather just not post up any more excuses. I will tell you that they are looking good but just not quite good enough for my taste. I'll come to a stopping point for tweaking this weekend and tweak more on future runs and feedback as I'm sure the process can be improved upon as more $ is available for me to invest in more R&D.

I just came back from Lowe's for more supplies to make this tweaking go faster and expect to have pics for you guys before the weekend is out. I will update again this weekend regardless but expect it to be extremely favorable.

Sure, I could take pics right now but what's the point? It wouldn't properly represent what you'd be getting.
Take your time Jim. The more tweaking you can do now, the better the end product will be later. Seems like people just don't understand that nothing ever comes out exactly perfect the first time. You can get close but the tweaking is what makes it perfect.
 
Discussion starter · #204 ·
Take your time Jim. The more tweaking you can do now, the better the end product will be later. Seems like people just don't understand that nothing ever comes out exactly perfect the first time. You can get close but the tweaking is what makes it perfect.
That's exactly my intent. After last night's refinement to the process, I can comfortably say that pics will be posted tonight of a set installed on the driver's side of my CC as well as the full CC set uninstalled. Minimizing material waste and being patient with the cure times during this process has been pain staking to say the least but I think I've got a handle on it now. Over time, it'll only get easier for me to pump these out especially when I restock with faster curing urethane.

You all be sure to check this thread later tonight to ease some of the anxiety I'm sure your all feeling.
 
That's exactly my intent. After last night's refinement to the process, I can comfortably say that pics will be posted tonight of a set installed on the driver's side of my CC as well as the full CC set uninstalled. Minimizing material waste and being patient with the cure times during this process has been pain staking to say the least but I think I've got a handle on it now. Over time, it'll only get easier for me to pump these out especially when I restock with faster curing urethane.

You all be sure to check this thread later tonight to ease some of the anxiety I'm sure your all feeling.
:clap2::mullet::waiting: i know the intent of these isnt to lower the truck but how much will these drop the look of the truck? 2"?
 
Discussion starter · #207 ·
First Set Made Installed - Driver's Side Pics

These are from the very first castings. Although they may look perfect, they are not without flaws even though they are not visible unless you lie down and really look for them. I'll probably offer these up at a very good discount sometime down the road along with any others that might not pass my QA yet still be usable. All castings made since these have had the flaws worked out of them and as soon as I have one of those sets fully prepped, I'll take detailed pics of them. These fit like you see them without having to take them to my truck for a dry fit followed by sanding and so on...they just fit perfectly right out of the mold and normal prep.

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They look great, Jim! I'm going to give you a call tomorrow if I'm sobered up by then.
 
Thanks Jason. I was wondering what happened to you this weekend but I was too busy to care enough. LOL

Call anytime when sober dude. I'll probably be in the basement but the cell phone is almost always nearby.
I thought this was your daughter's weekend? I didn't want to get in your way or anything.
 
In case anyone is wondering, there's no doubt these look like they have an even better fit than the originals. My RT Mods didn't turn out as well as these pictures show. I'm sure the finish is great as well. So in case you aren't at all familiar with the originals...these look like some damn good pieces.
 
Discussion starter · #213 · (Edited)
In case anyone is wondering, there's no doubt these look like they have an even better fit than the originals. My RT Mods didn't turn out as well as these pictures show. I'm sure the finish is great as well. So in case you aren't at all familiar with the originals...these look like some damn good pieces.
120 grit is what I'm using for the final pass of sanding. Not sure what painters might use for prep but the 120 smooths it out nicely. Gonna rely on Feedback to dictate any finish improvements but it sands down very well with the 80 followed by the 120.
 
Looks great Jim! Hopefully my molded flares won't cause a problem! They look like they fit very tight. Can't wait for my set!
 
:clap2::clap2::mullet::mullet::D:D
 
:woot:these look great. i cant wait for them to ship
 
Discussion starter · #219 ·
Looks great Jim! Hopefully my molded flares won't cause a problem! They look like they fit very tight. Can't wait for my set!
Molded Flares?? Depending on how close they are to stock, you may be able to custom shape the "claws" if necessary. One of the changes I made to these over the FG ones is that I made the "claws" solid and gave them a wall between them and the skirt. I did that for not only better structural integrity but also to allow for minor shaping if needed. The butt ends of the skirts have also been beefed up to about a 1/2" for the same reasons including minor length management should the result of your custom shaping alter the length. I doubt even the stock flares are going to be identically mounted for spacing from one vehicle to the next which occurred to me when I made this change. Should the day come for me to redo the molds and I'm sure it will, I have additional improvements in mind that I'll incorporate but that's another day.
 
Molded Flares?? Depending on how close they are to stock, you may be able to custom shape the "claws" if necessary. One of the changes I made to these over the FG ones is that I made the "claws" solid and gave them a wall between them and the skirt. I did that for not only better structural integrity but also to allow for minor shaping if needed. The butt ends of the skirts have also been beefed up to about a 1/2" for the same reasons including minor length management should the result of your custom shaping alter the length. I doubt even the stock flares are going to be identically mounted for spacing from one vehicle to the next which occurred to me when I made this change. Should the day come for me to redo the molds and I'm sure it will, I have additional improvements in mind that I'll incorporate but that's another day.
Mine are molded but in the stock location, no worries. I'm just thinking about the added material on top of the flare since they are molded, and when I put these I might have to sand down down those claws maybe 1/16", since the flare area would be pushing the skirt downward.

But that's all a maybe, I don't think it will be a problem, or hope at least.
 
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