Thiokol Imp 1402 OpenTop # 129 by Nikson

[Laurentian]

X2 nice lines and great workmanship !

 

[Nikson]

my guess is the little wisconson might be a bit on the gutlass side on the plus side it. like the vw' simple with minamal fluids and accessorys. you have done an outstanding job and i like that big green house windshield

So far I'm pretty satisfied with the Wisconsin's performance, overall its alright, and seems to be good enough for my need.

Windshield - it is what it is... will be lots better view than stock for sure...

 

[Nikson]

Nikson,

Very nice work! I am wondering how hard it was to work with the indoor-outdoor carpeting for the interior. Will it form into corners that are rounded? What adhesive are you using to glue it on?

Regards, Kirk

Kirk,

The carpeting that I used for Wrangler's top was really soft n streatchy, thus making it really easy to form to all of the corners and cracks on the inside.

3M spray glue is what I've used, it is applied to both surfaces, let it dry for few minutes as per direction and its good to go. I used a roller to do the corners/cracks/spaces (the one thats for putting a stretch string for the windows screens).

The carpeting that I will use on the cat is a bit different, it has a "rubbery backing", assume that it wont form to the corners, but I plan on cutting it to fit the areas that aluminum is exposed, leaving the frame tubing open.

 

[Nikson]

Thanks for sharing your project, should be a lot of fun. Love the removable cabin idea,opens up a lot of possibilities for usability. Great fabrication !

I tried... thanks...

 

[Nikson]

X2 nice lines and great workmanship !

Slowly coming along...

Just cant wait to get 'er done already...

 

[Nikson]

Re: Paint

Paint time...

So, since I've decided to make the "Safety Orange" be the season's color in style... went ahead with the rest of it that way.

Will certainly have to blend in some black stripes on the sides, so its a bit less jumpy as some might think... but I like it.

Well, could always be painted to the color that "customer" likes, right...

Its not a finished product yet, so dont judge to harsh

Lighting in some of the pics dont show the real color...

 

[muleman]

Looking great! You will ready for the glass guy soon. Should get to use it before too long with the storms rolling in off the Pacific.

 

[Nikson]

Looking great! You will ready for the glass guy soon. Should get to use it before too long with the storms rolling in off the Pacific.

Hoping it will be done soon, and I'll have it ready soon...

 

[Northcoast]

Having a Tucker, I think safety orange is definitly the way to go ! (one of my more anxiety prone friends pointed out that it makes it easier to spot from the search plane when you break down)

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

Having a Tucker, I think safety orange is definitly the way to go ! (one of my more anxiety prone friends pointed out that it makes it easier to spot from the search plane when you break down)

is that why the krustys are that color i kind of like that dark red on that ski dozer that is up for sale ive always wanted a 3 tone red white and blue on my snow track like the old Bill Strope Broncos in the old baja races

 

[Nikson]

Having a Tucker, I think safety orange is definitly the way to go ! (one of my more anxiety prone friends pointed out that it makes it easier to spot from the search plane when you break down)

I just sort off drifted onto that color while color matching the axle paint and few other parts... And now just liked the scheme n figured that it would be a good mix to stay with orange n black.

In most cases I'm one who is searching n rescuing people, but never hurts tonbe a bit more noticeable. Camo cover is a thought that ive considered thou.

 

[Nikson]

Re: rear cab interior - carpet

Pulled in another late nighter...

Got the rear cab carpeted from inside...

Will have to do some touch up on the frame paint, but nothing major.

Following 2 components were used...

Glue does wonders...

Had it taped up to prevent glue over-spray to the frame rails

Found a local "homeshop" upholstery guy, he took all the material that I've purchased & pre-cut... My sewing machines are just not "heavy duty enough" to punch through all of the layers...

But $150 isnt too bad I figured, since thats for the 3 doors & fasteners included (which will be snap-on type every 6 inches).

Happy weekend everyone...

P.S. LET IT SNOW ALREADY...

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

if any thing the carpet gives it a nice cozy /finished look should help dampen some of the accustics in side the cabin to i used 1 inch close cell foam on mine dosn't look as good but it's quite warm.

 

[Nikson]

if any thing the carpet gives it a nice cozy /finished look should help dampen some of the accustics in side the cabin to i used 1 inch close cell foam on mine dosn't look as good but it's quite warm.

Cozy is what I was going after...

 

[muleman]

That sure gives it a nice look.Not too dark so it should let those windows brighten things up inside.

 

[Nikson]

That sure gives it a nice look.Not too dark so it should let those windows brighten things up inside.

I plan on installing the side windows today, along with finishing paint on the front part. Time for the glass to be put in...

Anxious to get that thing out alrealy...

 

[Nikson]

Re: dash/gauges

Cut the spaces for all the gauges & buttons...

Looks like it will come out to be a nice cockpit

Plan to keep it orange as well...

after having a bad experience with forgetting the winch remote control at home, I always do these for the inside control...

Love the look of that red ROCKET launcher button...

 

[muleman]

Nice layout. I like the lighted rocker switches. I hear you on the winch control cable. The only thing worse than forgetting it is when a splitting maul smashes the plug end. The manual one on the winch puts you in a bad spot if you are using it to free the vehicle it is mounted on.

 

[Nikson]

Nice layout. I like the lighted rocker switches. I hear you on the winch control cable. The only thing worse than forgetting it is when a splitting maul smashes the plug end. The manual one on the winch puts you in a bad spot if you are using it to free the vehicle it is mounted on.

Lets just say I've learned my lesson once after forgetting the controller in the garage after cleaning out my Jeep, and not putting it back inside...

"Век живи - Век учишь!!!" (russian) - - as in "Living for a century, learning for a century!" - hope I've made sense...

 

[Nikson]

Re: Rear cab - side windows...

I guess $25 goes a long way if spent the right way...

Last night with help of my older brother (future user as well), got the side windows put in... really liked the turnout.

Used 3M Scotch double sided tape on the exterior trim part of the lip to stick from outside & seal. Came out pretty nice and tight, and I believe it will be VERY water proofed.

Going out this weekend to celebrate our 10yr anniversary, so work will continue next Monday... (hopefully get the glass put in)

 

[Bobmog]

Your project is awesome and you really work fast, the progress you have made in such a short time is truley amazing. Would you mind letting us know where you got the rear cab sliding windows and frames? Thanks, keep up the great work.
Bob

 

[Nikson]

Your project is awesome and you really work fast, the progress you have made in such a short time is truley amazing. Would you mind letting us know where you got the rear cab sliding windows and frames? Thanks, keep up the great work.
Bob

Thanks for an uplifting comment!

The windows I was able to use are off a pick up truck canopy that I found on Craigslist. I got lucky n only paid $25 for the whole thing. I've posted info on that in the earlier pages.

 

[Fritzhaus]

Very nice work and attention to detail.

 

[Nikson]

Very nice work and attention to detail.

Just got to keep it up a little longer... And we almost there...

 

[Nikson]

Re: Rear cab - soft doors/windows

so soft doors came out something like this...

I think they turned out alright...

and dash got primered... and ready for some SafetyOrange...

 

[Nikson]

Re: winch & battery mount

got the winch plate welded onto the front bumper mount...

looks good, only concern that I've thought about is that I've stuck it out a bit far forward may be... not too bad though after everything will be done.

I guess time will show.

view from the bottom

top view

Battery mounted in the front on the passenger side, pretty simple but I believe it is reliable enough in the long run (easily removable if needed)

nightview with front cab off

 

[Nikson]

Re: cab soft doors & rear cab mount tabs

I'm not much into designs & crafts, but in a moment of epiphany an interesting idea came about to help me solve the issue with keeping soft doors out of the way once they are rolled up.

no need for any straps and just...

just as simple as putting a fastener on top... and SNAP...

rear cab mounting tabs are pretty simple... few holes & few bolts...

some attention to the detail...

hitch pins to secure the cab on the rear bed...

 

[Nikson]

Re: tow hitch

I didnt see much functionality in the factory towing system for my use...

so I've gone this route...

I use rear carrier basket for extra gear... so this will be much more functional.

 

[Nikson]

Re: glass & interior carpet

glass guy really screwed up (Speedy Auto Glass) - not sure if this is something with the actual company or just the "guy" himself...

anyways, before the door was painted, I took it to him to show it and confirm that it was good to go before paint. He said that my corner radius was fine & window seal will work with just "coffee cup" size...

Anyhows, when I took it over to him, he called and said it was just too small, so the only option was to "glue" glass... unless I redid the whole metal works...

but its all good...

he said it was the same stuff as used to glue windsheilds...

windshield turned out alright thou...

carpet installed...

cab

 

[Nikson]

Re: Thiokol Imp 1402 OpenTop # 129

so... the new look...

ta daaaaa...

with the rear cab off...

and cab on...

and for those how doesn't have an idea of the dimensions on this thing...

I'm about 5ft 11in

dash painted... ready for the next step...