What did you do to your Raptor today?

[Alkire193]

Rode Land Between the Lakes in TN and got wrecked. Handlebars and grab bar are toast. Then went to race today and found my rear subframe is split right under the gas tank. If I find a welder im going riding Monday to break more stuff! 

Where going down to ride royal blue...is that place anygood?

Im not sure where royal blue is, but LBL ( Land Between the Lakes) is where ive been riding for years. And the trails go on for miles, some are just for jeeps and some allow you ride the lake shore for miles when the water level isnt so high. (its very high right now) You can kill a tank of gas just getting lost in the area. But the main trails are so flat and kept from years and years of people riding that I was high 3rd and 4th all over......until I wrecked  But its almost like high speed MX in the woods on the main trails, just watch out for oncoming jeeps, high 3rd doesnt bode well with a 2007 Wrangler front end.

I think after my next trip ill open up a section on riding areas around me with pictures and video links to give people an idea of what they can expect if they come to my area.

[Warren]

Welded my rear subframe, found several more cracks. Then welded repairs to the forward subframe and replaced all the front bumper guard mounting brackets from two years ago. Shes coming back around. Anyone know any tips for welding aluminum? The rear subframe wasnt sticking well no matter what we tried.

what kind of welder are you trying to use? TIG or MIG? if you don't have a TIG welder i would take it to a shop to get it fixed. but if you have a TIG heres some tips.

get a good cleaner. either clear PVC cleaner, some kind of non-residue contact cleaner, or acetone (which works really well). and get a small stainless steel wire brush.

clean all the visable dirt off the area to be welded. then take the cleaner and wipe the area down with it. then take your TIG welder and run weak AC arcs aross the area. remember here your not trying to make a puddle to weld on yet. just light arcs to draw up as much contaminants from the weld area. cast aluminum is full of contaminants. after you run the arcs on it. take your wire brush and clean it up again. then repeat this process a few times. now when you start welding take your time. because again, it's cast aluminum. wait for a good puddle to form then start adding your filler rod. now you don't want to rush because if you are rushing you run the risk of over heating the peice and then it will just break again anyway. if it's done right anybody can weld cast aluminum like any other aluminum. it just has to be very clean.

i hope this helps alittle.

i'm not sure where you live but if you were anywhere near me i could do it for you.

[Alkire193]

Welded my rear subframe, found several more cracks. Then welded repairs to the forward subframe and replaced all the front bumper guard mounting brackets from two years ago. Shes coming back around. Anyone know any tips for welding aluminum? The rear subframe wasnt sticking well no matter what we tried.

what kind of welder are you trying to use? TIG or MIG? if you don't have a TIG welder i would take it to a shop to get it fixed. but if you have a TIG heres some tips.

get a good cleaner. either clear PVC cleaner, some kind of non-residue contact cleaner, or acetone (which works really well). and get a small stainless steel wire brush.

Clarksville, TN, my Dad spoke to me on the subject and since I was using MIG he said the best thing to do was preheat the surface after, as you said, cleaning it with a solvent like acetone which evaporates quickly. If the subframe cracks again ill have to dive deeper into it. But I also broke off the lower mount for the chain guard on the motor, so thats my next challenge! 

clean all the visable dirt off the area to be welded. then take the cleaner and wipe the area down with it. then take your TIG welder and run weak AC arcs aross the area. remember here your not trying to make a puddle to weld on yet. just light arcs to draw up as much contaminants from the weld area. cast aluminum is full of contaminants. after you run the arcs on it. take your wire brush and clean it up again. then repeat this process a few times. now when you start welding take your time. because again, it's cast aluminum. wait for a good puddle to form then start adding your filler rod. now you don't want to rush because if you are rushing you run the risk of over heating the peice and then it will just break again anyway. if it's done right anybody can weld cast aluminum like any other aluminum. it just has to be very clean.

i hope this helps alittle.

i'm not sure where you live but if you were anywhere near me i could do it for you.

[Warren]

yeah your not to close to me. i would say if it does break again just take it to a weld shop. sorry i couldn't be of more help. i can aluminum MIG weld but for that job i would much prefer having it TIG welded.

[Gunz]

Double checked the engine bolts and the A arm bolts. All good. Installed the oil lines. Put the bumper back on. Dicked around with the swingarm.

[Alkire193]

Installed my Dynatek programmable ignition and it didnt blow up!! 

[fireman5166]

loaded it up for sand mountain. I can't wait.  3 more days 

[Danny T]

installed my PIAA H6M HID's these phuckers are BRIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Leanfactor]

Installed a FCI intake, Powercommander 5, Blingstar Nerfs, and DRD slip-on pipe!  Pictures soon.

[Gunz]

Got the Battery tray in, electrical is about 90%, got the swinger totally ready for the axle/carrier. If I can get my carrier and TPS, I'd be able to ride it by Saturday.

[gr8ride4u2luv]

I'll get pictures up tomorrow guys! Just finished the build. Arched +6 SLC Swing Arm, Motowoz Rear shock, Motowoz LT Front Shocks and Houser MGC Slicast arms.

[Krandall]

I'll get pictures up tomorrow guys! Just finished the build. Arched +6 SLC Swing Arm, Motowoz Rear shock, Motowoz LT Front Shocks and Houser MGC Slicast arms.

damn, that things gonna be like riding a pillow!

[Colorado700R]

Race Cut my fenders, removed headlights, and deleted Grab bar.  Still gotta sand and smooth the plastics, but it looks mean as hell right now

[Krandall]

Race Cut my fenders, removed headlights, and deleted Grab bar.  Still gotta sand and smooth the plastics, but it looks mean as hell right now

For Aaron:

[Leanfactor]

Here are pictures after installing my FCI intake, DRD pipe and Nerf bars.