New Sled Build for the Toronto Snow Show

**Maize** · 04-06-2011, 01:36 PM

OK...new batteries in camera.

Here is the pile of small pieces to take to Cool Concepts. I will be dropping those off tomorrow.

Here is the current state of the sled:

The track is out, the chaincase is off, the drive axle is out, the bracing is all removed and the skid is torn down.

There are parts all over the place. LOL

Once I get this torn down, I have an F7 that I am stretching from a 128" to a 151". I have to make the tunnel extension after I get the tunnel straightened out and welded back together.

Those F7's, I must say do not take abuse very well. There are stress cracks all OVER the place in the tunnel.

**Maize** · 04-10-2011, 02:35 PM

I was never really happy with the way this sled looked. It just didn't fit my eye, so to speak.

It just never really came together for me...

So......if you don't like something, change it until you Doo....eh?

So Blade is coming apart and getting redone. I am still using the old Candy Apple Red powder coating, but adding more to it.

I will be adding a Sno-X steering post, more Cool Concepts flat-black powder coating, changing the running boards, adding VanAmburg edge rails, a new sled wrap from Jordan at Arctic FX, Tricked Toys billet accessories and changing the look of the rear skid a bit.

I will also be adding a Holtzman ATACC system to the RK Tech 827 and a whole new LED system.

I got the little pieces of stuff off the sled today to get to Cool Concepts.

Here is the current state:

Here is the pile of stuff to go to Cool Concepts:

**Maize** · 04-11-2011, 05:50 PM

I got the rear suspension out tonight. Found that my offset axle bolt was broken off in the base. So it may take some machining to get it out.

I also got the snowflap off and the rear bumper off.

The camera batteries were dead tonight, so I don't have any pictures tonight. I will get some tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I will get the track, axle and chaincase out. I want to drop the front end out, the front support, the PTO 440X brace.

Wednesday, I want to disassemble the rear suspension. I want to change the color of the frame rails and throttle rods. I also want to put new bushings in the pivot points. They have 4 seasons on them. Time for fresh ones.

I also need to rebuild all the shocks. They are two seasons on those.

I am waiting on parts for the trailer. I ordered all the Floe trailer hinges, seals and trim. I also ordered up the 1" tubing and we are looking to 5' wide sheets. All that is left on that is the decking.

**Maize** · 04-12-2011, 08:16 AM

I got most of it torn down today. But my buddy called to play golf. I shot an 81, a 42 on the front, and 39 on the back. The short game was a little suspect from playing simulator golf all winter and no practice time on the real stuff this year yet.

Anyway, I should have all of it torn down tomorrow and off to Van @ Advanced Blasting to get cleaned up. Rick @ Cool Concepts is having surgery, but I want to get everything to him before he goes in. I won't have it back unti he can recover, but it will be there.

I got the gas tank drained, the oil tank drained, the engine out, the electronics out and the front end completely apart.

**Maize** · 04-14-2011, 05:09 PM

I got a ton of stuff back from the powder coater today.

So this coming weekend I should get the rear skid done back up and the shocks rebuilt.

I also have the Van Amburg edge rails ordered and I should get the tunnel/bulkhead ready for sand blasting this weekend.

I have a couple of weeks as Rick with Cool Concepts is going for surgery on Thurs.

I also got a new 440X steering post and front cooler from Walchbuilders today. Thanks Rod. I appreciate it.

Here is the stuff I got back today:

**Maize** · 04-17-2011, 11:38 PM

I got the chassis stripped completely down.

I am going to be TIG'ing up some holes from the SC3 to SC4 swap a couple years back. I had a powder coated plate covering them up before.

The new look is going to be sleeker.

I order the VanAmburg running board edges.

Jordan got the new custom wrap done up. Here is what it is going to look like:

**Maize** · 04-20-2011, 08:16 AM

Got the chassis finished up today, and ready for the TIG. You can see all the holes that I am TIG'ing up. There were a lot of them from the SC3 to SC4 conversion, some that were factory, and some that got hogged out.

I decided to replace the rear piece because some chuckle-head last year rear-ended me in a parking lot. It was pretty bent up and somewhat straightened back out. They are only about $17 so I opted to just replace it.

The chassis it stripped down, and ready to go. Once the TIGing is complete, it will be sent to Van at Advanced Blasting. He will get it prepped and ready for Rick at Cool Concepts.

Here is the current state:

I have the last pile of powder coating to go. I am just waiting on a new 440 steering post from Walchbuilders and that is set to go.

**Maize** · 04-26-2011, 06:04 AM

I got the stuff today. Looks most excellent. Thanks, Rod.

This is the stuff I got from Rod today. I got the 440X steering post and the front cooler.

A bolt broke on the off-set axle last year and the front studs made some contact with the front cooler. Rather than take any chances, I got this one from Rod (Walchbuilders).

Here is the steering post, you can see the difference from the 440X post, to the X package post:

Here is the front cooler tht is going back in once it comes back from powder coating:

**Maize** · 04-26-2011, 06:20 AM

I took today off, so got a lot done on the sled.

The welding is all done:

**Maize** · 04-26-2011, 07:48 AM

Here is all the welds ground down, and then sanded down. I spoke with Van at Advanced Blasting today. I will be dropping the chassis off to him tomorrow. I am also dropping off the trailer axles to be sandblasted.

I also spoke with Rick from Cool Concepts today. He is about ready to head back to the shop this coming week after his surgery.

Tomorrow, I am putting the rear skid back together.

Here is the welding complete: