Love watching your videos with my 9 year old, he says why do you have a school clock in your shop. Worst clock in the world because they are so slow. Love from Alberta
What a freakin' awesome build! Karl, your vision and skill will make this one of the coolest rides out there. Nice to see Elio as co-builder and partner instead of stuck behind the camera (although he's good at that too). I am impressed with his fabrication skills and input to the final design of any given component. You two are a great team! Keep the videos coming!
Personal recommendation, put the shackles on the front of the leaf spring on the front of the vehicle, and on the rear of the leaf spring at the rear of the vehicle. There’s a reason the OEs all did it. When you hit bumps with leaf springs, you want your wheelbase to get longer, not shorter.
The Back Country Squire is looking awesome! Front end alignment/placement is right on! Love how you and Elio work and think together! Go Japhands and Elio, keep moving forward!
This looks like fun; I look forward to seeing it bombing around! The beautiful craftsmanship is why I watch your videos, but it's also satisfying to see something come together quickly and drive.
I'm glad you mentioned something about shackle gussets (front and rear) and fish plates at the frame horn joints. I was thinking the same thing, as well as maybe beefing up the front cross member with some thick walled square tubing inside of it, to keep the frame from twisting at the front. You nailed the axle placement. If you decide to do some heavy offroading with this rig you could place the axle under the springs for a little more travel. Are you going to box the rest of the frame? I'd consider it. This thing is going to be wild. Very enjoyable to watch. I wish my garage was big enough for a project like this.
That rig is looking better and better. I really liked the look when it was sitting a bit higher that it does now. I thought at first it would look better without the front fenders, but I have changed my mind there.
You could call it a win just for shackle location, such a simple step that so many get wrong, the difference in handling is night and day between a front mounted shackle and a rear mounted shackle
Cool build! Winch is awesome, replace the old cable with synthetic rope and run a rope fairlead through the original (reinforced) bumper would be cool. 😊
This is one of my favorite projects you have provided for us. This vehicle is one that can built with basic skills and tools. I really appreciate all the Things you document but many involve very accomplished skills. Don't get me wrong but projects like this I think feel more "doable " for the amateur. Live your channel!
When trying to hold stuff up like your frame horn assembly, I've found trailer stabilizer screw jack work well as a third hand. You can make different top bases (saddles, flat bits, platform with two stands, etc) for them, and just block the bottoms up if needed. Usually have about six inches of adjustment. Used them to install upper cabinets, micro adjust, them back off to remove. Usually cheap at garage sale, everyone wants power everthing now.
I haven't even looked yet but I know todays video will be a good one . Oh and since I know ahead of time I click like before I ever watch , they are just that good . 👍
Love the build. What a great idea for an off-road build. Your method of attaching the axle to the front springs is great for clearance, and the fabrication is great. I think you should do some things for stability and safety with your mount. Your top plate needs something to index it to the axle maybe a pin sticking through the plat into the old perch through your unused center hole. Also you should do something to control the bottom of the u-bolts, there is usually a plate with some end curl held to the spring by the spring bolt that prevents the bottom of the u-bolts spreading.
Forget the gussets and what not on the front - stick that winch in place and make a winch tray that ties everything together. In effect a tub. Might be able to tie the cross member, front tube and side rails together by going this route. Yes it has been done and yes it works and stiffens everything up.
Just a constructive comment here. Those springs will sag more over time. My SAS s10 blazer dropped another 4" after being on the road for a year. You will want to go up more and or do a spring over axle swap. Looking great Carl!
Not sure where you got the idea on how to mount the axle to the springs, but you should send it back there. Typically, when you switch the springs from the top to the bottom of the axle, you: 1 - cut the spring perches off the axle tubes (done correctly you can re-use them) 2 - locate the springs under the frame rails and strongly tack the front mounts in place. (in this case you can set the springs at the distance apart you choose, since the original perches no longer dictate spacing) 3 - set the axle in place on top of the perches and springs - do NOT tack the perches to the axle at this time. 4 - measure and center the axle side to side at this time. 5 - Install ROUNDED U-bolts OVER the axles and down thru the bottom plates, sandwiching the perch and spring between the axle and mount plate (which can also be used to attach the lower shock mount). 6 - loosely snug up the u-bolt nuts so the axle can be rotated as necessary later. 7 - put weight on springs to locate rear spring shackle placement. 8 - install rear shackle top pivot in frame, and shackles to spring. 9 - rotate axle to set caster angle. 10 - CHECK ALL MEASUREMENTS 11- weld spring perches to axle. 12 - fully weld the rest of the brackets, etc. I'm not saying your way won't work AT ALL - it will, but this way has several advantages. Since your spring width isn't being set by the existing perches, you can set the width to what suits the frame rail better. You gain clearance between the axle and the frame, since spring perch and mount is now out of the way and below the axle. You can now mount the lower shock mount to the plate with little additional fab work.
Check out how GM mounts the rear leaf springs to the axle tube in the late 90s - early 00s tahoe and suburban for an alternate method of attaching your front springs to the axle tubes. Great build you guys got going!!!
I hope you plan on adding plate to the side of the horn you added, to beef up the torsion on it from the springs pushing up on them. I posted before the end and heard you plan to. I would put gussets on the inside of the horns
Another great project, I would get rid of the steel rope on the winch and replace it with nylon rope... reduce weight greatly, cheers from Australia...
Love watching your videos with my 9 year old, he says why do you have a school clock in your shop. Worst clock in the world because they are so slow. Love from Alberta
Elio! Make It Kustom's answer to Bob Ross.
Making happy little brackets and plates. Got to dig it.
@@kirkoglesby6175 Exactly! Just a little different art form but still art!
@@randyfleet9968 rolling art has always been my favorite.
haha! amazing. just a nice little happy plasma cut over here...
I don't know about others, but I appreciate the man-splaining during your videos.
Keep it up!
Thanks Dave!
@@Dave.AtomicRatRods bigtime! I need all the help I can get lol
What a freakin' awesome build! Karl, your vision and skill will make this one of the coolest rides out there. Nice to see Elio as co-builder and partner instead of stuck behind the camera (although he's good at that too). I am impressed with his fabrication skills and input to the final design of any given component. You two are a great team! Keep the videos coming!
Thanks! I'm so glad you like it.
Personal recommendation, put the shackles on the front of the leaf spring on the front of the vehicle, and on the rear of the leaf spring at the rear of the vehicle. There’s a reason the OEs all did it. When you hit bumps with leaf springs, you want your wheelbase to get longer, not shorter.
Love this build. And mansplain away - you have a gift for it and it’s why many of us are here.
Haha thanks Tom! Hope you are having a great holidays
Glad Elio is included more
Such a beast man. One of the best fab guys on RUclips
Thanks man !
@@tylerseabook9423 he's a metal genius! It's like therapy watching hom shape metal
Who wouldn’t want an Elio as a Wingman 🔥
The Back Country Squire is looking awesome! Front end alignment/placement is right on! Love how you and Elio work and think together! Go Japhands and Elio, keep moving forward!
Looks great Karl and Elio
This looks like fun; I look forward to seeing it bombing around! The beautiful craftsmanship is why I watch your videos, but it's also satisfying to see something come together quickly and drive.
Awesome looking build!! Keep explaining the thought process, it's informative!. Thanks for the videos.
@robertgroves6186 Yes, explain away! I need all the help I can get
I'm glad you mentioned something about shackle gussets (front and rear) and fish plates at the frame horn joints. I was thinking the same thing, as well as maybe beefing up the front cross member with some thick walled square tubing inside of it, to keep the frame from twisting at the front. You nailed the axle placement. If you decide to do some heavy offroading with this rig you could place the axle under the springs for a little more travel. Are you going to box the rest of the frame? I'd consider it. This thing is going to be wild. Very enjoyable to watch. I wish my garage was big enough for a project like this.
Absolutely should get all that extra beef
_AWESOME DUDES!_ Looks totally spot-on lowered like that - gas shocks for the WIN!
Looking forward to seeing this beast romping through the tulies.
Hahaha ya it will be a lot of fun to take out
Y'all are killing it on this build Karl. It is going to be a blast to play in!
GREAT JOB GUYS!!💥💪
AUSTRALIA!!🤍💙❤️👊
Love the project Karl and great to see more of Elio really helping out 👍👍
That rig is looking better and better. I really liked the look when it was sitting a bit higher that it does now. I thought at first it would look better without the front fenders, but I have changed my mind there.
Hey you guys, you’re killing it. Loving every bit of this build.
Yes and you teased me again with a quick shot of the Lincoln Zephyr.
Keep doing builds like this and you'll get my full attention
Looking great! Slick work guys!
you guys are killing it, awesome well done
NICE! You guys have the vision, and so far, it's looking bad ass. Can't wait to see what you guys do to it next.
You are definitely on a mission with this project guy's. Thanks for sharing and take care.
You could call it a win just for shackle location, such a simple step that so many get wrong, the difference in handling is night and day between a front mounted shackle and a rear mounted shackle
Yeah I agree!
I really am enjoying this video series, it is affordable looking and you guys seem to be having a lot of fun!
Glad you are enjoying it. This is just the beginning, lots more to come!
Cool build! Winch is awesome, replace the old cable with synthetic rope and run a rope fairlead through the original (reinforced) bumper would be cool. 😊
This is a cool build ,thanks guys!
Awesome build.
This is one of my favorite projects you have provided for us. This vehicle is one that can built with basic skills and tools. I really appreciate all the
Things you document but many involve very accomplished skills. Don't get me wrong but projects like this
I think feel more "doable " for the amateur. Live your channel!
Yeah I think this is where it's all. Sooo much more relaxed and relatable
Axle placement is spot on, but boy that winch is HUGE!
Original Warn!😊❤
So rad love this
Looks all....mad max...witness me!!!!!!
When trying to hold stuff up like your frame horn assembly, I've found trailer stabilizer screw jack work well as a third hand. You can make different top bases (saddles, flat bits, platform with two stands, etc) for them, and just block the bottoms up if needed. Usually have about six inches of adjustment. Used them to install upper cabinets, micro adjust, them back off to remove. Usually cheap at garage sale, everyone wants power everthing now.
I haven't even looked yet but I know todays video will be a good one . Oh and since I know ahead of time I click like before I ever watch , they are just that good . 👍
I’m digging this build.
It looks great ! I didn’t think it would , but it does ! Great job !
Loving this build. I like this type of build like you used to do. Keep it up
Ever loving K &E!
I Love this build! Can't wait to see it off road!
Yeaaa! It's going to be fun for aure
Man this project gave me some real cool ideas
I'm loving this, you guys seem be be having fun while building a super cool ride !!!!!
That rig is going to be a beast yall 💪
Great job. It is going to be one nice road warrior beast.
Please keep Explaining! We need to learn the How and Why of your methods! Keep It Up!!!!
Fun Build!
Kick butt Fabrication!!
Love the concept, reinforce to the max and you will have a cool wheeler.
Love the build. What a great idea for an off-road build. Your method of attaching the axle to the front springs is great for clearance, and the fabrication is great. I think you should do some things for stability and safety with your mount. Your top plate needs something to index it to the axle maybe a pin sticking through the plat into the old perch through your unused center hole. Also you should do something to control the bottom of the u-bolts, there is usually a plate with some end curl held to the spring by the spring bolt that prevents the bottom of the u-bolts spreading.
Elio looks like the heat miser!! LMAO
cool build
That’s going to be a sweet looking ride.
This build is so cool!
Another video? You boys are crushing it.
Mornin Karl, thanks for the share bro.... keeps this retired fab guy going...🤙
I love these type of videos, keep them coming!!!!! Thanks
Forget the gussets and what not on the front - stick that winch in place and make a winch tray that ties everything together. In effect a tub. Might be able to tie the cross member, front tube and side rails together by going this route. Yes it has been done and yes it works and stiffens everything up.
Loving the look of this 4x4 👍
Sweet project !!
Loving this build. Great job guys
This is a cool build guys!
Hi guys love the design and build parts of the videos 😊
That thing looks awesome man
You two are crazy!😂😂❤
A fun build for sure
good job guys 👍💪
That sittin' perfect!
This is going to be a pretty awesome car when it's done One
Nice Trail Duster!
Merry Christmas and happy new year. always fun to watch.
I love where this is going. (Small block Chevy.) I'll say no more.
Awesome stuff 👍
Awesome!
Happy New Year!
I always wanted a 4x4 like this!!
It's looking really cool making me want to build 1 4x4
Wow that's going to be a really cool rig ya got there reminds me of the Willys wagons
Great build! You should put the axle under the spring instead of on top.
My thought too. This will hit the fenders under some flex. 4" is nowhere enough if you take it on some trail
Fun Build Thanks
It looks really cool. Love the stance. Happy New Years. Be safe and stay well.
Guys, that stance is awesome. If after you get radiator and other fender on, maybe just add a leaf. Happy new year from near Aspen, CO, US.
Yuuup you read my mind. Adding a leaf
Always good stuff
Merry Christmas guys
Hope yous are living the dream 😊
👍🙂🏴✌️
I am here for this.
love it! you guys are killing it
this thing is sick!
Very very cool , you two make a great team. All the best to you in 2025
Nice work!
Great video thanks Karl & Elio.
Thank you too!
Just a constructive comment here. Those springs will sag more over time. My SAS s10 blazer dropped another 4" after being on the road for a year. You will want to go up more and or do a spring over axle swap. Looking great Carl!
Not sure where you got the idea on how to mount the axle to the springs, but you should send it back there. Typically, when you switch the springs from the top to the bottom of the axle, you: 1 - cut the spring perches off the axle tubes (done correctly you can re-use them) 2 - locate the springs under the frame rails and strongly tack the front mounts in place. (in this case you can set the springs at the distance apart you choose, since the original perches no longer dictate spacing) 3 - set the axle in place on top of the perches and springs - do NOT tack the perches to the axle at this time. 4 - measure and center the axle side to side at this time. 5 - Install ROUNDED U-bolts OVER the axles and down thru the bottom plates, sandwiching the perch and spring between the axle and mount plate (which can also be used to attach the lower shock mount). 6 - loosely snug up the u-bolt nuts so the axle can be rotated as necessary later. 7 - put weight on springs to locate rear spring shackle placement. 8 - install rear shackle top pivot in frame, and shackles to spring. 9 - rotate axle to set caster angle. 10 - CHECK ALL MEASUREMENTS 11- weld spring perches to axle. 12 - fully weld the rest of the brackets, etc. I'm not saying your way won't work AT ALL - it will, but this way has several advantages. Since your spring width isn't being set by the existing perches, you can set the width to what suits the frame rail better. You gain clearance between the axle and the frame, since spring perch and mount is now out of the way and below the axle. You can now mount the lower shock mount to the plate with little additional fab work.
Check out how GM mounts the rear leaf springs to the axle tube in the late 90s - early 00s tahoe and suburban for an alternate method of attaching your front springs to the axle tubes. Great build you guys got going!!!
Nice 👍
Awesome content
Well great year 👏 congrats Merry Christmas and Happy new year to come in 2025 keep it up thank you kept me busy ha ha 😊
I hope you plan on adding plate to the side of the horn you added, to beef up the torsion on it from the springs pushing up on them. I posted before the end and heard you plan to. I would put gussets on the inside of the horns
That's looking great!!
Nice going guys, happy new year
Gonna look great
Good job guys this is going to be a super 4 x 4
Another great project, I would get rid of the steel rope on the winch and replace it with nylon rope... reduce weight greatly, cheers from Australia...