Midwest GRMer Meetup - Chicagoland $2017 Challenge "Parking Lot Build"

I am definitely interested. I, however, have very limited fabrication skills, no tools to speak of, and have never worked on, and in fact have never even driven a Saab.

So see you there?

drdisque wrote: I am definitely interested. I, however, have very limited fabrication skills, no tools to speak of, and have never worked on, and in fact have never even driven a Saab. So see you there?

So... You're at least twice as qualified as me?

See you there!

sounds like this is going to be fun to watch for whats happens. good luck guys.

I just had an awesome idea:

I have a tow hitch I plan to install (all real trucks have hitches right?). The hitch will actually be hilarious, its a class V from a chevy 3500. 2.5 in square. Can somebody find some plastic sweedish meatballs that we can hang from this hitch?

Get a couple of these dry mix packets from the store.
Hole punch through the tops.
"Hang a pair" off the hitch.

Quick updates:

1. I saw an ad in the most recent GRM mag for Gearhead Workspace (GearheadWorkspace.com) and since they seem like really cool folks I invited them out. They also passed the event along to their members, so hopefully we will get to meet a few new faces too. The proprietors seem really cool and while they are busy on the 9th, they may be able to swing by on the 10th if there is still work to do (seems very likely at this point)!
2. I just finished checking, rechecking, and updating the budget. Right now the car stands at about $940, so if we are extra frugal this could be a $1008 competitor as well. If not, at least we know that budget space is not an immediate issue.

I am planning parts purchases this week to prepare for the build day, as well as tools and safety items. I will post up in a few minutes some of the build items that will be on the to-do list.

I'm still in. Got the juice from SWMBO.

maschinenbau wrote:

Stop... I can only get SO erect...

Good luck with the build, OP!

Well SWMBO forgot that we had a weekend away with her friends then. Yippee, not only do I get to miss this, I have to spend the weekend listening to a bunch of 30 somethings talk about crazy E36 M3...

Sorry Robbie, let me know if you need any brackets or tail gate sections cut.

In reply to singleslammer:

Doh! Bummer. Oh well, next time!

Appleseed wrote: I'm still in. Got the juice from SWMBO.

Schweet!

TheRX7Project wrote:

maschinenbau wrote:

Stop... I can only get SO erect... Good luck with the build, OP!

Hahahaha. If ours turns out anywhere near that good, it will be a major success.

That one looks wheelbase stretched by a good bit, no?

What about a bed like this? Good idea or way more effort than it would be worth?

Could probably be had for $200

When I was talking about doing this myself a wooden stakebody was of the ideas I tossed out.

Not worth $200 without a tailgate. Just grab some wooden laminate at a Habitat for Humanity for the floor. The sides and tailgate are waiting to be found in the Saab body, with surgical application of angle grinder.

Also, wife is out of town that weekend. So I think I can join! PM incoming about details

I am supposed to be in St. Louis that day for a trip the wife planned without consulting me. I might not go on the trip if we can't get anyone to watch our dogs. If I stay in Chicagoland I'll be there.

maschinenbau wrote: Not worth $200 without a tailgate. Just grab some wooden laminate at a Habitat for Humanity for the floor. The sides and tailgate are waiting to be found in the Saab body, with surgical application of angle grinder. Also, wife is out of town that weekend. So I think I can join! PM incoming about details

I got smart and went outside with a tape measure. I agree with you that there is plenty of existing material for most of what needs to happen. I also found some CHEAP and BIG pieces of lexan for sale on CL near me. I will be inquiring about them.

Excited to have you come up!

mtn wrote: I am supposed to be in St. Louis that day for a trip the wife planned without consulting me. I might not go on the trip if we can't get anyone to watch our dogs. If I stay in Chicagoland I'll be there.

I'm doing a little 'stirring the pot' dance in my computer chair

Our In-laws dog (a very nice female yellow lab named Paxton) will probably be at our house some or all of the day, so we are dog-friendly if you want to bring em over.

Andy Neuman wrote: When I was talking about doing this myself a wooden stakebody was of the ideas I tossed out.

Nice! I actually still have a large pile of old wooden interior trim that I tore out of my house a couple years ago because I am a hoarder. Maybe I could use that for the bed floor or something...

Any parts lists or tools needed? I have a 120v mig, tube bender, 36" bending brake, and garage full of accumulated tools/stuff

Same here. Maybe make a list and have people call it out?

Good idea!

I was telling one of my non-forum buddies about this and his immediate response was:

"so this is like a 'bring your own angle grinder' kinda party?"

I think he hit the nail on the head.

Here is a quick list, I will come back and update this post as I think of stuff. I will be buying a bunch of safety goggles and ear plugs and gloves just so no one even tries to go without, but yes, I will really appreciate if folks can bring tools/supplies.

Tools:

• welder 120VAC preferred, I don't have a good 240V outlet at the moment but I might make one
• metal cutting and bending tools, I have some, and I will be buying lots of blades and disks, but if you have trusty favorites bring em on
• hammers and dollies, I'll grab a cheap HF set, but again, if you have a favorite...
• riveters

Supplies:

• plexi or lexan
• abandoned sheet metal sources (appliances or file cabinets

I have tin snips and hammer, dolly and slide hammer (I think)

Dremel tool will be coming, too.

If you already have a welder, I don't mind bringing my tang and regulator if it means I don't have to deal with flux-core! Though if someone else nearby brings a tank that might be better.

maschinenbau wrote: If you already have a welder, I don't mind bringing my tang and regulator if it means I don't have to deal with flux-core! Though if someone else nearby brings a tank that might be better.

Maschinebau, Sent you an email today about a BAD idea. Please respond.

I seem to have lost your number when my phone took a dump over the weekend. We need to co-ordinate transportation for for this...