SWFO: Shawn's Welding, Fabrication, and Off-road

11/04/2025

It's been awhile since I made an update on the shop page, so here's an update!

I've been hustling for several weeks to get this truck done. I'm still far from done, but today I officially got it to move under its own power!

I don't have the steering system hooked up yet, and no power brakes (because it's a hydro boost system that requires the power steering to be hooked up), but I can move forward and back lol.

A major step forward!

10/19/2024

I was going to wait to post until I was completely done with painting this door, but the excitement of a fresh paint job got the best of me.

This is the passenger door of my J20 restomod and it has been painted with three coats of "Winter White" acrylic urethane from TCP Global's "Restoration" series. It came out really well for a novice like me.

Can't wait to get the blue on the top half of the door. It'll really come together then!

10/15/2024

One aspect of this swap that has bugged me since I first got the 606 setup in the J20 is how I had initially clocked the turbo and routed the charge pipe.

I don't know why I didn't do this 2.5 years ago, but I decided to alter the wastegate bracket and actuator to clear the compressor housing after reclocking it.

I spaced it 3/8" and it's perfect now! Additionally, with that 180° contraption I had going on originally now out of the way, I have access to the alternator and lower radiator hose should I ever need to replace them.

Best part is, the turbo outlet is more direct to the water-to-air intercooler. I just need to hook it up and I'll have the shortest possible charge pipes that I can.

Lastly, as a preventative measure, I switched the turbo oil feed lines from CPE rubber AN lines to PTFE. After the scare I had with the 617 Comanche, I didn't want to risk the rubber line rupturing and shooting oil everywhere.

09/30/2024

If you can, please consider donating.

I am happy to collect any donations and transport them to Johnston Community College.

Johnston Community College is collecting donations for the victims of Western NC from now until October 3rd.

The devastation that our western neighbors have endured are some of the most perilous that that area has ever seen and they need our help.

If you are fortunate enough to donate, and interested, please bring donations to JCC's main campus. The Wilson building and the Public Safety building are accepting any generous donations of items from the list below:

Please like and share. Get the word out.

09/16/2024

It's been awhile since I've made any progress on the diesel swapped J20, but as of today, the doors have been completely fixed up and they're ready for paint!!

Started off by stripping them down and removing all the internals, then got them over to Blasting Solutions, LLC for sand blasting. Afterwards, I welded up the plethora of holes drilled into it by the previous owner, and finished up the body work with filler and primer.

I can't wait to get some color and clear coat on these. Once I finally get the body work done, I can get the truck back together and hopefully running soon!

09/02/2024

The life of a car guy... 😅

08/25/2024

Building a custom trac-bar bracket for the diesel Comanche after it failed due to the last guy who welded it... He welded the old bracket to the frame rail, which is less than 1/8" thick and not at all sufficient. Not to mention, he did a s**t job. I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did, but it finally broke, causing it to drive like crap.

07/12/2024

Reconstructing the TDI for The Shabbit!

07/05/2024

After replacing the head gasket and a complete cleaning, the Mercedes OM605 runs pretty well on the test stand!

06/15/2024

Another successfully extraction!!

The TDI I'm working on for a friend was neglected by the previous owner. The water pump appears to have leaked at one point, causing coolant to drip down the block, and onto the idler pulley bolt, causing it to rust seize into the block.

Not to worry, though. Drilled it out and chased the threads with the appropriate M10x1.5 tap and she's good as new!