Fluid MotorUnion's Long-Overdue Build Thread: Project X, Start to Finish.

[Khalil]

<3

[BARELY LEGAL]

Absolutely Sick build. Can't wait to see more.

[jrc]

i want moreeeeeeee, i love this.

[Flavourless]

YEAAAAAAAAAAAP!!

btw you're such a tease! I have been waiting for this for so long!

[softg]

incredible fabrication as always

I've wondered what the x5 in your sig was all about

reminds me of the tango and cash truck, super sinister

subbed

[FluidMotorUnion]

Chapter IV: Bump, Bump, Bump It Up!

Now we’ve gone straight from the easiest part of the fabrication to the hardest. The front bumper was something we were looking forward to making for a while. We had designed the entire front end on our computers, and the mock-up looked good, so we went about the fun task of constructing this system with nothing but the tools available to us and all the mild steel in the shop.



Using a small bender, we had to triple-check every angle to ensure we were bending correctly. Thankfully, we got everything right on the first try.





We also had to make the mounts from scratch, carefully checking the angles to make sure they’d fit snugly around the main bumper bars.




With the front mounts created, we added the main bars to the front mounts to see how everything was fitting together at that time. Again, our triple-checking paid off, and fitment was spot on.




After a quick test-fit, it was time to begin assembly. Tack welds began forming, followed by full-on TIG welds. At that time, we also finished our radiator cover, which consisted of several rows of dimple-cut steel. That way, it didn’t block airflow to anything vital, and it maintained that aggressive look we were searching for.





Once the welds were completed, we threw ‘er back on the X5 to see how it looked. In a word? Stunning.





Once the front bumper was ready for powdercoating, we set it aside and started on the last of the Big Three – the roof rack!

[TheRev]

Fucking beautiful!

I know it's been done for aaaaaaaages, but seeing it in a build thread makes its a little more fressssh!

[FluidMotorUnion]

Fucking beautiful!

I know it's been done for aaaaaaaages, but seeing it in a build thread makes its a little more fressssh!

Thanks man! It's always nice to reminisce.

[ImAwesome]

Love it

[Ricardo Joćo Teixeira]

Just have one question: is that the pre-facelift "facelifted" or just the facelift model?

Either way, AWESOOOOME!

[X5X]

Amazing X5! wish mine looked like this

@Ricardo Joćo Teixeira, The rear taillights are pre-facelift, so I'm guessing its facelifted

[e30polak]

Always been a huge fan of this X5! Saw it at Mfest in Vegas, and I stopped dead in my tracks!

Your fabrication skills are top notch, as well as your imagination! The front grill guard and under carriage protector are awesome!

A few questions on specs:

Is it a 4.4? or a 4.6?

2WD or AWD? How would this truck realistically perform off road?

[FluidMotorUnion]

Always been a huge fan of this X5! Saw it at Mfest in Vegas, and I stopped dead in my tracks!

Your fabrication skills are top notch, as well as your imagination! The front grill guard and under carriage protector are awesome!

A few questions on specs:

Is it a 4.4? or a 4.6?

2WD or AWD? How would this truck realistically perform off road?

It's actually the 3.0. We didn't have any say in the engine size, as the vehicle just sort-of popped up on our doorstep.

And it's AWD. Realistically, we've taken it off-road for a few things, and while it performs decently, everybody knows BMW's all-wheel drive systems weren't exactly well-renowned or legendary. Case in point:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8-NNEK1kGo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8-NNEK1kGo[/ame]

A locking diff alone would add a world of usability to the vehicle.

[P78]

badass x5 fmu

glad u finally started the build thread

[FluidMotorUnion]

Made a mistake earlier. This X5 obviously does not have the 3.0, it has the 4.4.

Herp derp, guess I need to think before I type.