Resurrecting The Champ

[Fredo]

A year or so ago, my friend Denton's Dad was talking to me about rebuilding his trailer smoker. His name is Robert by the way. Well, Robert and I talked about rebuilding the rust damage to his smoker a year or so ago and never really got around to it. But, being out of a job, and him being in a position to do it, we finally got around to rebuilding said smoker.

This might sound a bit biased, but Robert has smoked some of the finest ribs I have ever tasted. So I was honored to get the right to rebuild his smoker. When I arrived to pickup the smoker for the work, I got a glimse of what 30 years of smoking ribs and brisket can do to steel, especially with questionable fabrication.

[Fredo]

Another pic of the damage...



Here is a pic after I got the rusted out firebox out of the way and found the real rust damage to the smoker box.



So I went ahead and cut until I reached "good steel".
At this point is where I was questioning if I could actually save the smoker.







After developing a plan, I decided the rear of the smoker box was going to be square from the point on.

[Fredo]

So at this point I need to replace the rear of the smoker box. Well, there was this halfassed "heat control flap" on the old setup, so I figured I would take this to the next level.



Then the flap in the "up" position:


Image from the smoker box side:


A picture of the new adjuster:


Here is a pic of the beginings of the new firebox

[Fredo]

Firebox hung:


The finished adjuster for the heat flap:




Cutting out the cleanout and fire air control setup:

[Fredo]

The finished top door for the firebox. Owner wanted to be able to load wood from the top like the old firebox, otherwise this would not have been put back in.



The finished rear door for the firebox.



Fire Air control flap open:


Flap Closed:


The beginings of the ****hole gate hinge replacement.

[Fredo]

Gate hinges ground down and replaced with something a bit more beefy.


Counterweight designed, built, and installed:




Still left to go is the standoffs for the firewood in the firebox, the rain flap for the smoke stack, hanging the fenders, taillights, wiring, paint, and the worktop. I've got a source on granite, so the worktop might end up in granite. I think the granite would be badass due to the weather resistance and ease of cleaning. Just shoot some bleach on it and go, and it would be smooth enough to be a cutting board if need be. I'll keep you guys updated on the granite and progress as I go. I just wanted to go ahead and get this thread started to show you what people without real jobs do.

[DRAGOONRANCH]

Nice work Fred! You definitely put some time and thought into it.

Will you be putting any kind of suspension between the axle and box, or will it stay hard mounted? If hard mounted, what are your plans on mounting the granite, any kind of bushings to help absorb the shock?

[FJAggie07]

What Ed said about the granite, I ould think the first pot hole he hit might crack the badass granite. The air flap and counterweight are both works of art. That thing is pretty man....

[mudtoy67]

He's already got bushings...they're called tires.

I think a thick piece of granite securely mounted to a sturdy frame would be fine. Just bouncing around shouldn't crack it.

Very nice work Fred. I think you've found your new calling!

[Sharpe]

Speedholes in the counterbalance! Should have dimple died it

Looks good!

[eight]

I know that checker plate is bothering you.

[uglyota]

Oh my god dude that is rad. Is Robert involved with the rebuilding or is he going to sh1t his pants when you deliver it?

[Graystroke]

fred...the finer the grain of the granite the more durable and less likely to break...something like absolute black would be a good choice...you could also get 3cm. you could make your tops out of some kind of sheet metal or thin plate first and then glue the granite to it down. this would reduce stress spots. I think it would be fine if it is a small pc and 3cm thick.
3cm weighs about 22lbs a sq ft.

[jerryg79]

Chinese Uba Tuba!

Smoker is bad ass, never seen one that wasnt welded by some half drunk redneck with a cracker box, that wasnt made to look like a train or a pistol.

[Graystroke]

Chinese Uba Tuba!

yeah, that was the **** in 1993!