Cheated Death Fabrication

Cheated Death Fabrication Custom & hand fabricated off-road/overland equipment. We’ve all cheated death one time or another.

Before the chop.
06/12/2026

Before the chop.

Both body mounts and frame rail replacements complete and ready to be installed!
06/11/2026

Both body mounts and frame rail replacements complete and ready to be installed!

The rusted and the new.Currently working on a rear frame repair for a 3rd Gen 4Runner. These are the rear body mounts in...
06/10/2026

The rusted and the new.

Currently working on a rear frame repair for a 3rd Gen 4Runner. These are the rear body mounts in their current condition and the ones I’ve just built.

These will be replaced in the next day or so along with the actual frame rails ends.

The trailer in action!This trailer really made this years work so much easier.As it was able to carry multiple loads of ...
06/04/2026

The trailer in action!

This trailer really made this years work so much easier.
As it was able to carry multiple loads of clippings for a few days in a row. Easily carried all of our equipment for the other work we did around the property as well.

One modification I could do in the future is creating a drop down tail gate but honestly at this point it isn’t that necessary as the box design worked out well.

This past weekend I built this mower trailer!I recently have had some time to get caught up on our yard work and since o...
06/03/2026

This past weekend I built this mower trailer!

I recently have had some time to get caught up on our yard work and since our grass had been quite overgrown we needed something to haul our tools and the metric ton of clippings that were accumulated.

This is a pretty simple design and somewhat light ish duty.
It will only really be used to haul tools and hay as mentioned but it can handle our dogs as well as my wife and I! I’d wager to say it would easily handle a few extra hundred pounds before it creates too much strain on the mower.

The frame is composed of 2 inch angle, some 1 1/2 inch square tubing, and some 1 inch square tubing. With wood panels bolted in place to close it all up. I built the axle in house as well and the mower wheels I bought fit it quite nicely.

I also built the hitch attachment that mounts to the mower. Since it will be turning quite a bit I fitted some rubber bushings to lessen the metal on metal contact.

We’ve just now finally finished all of the work so I’ll post some pictures tomorrow of it in use!!!

But for now here’s a few pictures of it when it was completed and boarded as well as it bare!

Ladies and gentlemen if I may have your attention for a momentI’d like to introduce this sweet young lady Layla, who has...
05/26/2026

Ladies and gentlemen if I may have your attention for a moment

I’d like to introduce this sweet young lady Layla, who has recently been diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastomia. She is currently receiving treatments in Morgantown with follow up treatments in Pittsburgh to best this rare childhood cancer.

She has quite the road ahead of her as she’ll be finishing out her chemo, have surgery to remove her tumors, and finish her treatment with stem cell treatments for 18 months.

This event is dedicated to this little lady and her mother to help them with their finances in this time of great need.

I am honored to be sponsoring this event as it is going to such a great cause.

Details below but the event is:

Saturday July 18th, from 12pm til it ends at The Williamsport Redman Trible 84.

16129 Lappans Rd, Williamsport, MD, 21795.

The complete Chevy Express build!I had to restrain myself from adding even more pictures of the entire build but I feel ...
05/26/2026

The complete Chevy Express build!

I had to restrain myself from adding even more pictures of the entire build but I feel these truly encompass all of the work that went into it and the completed vision.

This adventure van is now equipped with:

- A front bumper with a receiver, shackles, recessed dual light housing, and square upper tubing / bullbar.
- Steps mounted directly to the frame utilizing pre existing mounting locations. As well as a completely covered surface for full use of the steps.
- A ladder mounted to the driver side step as well as the roof rack. Wide enough for both feet and built from 1/8 in thick 1 inch square tubing for lightweight strength. It’s mounting locations make this ladder solid.
- A dual swing arm rear bumper complete with swing arm bump stops to prevent the arms from hitting the van doors, 2 locking positions on each arm, pressure latches, and for the tire carrier it uses oem studs to mount the wheel with oem lug nuts, the cargo box is mounted to the cargo arm and sealed to prevent any water from entering the box.
The rear bumper also has reinforced spindles integrated to the frame mounts, shackles, and flush mounted lights.

Every design choice and functional decision lend to the overall design of the van, every piece of equipment matches in its design and the angles flow cohesively.

This van now has additional protection, recovery points, extra storage, easier access to the roof, easier access into the van, and a look I am personally quite fond of:

A completely adventure ready overland camper van.

The vision is complete and what an absolute thrill this build has been. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this build.
This is by far my most favorite build yet.

Throughout the entire build process I’ve endeavored to document everything to release a 4 part build series on YouTube!!!!
I have quite a bit of editing to do but I’m stoked to have a full series on this camper van and to share it with all of you.

Thank you as always, for the unbelievable support!!!!
I hope you all have a glorious week!!!

The Chevy Express ladder is now complete!The ladder is entirely composed of 1 inch square tubing and mounts directly to ...
05/23/2026

The Chevy Express ladder is now complete!

The ladder is entirely composed of 1 inch square tubing and mounts directly to the driver side step I recently built as well as the roof rack above. Since the steps and the rack are mounted well there is no flex whatsoever from the ladder.

As a matter of fact, the entire van rocks when the ladder is pulled or pushed.

This brings the Chevy Express build to a most gratifying end and next week I will be writing up a breakdown of the complete build.

Have a glorious day!!!

Nearing completion on the complete Chevy Express build!The ladder has now been fitted and tacked up, next are the final ...
05/22/2026

Nearing completion on the complete Chevy Express build!

The ladder has now been fitted and tacked up, next are the final welds and paint!

The Chevy Express steps are now complete!The outer tubing has been switched out for a square tubing and it fits the over...
05/19/2026

The Chevy Express steps are now complete!

The outer tubing has been switched out for a square tubing and it fits the overall design of the van much better.
Surface plates run the length of the step and an additional mount towards the front side of the step has also been added for some additional strength!

These light duty steps are composed of 1/8 inch thick 1 1/2 inch square, 3/16 mounting plates, and a 1/8 step plate, and mounts directly to pre existing holes throughout the frame rails. And of course has all been finished in a flat black paint.

Now that part 3 of the Chevy Express build is complete it is now time to build the ladder!!!

Address

Dry Ridge, KY
41035

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