Clara - The little Jeep that could!
- Thread starter DemCoconuts
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DemCoconuts
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DemCoconuts
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Well, Easter Friday was a big group wheeling trip with one of the local groups. Got to check out a new to me location in the foothills of the Rockies, and finally got the chance to crawl over some "real" rocks (I use that term loosely). Definitely want to return in the summer!
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DemCoconuts
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Took a week vacation after that, but less than 24 hours back, I was out at it again. My buddy is really liking his new old 4Runner. We wired up his new Costco special winch and headed out for some flat land trails.
The winch picture is me. On either side the trail drops near vertically about 4 feet, and after I failed to make the climb I was trying, my ass end started getting sucked in (as I reversed down). Easy fix and great winch learning!
The winch picture is me. On either side the trail drops near vertically about 4 feet, and after I failed to make the climb I was trying, my ass end started getting sucked in (as I reversed down). Easy fix and great winch learning!
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DemCoconuts
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Then I came home today to several boxes. Inside was my new ARB tree saver, four new Rancho RS5000 shocks to replace the factory ones, a new (spare) serpentine belt and some LED bulbs to replace the dome stinkers. I'm hoping to have time this weekend to install, as work is taking me away for most of the next 2 months!
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DemCoconuts
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Got the new Rancho shocks installed today, with only minor setbacks. Wow, what a difference.
I had the factory shocks on before, with 125000km on them. I experienced a lot of body roll, and bumps were extremely studdery. The Rancho's have greatly reduced body roll in the corners, and the Jeep no longer studders over bumps of any kind. My passenger (buddy who helped) could feel the difference as soon as we pulled out of the driveway. This little 2 door feels like it's on rails now. Very, very responsive. I am extremely happy with this purchase so far, however only time will tell if I like them better than the Bilsteins on the truck (I have 100km on the Rancho's right now).
I will note that for installation, I left the dust guards off of the front shocks (there were rubber), and cut them off the rears (plastic - exacto knife worked great). I do tend to traverse watery areas, so I did this to avoid trapping water in and around the shock assembly.
I had the factory shocks on before, with 125000km on them. I experienced a lot of body roll, and bumps were extremely studdery. The Rancho's have greatly reduced body roll in the corners, and the Jeep no longer studders over bumps of any kind. My passenger (buddy who helped) could feel the difference as soon as we pulled out of the driveway. This little 2 door feels like it's on rails now. Very, very responsive. I am extremely happy with this purchase so far, however only time will tell if I like them better than the Bilsteins on the truck (I have 100km on the Rancho's right now).
I will note that for installation, I left the dust guards off of the front shocks (there were rubber), and cut them off the rears (plastic - exacto knife worked great). I do tend to traverse watery areas, so I did this to avoid trapping water in and around the shock assembly.
DemCoconuts
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Back from work for a couple days, and got a couple simple things done. Swapped out the some light for an LED one (which lights up the inside of the Jeep like the sun), and chopped my fenders. Lined the outside edges of them with some trim. Just gotta find the LED marker lights I bought and put somewhere, then trim a couple more pieces and this part will be done.
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BamBamDeer
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Great Job on the Fender Chop!
DemCoconuts
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DemCoconuts
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Don't know if the picture cake up before (isn't loading on my phone), so here it is again.
Picked up a set of axles from an 06 F350 (Dana 60 front/Sterling 10.5 rear). Allegedly 3.73 gearing, lockers unknown (if any). Got these for a wicked deal that I couldn't pass up on!
Plan is to strip them in the next couple weeks, then get mounts on. Undecided on whether or not I will go with the Artec kits, or get my local fab buddy to do something up. Still debating my exact load out for inside the diffs, but I'm aiming to get these under the Jeep in September.
Since last posting, I have made the decision to build this Jeep into a road legal, and race legal 4600 class rig (to race here in Canada, and the Everyman Challenge at KotH). Should be race ready next summer. (Plan is to put in for the EMC in a couple years, so plenty of time yet)
Further update will come once I get the axes stripped.
Picked up a set of axles from an 06 F350 (Dana 60 front/Sterling 10.5 rear). Allegedly 3.73 gearing, lockers unknown (if any). Got these for a wicked deal that I couldn't pass up on!
Plan is to strip them in the next couple weeks, then get mounts on. Undecided on whether or not I will go with the Artec kits, or get my local fab buddy to do something up. Still debating my exact load out for inside the diffs, but I'm aiming to get these under the Jeep in September.
Since last posting, I have made the decision to build this Jeep into a road legal, and race legal 4600 class rig (to race here in Canada, and the Everyman Challenge at KotH). Should be race ready next summer. (Plan is to put in for the EMC in a couple years, so plenty of time yet)
Further update will come once I get the axes stripped.
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DemCoconuts
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No pictures of the axles in their current state as my old phone which had some died. The front is stripped minus brackets and gearing/diff carried, and the rear is just about the same, just with axles shafts still in.
Picked up some goodies over the last couple of days. Got an older Pro Tools 105 with 1.75" and 2" dies from a buddy for a good price. Super excited to get going on a proper cage in this beast. Also popped by my local 4WP to grab my Mastercraft Safety Nomad seat, and found out the Artec Superduty front kit I ordered came in as well. Still waiting on the rear kit to come in.
Tonight I mocked up the seat in the driver's position. I did not buy the adapter bracket. The seat mounted to the factory sliding mechanism without an issue, and I simply had to enlarge the rear hole on the rear of the seat base for it to fit in nice. Notably more comfortable than the factory seats. Plan is to use this one as a mock-up, then eventually put a Mastercraft Safety Rubicon seat for the driver side, and this Nomad will move to the passengers side.
I also started my list of what I need to do to be ready for KotH EMC in a few years. Lots of work yet.
Picked up some goodies over the last couple of days. Got an older Pro Tools 105 with 1.75" and 2" dies from a buddy for a good price. Super excited to get going on a proper cage in this beast. Also popped by my local 4WP to grab my Mastercraft Safety Nomad seat, and found out the Artec Superduty front kit I ordered came in as well. Still waiting on the rear kit to come in.
Tonight I mocked up the seat in the driver's position. I did not buy the adapter bracket. The seat mounted to the factory sliding mechanism without an issue, and I simply had to enlarge the rear hole on the rear of the seat base for it to fit in nice. Notably more comfortable than the factory seats. Plan is to use this one as a mock-up, then eventually put a Mastercraft Safety Rubicon seat for the driver side, and this Nomad will move to the passengers side.
I also started my list of what I need to do to be ready for KotH EMC in a few years. Lots of work yet.
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DemCoconuts
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Oh, and the Jeep tried to be a submarine last weekend.... So I'm starting to strip out all the carpet and useless plastic.
DemCoconuts
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I have to say, that Mastercraft seat is amazing. Had a 19 hour trail day last weekend, and my back didn't hurt one bit, unlike the factory seats!
On to the cooler stuff. Both my Artec 1 Ton swap kits came in. With the assistance of a buddy, we now have the Sterling 10.5 rear ready to be welded (after a slight modification to one truss piece for the breather), and the Dana 60 front requiring only a bit more attention before it is ready as well. If I can get my hands on the fittings I need, we could be welding before tomorrow is finished!
Couple of pictures from throughout today. Forgot to take ones before I left.
On to the cooler stuff. Both my Artec 1 Ton swap kits came in. With the assistance of a buddy, we now have the Sterling 10.5 rear ready to be welded (after a slight modification to one truss piece for the breather), and the Dana 60 front requiring only a bit more attention before it is ready as well. If I can get my hands on the fittings I need, we could be welding before tomorrow is finished!
Couple of pictures from throughout today. Forgot to take ones before I left.
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DemCoconuts
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Rear truss is on and cooling. Definitely a learning experience. Front needs a little more massaging on the driver's side of the brackets before it is ready for the truss.
This axle work is quite enjoyable, but I do know that I won't be cutting up a set of axles from an 05+ Superduty again haha. Lots to cut off the front axle.
This axle work is quite enjoyable, but I do know that I won't be cutting up a set of axles from an 05+ Superduty again haha. Lots to cut off the front axle.
