Brandon's Arles Blue TJ
- Thread starter bbaldwin237
- Start date
5am. What are we doing awake!? Looking good. Nice project.
Dang. That’s impressive. Kudos. Me, I just can’t sleep. More reason for me to get up and workout
Still need to wire the winch in, but that's only two wires. Maybe this evening. Also need to aim the lights but that'll be another time when I can pull it out and aim at the garage door.
The lower bolts on the bumper were a pain in the ass. I ended up having to use the factory botls on the bottom, which is fine. I'd also like to pull the bolts and swap to a larger washer.
The lights are 5" Auxbeam side shooters. They are wired into the switch panel and then there is a separate switch to change modes. But they stay on the last mode used. Honestly, I'll probably not change them often. You can do white on/off and amber on/off.
Normally people joke about lockers before light bars and maybe my motto should've been Currectlync before lights, but we're making progress!
The lower bolts on the bumper were a pain in the ass. I ended up having to use the factory botls on the bottom, which is fine. I'd also like to pull the bolts and swap to a larger washer.
The lights are 5" Auxbeam side shooters. They are wired into the switch panel and then there is a separate switch to change modes. But they stay on the last mode used. Honestly, I'll probably not change them often. You can do white on/off and amber on/off.
Normally people joke about lockers before light bars and maybe my motto should've been Currectlync before lights, but we're making progress!
Is she trying to avoid you?
Nope, whoever isn't working out is on parent duty.
Winch is wired in and working with both remotes (corded and wireless). I need to replace the bolt that goes through my terminal, it feels like the end has partly stripped where I have an extra nut attaching accessories.
Also ordered a set of alignment tools last night so I can hopefully get this dang steering done.
Also ordered a set of alignment tools last night so I can hopefully get this dang steering done.
I'm going to get this dang steering done!
I got my alignment tools in the mail yesterday, and this morning before work I got the wheels off and the front on stands, cotter pins pulled, and acetone/ATF on the bolts to hopefully make it easier to remove. I'm sure the steering is the original, nearly 30-year-old, steering. May try to get the front track bar done at the same time. Just need to find the right bit to drill out the frame side. I believe my father-in-law has the right step bit.
I got my alignment tools in the mail yesterday, and this morning before work I got the wheels off and the front on stands, cotter pins pulled, and acetone/ATF on the bolts to hopefully make it easier to remove. I'm sure the steering is the original, nearly 30-year-old, steering. May try to get the front track bar done at the same time. Just need to find the right bit to drill out the frame side. I believe my father-in-law has the right step bit.
Progress. Was just going to focus on the steering, but realized that it would be easier to drill out the holes for the RJ track bar while the steering was out, so I did both this morning.
I measured my alignment before I started and it seems like my toe was about +1/8". Got it set at approximately -1/16". Still need to center the steering wheel, torque the track bar, and mount the steering stabilizer. Not sure that I'll get to the rear track bar and bracket before Tahuya. With this nice weather I just want to be driving.
I measured my alignment before I started and it seems like my toe was about +1/8". Got it set at approximately -1/16". Still need to center the steering wheel, torque the track bar, and mount the steering stabilizer. Not sure that I'll get to the rear track bar and bracket before Tahuya. With this nice weather I just want to be driving.
Looks good. Cant wait to see the transformation in person. Naches fun run yesterday was interesting. Watching the guys in the 100k Land Rover defender blow his tire was fun.
Yea, it'll be fun to see how different it performs with the new tires and steering. Hopefully won't need the winch, but good to have if I do.
Definitely good to have. I didn’t expect to use mine yesterday, but had to pull a guy off of a stump. Well, I’m sure it’ll feel much better driving it that curry steering is a huge upgrade.
Steering and track bar are done and torqued. It seems like my math/measuring/guessing got the trackbar right on the first go. It seems to be within 1/16" centered, and I'm pretty sure a turn of the adjustment end would just make it more in the other direction. Alignment is done and steering wheel is centered.
Hoping to maybe take it for a quick test drive tonight, or I'll tension the winch tonight. Not sure just yet. Our driveway has a bit of an incline that I think will work just perfect.
Hoping to maybe take it for a quick test drive tonight, or I'll tension the winch tonight. Not sure just yet. Our driveway has a bit of an incline that I think will work just perfect.
We haven't managed to do a ton of camping in the past few years and have relied on a jetboil, a borrowed camp grill from my father-in-law, or just cooking over the fire outside of burn bans. Finally decided to pick up a new camp stove after our last trip with the borrowed grill that is getting old and weak. We wanted one that had a pot-type burner on one side and a grill on the other which cuts down on options. I picked up this Coleman on sale on Amazon and it came in dented. Decided that there's very few working parts and the dent was just cosmetic so I just did a little work on it and will roll with it. Got it burned off and ready to go for this weekend. Puts out a lot of heat and lights easy. Seems like it will work well for us.It won't work for things like a Rubicon trip with the family as it's too big for the TJ with multiple people inside, but it's meant for when we tow and camp or take the truck or wife's Grand Cherokee.
Had a little help getting the winch re-spooled. Not the prettiest pattern, but it's tight and, I believe, good to go for this weekend.
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