[Team_Jake]

Spent another weekend up in Big Bear, it’ll probably the last time I’ll go there before winter. I tried taking it easier this time, did more exploring looking for cool spots rather than specifically looking for trails. We decided to go try to find a hot spring and we took a trail called 3N34 to try to get there. Little did I know that this trail was Dishpan Springs, one of the hardest trails in Big Bear. The trail seemed innocent enough, starting as a regular dirt road, but kept throwing out sections that progressively got harder.

A group of Jeeps came up the trail as we were going down, the last guy in the group, a JK on 37s, rolled down his window and asked “Did you guys come up this trail?” I replied “No”, to which he chuckled and said “you’re in for a treat”...obviously not very reassuring.

A little nervous, we progressed. There were 2 sections we came upon, one near the middle of the trail and one at the very end of the trail (bottom of the trail) that I was convinced I was not going to make down without damage. We eventually made it, but it took some serious rock moving and spotting to make sure I didn’t take any damage.

Basically this little trail made me realize I should seriously consider a gas tank skid, a steel front bumper, and sliders very soon. Getting through this trail was only difficult because I had no protection and had to do everything slow and perfectly to not take any damage.

So yeah, here are some photos from those sections:

[youwitdaface]

Originally Posted by Team_Jake

A couple small updates:

I installed an UltraGauge a few weeks ago, I've been very happy with it.



I noticed my coolant temperature was a little high (it would run between 201F to 205F when warm). I did a little research and found that the instruction video I followed when I did my timing belt 18 months ago said to install the thermostat with the jiggle-valve in the 12 o'clock position (should be the 6 o'clock position). I made the change and now it runs between 190F and 194F when warm.

Can you get tranny temp off your ultraguage? Which protocol?

[Team_Jake]

Originally Posted by youwitdaface

Can you get tranny temp off your ultraguage? Which protocol?

No, I wish I could. All 3rd gens are 9141 protocol.
I tried getting the trans temp to work, I used the ScanGauge codes and tried to convert it. I tried for ~2 hours with every possible RCtrl and TCtrl but nothing worked.
As much as I like the UG, I’ll probably end up replacing it with a SG eventually.

[youwitdaface]

Originally Posted by Team_Jake

No, I wish I could. All 3rd gens are 9141 protocol.
I tried getting the trans temp to work, I used the ScanGauge codes and tried to convert it. I tried for ~2 hours with every possible RCtrl and TCtrl but nothing worked.
As much as I like the UG, I’ll probably end up replacing it with a SG eventually.

Damn, that sucks. Guess I'll have to spring for an SG then. Thanks for the heads up!

[t4r92]

Great thread so far. I'm in the middle of a head gasket issue myself so looking forward to getting it back together and back on the road like you've done.

[HawkPlt]

Killer pics. Any plans for rocker guards?

[Team_Jake]

Originally Posted by t4r92

Great thread so far. I'm in the middle of a head gasket issue myself so looking forward to getting it back together and back on the road like you've done.

Thanks! Yeah it sucks, just gotta bite the bullet and get it done, but once you're done you'll be so glad you did it.

[Team_Jake]

Originally Posted by HawkPlt

Killer pics. Any plans for rocker guards?

That's what's next up on my list along with a custom front bumper, I just need to get around to getting it done...

[HawkPlt]

Are you doing your bumper yourself? If you do please post lots of pics I want to do one and a rear bumper I just don’t have a creative mind to go at it from scratch. Oh yeah and rocker guards.

[Team_Jake]

Originally Posted by HawkPlt

Are you doing your bumper yourself? If you do please post lots of pics I want to do one and a rear bumper I just don’t have a creative mind to go at it from scratch. Oh yeah and rocker guards.

Yeah I'm doing the CAD and everything myself for the front bumper, I plan to do the same for the rear bumper. I'll probably start a new thread just before it's ready to be sent out to be laser cut.

[youwitdaface]

Originally Posted by Team_Jake

Yeah I'm doing the CAD and everything myself for the front bumper, I plan to do the same for the rear bumper. I'll probably start a new thread just before it's ready to be sent out to be laser cut.

As someone learning solidworks, I'm curious as to your methodology for making sure your model will be properly dimensioned to the rest of the truck, if you don't mind

[Team_Jake]

@HawkPlt @youwitdaface

I guess I'll throw in a little teaser...

Goals:

• High clearance and high approach angle
• Line up with fender flares
• Light weight
• Clean and low profile

I basically incorporated the design of every bumper I liked, there's a little bit of Shrockworks, Addicted Offroad, and Outdoor Logic in there.

The winch mount plates and internal frame is 0.25", the d-shackle mounts are 0.75", and the rest is 10-gauge steel (I might switch to something thicker, not sure yet). Currently it weighs 82.66 lbs, I'd like to keep it under 100 lbs once I add a hoop and mounts that will attach to the wings. Fog lights are made to fit Baja Designs Squadron Sports/Pros. The winch plate is made to fit the Warn M8000. The vertical frame will also be able to mount the winch control box and keep it hidden from view, and an extended control cable will be routed to the top of the bumper through a hole I haven't added yet.

I'm using the frame brackets from Shrockworks because their bumper attachment points are superior to anything else I've seen. I called Shrockworks and ordered a set of the frame brackets with all the hardware, it was ~$130 total.

I made a cardboard mock-up of just the top plate of the bumper, I made 3 different cutouts before I found something that fit the way I wanted.



(I later added another edge, so the wings are 3 edges instead of 2.)

I'm not done with it yet, I still need to add a hoop to the bumper, and I will be adding mounts that will attach to the wings, plus a bunch of little things need buttoning up.

My plan of attack is to completely finish my first prototype in SolidWorks, and then make the bumper by hand out of poster board and test fit. From there I'll make adjustments, and do a 2nd, 3rd, or however many prototypes until I feel i'm ready to have it laser cut and welded together.

...

And just to throw this out there, this is actually my first time ever attempting something like this. I've never had anything laser-cut before, I've never designed car parts before, nothing like that, so if anyone sees anything I am doing wrong please chime in.

[HawkPlt]

Wow that is clean and looks great. I never thought I would attempt my own paint job but crazy stuff happens.

[phattyduck]

Good choice on just using the Shrockworks brackets. Clean up the frame horns really well or they won't sit flat. You might have to clearance your radiator bracket for the tab that goes back down the frame, depending on what radiator you have:





I just removed the small skid plate crossmember (using shrockworks skids too)- consider tying new skid plates to the front bumper in some way. You'll probably also want to put in the frame end plates with welded nuts for maximum strength.

-Charlie

[Team_Jake]

Originally Posted by phattyduck

Good choice on just using the Shrockworks brackets. Clean up the frame horns really well or they won't sit flat. You might have to clearance your radiator bracket for the tab that goes back down the frame, depending on what radiator you have:

I just removed the small skid plate crossmember (using shrockworks skids too)- consider tying new skid plates to the front bumper in some way. You'll probably also want to put in the frame end plates with welded nuts for maximum strength.

-Charlie

Yeah I have the frame end caps with all the hardware, I’ll definitely be using those.

And that’s a great idea to just remove the skid plate cross member and tie it in with the bumper, I hadn’t thought about that before. I had thought about tying in the skid plates in with the bumper but I couldn’t think of a way to do it without needing to remove the skid in order to remove the bumper or without some misalignment, but your idea solves that. Thanks!