Extreme 3rd Gen Build! Insane!
- Thread starter NotKewl
- Start date
NotKewl
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Literally the ONLY ones stupid enough to go wheeling in weather like this. Kinda not best to wheel alone, but we didn't try anything crazy and had good recovery gear, tools, parts, etc. It was kind of nice to have the whole place to ourselves. Very peaceful to be up on the mountain with nature all around. The sounds of rushing water all around you! Love it out here!
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NotKewl
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Sadly, the only video I got was with my phone and iPad. I walked off and left the gopros. :noidea:
I'll see if some of it is at least steady enough to salvage. My co-pilot was working the cameras and the number of beers he had at lunch was making him a little wobbly! :thumb:
eatpasta
New member
Fair enough!!
NotKewl
New member
One Week Left!
I have exactly ONE week left before trail fest and still have a punch down list of things to do with this project. Going to be super tight on time, but hey, can you picture a better family vacation for a family who loves the great outdoors in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee? I can't!
Just a few small details.... Hey, I'm just super stoked I made it this far!
I have exactly ONE week left before trail fest and still have a punch down list of things to do with this project. Going to be super tight on time, but hey, can you picture a better family vacation for a family who loves the great outdoors in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee? I can't!
- Fix pickup tube in fuel cell (figured out it was pointing up), so order the parts I need to fix it.
- Fix the rear left axle flange bolts (they keep coming loose, but found out it was actually a recall item in 98 for GM, so I'll just tack weld them things on there)
- Install the boat sides and skid plates
- Finish the front part of the cage to strengthen the front stinger and winch mount (bent it winching this weekend, forgot I didn't have it finished. Whoops! :Cry
This includes the windshield cross bar and down bars. So basically add a few hundred pounds of steel to an already heavy girl! - Tune the shocks (they lost some of their nitrogen charges)
- Wire up and install the CB and whip so I can communicate on the trail rides
- Install some more heat shielding on floorboards and center console. Great to have the heat come in when it's cold, sucks giant donkey ballz when it's hot out. Find places to mount Hi-Lift jack, fluids, tools, and spare parts for trail fixes.
- Oh, yeah, finish welding, grinding, and mounting the spare tire, duh Brent!
- Pack up portable tools, parts, camping gear, shelters, etc. for the week.
Just a few small details.... Hey, I'm just super stoked I made it this far!
NotKewl
New member
Last Minute Details
Trail Fest is this week, so I'm busy finishing up some last minute details just for trail fest. I'm nowhere near finished with this rig, but it's at least ready for trail fest. My hope is I will have it perfect by Dixie Run later this year. We'll see.
Fire extinguisher installed on the console.
Decided to go ahead and spend the $150 for a small Holley Hyrdomat. Fixed the rest of the fuel issue entirely.
Installing the hydromat (was a pain in the A$$)!
Installed the CB, Antenna, and a bright LED interior light.
Had to change out the starter too. Was starting to not work every other time you start it. Just swapped it out for a brand new one.
Started on the front tube work too.
Found these great steel can koozies at WalMart. Tacking them into the console will make great temp cup holders.
Trail Fest is this week, so I'm busy finishing up some last minute details just for trail fest. I'm nowhere near finished with this rig, but it's at least ready for trail fest. My hope is I will have it perfect by Dixie Run later this year. We'll see.
Fire extinguisher installed on the console.
Decided to go ahead and spend the $150 for a small Holley Hyrdomat. Fixed the rest of the fuel issue entirely.
Installing the hydromat (was a pain in the A$$)!
Installed the CB, Antenna, and a bright LED interior light.
Had to change out the starter too. Was starting to not work every other time you start it. Just swapped it out for a brand new one.
Started on the front tube work too.
Found these great steel can koozies at WalMart. Tacking them into the console will make great temp cup holders.
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NotKewl
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Went and got the roof panel today. 16Ga 4x8 Sheet Steel. Thick for a reason. Cut to size, then I truck bed lined the underside.
Welded studs to the roof to mount the Hi-Lift Extreme Jack.
How do you cover sharp edges of sheet metal temporarily to keep your kids from cutting themselves on trail fest rides before you get a chance to finish up the bodywork? Duck Tape of course! Gorilla Tape to be exact! Tough as nails!
Roof panel semi installed. Still, needs some massaging to have the right contours, but all the pretty stuff will come later. I just need something to shed the rain for now.
Welded studs to the roof to mount the Hi-Lift Extreme Jack.
How do you cover sharp edges of sheet metal temporarily to keep your kids from cutting themselves on trail fest rides before you get a chance to finish up the bodywork? Duck Tape of course! Gorilla Tape to be exact! Tough as nails!
Roof panel semi installed. Still, needs some massaging to have the right contours, but all the pretty stuff will come later. I just need something to shed the rain for now.
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NotKewl
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Sort of. Feels rushed, roughed in, but ready. Mechanically, she's super sound. The body is nowhere near finished (and it honestly bothers me), but plenty of time later to come back to it and do all the little details on the body to make it look nicer. My buddy keeps telling me to not worry about it because it's a trail truck that is going to get beat up and very dirty, but I still like a finished look.
meRockboost
New member
I can tell quality is important to you when your duct tape lines are perfectly parallel and match the body lines. That's dedication and it shows why the body not being "done" bugs you
eatpasta
New member
im sure you'll get there - however in the mean time it's going to kick some ass here pretty soon
:clap2:
NotKewl
New member
SFWDA Trail-Fest 2017 Synopsis
Sooooo, Trail-Fest in a nutshell... It rained nearly the entire time. Trails were sloppy and very slick. Only got to wheel my rig for two days. Only got to wheel with my wife and kids for one night. Didn't get to compete in the hill climb. Fell down on the rocks and in the mud a few times. Got the soreness and bruises to show for it. Didn't get much sleep. Broke both my drive shafts. Broke my front ring & pinion. Wasted several hours building new drive shafts only to then find out it was actually the ring & pinion. Lost my phone on a trail somewhere the last night including all the pictures I took of the last few days that didn't get backed up to cloud (including the ones of my kids having fun) and two days later I am still exhausted and sore.
Translation, it was one of the VERY BEST wheeling experiences thus far! I had an amazing time, got to spend some time with family, ride with some outstanding folks, spend time with good friends, meet new friends, and just spend some down time in nature! Loved every second of it. Even the Toyota Jokes from my Jeep buddies! Can't wait till Dixie Run!
Sooooo, Trail-Fest in a nutshell... It rained nearly the entire time. Trails were sloppy and very slick. Only got to wheel my rig for two days. Only got to wheel with my wife and kids for one night. Didn't get to compete in the hill climb. Fell down on the rocks and in the mud a few times. Got the soreness and bruises to show for it. Didn't get much sleep. Broke both my drive shafts. Broke my front ring & pinion. Wasted several hours building new drive shafts only to then find out it was actually the ring & pinion. Lost my phone on a trail somewhere the last night including all the pictures I took of the last few days that didn't get backed up to cloud (including the ones of my kids having fun) and two days later I am still exhausted and sore.
Translation, it was one of the VERY BEST wheeling experiences thus far! I had an amazing time, got to spend some time with family, ride with some outstanding folks, spend time with good friends, meet new friends, and just spend some down time in nature! Loved every second of it. Even the Toyota Jokes from my Jeep buddies! Can't wait till Dixie Run!
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NotKewl
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Front Axle Inspection
Good news! I took off the front diff cover this weekend to inspect the damage and there isn't any! The gears and carrier look solid and undamaged. What broke was the welds gave out on the two small spider gears while turning and eventually just broke the smaller gears up and maybe broke the center pin (or it fell out and I just didn't see it fall out.) I pulled the parts out and everything looks great. So, do I full spool it, or put in a Spartan lunchbox locker (one of the strongest and easiest to install). Well, I decided to go with Spartan for a few reasons.
Good news! I took off the front diff cover this weekend to inspect the damage and there isn't any! The gears and carrier look solid and undamaged. What broke was the welds gave out on the two small spider gears while turning and eventually just broke the smaller gears up and maybe broke the center pin (or it fell out and I just didn't see it fall out.) I pulled the parts out and everything looks great. So, do I full spool it, or put in a Spartan lunchbox locker (one of the strongest and easiest to install). Well, I decided to go with Spartan for a few reasons.
- Cost: Spartan = $331, Spool and master kit = $400
- Faster install time. Spartan = about 30-60 minutes. Just remove the cover and jacking vehicle up, then install. Spool requires removing the axle, tearing it completely down, and rebuilding it. A full day of work.
- Acts as a fuse. The locker will give and not put as much stress on the ring and pinion, or the axle shafts, drive shafts, u-joints, etc.
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NotKewl
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Yup, got some GoPro footage I'm working with. Soon as I get it edited, I throw up a link for it.
eatpasta
New member
I will click it
MN4runnerman
Senior Member
Your front diff looks like a catastrophe...... you better send the whole vehicle to me.... I'll take this headache off your hands and give myself a new one!:becky:
