Post by monty98 on Mar 28, 2013 22:20:33 GMT -5
Well. It's about time I got around to detailing all the adventures, modifications, and generally very interesting build to my truck.
Let's start out. My name is Jefferson (Jeff for short) I have been on these forums since I purchased my vehicle in January 2009. Almost right away I knew that I wanted to start modifying my vehicle. One quick look at the member's pages here and I was already hooked.
Here she is the first spring (2009) that I got her.
I did the 'custom' 'cold air' intake that so many of us did back in 2009. (I think there's still a massive thread somewhere about this lol)
Removed the front light guards and the running boards (the running boards to be taken off and put back on numerous times for the past 4 years)
And the interior (it didn't stay this way for long!)
Added an aluminum 1/4" skid plate (poorly designed I know, but I was only a high school student then!) I had to pay for the material, but since my dad builds Pierce fire trucks they had some scrap lying around and he bent it up for me. Unfortunately their policies have dramatically changed about scrap, so sourcing it for anybody else is just a headache (sorry!)
Then end of summer that fall (2009) I did all the ball joints (courtesy of danny's barely used Moog joints) and got some 31 inch BFG a/t's
During that winter my vehicle remained mostly untouched until my neighbor ran in to one of my wide fenders when moving their vehicle in the maze that was my shared gravel parking area in Green Bay. Then I hit it against the side of the house then on the highway it rattled, rattled some more...then I just watch it majestically fly away at 65mph to the side of the road. Solution? Take them off. And is how I ended up doing this...
Then a little experiment with creating a "canned" air filter for protection. Good idea...poor execution.
Winter shot (2010)
A little poser flex with 31x10.5x15 BFG A/T (2010)
The tire gate project. That was fun, 3 hours to pick it up, $150 to get the relocated license plate and lower bumper brake and running lights (2011)
A rough idea of what was to come.
Freshly sandblasted and primed, ready to paint (should've done more coats, starting to see rust already!)
Tearing apart the back to put bolts through the right rear quarter panel.
all done!
Winter shot (2011)
And some other stuff in between. On to 2012! Fresh new 33x10.515 BFG M/T's
Timing belt change! spring (2012)
Broken transfer case bushing spring (2012)
Old one (left) new one (right)
Changed shocks summer (2012) Broke a shock stud (never fun, but if you live in a winter state it's bound to happen!)
Winter shot (2012)
Last week (spring 2013)
Before the body lift and manual hubs
Manual hubs! (Aisin hubs made by SHX in China, imported by Paul from 4x4wire)
Body lift, 1 1/2" blocks, left side lifted ready to install.
Right side before letting it back down.
Lowered down on to suspension.
Oh and notice how the brush guard now "grabs" the front bumper? Yea, it's attached to the frame rails. So it either gets gone, I need to fab up some brackets. ;D
My 4wd/free wheeling hub mod, aka the actuator or vacuum solenoids aren't working so it just stays engaged all the time. I simply took the sensor that tells the 4wd computer if the front axle is engaged at all.
It's very basic, two wires. Simply put, the two wires touch (switch engage) 4wd on, separate the two wires, 4wd off. I think with manual hubs it's better this way so that my front axle will always be fully engaged and I don't have to worry about it not engaging when I need it. It was free since I had some extra wire and another switch already in place.
Monday night (3/25/13)
Before fender trim (to compensate for tire stuff and cornering)
After fender trim.
Poser flex to check clearances.
Oh yea, plenty of room left!
This is the rear...tons of space!
So because of the body lift my shift levers no longer wanted to shift to speak. Since the pivot point stays the same my 'throw' was effectively increased by about 1-2 inches. So I just chopped up the plastic cover around them
And that's where I sit as of today fellas! Thanks for looking. I'd love to hear your comments, criticisms, suggestions
-Jefferson
Let's start out. My name is Jefferson (Jeff for short) I have been on these forums since I purchased my vehicle in January 2009. Almost right away I knew that I wanted to start modifying my vehicle. One quick look at the member's pages here and I was already hooked.
Here she is the first spring (2009) that I got her.
I did the 'custom' 'cold air' intake that so many of us did back in 2009. (I think there's still a massive thread somewhere about this lol)
Removed the front light guards and the running boards (the running boards to be taken off and put back on numerous times for the past 4 years)
And the interior (it didn't stay this way for long!)
Added an aluminum 1/4" skid plate (poorly designed I know, but I was only a high school student then!) I had to pay for the material, but since my dad builds Pierce fire trucks they had some scrap lying around and he bent it up for me. Unfortunately their policies have dramatically changed about scrap, so sourcing it for anybody else is just a headache (sorry!)
Then end of summer that fall (2009) I did all the ball joints (courtesy of danny's barely used Moog joints) and got some 31 inch BFG a/t's
During that winter my vehicle remained mostly untouched until my neighbor ran in to one of my wide fenders when moving their vehicle in the maze that was my shared gravel parking area in Green Bay. Then I hit it against the side of the house then on the highway it rattled, rattled some more...then I just watch it majestically fly away at 65mph to the side of the road. Solution? Take them off. And is how I ended up doing this...
Then a little experiment with creating a "canned" air filter for protection. Good idea...poor execution.
Winter shot (2010)
A little poser flex with 31x10.5x15 BFG A/T (2010)
The tire gate project. That was fun, 3 hours to pick it up, $150 to get the relocated license plate and lower bumper brake and running lights (2011)
A rough idea of what was to come.
Freshly sandblasted and primed, ready to paint (should've done more coats, starting to see rust already!)
Tearing apart the back to put bolts through the right rear quarter panel.
all done!
Winter shot (2011)
And some other stuff in between. On to 2012! Fresh new 33x10.515 BFG M/T's
Timing belt change! spring (2012)
Broken transfer case bushing spring (2012)
Old one (left) new one (right)
Changed shocks summer (2012) Broke a shock stud (never fun, but if you live in a winter state it's bound to happen!)
Winter shot (2012)
Last week (spring 2013)
Before the body lift and manual hubs
Manual hubs! (Aisin hubs made by SHX in China, imported by Paul from 4x4wire)
Body lift, 1 1/2" blocks, left side lifted ready to install.
Right side before letting it back down.
Lowered down on to suspension.
Oh and notice how the brush guard now "grabs" the front bumper? Yea, it's attached to the frame rails. So it either gets gone, I need to fab up some brackets. ;D
My 4wd/free wheeling hub mod, aka the actuator or vacuum solenoids aren't working so it just stays engaged all the time. I simply took the sensor that tells the 4wd computer if the front axle is engaged at all.
It's very basic, two wires. Simply put, the two wires touch (switch engage) 4wd on, separate the two wires, 4wd off. I think with manual hubs it's better this way so that my front axle will always be fully engaged and I don't have to worry about it not engaging when I need it. It was free since I had some extra wire and another switch already in place.
Monday night (3/25/13)
Before fender trim (to compensate for tire stuff and cornering)
After fender trim.
Poser flex to check clearances.
Oh yea, plenty of room left!
This is the rear...tons of space!
So because of the body lift my shift levers no longer wanted to shift to speak. Since the pivot point stays the same my 'throw' was effectively increased by about 1-2 inches. So I just chopped up the plastic cover around them
And that's where I sit as of today fellas! Thanks for looking. I'd love to hear your comments, criticisms, suggestions
-Jefferson