Test and Tune August 14, 2010

[Fire Jeep]

Yeah, thanks for the info. John at GetSomeFab hooked me up with The Radiator Shop in Nampa. They were really good to me; I was expecting over $100 and walked out for $45. I am getting some tabs welded onto it to make a better lash-up for my electric fan.

[Morphine]

I need to go from this:


To this:


Or this:


But it'll look less like crappy photoshops, and more like this:



That's probably a little too much work for 1 day though...

So could I get a hand chopping my bumper into a stubby and capping the open ends?

I'll manage to find some time to install my tube fenders some other time.

[whpony96]

Morphine is your rig a daily driver?

[Morphine]

Sure is.

...but if your next sentence includes the words "tire coverage" don't worry, unlike the pictures...my tubes have flares, and I should be good to stay street legal.

[whpony96]

Yea it was because one of our members has been ticked twice so far for lack of fender flares. I just did not want you to get "surprised" after all that hard work to only have to figure out a solution to avoid tickets down the road...

[redgper]

Casey (morphine). I have a perfect tool for you to cut up some fenders with and I will show you how to use it and let you at it. I will also help with other bumper parts since we will not be doing the Firejp injection that weekend.

[Fire Jeep]

Thanks for rubbing it in John. I guess that serves me right for bragging up all the free stuff from GetSomeFab day.

[Pastor Torch]

The only thing I'm up for, is having my CB tunned up.

Tumbleweed had me all set, but the attena broke right at the base, so I had to replace it. As a precaution, I put one of those spring mounts under it this time, but I think it has the RF's way out of tune as a result.

As far as helping out with other projects go... it depends on what needs done.

I have a full set of tools. Many specialty tools. Wire feed 110v, Cutting torch, soldering equipment, electrical testors and so on. I don't want to have to bring it all I'd have to pack a trailer just to carry it all! So some 'heads-up' on what is needed would be great. Then I can focus on those tools that should prove usefull.

[pc500]

I need a few things done. Can you advise if any of these are feasible or appropriate for this event? If so, what should I bring parts/equipment wise?

Vehicle is a 99 TJ.

1) My headlights shine too high. I need to make them "legal".

2) There is no factory radio in the dash. I would like to have my CB mounted there instead.

3) I need to mount a CB Antenna. The mag-mount one on the hood works, but is annoying. Drill + tube bumper is acceptable, although I could get a bracket somewhere I suppose. I wouldn't mind also mounting a 2 meter antenna while we're there too, but bumpers might not be too ideal for this.

[redgper]

I need a few things done. Can you advise if any of these are feasible or appropriate for this event? If so, what should I bring parts/equipment wise?

Vehicle is a 99 TJ.

1) My headlights shine too high. I need to make them "legal".

2) There is no factory radio in the dash. I would like to have my CB mounted there instead.

3) I need to mount a CB Antenna. The mag-mount one on the hood works, but is annoying. Drill + tube bumper is acceptable, although I could get a bracket somewhere I suppose. I wouldn't mind also mounting a 2 meter antenna while we're there too, but bumpers might not be too ideal for this.

You will need money and beer. Lots of beer. Well you will get lots of ideas If you come to this. Even if you do not get it done you will know what you want.

[markrez]

I need a few things done. Can you advise if any of these are feasible or appropriate for this event? If so, what should I bring parts/equipment wise?

Just bring all the gear you need to install (CB, antenna, wiring), we should be able to get you squared away.

You may want to get one of those TJ radio trim pieces (walmart might have it) that take the rounded radio and make it DIN sized. Or just get a small sheet of ABS plastic that can be cut to fit around the CB. As far as the antenna mount, you can take a look at where some of the other members have theirs to get an idea where to mount yours. Some have aftermarket brackets, some are homemade. Either way we should be able to come up with something.

[pc500]

I need a few things done. Can you advise if any of these are feasible or appropriate for this event? If so, what should I bring parts/equipment wise?

Just bring all the gear you need to install (CB, antenna, wiring), we should be able to get you squared away.

You may want to get one of those TJ radio trim pieces (walmart might have it) that take the rounded radio and make it DIN sized. Or just get a small sheet of ABS plastic that can be cut to fit around the CB. As far as the antenna mount, you can take a look at where some of the other members have theirs to get an idea where to mount yours. Some have aftermarket brackets, some are homemade. Either way we should be able to come up with something.

Great idea on the generic radio mounting kit.

Any suggestions for a CB Radio antenna bracket, preferably available locally or via amazon.com? Or should I just get one of those generic self-grounding ones and drill it into a metal bumper or tire mount?

Will anyone have coax crimpers, or do I need to arrive with the right size cable with ends already attached on site?

[whpony96]

I have coax crimpers...I will bring them..

[redgper]

I will have a good supply of wire end terminals and crimpers to bring along.

[cdahlstrom]

I'm in... I have a fuel tank and ball joints to swap.

will there be time...

cheers

[BrianRagan]

I'll be there. Swapping in HID headlights. I should have all the tools I need. Just need some oversight from Scott.

[whpony96]

I'm in... I have a fuel tank and ball joints to swap.

will there be time...

cheers

Yes Sir!

[whpony96]

I'll be there. Swapping in HID headlights. I should have all the tools I need. Just need some oversight from Scott.

No Problem bud!

Bring your fender flares along too! That will be a fun mod!

[cdahlstrom]

I'm in... I have a fuel tank and ball joints to swap.

For the ball joints, I beleive we need to remove pretty much everthing from the outer ends of the front axle. I have a Chinese ball joint kit, but I don't know/have the tools needed to pull the knuckle and axle shafts.

Any clues? Does anyone have the parts?

[El Jay]

I'm in... I have a fuel tank and ball joints to swap.

For the ball joints, I beleive we need to remove pretty much everthing from the outer ends of the front axle. I have a Chinese ball joint kit, but I don't know/have the tools needed to pull the knuckle and axle shafts.

Any clues? Does anyone have the parts?

You can leave the axle shafts attached to the uni-bearing. I don't know what size the bolts holding the uni-bearing in on your TJ are, all I rember is that on my XJ they were a 12 pt. And for whatever reason, I couldn't get a 1/2" drive ratchet in there, had to use a 3/8" with a cheater bar.

To pull the knuckle off, remove the cotter pins, and loosen the nuts, but don't back them completly off. On the side of the knuckle, there is a little lip. Put a 5 pound sledge on this ledge, take another 5 pound sledge, and hit the one that is resting on your knuckle. A couple of good whacks and it will slip down. Then just take the nuts completly off, and it will slide right off.

Make any sense?

[markrez]

I cannot wait for this! So many people doing mods, all at once!
It will be sensory overload!

[BrianRagan]

Does anyone remember the directions Howard mentioned last night to avoid the construction?

[cdahlstrom]

[quote="El Jay]You can leave the axle shafts attached to the uni-bearing. I don't know what size the bolts holding the uni-bearing in on your TJ are, all I rember is that on my XJ they were a 12 pt. And for whatever reason, I couldn't get a 1/2" drive ratchet in there, had to use a 3/8" with a cheater bar.[/quote]
So, you say I can leave the shafts attached to the uni-bearing... right.. and you talk about needing a 3/8" drive with a cheater bar... so I'm assuming I need to remove the uni-bearing, but I don't have to seperate it from the axle shafts... is this correct?
[quote="El Jay]To pull the knuckle off, remove the cotter pins, and loosen the nuts, but don't back them completly off. On the side of the knuckle, there is a little lip. Put a 5 pound sledge on this ledge, take another 5 pound sledge, and hit the one that is resting on your knuckle. A couple of good whacks and it will slip down. Then just take the nuts completly off, and it will slide right off.
Make any sense?[/quote]
Yes, thanks!

[cdahlstrom]

Does anyone remember the directions Howard mentioned last night to avoid the construction?

Follow this link if you can't read the picture... Google Map

[El Jay]

Christian,
Yup, leave the axle shafts bolted to the uni-bearing and just take them out as one unit. Its a lot easier than messing with the 36mm nut that holds the shaft to the uni-bearing. Once you remove all of your steering stuff, you can, and then use a 1/2" drive to remove the 3 bolts since you will be able to move the knuckle.

Get some anti-seize for the unit bearing and put it on where the bearing mounts up to the axle( those suck when they rust on) and blue lock-tite for the 3 unit bearing bolts. And torque it all back down. Don't forget to get an alignment when you are done.

Edit: I'm on crack and you will have to remove the tie rod and drag link. Too much wedding stuff on my brain...