Drove it to breakfast Sunday morning and pulled into the parking spot idling. Turned like it was built for it.

Currently there is no cooler. A cooler is the next on the list though. Unknown why it wasn't built with one though.

 

 

I did not add a cooler but I am this winter its on my list of upgrades

 

Started the installation of the Shackle Relocation kit last night. Got most of it in and called it a night. I'll do the rest tomorrow evening.

Thanks for the replies and the help everyone!

 

I listed the ARB front bumper for sale the other day. I got a deposit for it last night to hold for 2 weeks while the guy gets finished with hurricane relief.

I am planning on following Jeepologys lead and ordering Boostwerks Engineering comp mount for the winch. It tucks the winch in between the frame rails and will help with approach angle and also includes a steering brace.
http://www.boostwerksengineering.com...ount_p_14.html

Also I am thinking of ordering the JCR Defender front bumper as he did, but I would need to change some things, so thinking I would build one myself unless they want to change the stuff for me. I'll try to contact them today and see what they say.

 

Shackle Relocation kit successfully installed. Looks like I lost some uptravel though.
Regardless, I took the rig out Saturday morning with the wife to do some testing.

We have a road up on the mountain that is unimproved and makes a loop. Good place for testing and taking people for a couple hour drive.

Jeep did good, but it kept popping out of 4wheel. I've adjusted it several times. Unsure what the deal is though.

Got to the powerlines and saw that the Sequatchie valley was under clouds.
Stopped to get some pictures!









"Are you taking pictures of my butt?"


yep.



We descended down into the clouds on a new trail until I came to a pretty large tree across. I didn't have my chainsaw, so we turned around.









Back up to the top and out for some lunch. Who knows how long this place has been here. It has Chimney and dirt floor.







Hit up Tennessee Tree Toppers on the way out to see the clouds. Was beautiful.

 

 

Thank you!

I'll keep you in mind for sure.

 

Ordered the JCR Defender front bumper and Boostwerks Comp mount.
I'll have to modify the bumper, but pretty sure I can make it work how I want.

Oh and also ordered a synthetic winch line.

 

That's going to look so good. OHMAGURD

 

HAHA! Thanks!

Replaced the home-built transmission mount with an OEM mount Friday. It muted the vibration a little, but it's still there.
I'm almost convinced it's something in the transfer case at this point. I've explored almost every other avenue.

I removed the ARB Thursday night.








The JCR bumper should deliver today. The winch line arrived Friday. Unknown about the comp winch mount though.
In the mean time, I can start looking for a different overflow canister. I'm going to move the winch Solenoid box into the engine compartment where the overflow is.

 

 

I took off next Wednesday. I'll probably just go to the pull a part and look around for something that will fit. I'll let you know.

JCR Defender bumper arrived yesterday, so I pre-fit it just to check it out.
I'll need to do some cutting on the sides to clear the tires and the front after I get the winch mount.







The winch mount should be shipping late this week.

 

Sweet looking jeep! future plans for mine include the same axles or close a bit down the road but who knows!

 

The jeep drives pretty good on the road despite the vibrations. The leaf springs on the rear make adapting pretty easy. If you are going larger than 35" tires, I say go for it!



One thing I have been thinking on is the hole in the bumper for the winch line to pass through.
I didn't want the winch line hanging out there in the elements and available to hit rocks, etc..
I started looking for oversize hawse fairleads. There are literally none in the US. Most are in Australia.
So I am going to have one 3D printed. I've already designed one with a larger opening, so I can place the hook/end past the bumper and have it out of harms way. A friend is looking into doing it for me. If he can't, Chattanooga state charges $0.10 a gram to print something out.

Planning on mounting the fairlead behind the bumper, so the bumper will be smooth on the front.
We'll see. Should work out well.