Went to Bundy Hill.

 

The Jeep has been draining its upgrade funds with needed bits and pieces. Its recently had a valve cover gasket, fuel filter, coil, spark plugs-wires-cap, and about to get an oil change along with an O2 sensor. When our garage opens up I'll start on the frame stiffeners, finish my gauges, and then likely get a cage going.

 

Looks like your having to much fun, Greg

 

Disagree! Not enough.

Got my gauges mounted up.




Very happy with the end result.

Started stripping the 'frame' rail to put on my HD Offroad Engineering stiffeners on.



I decided that a cage was my next project. All the pre-bent kits on the market seemed to have too many cons for me. I'm 6'5" and require a little more head room. So I decided to go custom. The JD2 Model 3 bender was my first choice, but with die and all would be well over $600. I needed a more affordable way to make quality bends to tube. After researching way too much I decided the Affordable Bender would work. Only $300! Downside is that it's max bend is only 90*. But I have to mount it to nothing, it was inexpensive, I couldn't find much negative press on it, and I need a cage! Got the 1.75" die and got a quote on 200' of 1.75" .120wall HREW of a little over $500.

 

I have a sensor to track down and replace because the Jeep is running like crap. Also need to figure out why I have no feeling in the clutch currently. So the cage will not be started until those projects, a steering box swap, and my stiffeners are done. Man am I looking forward to building my first cage!

 

Had to check out your build thread. Looking forward to seeing your cage build since I'm getting close to that point with my junk. You didn't go to Winterfest this year, did you? I don't recall seeing your Jeep there.

 

Nope, I didn't make it to WF this year. The cage is being postponed after all the recent work and buying a house this year. Maybe this winter I'll knock it out. The recent work on the Jeep includes new clutch and a ton of other piddly parts, also removed a few stupid things like the banged up stock bumper and grill. Did drive it last night for the first time since in 4-5months, and still needs plenty of work!



Boring update I know for those expecting a cage. Myself included.

 

I just read you whole thread. Nice rig!!

 

Hey nice looking jeep man! How bad was the locker to put in?? Anything new on the jeep? Subbed

 

Hey thanks guys!

The locker wasn't bad at all. I did end up touching the grinder to one of the ring gears teeth to get the new cross pin to slide in. No issues yet. The Sparten is awesome.

As for updates...I am now rocking an 8gal fuel cell, and kicked the stock tank to the curb. More clearance! Should have done more research though. When I'm climbing a steep grade my engine is starved for fuel when below 1/2 tank. This is an issue I will solve. Also I swapped in a Durango steering box w/ IRO steering box spacer. Steering is noticable better. Nothing crazy, but better on and offroad. Also I went wheeling!

I'm really thinkin I need to build a stubby bumper.










This hill pointed out my fuel starving issue. Its Devils Backbone @ Haspin. I did concur it after topping off the tank.





This tree needs more bras!



Our campsite for the weekend.

 

Looks like a good time!

 

Well gentleman, I bought a house and the Jeep is now buried in snow in the backyard looking rather sad. The most work I've done on it in months is air up the tires periodically. I've got a day trip to Badlands coming up in April and need to get ready. So how did I start?...I jumped on the internet and visited my favorite Jeep hangouts, which led me to buying a set of 5 35" KM2s.



My current plan to just make the Jeep wheelable for 2014. Just a bunch of minor sh i t(which now includes mods to make the 35s tuck and turn without rubbing much). I need to build a garage before I get to crazy with anything on the jeep. But after the garage I/m thinking cage and other time consuming mods.

 

Was just too curious what they would look like, so I moved a little snow and slapped them on. Really happy with how they look.

 

Got out to wheel and test the new tires. The tires are night and day compared to what I had. The KM2s really grip in the rocks and having the clearance of a 35 is awesome. Also got a better dd and tow rig. I love the 5.3L.