XJlimitedx99

Looks like it could interfere with your headlight beam pattern a bit, no? I'll give it to you, that's clever. I have a spot right next to the winch that I'm eyeballing for the plug.

XJlimitedx99

Not super proud about this one but I'm glad to say there was nothing wrong with the winch or wiring



Glad to get the winch turning! I recruited my neighbor to tell me which way the winch turned while I hit the switch inside the cab because I was not sure which direction I wired it. It was a 50/50 shot and I got it correct! Woohoo! Getting lucky today.

After I focused on my audio system again. Unhooked the speakers from the amp and tested the resistance. Each one was about 4 ohms so everything looked good there. I then played music through the amp at max volume (without speakers) and the amp did not go into protection mode like it previously had. I then followed JL's steps for setting amp gain by playing a test tone (I chose 800 Hz) and adjusting the gain until a specific AC voltage is output to the speakers. The amp's manual called for 17.3 VAC output for my speaker setup.

From there, I got the idea to use the output voltage to set my high pass filter to keep the speakers within their frequency range. I played a 70 Hz test tone (bottom of my speaker's freq range) and adjusted the HPF until I saw a very small voltage out. The HPF was up to about 150 Hz which produced 2 VAC at 70 Hz. I'm unsure if that is low enough to keep the speakers happy, we'll see. I'm sure this is why my speakers were distorting so much before. My sub's low pass filter only goes up to 200 Hz so I don't want to turn the HPF on the speakers up too high because I want to keep the crossover low. Not sure how much I can push it. I want to do the same frequency test on my sub to see what my output is at the top of the sub's frequency range (500 Hz).

I'm taking the Jeep to work tomorrow so I'll jam out a bit on the way.

thetastelingers

I can't tell if it interferes with the pattern or not. I guess the overlap between the lights eliminates any potential blockage.

I installed a plug in line, so it could be removed without removing all the wires.

It's coming along man. looking good

xjallseasons

Did you have to purchase a special bumper to make that baddadfab winch mount? Can you use any bumper other than OEM?

XJlimitedx99

Thanks! Having a garage has got me gung-ho to knock out projects and work on this thing. Gotta catch up to the rest of you guys and stop putting lights before lockers so I can actually enjoy driving this thing.

Nope, the BadDad winch mount is the special bumper I purchased. I also incorporated the Ares Fab bumper wings on the sides to make it more of a full bumper rather than just a winch plate.

Not really sure what you're getting at here. The BadDad Fab winch plate will fit behind an OEM bumper, with modification, and potentially some other aftermarket bumpers with modification. However, no bumper is required with the winch mount because the winch mount is the bumper.

XJlimitedx99

Finally found some time to cross the t's and dot the lowercase j's on the winch mount. I installed the steering box brace with the additional shims and longer u-bolt that Baddad sent me. I also relocated my winch controller plug and mounted my fog lights.




I can 100% feel a difference in the Jeep with the winch mount and steering box brace installed. Front end feels super solid. I'd can't wait to pair this with a track bar brace when I do my front axle/steering. I'd also like to think the front suspension feels a bit softer with that weight up front. I don't think it was a huge difference, maybe I just want to think its better? I'll have a stronger opinion on that after I get more seat time.

I made some small brackets to mount the fogs and the controller plug. I really enjoy making small brackets like this and can't help but feel amused at the method I employ. I just eyeball a size to start with and cut a section out of scrap (used my front cross member) with an angle grinder, then clamp the piece in a bench vise and pound the bends in with a sledge and a punch. Follow that with drilling holes and some paint and I'm off to the races!









If you can't tell by the excessive amount of pictures, I love this setup. I did encounter one thing that made me question the "open concept". It snowed one night and when brushing everything off I could not get around the winch. Not really an issue but I was definitely thinking about how the winch is not water proof. Probably won't matter but the thought crossed my mind. Which leads to another note: I'm not crazy about where I moved the controller plug to. Its mounted very low and susceptible to water/mud/dirt ingress. Also, when installing the winch cable I was wishing I had put the plug on the driver's side because I was in/out of the cab several times and had to be cautious that the cord for the controller stayed clear of the winch. Also, I was having issues with my controller. It was only working intermittently. I pretty much had to use the in-cab controllers to tension the cable. Gonna have to check into that.

xjallseasons

Looks great good job! Its always satisfying when you get to fab parts out of junk from the garage and way better than buying new.

Baddad

I’m glad your happy with the mount👍.
While it is a bit exposed, it’s not nearly as open as a standard bumper mount. And being right under the radiator, the warmth will help dry it out quickly.

XJlimitedx99

This whole "social distancing" thing could really just be called "project time". Had the chance to get the Jeep back in the garage and turn wrenches this weekend. I've spent nearly the last 3 months organizing my garage and toolbox. I realized I was working in a hoarder-like environment and it drove me nuts. I liquidated a tote full of junk and duplicate hand tools, put up some new shelves, hung a light, and went through EVERYTHING. It felt great to finish that project. Part B of that project is to sort roughly 100-150 lb of miscellaneous hardware. Already started on that a bit but that will take a bit more motivation.

The Jeep hasn't left the driveway in a couple months and is currently not registered/inspected. Priority right now is to take care of some maintenance issues to get a sticker. This weekend I did a valve cover gasket, both pinion seals, an axle u joint, and a driveshaft u joint.






I think this is the first time I have ever removed my front driveshaft. What a PITA with my long arm crossmember. Needed to use a socket with a u-joint extension and come from behind the transfer case. Getting it lined up to go back on felt like a feat in itself.

While I was in there I noticed I need a rear axle seal and parking brake shoes. I ordered new rear bearings and seals as well as the shoes. I haven't been spending much time in the garage on weekdays because I started going to the gym 3 days a week but now that its closed for the time being I will be hitting this project a bit harder.

Gotcha-Again-LOL

We wheeled for years with 37s with Dana 44s front and rear with 4.27s and Detroit Lockers in both...only broke a front stock stub shaft once while full throttle assaulting a 5 foot step ledge...just some input on the durability of waggy 44s

XJlimitedx99

I appreciate the experience! That's essentially what I'm going for. Bulletproof on 35's, reliable on 37's. Several of my friend's are more into overlanding style trips than hardcore wheeling, so I want to have the confidence to push the limits while in remote areas. Also want to be able to get reckless though.

Plan for the front right now is Jana 54 (Dana 50 gears in Dana 44 housing) with an ARB and possbily RCV's (if I have a long enough lapse in sanity and spend the money on them) paired with a 9" rear. That's likely more of a long-term goal though. A coworker of mine is selling some locked/geared axles out of his YJ that I've been talking about picking up off him once he pulls them. Likely in a couple months.

I tinkered around for a bit today. Installed my Baddad Fab steering gear box sector shaft brace! And I thought I was excited about the winch mount before...

unidentifiedbomb

I'd go with OX. ARB has too many issues from what I've seen. Trusty cable never lets you down.

SatiricalHen

Another perk to an ox Locker is if the cable, air or electric you choose fails. They sell a plug you screw in and it's locked and you can fix the issue after your weekend of wheeling.

I actually talked to him about the sector shaft brace, but I kinda fell off the map and never knew he finally came through with it. I told him I liked his mount he had, but I didn't want to buy it since the sector shaft wasn't braced and I would just wear the bearings out in the steering box again.

XJlimitedx99

That's interesting, most other opinions of ARB I've heard have been nothing but raving about them, other than the price tag and the added complexity of going with air actuation.

I do really like this feature of the OX. Now that I'm thinking about it, I've only ever considered the cable actuated OX in an attempt to limit complexity. However, IIRC, I remember people having issues with cables sticking (likely lack of maintenance).

Realistically, I'm in no position to be looking at selectable lockers. I'm looking at 6 figures of student debt.


I also expressed my desire for a sector shaft brace and how I thought Boostwerks had a one-up on him for that feature. Apparently he heard us (and everyone else) and came up with something that I like more than Boostwerks'.

My steering box is wet af. Not sure if its leaking or if I'm leaking trans fluid from the fitting above it. If my box is leaking I'll look into using the winch mount/sector shaft brace with a Durango box.

Baddad

Check out my Facebook page, BadDadFab Winch Mounts. I’ll try to keep y’all posted on here with updates also. Thanks.