Seized lug has officially bit the dust. And my metal chisel officially bit my forearm lol Everything else went very smoothly. Punching the old stud out, pressing the new one in. A breeze.

 

Wow, that lug looks like it has a story to tell...lol... You've won the battle that's what counts ...

 

Nothing some cobalt and titanium drill bits couldn't manage. That and a 3lb sledge with some metal chisels lol

 

Got some regular maintenance done recently - Really want my next brake job to be disc brake conversion:

 

It's crazy to think that its been over 7 years since I did anything with the cooling system (including changing the fluid). Last time I had this system open was when I was replacing the radiator back in college lol decided to crack it open since my upper radiator hose was leaking where it feeds into the thermostat housing, having something to due with the temperature I started the jeep at (-32F).

Got a new 195 degree thermostat, felpro gasket and upper/low radiator hose:






Never used one of these doodads before. Glad I could bring the jeep up to temp without poisoning everyone.



This easy fill funnel was a huge help. Jeep did not take nearly as much coolant concentrate as I thought it would, but I flushed the radiator, block and heater core with distiller water so I'm thinking itll be fine. Plus, no overheating yet.



Got a little peak of projects from the past. The RedHead Steering a previous shop installed, and my BrownDog motor mounts.

 

Finally, got the remainder of my DirtBound Rock Jock rear bumper installed. Took some goading from some instagram followers to trust that the armor would pull in line and that the body panels would hold up. Took the plunge and it worked out. First time using rivnuts since the gas tank fill tube stuff is in the way. Used some RTV and silicone sealer to try to keep water out.



Lines are pretty good. The driver side is a little wonky on the front end, but took my BFH to it a little bit which helped moderately, but not entirely.




Used the hardware DirtBound sent on the passenger side since it was such easy access. Painted over the holes with some chassis saver before. That stuff is great.



Got the panels cleaned up and used RaptorLiner. That stuff is also great.



Overall pleased with how it looks. Nice to have that chapter closed. Now I just need to get the reverse lights installed and wired up.

 

Nice build, Jeep looks great, lots of places to go wheeling in Montana, when you say moved to northern Montana, What does that mean, where did you move too? I live in the center of the state, Helena area.

 

​​​​​​​Great Falls!

 

New money pit, who dis?

2021 4Runner TRD Offroad Premium with 30k miles on it. Fresh from Miami. Got tired of the wife's WK2 and this was always the next car for us.



Already got a 2k foot remote start installed. Works great so far!



Starting to introduce my assistant to the woes of XJ ownership. Jeep wouldn't start. Lights in the cab would come on, then would just get a click when I tried to turn it over, then totally dead until I disconnected the battery and reconnected it. Did this like 6 times and then it was fine. I need to find my multimeter...



And some vanity shots of my latest trip to the mountain. I really with I trusted this thing more in snowy weather, but I don't.