Stepping up a level

Modeler · Unread post by **Modeler** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:57 pm

The newest round of upgrades have started for this year.

Started with it looking like this after lunch.

And ended up at dinner time with this.

35" MT/R Kevlar on 15x8 Black Rock Dunes.

Tomorrow I'll finish up and readjust the carrier for the new tires. Also have to add in some trailer wiring.

DOUG · Unread post by **DOUG** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:13 am

Looks good Dave!!

Kurt · Unread post by **Kurt** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:08 am

WOW... what a difference with the new rims & rubber!

Carl McFly · Unread post by **Carl McFly** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:48 am

x2 and REALLY liking the new flares!

midniteryder · Unread post by **midniteryder** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 9:40 am

Looks great Dave.

Modeler · Unread post by **Modeler** » Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:14 pm

Thanks everyone.

Finished up most everything today. Still need to move the bumpers on the tire carrier to keep the tire from moving around.

Drove OK on the highway.

4:1 4Lo/1st gear/4.10s was still slow enough.

Braking was not noticeably degraded with the increased rotational weight.

24" ground clearance to the rockers at the center of the door.

All in all successful.

Next weekend is front and rear UCAs and a 3/4" spacer up front. Adjust front and rear TBs and an alignment.

Found a leaking shock so I'll be getting some Bilstein 5100s on order.

ChrisD · Unread post by **ChrisD** » Wed May 02, 2012 7:31 am

Any worries about the weights being ripped off?

nostaw · Unread post by **nostaw** » Wed May 02, 2012 10:51 am

Suggest you stick down the tire weights with some RTV... They can get knocked off with a run through the mud / brush.

JW

Modeler · Unread post by **Modeler** » Wed May 02, 2012 2:07 pm

I have them marked as to where the weights are with a paint pen on the wheel. Knock wood, but I've never knocked a weight off. "Lifetime" balance from the place that mounted them for me as well.

Carl McFly · Unread post by **Carl McFly** » Wed May 02, 2012 4:40 pm

Gonna run with the big dawgs, eh?

She looks great!!

Frank · Unread post by **Frank** » Fri May 04, 2012 10:05 am

Why The spacer in front ? A little nose down in front gives a much better view over obstacles . Just a question. FjR68

Modeler · Unread post by **Modeler** » Fri May 04, 2012 10:29 am

Frank wrote:Why The spacer in front ? A little nose down in front gives a much better view over obstacles . Just a question. FjR68

A couple of reasons, the biggest was with the winch it has pushed down too low and is hitting the bumpstops on the road too much. But you are thinking the same as I was. I decided that I was going to put a 3/4" spacer at all four corners instead a couple of days ago. I found an unused set of four that someone was parting with for $20.00.

Front shocks are backordered until May 12th.

So, I'll get the rear done this weekend and the front over Memorial Day weekend. I'll be visiting with the Marine on the weekend in between.

Modeler · Unread post by **Modeler** » Sat May 12, 2012 7:03 pm

I wish I had remembered to put anti-seize on the upper and lower shock bolts when I'd installed the OME shocks 4 years ago.

Didn't get one thing fully accomplished on the back end today. The first lower shock bolt I took out came out without any issue and then the problems started. As stated, I'd forgotten to put anti-seize on the bolts and inside the sleeve. I had to cut the lower bolt on the passenger side inside the mount on both sides with only a Dremel and a cut off wheel turning the bolt to get access to different portions all the way around. One note to all, polyurethane stinks to high heaven when it burns.

Then, I attempted the tops also finding out that I neglected to put any anti-seize up top either.

Snapped three of the four and the fourth rounded off. Out came the BFH and whacked the shock sideways until it slid out from under the bolthead. I'm going to attempt to drill out and tap the original upper mounts for SAE and upsize them to 5/16-18 instead of Metric.

Took out the UCAs and called it an evening. 9AM to 4:30 and that is all I accomplished? I'm frakin' pissed at myself. Don't install your lift on a weekend that it is 100+ degrees. The brain farts and you forget to use stuff that was sitting on the driveway next to you.

ARRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Modeler · Unread post by **Modeler** » Sat May 26, 2012 3:20 pm

I wasn't able to go wheeling with my other club today. I spent some quality time under the rig Wednesday and got the upper welded nuts knocked off, the left over weld beads ground off and a coat of paint sprayed in there.

Today I took the factory UCAs and rear swaybar links, sagging OME 2.5" springs and the JKS trackbar out to clean and get everything ready to install the new BDS 3" springs, RE extended rear swaybar links and RockKrawler adjustable UCAs.

Worked on the '01 Cougar today as well. Replaced a broken gas tank strap. Had to remove the entire swaybar on the German over-engineered design. I'll hopefully be trading it in on a truck shortly as William bought an '03 Subi WRX in California. He let us know while we were out there last weekend.

Widow Maker · Unread post by **Widow Maker** » Wed May 30, 2012 1:11 pm

Looks awesome Dave!

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