2015 What have you done to your 4x4 lately?

[2fpower]

Finally starting on 4x4 labs bumper.

 

[Rick D]

Took the 62 on it's first ride in 5+ years today. With the check engine light on I drove out of the driveway and proceeded around the corner now two blocks away. the motor began to run better and better, the radio mysteriously turned on playing the Rolling Stones Sympathy for the Devil and shortly after the check engine light went out... This one is now dubbed Psycho Yoda.

I did hear a tie rod end clunk but everything seems to be working good, brakes all engaged with no pulling, trans shifted good, all in all it seems OK!

Looks like we have a winner and I will begin the rehab and retrofitting so this Cruiser will see another leg in it's journey to the end of the earth.

 

[1MAC]

Finally starting on 4x4 labs bumper.

You wouldn't mind if I come over and see how that thing goes together, would you? I also have a fiberglass blanket if you'd like to use it to protect your shiny paint!

 

[2fpower]

You wouldn't mind if I come over and see how that thing goes together, would you? I also have a fiberglass blanket if you'd like to use it to protect your shiny paint!

of course you can... shoot me a text....

 

[2fpower]

Also, I got tired of having sunburn on my neck, from the harbor freight helmets that don't go down very far. Some hot melt glue and some scrap leather should do the trick.

 

[2fpower]

Give mean "I"

Thanks Chris.

 

[2fpower]

Little more progress

 

[2fpower]

Need thoughts if my bumper is set up with the tire low enough. I was hoping to have the tire lower then some off tires I've seen on 4 x 4 labs stock rear bumpers to have some view out the rear window. I made the latch accessible from the far side so I think I could drop it I'll little more. Also made the carrier assembly adjustable so if I ever get bigger tires I can move it up.

First picture is with the time in the middle of the adjustable hitch.

Second picture is it at the lower area.

I'm thinking I could go down a couple more inches, what do you think? Here's a side shot at the lower height.

 

[FZJ80 in KC]

Awesome as usual Kelly! Yep, you could drop it a little more if you wanted. I don't think I'd want the bottom of the tire to be below the top of the main shell though. Might start looking a little squatty.

Love the cutouts for the rear lights! That's gonna be awesome when it's done!

 

[Robkc]

Having it lower also reduces leverage on the arm and possibility of flex. Great idea! I'm with Mike on making sure it doesn't go too low and reduce your departure angle. I have a couple rips on the bottom of my TrashARoo from playing in the pit at Fulton. Boost probably won't get that trail exposure though.

 

[2fpower]

Very good. I will chop it off and drop it down a couple more inches.

My plan is with the adjustable end, to be able to raise it up higher simply by flipping over the tire in the mount. Should make it 4" higher in a couple minutes.

 

[Robkc]

Very good. I will chop it off and drop it down a couple more inches.

My plan is with the adjustable end, to be able to raise it up higher simply by flipping over the tire in the mount. Should make it 4" higher in a couple minutes.

Finally got a chance to look at it on a bigger screen. The flip for raising is a nice touch but will it offset more to the center of vehicle as well. Looks like bigger meat might obscure lights.

 

[2fpower]

Good point Rob -- I checked that this morning, and it is about 2" away from light now, so bigger meat should be fine.

I cut about 1.75" shorter and really like the final result. I forgot to take pictures before dismantling it. Only have a couple small things to wrap up then ready for quick sandblast and paint when some other things are back from sandblaster.

 

[Robkc]

Had my exhaust rerouted above the frame along with new muffler and resonator. Local club member did a fantastic job! Thanks Duane!

 

[half k cruiser]

This ^ is something I badly need to have done on my 97. It has rattled and leaked ever since I bought it two years ago. I have only been holding out to see what I decide to do with the motor.

 

[rockstate45]

Had my exhaust rerouted above the frame along with new muffler and resonator. Local club member did a fantastic job! Thanks Duane!

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Do you have any details on Duane's shop/work? I had my muffler break away from the mounting bracket at the muffler level and bailing wire is holding my exhaust in a rattle free position. If I'm going to go through the trouble of having someone weld it up, I'll have them add a turndown as well.

 

[2fpower]

Duane, techtafab (I think on Mud, but I doubt he is on mud much). I will text you his contact phone number.

 

[2fpower]

Straight. Thanks Chris for the beam.

 

[half k cruiser]

So because i live 60 miles to your west and am not on the inside track.... this was a bent axle tube that you were able to straighten with that jig and what looks like a 30 ton jack ?

 

[milemarker60]

Narrowly avoided a huge catastrophic chain of events on Mitch's LX Saturday. Bought a Magnaflow Y-Pipe/Cat for his rig. All was going well until one of the manifold studs snapped flush even though we soaked for a few days and torched prior to wrenching. After a few choice words I proceeded to drill a hole down the center and try an extractor. For the first time in my life, the tool actually worked. We were preparing for the worst and luckily we were able to have it remedied in 15 minutes. We left the second cat in place but gutted it...a bit louder now but CEL has been extinguished finally. The old cats were toast and was really hoping for a "seat-of the pants" improvement but no joy...just a little smoother idle which I attribute to the ECU being in a happier state of mind.