Builds Building the dream (HZJ77) (4 Viewers)

[coldtaco]

Those look good, how are they as to how comfortable as a arm rest?

 

[divemedic]

They do indeed. I’m going to work with Adrian to bring in a few more sets. I still have three orders awaiting delivery. Still pending customs clearance.

 

[divemedic]

New outer weather strips at each door and window motor with regulator for the driver’s door.

 

[divemedic]

Been busy prepping for the meet and greet. My wife took the kids up to the grand parents for two weeks to leave me to my own devices. So far I’ve been able to soft wire; old head unit, door speakers, amp, redarc and third battery. Waiting for amazon to deliver tomorrow to finish everything off on that portion. Additionally, tomorrow will be a stop at the hardware store for material for drawers, and to finish my catch-can (getting creative with mounting).

 

[divemedic]

Rough print of what drawers will be. I’ll document the drawers in a stand-alone thread.

Side note, John Wick gun fights are good.

 

[CharlesHS]

View attachment 2077937

Interesting radio with the name President on it.
The only radios I have owned with the President name on them were the CB or 10M Export radios.
I will assume that radio is a Ham radio of some sort; possibly 144/430 Mhz.
I see it has a 12/24 volt selector; so its probably an Australian radio.
Could you provide me a little info on the radio;

 

[divemedic]

I

Interesting radio with the name President on it.
The only radios I have owned with the President name on them were the CB or 10M Export radios.
I will assume that radio is a Ham radio of some sort; possibly 144/430 Mhz.
I see it has a 12/24 volt selector; so its probably an Australian radio.
Could you provide me a little info on the radio;

President Jonny 3 with a 4’ firestick. I installed it last year but forgot to tune it before the meet , so can’t give you my opinion on performance yet, but here is the amazon link

Amazon product ASIN B01EVONKGQ

 

[CharlesHS]

The past 5+ years that I offroaded in Southern California and Moab, Utah before moving to the PI; the majority of the Jeep owners were changing over from the CB radio to the 2M radio for audio clarity and transmitting distance.
In my Jeep XJ I operated a Cobra 148 GTL SSB and a Yaesu FT1500.
On the trail I rarely powered up the Cobra unless there were several vehicles without 2M capability.

Thanks for the radio information.

 

[divemedic]

Yeah a lot of people are switching to a lot of things. Once everything is done I’ll be running CB, Ham, and uhf and possibly gmrs. Let’s be honest, it’s just to look cool with a bunch of aerials hanging off the truck

 

[Gun Runner 5]

Let’s be honest, it’s just to look cool with a bunch of aerials hanging off the truck

Indeed it does, not to mention it discourages low flying birds.

 

[divemedic]

Phase 1 of the drawers is done. Probably won’t have time to go much further than this before the Meet N Greet. I will post a separate thread on the build process once it’s complete.

 

[divemedic]

I keep running into supply shortages re-working my electrical accessories. This enabled me to be a bit more productive on the drawers while waiting on amazon.

Quick demo



Additionally, I’ve got all my 24v accessories done. Went back through my previous work, eliminated chassis grounds and re wired by bluesea to serve as acc power supply.

Completed
- dual voltage reader
- dual usb charger
- cb
- ham (soft wired)
- reverse camera (soft wired)

Kill list
- 12v acc fuse block
- Head unit/amp harness
- tune radios
- tune camera
- diff breathers
- install load bars/storage
- trunk sidewall fabrication
- repair some old factory wiring

 

[divemedic]

Worked a bit on the tool drawer, decided to add additional nylon tape to the center. Also added nutserts to replace the plastic retainers when I start building up the wings.

Making up “lava paddle boards because the grass is lava” for the kids with scrap.

 

[divemedic]

This is the tool (left) drawer slides. I’ll likely do a similar spine for the kitchen.

 

[divemedic]

12v system wired up isolated by redarc bcdc1225. All accessories wired up and bench tested: main/aux voltmeter, front dual usb, rear usb with 12v (may connect for power constant with a switch), Ham 12v, cb on 24v, DRLs 24v, aux lights 24v

 

[divemedic]

Phase 1 of drawers complete. Packout for the 5th Meet & Greet complete.

 

[divemedic]

Final steps are just about done for the 5th M&G. Only remaining task is to pack the cooler.

 

[divemedic]

All the work paid off. Truck ran perfectly during the trip. I think the suspension is dialed for spring rates. Fully loaded travel weight with a trailer had a bit of sag but no uncomfortable handling. Trail weight was mint. I’ll look to do a coil conversion up front and BP51’s for a bit more comfort and adjustment while towing -vs trails.

Big thank you to Charles, Rob, Sam, and Kim for all your help organizing! Big shout out to Carlie and Addy for helping with the kids!

This year was especially memorable for many reasons. I’m going to start working with Rob to work on a plan to make the 7th Annual meet with some extras. I’ll post a separate trip report with more content once I get through my media.

 

[divemedic]

5th Annual, 70-Series Meet & Greet - Trip Report

 

[divemedic]

The result of a cracked battery:

Spent a day on cleaning the area with concentrated simple green to neutralize the acid and debriding destroyed paint.

Used metal prep and applied liberal coats of por15. hopefully I don’t have to deal with this again.

Ordered some battery mats for all my trucks. As insurance.