For Pete's sake, Lend a hand (1 Viewer)

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Had a little time this evening to work on the tailgate and started trying to figure out the layout for the rear quarter panel mount.

Anyone recommend an affordable inverter? I’m not sure what I’d power with it but thinking it would be nice to have.

I ran a 2awg welding cable to the quarter panel for power. Seems overkill but better safe than sorry. I’ll be running the ARB compressor, amp for the sub, and the inverter off that cable. Most commonly not at the same time. Also going to add outlets for things like an ARB fridge, 12v sockets, etc.

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This is an excellent pure sine inverter. I think it was 350 off amazon. It is a 2000 watt. I had a friend, who happens to be a PhD in electrical engineering, test it on his oscilloscope and he said it was one of the cleanest he had ever seen.

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IMO with 2awg wire ran to the rear of the truck you really wouldn’t want to run an inverter that’s over about 1500 watts continuously. The reason for this is due to the input amps that it would be drawing, 125amps, at a distance of ~ 15’.
 
Finally mounted the rear quarter panel mount from @NLXTACY (WitsEnd) and wired it all up. Also ran the wire to the sub in the tailgate. Sealed up the tailgate with the exception of the 3 small drain holes in the bottom. Also lined it all with DynoMat. The sub makes a great addition to the stereo and added more bass than I thought it would.

The ARB twin compressor works great. Aired up my 315’s from 10psi to 44psi in 2:45 seconds. That included several air checks during the process. Plan is to mount a 2.5 gallon tank underneath where the spare tire use to sit and plumb it to the front and rear bumper.

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Last weekend I rebuilt an extra steering gearbox and installed it today with help from @FZJ80 in KC. Biggest struggle was separating the input shaft from the knuckle. Finally decided to try the air hammer on it to see if that would help it break loose and it popped it right off.

Also installed some 1” spacers that I got from @chap79. Definitely sits more level now.

Also replaced the drag link with a beefier one.

Just needs a front end alignment now. Any recommendations on where to take it in Johnson County?

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Last weekend I rebuilt an extra steering gearbox and installed it today with help from @FZJ80 in KC. Biggest struggle was separating the input shaft from the knuckle. Finally decided to try the air hammer on it to see if that would help it break loose and it popped it right off.

Also installed some 1” spacers that I got from @chap79. Definitely sits more level now.

Also replaced the drag link with a beefier one.

Just needs a front end alignment now. Any recommendations on where to take it in Johnson County?

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I have had good luck with alignments from Maurer Goodyear at 119th and Blackbob. About $100. Make sure to request a printout ahead of time.
 
I have been doing my own alignments with the shop made jig. You have to take wheels and calipers off, but has worked great.
 
Ended up going to Christian Brothers in Shawnee for an alignment per a recommendation from a friend at work. $109 with tax. Made a big difference in the way it handles, especially hard braking. The guy said the left front tire was pretty far out.

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Great example.... notice the only thing you can adjust on our cars is the toe-in on the suspension. --well that and the "steer ahead" that is just lining up the steering wheel.
 
It’s been a bit since the last update.

Finished out the back with a cheap inverter (I only use it to air up an air mattress) and built a drawer/fridge slide (yes it is still not painted).

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Took it on several trips last year.

Moab
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Ouray area. Imogene Pass, Black Bear and many others.

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Also took a trip and did some of what I think are the hardest trails in Colorado. Grizzly Lake, Iron Chest, Holy Cross City, Red Cone, Radical Hill, and Webster’s Pass. I’m sure I’m forgetting a some.
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But after all the trips and the hard off-roading, the hardest thing on it has been letting my daughter daily drive it.

Hit a curb and took out a tie rod. Yep that’s driving straight.
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Also ate the bearings on the highway and melted the birf to the spindle. She says it didn’t make any noise but I assume she had the radio up to loud. Also said it drove fine although there is video of her pulling in the driveway with smoke rolling out of the front end when she got home.

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Put a new windshield in it last week and it goes for some exhaust work next week.

Up next after that is to get a ham installed (finally got my license) and replace the clock spring. It went out and it’s hard to live without cruise control.

Thinking I’ll get the Icom 2730 unless someone suggest a better option in the same price range.
 
i ordered the ICOM IC-2730A with the Mars Mod already completed from Ham Radio Outlet in late May for the 100 series. It is not yet installed as I am waiting for a 3d printed mount to go above the rearview mirror. You should be good with that model. I figure i can monitor GMRS if needed with the Mars mod should we be on runs with others that utilize other means of communication.
 

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