Builds I've waited 20yrs for this 40th build

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That rear bumper looks awesome! You didn't trim the lower quarter panels did you?

Thank you very much!

Nope, no trimming. The bottom of the bumper ends is just even with the pinch weld on the quarters. If needed, I could fit some plate to protect the pinch weld, but I am going to let it ride for a while and see how it goes out on the trail.
 
Been dialing in the trailer lately to work a bit better on the trail along with getting the drop hitch to be at a good height. A month ago or so I broke a couple of standard trailer springs while wheeling so I decided it was time to do it right. My trailer will see many more miles of rough trails. I installed some OME FJ60 springs with shocks and now it rides outstanding soaking up all the washboards and bumps wonderfully. No more bouncing and jarring.

The top picture is before the springs broke and the bottom picture is with the 60 series springs installed. I picked up about an inch of height with the 60 series springs and that allowed me to use a shorter drop hitch and take more advantage of all the clearance I gained with my new bumper.

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Downside to the high clearance bumper is that anytime I use the hitch for my bike rack or hitch hauler, I can't lower my gate. A minor irritation and inconvenience, but it may still drive me to modify the bike rack.

I have been using Thule gutter clamps and load bars for years, but I think it's time for a real roof rack and six clamps. That will probably be a winter time project.

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Actually did this back in December but forgot to record it. I installed the BlueSea ACR status led. Pulled apart the instrument cluster and installed it in the lower right corner for a nice discrete installation. It's really nice to know when the charging is or is not combined.
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I’m still obsessed with your rear bumper. So clean
 
Finished up my DRL lighting. I wanted to be able to stop burning the headlights all the time. I like to run with lights on day or night and this will keep me from having to go through headlight bulbs as often, plus it will help on the trail when I don't want to run headlights. Two relays used to allow them to turn on only if the engine is running and off when the headlights turn on.

 
One of my first and favorite mods - Dome light in the lift gate.
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I also think I am finally settled on how to organize the cargo area. Spare tire mount built, Molle panel on the tire, and a variety of other little things to make sure I have what I need when I need it. I can also still put in the right side of the rear row as I need to sometimes.

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I love that custom rear bumper so clean and tucked in. Beautiful Truck!
 
Do you have a build thread for your trailer?

Nope, we began building that trailer shortly after the Cruiser was purchased. Not much internet or build threads back then:). All my pics and documents are good old film and paper.
 
What wiring did you tap into, or did you run your own?

I fed the wiring to the dome light over the third row for power and then grounded it inside the gate.
 
Finally replaced my front springs with the C97-144VT Dobinsons springs. I had been running OME 850+spacer but had wanted to move to Dobinsons ever since I put their yellow shocks on my truck. I removed the 850's and the spacers and once the new springs were in the ride was improved immediately and I picked up just under 3/8" more lift.
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First experience out in the woods with the new springs. Ride is very nice, especially driving quickly along the forest roads. Moderate dips and holes are much less jarring now.

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For those of you considering the 10% under-drive gears, the low range gears, or both inside transfer case, here are my thoughts as I recently installed both sets into my transfer case.


To begin with, my 80 is very well maintained, it's pretty quiet running down the road, and I know it intimately. Going into this, I was not so much worried about noise from the low range, but with some recent concerns popping up on MUD about the UD gear noise and the warning from OTRAMM that some people experience gear noise, I was worried. I like my rig to feel solid and without any weirdness, especially in the drive line. I picked up the low range gears quite a long time ago and then the under-drive gears from Cruiser Brothers when they were running the sale over the holidays. For me, getting the final drive ratio back to stock for only about $400 plus my labor was a no-brainer. I also had a bearing in my t-case that was making a bit of noise when it was cold, so I wanted to fix that too. The plan was to replace all the seals, the front and rear output shaft bearings, and then only the bearings appearing to have more wear than I was comfortable with. Only one additional bearing was replaced.

Beyond the awkward, heavy, and dirty transfer case, the installation is pretty straight forward. Some of the press work and pulling is odd, but if you can think through it and be a little creative it will go down without a hitch. I highly recommend watching the @OTRAMM videos a handful of times prior to digging in. Those videos, plus the FSM proved invaluable.


Here are my impressions of the drive-ability after installation.


  1. WOW!! The low range gears are totally worth it! Huge change, and I can’t wait to get out on the trail. This is the thing I can’t get out of my mind. I am certain it will pay dividends on the trail.

  2. The 10% under-drive is worth it, although during my first few drives it almost seemed imperceptible. By this, I mean, its like you know something is different but you’re just not sure what. It just seemed more right, but was really hard to point to exactly what made it seem that way. I drove from Colorado Springs to Denver today to get some highway time and it is just better. In a very simple way, it’s just better. Cruise control set at 75 just sticks there, even with the hills in between the two cities. The truck seems to be more comfortable cruising along at all speeds. Easier to accelerate, decelerate, merge, etc.

  3. Noise - I am only getting a faint gear whine from the under-drive gears. It also really only comes in about 55-65 mph. I am going to sound deaden the tunnel to get rid of what I hear, but I doubt my wife will even notice. I would also be surprised if it doesn’t get better as they wear in a bit. I am running 85w90 oil for the first 100 miles and then I may go thicker to see if it helps. The noise potential was my biggest concern, but after today’s drive I am totally fine with the noise level.

  4. I now want to get the speedo corrected. It’s weird to have everything better and feel right, but have the speed off. I think I will just run the yellow box.
Dealing with the front output shaft bearing and putting the transfer case back into the truck were my biggest frustrations. Beyond those two things, it’s all good and I am happy I did it.

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Did you weld that rear bumper directly onto the frame rails? If so, how did the pro/con work out in your head for doing that? Really love the design if I can find a good place to put my spare.
 

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