Builds My $1k rig build

[Zantier]

I could not pass on a deal and would save me a lot of time fabricating heavy duty drawers with a slide out.... so I sprung for a new Dobinsons rear drawer system from Ozark Overland Outfitters. The drawer strength and space is amazing. I highly doubt I could have fabricated the equivalent with wood. I especially like the heavy duty rollers.

Installed, neat and tidy. The wings are designed to pop up and are secured with a plastic screw knob. If they don't line up exactly, this plastic piece is not very strong and it will not screw down--my only gripe with the whole system. I have left the inner screw knob out for now to ease access under the wings.

Here are a couple of action shots:

Lunch with a view.

My trail nickname became Beer Trucker.

 

[Zantier]

A few months ago a colleague of mine came up with an idea to meet up in Moab the weekend before Thanksgiving. Four of us from work, from all over the US, came along for the ride. I would drive my rig and they would would rent Jeeps. I picked them up along the way in Denver and our adventure begins...

Thirsty somewhere in Colorado.

Our first (partial) day in Moab was a little stressful. On the drive in, I had noticed an occasional vibration when coasting (never while braking or powered). It sounded just like you were running over a rumble strip... this short high pitched vibration coming from the front driver. We immediately hit a trail headed to Picture Frame Arch but I quickly turned around. The noise occurred after easing off every bump. I just had the tires rotated before I left and I was sure they had messed something up--they took the liberty without telling me that they checked the wheel bearings because there was some play in the wheels. This surprised me at the time but I didn't think much about it. They said they repacked and tightened them up. Back at our garage (the airbnb had a garage tall enough for me to pull in!) I started pulling off the outer hub. No play, tire spun perfectly, nuts tight, lock washer intact, bearings packed. So where was the noise coming from?

So I removed the tire to check the brakes/caliper. Seemed clear and okay. While I was at it I thought I'd pop off the birf fill plug and peek inside. BOOM! At that angle I could clearly see metal. It was bone dry. I knew I had a leaky birf but not that bad. At this point all the stores are closed but would get some grease the next day.

The next morning, I bought a couple of tubes of moly and a grease gun, dumped 3/4 a tube into the drivers birf and the rest in the passenger for good measure. I was going to wheel today!

Update: I have not heard that noise since adding grease.

 

[Zantier]

The first part of day one on the trail was Potash Rd to Shafer Pass up to Long Canyon Rd through Pucker Pass.

Shafer did not disappoint.

Long Canyon is pretty cool and a quicky if you are in this area. You get to drive through this unnamed rock.

Then down this steep narrow canyon (Pucker!)

 

[Zantier]

The Moab Rough Riders pose for a shot.

So after a long morning we headed over to the Arches area. Taking Willow Springs Rd, you can get into Arches National Park non-tourist style. I stumbled on this neat little trail this past Summer. After the dinosaur tracks, if you continue on Willow Springs will dump you in the middle of the park. About one mile before Balancing Rock, take a left and head North toward Tower Arch.

Late in the day we hit dusk, but taking Salt Wash Road puts you back in the middle of the park. I had seen Arches before but was still bummed we had to exit after dark.

 

[Zantier]

Day 2 and the Hell's Revenge challenge!

If you have one trail that you want to challenge yourself and your rig and you aren't afraid to soil your pants... this is it.

With half the daylight burned, it was off to find more fun.

<insert obligatory stuck Jeep pic here and Land Cruiser coming to rescue>

Seriously I had more fun getting him out using my recovery gear and begged for him to do it again.

Another great day!

 

[Zantier]

Day 3 and our final day in Moab we picked the Seven Mile Rim trail.

Beautiful views along the way and treasures such as the Uranium Arch.

Left to right: Chatty Cathy, Goose, Beer Trucker and 4-Low Joe.

 

[Zantier]

A video my buddy put together of the Moab Rough Riders 2019.

 

[Zantier]

I'm a bit behind on rig updates....

After dealing with flickering and dimmed interior lights, I finally bought and installed all four door switches. I think all but the passenger door were shorting out and as cheap and easy as they are to replace, I just bought new. I can't remember if these are for the front or back, but just bought all four the same (whichever one has the longer wires--the only difference).

The previous owner had done some kind of modification on the driver's door switch, cutting the rubber grommet and inserting a tire stem cap, because the switch wasn't making contact. I had the same clearance/contact issue and as inventive as the previous hack was, I found a washer placed under the assembly does the same thing without damaging the rubber.

 

[Zantier]

December 15, 2019
McBaine Bur Oak
Columbia, Missouri

 

[Zantier]

I've been having some problems on and off with a rough idle and crank/but no start.

What's the first thing to replace? Twenty Land Cruiser points if you guess it. It was time regardless... and I ordered a replacement for the replacement.

Weird replacing the fusible link did solve my rough idle for a while. I read somewhere on MUD it is linked to a couple of things that could potentially lead to a rough idle, but the crank/but no start issue continued to persist. It was so infrequent that I could not diagnose. If I let it sit for a day, it would start right up. One day it happened, I had enough and towed it to a shop. They call me the next day and tell me I need a new starter. HUH? It cranks just fine, just doesn't fire. When they tried to start it it would not even turn over and they diagnosed (made sure power was getting to the starter) it was the starter. I told them fine, but when they replace the starter, it still won't start... which of course it did. I still can't figure out why the starter decided to die at that very moment. I now had a running vehicle, but the crank/but not start issue happened again. This time, and thinking back, it always occurred after very humid rainy conditions. So I start searching the electrical system.

Sure enough, there is corrosion on the connection to my ignition coil--cleaned it, added dielectric grease, and good to go.

Another issue resolved but my rough idle came back. I checked all the vacuum lines and intake and figured this would be a good time to replace the fuel filter.

Note the new has the notch for easier installation (pro tip, search for it here on MUD). The new fuel filter didn't seem to help with the rough idle but it was a nice feeling after seeing all the rust pour out of the old one.

I again checked all the vacuum lines, intake, and even attempted to remove the throttle body to clean it but got stuck on the lower bolt. Next time I'll remove the entire intake to get a grip on it.

 

[Zantier]

If you have followed along with this build, you'll know one of the first things I replaced was a frayed seat belt. I got a good deal on a used one but it had started to fray as well. I needed to get my rig state inspected and they failed me on the seat belt! 99% of the belt webbing was still intact, just the edge was badly frayed but rules are rules... *sigh*

The brown seat belt wasn't as easy to find this time so sent my original off to Safety Restore. Holy Smokes I Recommend! $92.99 for brand new webbing, cleaning and returned in a WEEK!

The only gripe I have is I picked the color Beige. They are suppose to color match and even confirmed this with them. You can see the difference.

They cleaned all the mechanisms...

...and even sewed in my old tag!

I think it looks fine.

 

[Zantier]

Picked up my new personalized (that sounds better than "vanity") plates!

 

[Zantier]

Cleaning out the new to me RTT and getting prepped for Colorado... wishing I was in the higher elevation temps instead of Missouri shade.

 

[Zantier]

I ordered some seat covers and a new drivers bottom cushion a long time ago and just now getting around to installing (I feel like that's how I start most of my posts).

The driver's 25 year old seat cushion had long seen it's time... and my butt could tell.

First the passenger cover...

Then removing the drivers seat to replace the cushion...

Old cushion out (yuck)...

Cleaning up and protecting the rusted yucky seat frame...

 

[Zantier]

Until @NLXTACY gets his A pillar grab handle mount produced, I desperately needed some place to hang my radio mic. There is literally NOWHERE (flat and solid surface) to place a mount. Plus this location is right at ear level (I use the Midland MXT275 which has the speaker in the hand mic) and easy to reach.

What I used:

• RM-B272U Ram Base w/ 9mm Hole and 1" Ball
• Expedition Essentials PAM Extended Arm, CB Mic, Handheld Radio Mount

The Ram mount is angled and I had to file a bit off the shoulder to allow enough clearance to reach the A pillar screw, but super easy and very solid.

 

[Zantier]

Went wheeling with a group in the Mark Twain National Forest this past weekend. What fun!

 

[NLXTACY]

They are almost ready I swear

 

[Zantier]

They are almost ready I swear

Ha, no worries, I'll still be buying probably more than one. This little RAM deal can be mounted anywhere I can stick a bolt. It got me thinking--on the back pillar would be great. I could mount my phone there while charging and cooking/working out the rear.