Builds The Trail Snail Build | Above Average Overlandish

[slceso]

Hey what lead you to want to replace the tranny mount? I've got a ~6" lift from PO. When I go over speed bumps the shifter moves around and I get clunks in the rear driveline when it goes into the low gears. Obviously I haven't fully diagnosed it, but I'm fairly certain it's not u-joints.

Cheers!

 

[SmokingRocks]

It was worn out, not toast but close. Just PM.

News today: My tach, Oil Pressure gauge and now my trip counter have all packed up. I am getting much closer to pulling the trigger on my custom gauges.

Also in progress:

• Project 3-link through my buddy at Mountain Vista Fabrication
• Double Cardan Front Drive Shaft (Bills Englewood Driveshaft)
• Just replaced my TYC radiator with a Koyo and the busted shroud with a new OEM one.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Well I had my year end review on monday... it looks like they are going to let me keep my job! Infact they gave me a unexpectedly large christmas bonus which was very appreciated. So I've decided to take some of the bonus and apply it directly to some of my projects that need to be completed.

Here is a list of what I'm planning on completing this winter.

 

[JohnnyOshow22]

Winter is coming...

 

[SmokingRocks]

Orders Placed for:

• Front Axle Service Kit and Wheel Bearings (Timkin)
• Napa Reman Calipers (Front Left & Right)
• Napa Rear Bleed Nipples
• Power Stop Front Brake Disk, Pads and Hardware Kit
• Trail Gear Hub Stud Kit (12 replacement studs and cone washers)
• Trail Gear Transfer Case Craw Gear (3.11:1)
• 7 Replacement Lug Nuts
• 12 Replacement Front Wheel Studs
• 12 Replacement Rear Wheel Studs
• Aisin Blue Fan Clutch
• Wheel Stud Installer

Next week I will place orders for:

• Speed Hut Gauges (Ordered 12/5/16)
• Slee Hi-Steer Arms
• Double Cardan Front Driveshaft
• Exhaust

Gonna be a fun winter of wrenching!

 

[JohnnyOshow22]

Excited to see how the trail gear crawler gears work out. Depending on seeing the quality of them when you get them and after you run them for a bit I will have to think long and hard about getting a set. You plan to do this at your place or a shop?

 

[SmokingRocks]

My shop

May have accidentally also ordered some heated seat elements.... oops

 

[SmokingRocks]

Napa Calipers installed, Beno was right these are Toyota castings that have been remand. All of them had the same factory markings and for 53 bucks after core for each caliper I'd say it was a pretty good deal.

It stops much more straight and true now.

 

[OGBeno]

I'm not lying about this stuff.

 

[SmokingRocks]

I've been busy, Powerslot rotors installed in front with organic pads... WOW I was shocked at how much that improved the brake feel, it has bite now and feels way more firm.

Also the brown santa showed up again...

new hub studs!

I have removed the electric fans, and am working on prepping the blue fan clutch with 10,000 CST oil

And for those of you who know me this next thing is a big deal. For the first time since I bought this rig I NOW HAVE WINDSHIELD WASHERS!!!!

 

[JohnnyOshow22]

WHAT!?! No more water bottle/arm out the window to squirt washer fluid in half the windshield haha

 

[SmokingRocks]

I know that was becoming a standard. What can I say... As I'm getting older I appreciate my creature comforts more!

Overall I am THRILLED! My rig has never run better, its smooth, pulls the way I would expect it to and idles like butter.

 

[dirtyboots]

Where did you source the panhard thread bung stuff? butter is my favorite vegetable

 

[SmokingRocks]

Where did you source the panhard thread bung stuff? butter is my favorite vegetable

Adjustable Rear Panhard Bar How To

However I did mine slightly different. I welded the threaded bolt into one side of the arm, just like the man-a-fre adjustable rods are. Works fine.

Trail Snail Winter Update!
I installed the TG 3:11 crawler gear in the T-case last weekend with the help of @JohnnyOshow22

Some clearancing

It really helps to have access to a good press when doing this job.

Cleaning and prepping surfaces

New Gears installed!

The beloved VC

Back in and happy to be done with this.

So all of that excitement quickly turned to frustration and sadness when the engine died 50 yards out of the garage............... loss of fuel and trans wont shift in Drive.
You can read about all of that -HERE-

Anyway you can read about me troubleshooting and fixing issues at that link above. But as of today the rig is working well, and my new years Moab trip is back on.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Merry Christmas Everyone!

In my down time tonight I made a seat back molle harness out of an old tactical vest.

 

[SmokingRocks]

Installed my heated seat elements. I still need to do the drivers side cushion, I'm waiting on the replacement to come in at mr. T's.

These aren't the best photos but this whole thing stated off as a quest to fix a broken passenger seat after moab.

Also replaced the worn out elastic band in the seat back pouch.

 

[ETXLX450F]

Excited to see how the trail gear crawler gears work out. Depending on seeing the quality of them when you get them and after you run them for a bit I will have to think long and hard about getting a set. You plan to do this at your place or a shop?

I got these gears too. Best bang for the buck. They have been my favorite mod so far. Took about 5 hours by myself. Left the case in the truck when I did it. My set has a little over 25k miles on them and they have been flogged on. HARD.

Duggy and I both accidentally dropped the gears on his concrete garage floor (slippery packaging, you've been warned) before they were installed. Upon inspection I couldn't find any chipping or blemishes.

Engine braking downhill is the tits!


My 100 has 315s and is locked. It was a game changer! Don't let the low price tag steer you away.

 

[JohnnyOshow22]

I got these gears too. Best bang for the buck. They have been my favorite mod so far. Took about 5 hours by myself. Left the case in the truck when I did it. My set has a little over 25k miles on them and they have been flogged on. HARD.

Duggy and I both accidentally dropped the gears on his concrete garage floor (slippery packaging, you've been warned) before they were installed. Upon inspection I couldn't find any chipping or blemishes.

Engine braking downhill is the tits!


My 100 has 315s and is locked. It was a game changer! Don't let the low price tag steer you away.

Did you have the Trail gear @300$ or Slee/Marlin/Marks gears @600-700$ The price tag for the TG is appealing being a broke college student that wastes all his money on the rig but it's TG... haha The TG seemed like decent quality but I've never held a Slee/Marlin/Marks gear set to compare the TG to. I will probably get a set after hearing some more positive reviews on the TG ones

 

[SmokingRocks]

Gauges are coming along! The complete build thread can be found here:
Custom Gauge Cluster

 

[SmokingRocks]

I've been busy so it's been a while since this thread's gotten an update. Most of you have seen some of my progress through other threads I've started but I figured I should relay that info here.

The old trail snail is getting primped up for the upcoming Cruise Moab venture. She will be hauling out a 2,000 lb off road camping trailer so she needs to be tip top.

• Installed my rebuilt *again* rear driveshaft
• de-rusted & painted my rear bumper & painted my badges

• rebuilt my front right hub and axle seal after this happened
  
• Fixed my issue with the VSS signal not getting to the ECU and Cruise Control Computer Here is me testing it with my homemade ipad oscilloscope.

Here is a photo of my janky homemade oscilloscope

• Fixed my Sunroof so now it opens!!!!!!

• And I started work on my transmission preheater bypass valve, complete with a failure (valve stuck inbetween positions) indicator.

Things left to do before moab:

1. Install trailer light harness
2. renew registration (emissions dyno, wish me luck)
3. remove, strip and repaint front bumper
4. rebuild @JohnnyOshow22's extra power steering pump
5. finish gauge cluster (carbon fiber back board and light boxes)
6. rework Blue fan clutch (over filled it)
7. Replace rear heater soft lines
8. Drain coolant refill with 90/10 (distilled water + water wetter / coolant)
9. adjust parking brakes
10. pack and leave

Lots to do!