nukegoat
Should have bought a Jeep
Don't run the Dusy unless you like being bored
Vman's majestic wheelin' and build thread™
- Thread starter vman07
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- Thread starter
- #82
I ran it 4 years ago, did you find it boring? I thought it was a splendid trail through some beautiful country...
nukegoat
Should have bought a Jeep
Yeah. Not my thing. No real challenges
- Thread starter
- #84
I'd put off replacing my front diff bushings for too long. There was an obvious, but not significant, thunk/clunk up front when going over potholes. I was fairly confident thunk was not CV's, hub flanges, ball joints etc so all signs point to diff bushings. Oh and a 1/2" of play in the rubber made it pretty obvious...
I read through the replacement threads and info, it seemed like getting the diff cover bushing out was the biggest hassle. I started by replacing the other two bushings/arms...easy
The hole in one of the arm bushings was, uh, obvious
Then I began to drill/burn/cut the diff cover bushing out to expose the metal sleeve. After that it was good old chisel and hammer work. A few thousand hammer taps later and I worked the old bushing out...
I read through the replacement threads and info, it seemed like getting the diff cover bushing out was the biggest hassle. I started by replacing the other two bushings/arms...easy
The hole in one of the arm bushings was, uh, obvious
Then I began to drill/burn/cut the diff cover bushing out to expose the metal sleeve. After that it was good old chisel and hammer work. A few thousand hammer taps later and I worked the old bushing out...
- Thread starter
- #85
...it took about half an hour but the sleeve eventually popped out.
Then it was pretty straightforward pressing in the new bushing, the ball joint press tool was invaluable...
Here it is all snugged up. Overall the thunk/clunk is largely gone. Everything feels firmer/tighter in the front, I don't wince going over potholes anymore...
Then it was pretty straightforward pressing in the new bushing, the ball joint press tool was invaluable...
Here it is all snugged up. Overall the thunk/clunk is largely gone. Everything feels firmer/tighter in the front, I don't wince going over potholes anymore...
- Thread starter
- #86
looks like a set of RW's followed me home, those 35's are a little scary looking. I threw one on the front because why not? Left hand turns would be a little difficult. There really wasn't too much rubbing, a little on the inside fender, but they did hit the front of the Slee slider. I'd have to trim/grind down the slider to allow a full left hand turn...hmm? Otherwise I'm looking at getting a set of 285/75 Cooper STs...
- Thread starter
- #87
Well 3 months after finding the RW's I'm stoked to get some rubber on them. I kind of chickened out and went with a tire that I've had numerous times before. I thought I wanted to be adventurous and try a Toyo or maybe even a Falken Wildpeak, but I ended up going with old tried and true BFG Ko2 in the 285/75 size. I'm stoked with the fit and sit of everything...
- Thread starter
- #88
The 285/75/17 is on the left, the previous BFG Ko2 275/70/18 on the right. BFG calls a 285/75 a 34" , but that seems generous. Both old and new tires weigh in at 85 lbs. I had to do a pinch weld trim also...
hoser
SILVER Star
FWIW, Federal Regulations state very specifically how the tire diameter is to be measured.
LT tires are inflated to maximum pressure (according load rating. Yours would be 80 psi) for a period of 24 hrs and at some specified ambient temperature. Then the maximum circumference is measured (center of tread) and that figure is divided by Pi to derive the diameter. I can certainly see how some tires will "bow" out more than others and influence the "diameter."
- Thread starter
- #90
Got around to doing my LBJ's with my little helpers. Both lbj's were squeaking and I had the the tell tale 'thunk' and 'chunk' going over bumps and potholes. With new ball joints in, I've almost completely eliminated my squeaks and clunks.
wrenching is ez when you fit in the wheel well...
2 year old with a drill gun!
A few take-away's:
1) There's no need to remove the abs sensor in the knuckle. Just detach the whole sensor/unbolt it, but leave the actual sensor in the knuckle. I tried to remove the DS sensor and ruined it. I got a Chinese sensor for $30 (OEM is like $300) and it seems to be working.
2) There's no need to remove the steering arm from the knuckle. Just keep them connected.
3) A pitman arm puller was super helpful
4) Sourcing a 2 and 1/8" sleeve to press the ball joint in is useful to do before you begin. I used the exhaust pipe tip from @RuskiE39 and that totally helped out. Thanks Ruski.
5) Obviously it's a great time to check your bearings and repack
Other than that all went well...
wrenching is ez when you fit in the wheel well...
2 year old with a drill gun!
A few take-away's:
1) There's no need to remove the abs sensor in the knuckle. Just detach the whole sensor/unbolt it, but leave the actual sensor in the knuckle. I tried to remove the DS sensor and ruined it. I got a Chinese sensor for $30 (OEM is like $300) and it seems to be working.
2) There's no need to remove the steering arm from the knuckle. Just keep them connected.
3) A pitman arm puller was super helpful
4) Sourcing a 2 and 1/8" sleeve to press the ball joint in is useful to do before you begin. I used the exhaust pipe tip from @RuskiE39 and that totally helped out. Thanks Ruski.
5) Obviously it's a great time to check your bearings and repack
Other than that all went well...
Looks GREAT!
- Thread starter
- #93
we've been on several camping trips this summer and with 3 kids in tow, space is at a premium. Our 4 yr. old sits in the 3rd row and our fridge is right next to him. But the Dometic didn't fit well between the seat and the wheel well, so I made a tray for the fridge. The tray raises the fridge above the wheel well and turns in 90* to how it was oriented previously. Also because the fridge is elevated, there is room underneath for items such as my tools I bring on road trips...
the tray weighs about 15 lbs.
it's secured to the vehicle with 5 turnbuckles and is rock solid. Fridge will secure to tray.
tray painted to match interior
tools are accesible still but secured by the tray...
the tray weighs about 15 lbs.
it's secured to the vehicle with 5 turnbuckles and is rock solid. Fridge will secure to tray.
tray painted to match interior
tools are accesible still but secured by the tray...
are these arms a straightforward replacement? comes with bushings installed? unbolt 3 bolts and install? and there are 2 of these obviously
front center diff bushing no problems getting the new one back in? Are there 3 parts for this bushing? I think that's what I'm seeing in the parts diagram. thanks!
- Thread starter
- #95
The two arms are straightforward and come with the bushings if you buy the arm. You can just replace the bushings in the arm but I just bought the whole arm not to mess with pressing in bushings.
The third bushing does require to remove/chisel/displace the old bushing somehow, lots of techniques suggested on Mud to do that, I just used a hammer and chisel, and for the third bushing you do need to press it it with a big clamp...
- Thread starter
- #96
I took my 5 and 3 year old out to the Death Valley area recently. It was our first "overland" trip together, IE not camping in a campground. We camped in the Panamint Valley, checked out some minds, braved temps in the upper 20's at night, and had a wonderful time...
We left home in the Bay Area around 3am, so the kids woke up in the middle of bum-$&@# nowhere along the 5...
Our first night was out in the Trona Pinnacles area..
Met up with my dad in his built GX 460, along with my sister in an 80 series and brother in a Montero...
Camped here for 2 nights near Lookout City in the Argus Range, west side of Panamint Valley...
Cold nights...
We left home in the Bay Area around 3am, so the kids woke up in the middle of bum-$&@# nowhere along the 5...
Our first night was out in the Trona Pinnacles area..
Met up with my dad in his built GX 460, along with my sister in an 80 series and brother in a Montero...
Camped here for 2 nights near Lookout City in the Argus Range, west side of Panamint Valley...
Cold nights...
- Thread starter
- #97
Exploring the Defense Mine...
Typical rocky road for the area. Nothing to difficult...
Can't wait to return...
