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Norcal69's Common Sense Build.

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Norcal69, Sep 11, 2014.

  1. May 16, 2015
    Yooper John

    Yooper John Member

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    You have done some very nice work!
     
  2. May 17, 2015
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    Thank you for the compliments guys. The main purpose of the sliders is to be a step. The female of choice is only 5'4 and it drives my crazy when she puts her boot on the door sill. I'm going to put a 1" wide strip of anti skid tape across the top so that I don't end up on my arse.
     
  3. Jul 8, 2015
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    I got the new T18 installed. Herm repaired my rebuilt transfer case. The OD is a 30%. I'm still working on the interior sheet metal.
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    Here are a couple shots of my new sliders/steps. They are much better for getting in and out.

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  4. Jul 8, 2015
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    like the jeep, the dog and the back up light switch.
     
  5. Jul 8, 2015
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    Thank you,
    The transmission was shipped to me without a provision for a back up light stitch. I picked up a gm back up switch that was 5/8-18 thread and had a weather pack connection. (I have everything weather packed on the whole jeep.) I then located the shift rail inside the top cover and drilled/taped the hole. I then had to adjust the depth of the switch with a small shim. I didn't do it precise by any means, and if I were to do it over again I would do it slightly different but the same basic operation. I'll get the switch PN later.
     
  6. Jul 8, 2015
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I read that you didn't have a backup light switch and your year requires that. Its cool that you did it yourself. Looks great.
     
  7. Jul 20, 2015
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    I just about have the interior sheet metal all wrapped up. I ended up using a stock cover and making a couple pop outs to clear the shift tower and topped it off with a Lokar shift boot. I still need to do something about the boot for the OD shifter, I actually want to do something different with the OD shifter all together. Maybe modify a stock long transfer case shift lever to give it a more factory look.
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    Made it out to Whiskey Town lake on Sunday afternoon. Everything went great. Outside temp was 105 and the water temp never went above 200 thanks to my 3 core aluminum radiator. We took the dirt road all the way around the back side of the lake to get away from the rif raf and let the dog swim. I found a decent rock and did a little flex test. The granny gear in the T-18 makes it cake to get on top of a rock.

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    Valentino84 and jeepstar like this.
  8. Jul 21, 2015
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    Just catching up on your build. Looking great. Very nice work and sensible stuff. A couple of thoughts, if I may:

    Ever get the steering worked out? I believe they make that right side TRE with an opposite bend, if that would help. I got the wrong one from Walck's once and they sent me another, with the opposite bend.

    Some detail on your exhaust system please, unless I missed it. I like that. Is it reasonably quiet compared to before? Any rubbing anywhere?

    Did Herms tie rod kit come with the new weld in tapers or was that a separate purchase?

    Thanks. keep up the great work.
     
  9. Jul 21, 2015
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    Dave,
    Thank you, This project ended up being a lot more work than anticipated.
    I ended up using the stock TRE that came with Herm's kit and purchased three weld in tapers from TMR customs. I flipped the TRE over and it clears thought the range of motion. Herm's tie rod kit worked great, his drag link was a little shorter than I like, every installation is different depending on where the box is mounted, so I ended up welding an extra jamb nut on each end of the drag link. This essentially made the drag link 1" longer. I used an 88 YJ manual steering pitman arm to get the drop correct.
    I am very happy with how it drives. With the caster increased to 5* you can take your hands off the wheel at 65 and it will track straight down the road and you don't have to chase it from line to line when driving.
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    The exhaust running out the back is much more comfortable than the side exit. I will be in the market for a new set of headers over the winter. The Headman's that came on the jeep were worn out when I got them. I welded them up, but they are awful thin all over. The mufflers are walker quiet flow and are the biggest that I could find. I had to heat and dent the top of the drivers side to keep it from hitting the hat channel. The Pipes out the back were made up and installed by Stanley's welding in Redding, ca. Stanley's guarantee's his exhaust systems to be rattle and vibration free. So far so good, even when at max flex, no rattles or vibrations. There are two hangers on the piping after the muffler.
     
    Valentino84 likes this.
  10. Jul 21, 2015
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
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    how did you coat your sliders?
     
  11. Jul 21, 2015
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    The Sliders are .250 wall aluminum tube. The front bumper is aluminum as well and I have a matching aluminum rear that is not installed. The sliders are really more for use as steps, but will see the occasional scuff.
     
  12. Jul 21, 2015
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
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    I figured they were alu. you left them raw or?
    look sexy.. don't want to build another pair 20" longer do you?
     
  13. Jul 21, 2015
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I left them raw. I just picked up some 2" traction tape for the top middle section as they are getting slick.
    The base angle that attaches to the body came with the jeep. I just added the round tube and supports, otherwise I might consider making them.
     
  14. Jul 28, 2015
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I whipped up a front hitch/ removable winch mount over the weekend. I Picked up a Warn M8000 with synthetic cable and a Hitch mount winch plate. My plan is to use Anderson 350 amp power poles for the winch plug. I like the size of the 175 amp, but I'm afraid that they wouldn't hold up to a super heavy pull if necessary. This winch will be able to be used on both the jeep and my 2 door Tahoe.
    I used 2"x3" box across the front, this tied the front frame horns together and gave the steering box side much more support. I gusseted both corners. The drivers side gusset is under the steering box.
    This addition really sharpened up how the jeep drives.
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  15. Jul 29, 2015
    oddfirejeeper

    oddfirejeeper Active Member

    Hamilton, MI
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    that picture of the jeep by the lake looks like sly park. is that where that was taken?
     
  16. Jul 30, 2015
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    That is Whiskey Town lake outside Redding, Ca
     
  17. Aug 3, 2015
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I had my first successful weekend in the woods. Camping in the Shasta Trinity National Forest Just a couple ridges over from where all of the major California wild fires are burning. The jeep ran great at 6,000' elevation with no carb adjustments required. I did get the engine a little warm one time when crawling into my favorite fishing lake. It is a very rough road, mostly made out of head size and larger rocks, and no 2wd pickup would ever make it into there. When I noticed the temp was at 220, I turned on the heater and cooled it down to 200 fairly quickly. I think that a simple fan shroud covering the top half of the fan would help out, I have zero problems cooling any other time.

    We have had a lot of lightning strikes starting fires. The bark from this tree was blown over a 100' away.
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    Anti theft device
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    Tamarack lake is a popular lake in this area for Toyota owners and other people I cant stand. We crawled up there just to say we did it and remind ourselves why we never go there. We did catch a nice picture at sunset, I don't know why I didn't get the jeep in it.
    [​IMG]
     
    Hellion likes this.
  18. Oct 22, 2015
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Here's a couple pics of my exhaust for the guys who have P'med me. This is the left side, the right side is basically a mirror of the left. There are two hangers on the pipe behind the muffler. I get zero rattles or vibrations. The tubing work was done by Stanleys Welding and Muffler in Redding, Ca. When I bought the jeep the exhaust came out in front of the tire and was both smelly and loud. It is much better with the exhaust out the back.
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    Also I have included a pic of my latest creation, a sight glass for the transfer case oil level. I installed a T on the transfer case with a sight glass on the rear and a street elbow on the front. I then put an access panel in the transmission cover so I can easily check the transfer case oil level and top it off without making a mess. You can see the brass hex head plug and access hole in the top of the pic. I should have taken a pic before installed, but I had to build in piece by piece under the jeep.

    [​IMG]
     
    cadwelder likes this.
  19. Oct 22, 2015
    uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    Greeley CO
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    Some exhaust shops are better than others. I had a shop do the system in my MB with a V6 conversion. They routed everything to the rear, even around the 15 gal tank under the seat and it had a lifetime warranty.
    I'm still trying to figure out how to install a pipe and dipstick in the top of my T90 so I don't need to crawl under there.
    I saw an ad a few years ago where there was a few sections of pipe fitted to get a check and fill in front of the firewall for the transmission.
     
  20. Oct 23, 2015
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    That last pic answered my question. I couldn't grasp how it was fitting past the upper shock mounts. Thanks for posting!
     
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