Texas Wheeling

[72Blazer]

Got some good wheeling in Saturday 11/29. We were in a group of 3 as everyone bailed at the last minute. I got turtled once pretty bad. Had to use the roll cage off a buggy to lift the front end and get tugged out.

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[72Blazer]

 

[72Blazer]

Figured my front frame chop has been sitting in the box too long so got to getting the old setup out of the way to make room for the @NextVenture frame chop. I would like to do the 5” but the 3” seems to be more realistic for my overall purpose. Cruised around over the weekend topless before tear down started.

I put my steel bumper on my son’s JK so needed to remove the JCR winch plate and winch. Winch was also filthy so pulled the line. In the process, I took the solenoid control box off the winch to figure a relocation plan for it

Mocked up

Main section painted with several coats

The relocation of the solenoid took several hours. Mocked up a bracket for the driver side, FAIL. Pulled the passenger @CavFab_mfg inner fender, FAIL. Pulled the air filter box to check for clearance, FAIL. Pulled the battery to figure if I could cut the plastic box to run the battery the opposite direction, FAIL. Contacted @Kbach to see if he ever built custom boxes for the solenoid and appreciate the input he gave me. Finally, I decided to just throw the battery back in and start pulling my grille off to see if I could mount it behind there. As I put the battery back in, I realized I could push the battery over just a tad bit, clearance a bolt on the fender, and this would allow me to wedge the factory warn winch solenoid box in there. The wiring out of the solenoid will clearance just enough to slightly imprint on the hood insulation. Ran to get some wiring and within a few more hours, I had the wiring routed and ready to go once the bumper is finished up. The plan is to knock it all this weekend. The wiring worked good with no issues yet.

yeah it’s rough in, don’t hate, my daily is in the shop so gotta keep this one ready to roll out.

 

[72Blazer]

Finished up the bumper yesterday. What a pain in the ass. A lot of tedious work. Not sure I’d recommend this over the EVO front frame bumper that seems to be a bolt in. Overall I’m happy with the product and outcome, just definitely a lot more than I anticipated.

@NextVenture front frame 3” chop done. I feel it looks a little incomplete without the hoop, so planning to add it down the road.

 

[ObiMatt87]

Finished up the bumper yesterday. What a pain in the ass. A lot of tedious work. Not sure I’d recommend this over the EVO front frame bumper that seems to be a bolt in. Overall I’m happy with the product and outcome, just definitely a lot more than I anticipated.

@NextVenture front frame 3” chop done. I feel it looks a little incomplete without the hoop, so planning to add it down the road.

Looks very solid, but yeah, I can see how that took time. Nice work, though!

 

[72Blazer]

Went looking for pics with my old set up to include a CavFab bumper and steel bumper. I can really see the difference and benefits I’ll be getting not only for four wheeling but also aesthetically.

 

[72Blazer]

You can have some of the best parts on your jeep but if that maintenance isn’t up to par, then the slightest issue is really going to mess up your day.

I started having cooling issues Tuesday. Then I noticed I was losing coolant. I limped to a buddy’s house and by the time I got there my Jeep was severely overheating. To top it off, my CEL went haywire and the jeep started misfiring like crazy. I pinpointed the leak to the reservoir tank and the electrical issue either to my winch wiring (which was disconnected via the cut off switch so ) or to my fog lamp wiring (which are no longer in place.) I replaced the tank and did a coolant flush and plan to do another. I also had been hearing a whine from the rear end and that ended up needing a quart of fluid. Rerouted my fog lamp wiring to behind the grille and retaped and sealed it. Then disconnected the winch wiring completely. I’ll address this with more time. I guess I should start doing new plugs, coil packs, serpentine belt, etc. I’m already at 156k miles.


before and the issue

After

some Blanton’s for all the hard work.

I also had a loose nut on a lower control arm and a missing bolt on the bracket for the lower radiator hoses.

 

[72Blazer]

Mall crawler status

Had room in the storage and so tucked her away for the week

Thinking I’d like to do a K2 or WolfCaves run next month

 

[72Blazer]

I’m planning a trip to Katemcy Rocks for Memorial Day weekend if anyone would like to join. Jeep is currently in the shop again. Coolant leak, service 4wd light, and AC intermittently blowing hot air.

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