I've Never Figured Out When Enough Is Enough

Made a little mistake on Sunday. I ordered my trans fluid from a website I didn't recognize. IDK why I didn't just go to Summit, but I didn't. It was suppose to be delivered today and the chuckleheads sent it to some guy in Oregon. I checked my order receipt again, and I definitely had all of the correct information.

I submitted a support ticket to the website and to UPS, then I did what I should have done in the first place: ordered the product from Summit. Trans fluid change will now have to wait until Monday/Tuesday. grr
 
Parts are finally starting to roll in for my windstar intake upgrade. I'm not really doing this upgrade for the "cold air intake". I am doing it because what the PO did with the intake is dumb and has always annoyed me.

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I've not known what to do about it until I got on this forum. Started hearing people talking about the Windstar intake. I finally stumbled across @jjvw 's build thread where he had done it on his jeep, and that cleared everything up for me. I started ordering parts:

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The attentive eye will notice that I am missing the snoot/gromet that goes on the end of the air cleaner housing. I knew that wasn't a part of what I was buying on the ebay listing and figured I'd figure out another solution. I considered maybe turning it up and having a mushroom style cap coming above the cowl, but scrapped that as That would defeat the purpose of hiding the intake in the cowl in the first place. I ended up calling the seller that I got the housing from and asked them to send me the factory part. That is now on its way to my house.

I may do this project in the next couple of weeks. I haven't really decided yet. I'm not in too big of a hurry.
 
@jjvw or @tworley Did you guys cut these mounting brackets off of the air cleaner? I don't see any use for them and was thinking I'd cut them off to keep a clean appearance...

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I had a little extra time after work today and decided to cut down my Windstar intake to get it ready for install. I followed a thread that showed the process, but I can't find the original thread anymore. Otherwise I would give credit. It may have been on another forum.

Anyways, I started by removing the mass air flow sensor from the portion that would need to be cut down. It was very easy. Two bolts, and unplug the wiring harness. Then, I marked a line and cut the top portion off:
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I then marked a second line, and cut off the main body section that I was trying to eliminate:

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When I slid the two pieces together, I didn't care for the fit around these sections of molded plastic:

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So I marked them, and shaved them down with my dremel:

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This worked out pretty well, because the inserted piece kind of clipped into place after that:

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I used four rivets to fasten it together:

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And then I sealed up the gap with some RTV. Really, I just wanted it to look a little prettier...

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And, that is the point where I ran out of time. I'm still waiting on a part, so I'm unsure when I will get back to this. It was kind of a fun little project.

EDIT:: I forgot to mention that I did clean up the cuts with a file.
 
And for documentation purposes, I did get my transmission fluid changed last weekend. Everything is fresh with the exception of the coolant.
 
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This post is mostly just a data entry for me to keep my built timeline in order, but this is what I posted in my trailer advise thread:

I made the purchase this morning. When I went out there, they didn't have the 10,000# trailer in stock. It was marked wrong in their records. I ended up getting the 20' 14,000# manual tilt. It cost me $700 more to get the larger trailer, but I feel like the benefits that I got made it worth it. This trailer automatically comes with 16" wheels and 10ply tires, plus of course the added weight capacity. Now I can haul just about anything on it. It took virtually no time at all to load and strap down. I am quite pleased with the purchase so far.

My only gripe, is the room between the fenders isn't great. If I wanted to go with a wider wheel base, it wouldn't all for more than 4 1/2" additional width. You guys know better than me, but that might be plenty. IDK. Of course, there are ways around this, and I'm not actually concerned about it.

Cost was $7,093 pre tax.

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Nice..

Just when you think you've got the TJ where you want it, it's time to start over with an LJ!

I mean, the TJ is really just practice for a future LJ build right?

Actually, I've been low key searching for the right LJ for awhile, but I just can't stomach spending too much money on something that I intend to change completely. I wouldn't need the entire drivetrain. I also doubt I'll start that build for at least a year, so I've got plenty of time to search for the right deal.
 
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I kinda want to find an LJ tub and frame too. Then Hemi Swap, tons, 40's, coilovers, etc.

Yep. I'd be on a very similar build plan. Because of the cost and extensive nature of the build, I'm sure it'll take me years to complete. Sometimes it is more about the build than the destination.
 
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I kinda want to find an LJ tub and frame too. Then Hemi Swap, tons, 40's, coilovers, etc.

There is one out here in OR someone is selling. I'll see if I can find the ad again. If I remember correctly they were asking $2500 for it.
 
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I've seen this posted on marketplace a few times over the last week. I'm curious what you guys' thoughts are on taking on someone else's build on something like this. There are a ton of obvious concerns or things to think about on something like this, but I thought it might be worth snatching up as a future project once I'm 'finished' with my jeep. It is an 8 hour drive from me...

I know nothing more than what is in the post. I have not contacted the seller.


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