Chudlet's First TJ

Got my ARB air compressor assigned to and Auxbeam button in the cab so now it runs when I push the button or flip the switch under the hood.

Got the wiring harness for the locker solenoids put together and just need to mount the manifold and locker solenoids on the little shelf where the antilock breaks setup would normally go.

Finally made the appointment to have the gears and lockers installed next week. Still kind of on the fence about going to 4.56 or 4.88 gears.

Also added some Amazon grab handles (Wild Boar) to the windshield. They are not bad, appear to be solid aluminum bars and the welds are not fantastic, but they are ok.



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chudlet said:
Finally made the appointment to have the gears and lockers installed next week. Still kind of on the fence about going to 4.56 or 4.88 gears.
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$650 an axle.. half of what I paid here in the NE.

I have an NV3550 with 33's. I did 4.56 and it is spot on perfect for a daily driver with occasional rocky fire road use. Zero regrets. Had I thought 35's were in my future, which they are not, I would have done 4.88
 
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Spent most of the weekend working on my daughter's car, replacing belts, headlight assemblies and a few screws that refused to exit the vehicle without the use of a drill bit and tap. But I did get to squeeze in a little time with the Jeep and finished up the wiring for the locker solenoids. Got the ARB manifold mounted on the antilock tray. Had to order a few bits and pieces of hoses, connectors and such to put everything together. Not much to show other than a pic of the Auxbeam pannel with a few extra stickers added. Wish there was a "winch" sticker in the kit but closest thing was "power" so I guess that will do.

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chudlet said:
Spent most of the weekend working on my daughter's car, replacing belts, headlight assemblies and a few screws that refused to exit the vehicle without the use of a drill bit and tap. But I did get to squeeze in a little time with the Jeep and finished up the wiring for the locker solenoids. Got the ARB manifold mounted on the antilock tray. Had to order a few bits and pieces of hoses, connectors and such to put everything together. Not much to show other than a pic of the Auxbeam pannel with a few extra stickers added. Wish there was a "winch" sticker in the kit but closest thing was "power" so I guess that will do.

View attachment 491765
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Pretty sure I have a winch sticker.. I'll check.
 
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chudlet said:
Spent most of the weekend working on my daughter's car, replacing belts, headlight assemblies and a few screws that refused to exit the vehicle without the use of a drill bit and tap. But I did get to squeeze in a little time with the Jeep and finished up the wiring for the locker solenoids. Got the ARB manifold mounted on the antilock tray. Had to order a few bits and pieces of hoses, connectors and such to put everything together. Not much to show other than a pic of the Auxbeam pannel with a few extra stickers added. Wish there was a "winch" sticker in the kit but closest thing was "power" so I guess that will do.

View attachment 491765
Click to expand...

I'd have to look at my stickers but I thought it had a winch one.

This set does.

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https://www.amazon.com/Auxbeam-120Pcs-Switch-Sticker-Vehicle/dp/B0BG1K1FTK/?tag=wranglerorg-20
 
Oh very cool. if someone has one they don't mind donating to the cause, that would be great, if not, Amazon here I come.
 
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chudlet said:
Oh very cool. if someone has one they don't mind donating to the cause, that would be great, if not, Amazon here I come.
Click to expand...

I have the new larger version so I don't know if my stickers will fit or not. But I'll measure one and let you know it's size.
 
To catch up on current happenings. I got the Jeep back from Bill Johnsons Differentials late last week and have started breaking the gears in. He would have had it done the next day but some of the parts I provided had some issues. The front R&P were for a Dana 30, just not my Dana 30. Apparently, there were different pinion shaft lengths over the years and model of Dana 30. So new front R&P was ordered along with a new bearing kit. Then putting it all together it was discovered that the ARB I Facebook sourced, was indeed for a Dana 30 BUT was for 30 spline axles not 27 splines, so to make it work I had to upgrade to 30 spline shafts. I guess if I have to screw up my parts I might as well end up with a stronger setup anyway?

All said and done, I ended up with 4.88 gears, F&R ARB air lockers, and upgraded 30 spline Dana 30 for $2300. A little more than I wanted to spend, but the axles are ready for 35s whenever I am, I guess.

Well, I did not get any wrenching time over the weekend like I hoped, but I did get some last night. Change the oil, added a Stahlbus oil drain QD and installed this Facebook find.



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Hoping to get my caster dialed in a bit better and air lines run to the lockers in the very near future.
 
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Not really a picture post because yesterday's Jeep Garage Therapy Session was more about cleaning up loose ends and adjustments. So just for documentation purposes:
1. Got the lockers plumbed with air, tested and found and fixed the obvious leaks. 5 min, pressure test in the garage and no cycling of the air compressor. Time to test them on the trail.
2. Installed a 12Oclock Labs Speedo fixer. Plug and play easy. Wires are long enough that I routed the controller up by the brake booster and zip tied it off. Easy Cheesy. Now the speedo is dead on with GPS.
3. Added about 2.4* castor with 2 full rotations of the lower control arms, got DL vibrations at 60 MPH, dialed them back 1/2 a rotation and still have a little vibration at 70 MPH, so next weekend when I get back from a work trip I'll dial them back another 1/4 turn and see if that gets rid of the last of the vibration. Steering is much more predictable now. Jeep seems to want to stay in the lane without feeling too light.
4. Discovered the front DL was contacting the Tcase skid when I drooped the front axle to plumb the locker air tubing, so I modified the skid a bit so no touchy at full axle droop.
5. Finally found left and right sided US Flag stickers on Amazon so they got added to the Jeep.




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