Building Homer (2005 TJ Build Thread)

Found this when I pulled out the middle piece of the windshield trim...

1000007616.webp


Jeep definitely shows that it's spent some time outside...
 
  • Wow
Reactions: Wildman
Determined my plan for the ARB Compressor output.

ARB recommends a manifold or hose that can handle heat as the air will get hot over prolonged use and melt plastic.

So I went with this hose off the compressor:

Viair 92804 18" Stainless Steel Braided Leader Hose

I'll have a bulkhead here:

PXL_20240828_044400469.webp


So I ordered:

Bulkhead Fitting 1/4" NPT

ARB Hose Coupling Us Std Npt 1Pk (740112)

1726714149791.webp



I like this ARB connector, even if it is a few more dollars than a standard coupler, because it should be easier to use with that rubber coating.

If I added couplers elsewhere, I'd likely just so standard route.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wildman
For the tire inflator kit, I didn't want to spend nearly $100 for the ARB kit, so I pieced together this solution.

Hose:

Cheap 25' accordion hose

Tire valve connector:

Quick Connector Inflator


1726714943666.webp


I stole this off another design because I like the idea that the inflator flows once connected and stops flowing when disconnected.

So, clamp it on the tire valve and work on other items while the tire inflats.

My current (Harbor Freight) air compressor for the tires screws on the valve stem — and I HATE it because it's such as pain to put on and off to check pressure and blows out tire pressure each time you take it off. This eliminates that hassle.
 
I already had the bolts from the roll cage removed... And I've heard so many horror stories about rushed around the windshield gasket...

I've been considering doing this for a while because of that concern of rust at the base of the windshield frame...

So I went for it!

First I lubed the hinges with this:

1000007627.webp


1000007620.webp


Then I went about halfway and put the windshield back and re-lubed it.

1000007621.webp


The hinges felt good so I just went for it...

1000007623.webp


The hinges went smoothly and honestly the Jeep looks pretty cool like this!

1000007625.webp


Windshield frame is in great shape and I will lube up the windshield gasket with silicone before the windshield goes back up.
 
Looks pretty cool with the windshield down!

1000007628.webp


1000007633.webp


1000007632.webp


Likely won't have it down again. So, these will be the pictures to capture how it looks with the windshield down even though it's got tape and other things all over it for other ongoing projects...
 
Initial inspection tells me I've got a couple of spots to touch up to avoid future cancer...

1000007635.webp


This is incredibly small rust compared to other spots on the tub but glad to have found it now and will sand it down and lock it up with paint to suffocate the cancer...
 
  • Like
Reactions: JMT and Wildman
You don't run with your windshield down when on the trail?
Up here the trails will dry up around late July early August depending on the previous winter. Once they dry up the dust can be terrible since a lot is volcanic ash and lava crushed up. The windshield can become so covered you can't see out. So we drop our windshield and wear goggles.
There's just something about driving with the windshield down.
 
  • Wow
  • Like
Reactions: JMT and Rickyd
You don't run with your windshield down when on the trail?
Up here the trails will dry up around late July early August depending on the previous winter. Once they dry up the dust can be terrible since a lot is volcanic ash and lava crushed up. The windshield can become so covered you can't see out. So we drop our windshield and wear goggles.
There's just something about driving with the windshield down.

Nope, drive to/from the park and folks I've rode with, including myself, don't have a cage so the windshield is needed if we hit tougher trails.

We ride a lot of 'follow the leader' trails as we have been on 33s all find our own lines as we go through.

We do pull a spotter of we hit tough stuff but it hasn't so common on our trails. Bang and clang always got me through tough stuff.

Not too say we pick easy trails, we mostly make our way though.

Haven't found the windshield to be an issue other than running the windshield washers if we hit a good mud puddle.

—-

Looking to hit the harder obstacles with the upgrades when he's driving again!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rickyd and Wildman
Ran a quick clean tonight with water and dish soap to clean the windshield gasket.

1000007635.webp


1000007638.webp


It's crazy how much dust had gotten into a gasket...

I'll probably clean it again in detail and then hit it with some silicone spray before the windshield goes back up.

That would be after I hit the light rusting spots...
 
  • Like
Reactions: FarFire70
Do the ARB coupling use a standard air hose fittings like this?

View attachment 559844

If they do I like the compactness of it.

That's what I'm tracking it accepts.

Agreed - it's a nice compact coupler but I really like the grip on it to make for easier on/off connection.

—-

I'm only planning to use it for tire inflation. I can't use a lot of the hoses & tools from my garage as I went with Milton connectors/couplers that have a larger port for higher airflow. So I'll need to be sure I don't grab my garage hoses to take on the trail.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O2ZID2/?tag=wranglerorg-20
 
That's what I'm tracking it accepts.

Agreed - it's a nice compact coupler but I really like the grip on it to make for easier on/off connection.

—-

I'm only planning to use it for tire inflation. I can't use a lot of the hoses & tools from my garage as I went with Milton connectors/couplers that have a larger port for higher airflow. So I'll need to be sure I don't grab my garage hoses to take on the trail.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O2ZID2/?tag=wranglerorg-20

OK, I'll wait until you get it and see how you like it. But if you give it a thumbs up I might get 2 for my rig.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FarFire70
OK, I'll wait until you get it and see how you like it. But if you give it a thumbs up I might get 2 for my rig.

I'll post up feedback when it gets here. Looks like that one is the longest lead item from Amazon - so not until the end of the month.

Rest of the host, tire valve clamp, etc should be here tomorrow.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wildman
OK, I'll wait until you get it and see how you like it. But if you give it a thumbs up I might get 2 for my rig.

I have one on my jeep. I'm pretty sure it is the fittings pictured. No problems so far even leaving it open to mud and grit getting into it
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wildman
Parts started coming in for air compressor project.

Steel hoses here along with the accordion hose.

But this connector: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYDXGGH2?tag=wranglerorg-20

I completely missed that it is designed to screw into a inflator - so it is sized down to a tire valve. I want 1/4" NPT.

So it's going back to Amazon and I've ordered:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CJBLJ315/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Will add a connector to this so I still have the coupler on the accordion hose. Thinking I'll toss a air nozzle in the kit in case I need to blow off dust, dry water, etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wildman
This morning, we went over to church for it's first 'young families' day to give <5 years olds and their parents a chance to meet up outside of just the crying room on Sundays.

Boys got to play with some of the kids that they see on Sundays. It was a casual and fun get together.

Afternoon was spent trying to tackle this:

PXL_20240921_183140250.webp


PXL_20240921_183149653.webp


Please don't judge too harshly... It's been a rough 6+ months where this just became 'throw whatever you're holding in an empty spot'...

A lot of it is hand-me-down toys from family and friends for when the twins get older.


It's been driving me nuts every time I go down here!

Lowe's had 4' wide 5-tier shelving units $30 off - so this became the project of the weekend!

Shelving units setup:

PXL_20240921_183115399.webp


This is in the other half of the basement where all that stuff has started to be moved.

Spent hours in the afternoon going through things and organizing. Still a lot more to go. New shelves are about 50% full at this point.

I'll put up some pictures when the 'after' shots are more impressive than where I stopped for the day today...
 
Tested out the OBA tire inflation tools I received.

Put teflon tape on the 'standard' connector going to the tire closed (doesn't blow air without connection to the tire valve) quick connect.

PXL_20240926_011202418.webp


Tested it with my air compressor's Milton (high flow) connector and the test went great. Performs as expected.

The nice thing about the Milton high flow couplers is they still accept standard-flow connectors.

—-

Tried to run the tire connector with the accordion hose and that was a disaster...

PXL_20240926_011241768.webp


PXL_20240926_011246322.webp


The plastic wrap is welded to the hose... So this is going back to Amazon and I'll buy another one from a different vendor (likely all the same chinese crap but hopefully the next one doesn't have this issue...)

ARB coupler still 'on order' so hasn't shipped yet even though it has a 25-29 Sept delivery date... Will test it out when it gets here.
 
Tested out the OBA tire inflation tools I received.

Put teflon tape on the 'standard' connector going to the tire closed (doesn't blow air without connection to the tire valve) quick connect.

View attachment 561013

Tested it with my air compressor's Milton (high flow) connector and the test went great. Performs as expected.

The nice thing about the Milton high flow couplers is they still accept standard-flow connectors.

—-

Tried to run the tire connector with the accordion hose and that was a disaster...

View attachment 561015

View attachment 561017

The plastic wrap is welded to the hose... So this is going back to Amazon and I'll buy another one from a different vendor (likely all the same chinese crap but hopefully the next one doesn't have this issue...)

ARB coupler still 'on order' so hasn't shipped yet even though it has a 25-29 Sept delivery date... Will test it out when it gets here.

I recently picked up a locknflate for my M18 compressor and it works really well if your quick connector lets you down. I’ll probably switch all my stuff to the locknflates.
 
I recently picked up a locknflate for my M18 compressor and it works really well if your quick connector lets you down. I’ll probably switch all my stuff to the locknflates.

I just picked up the LockNLube for the grease gun in Jul. Installed it but haven't used it yet. I needed this because of crappy performance of all other couplers for grease couplers I had used...

I looked at the LockNFlate for this kit... but the price put me off to try this cheaper version for trail use. This is my first use of a quick coupler on the tire valve.

You bring up an interesting point for perhaps adding the LockNFlate for the garage since I check all the vehicle tires each month... May be a good investment. Appreciate the positive feedback.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Apparition