OP
"Pacing myself" build
- Thread starter bobthetj03
- Start date
OP
Right side is mostly ready for paint.
OP
OP
Found several black widow nests behind the splash guard.
OP
Got the left rear off today. The forward nutsert wanted to spin, so I had to rip it out. More spider nests, so I headed to work to take the pressure washer to it. Washed the jeep while I was at it.
Amazing how much packed in dirt there is in the hard to reach spots.
Amazing how much packed in dirt there is in the hard to reach spots.
OP
I'm not doing this again. I'll run these till I scar them up again, then just pony up for some new Rubi flares, and keep these for trail spares when I anticipate trail damage. Kind of like having a spare set of trail wheels/tires.
I've got $120 in materials. I work for free, but have invested more time than I care to.
I've got $120 in materials. I work for free, but have invested more time than I care to.
OP
Well, looks like I'm stuck with these. Apparently, Rubi flares don't exist new anymore. Oh well.
In keeping with the refresh theme, I ordered up some clear turn lenses for up front. Should look good against the white.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XUX2Y94/?tag=wranglerorg-20
In keeping with the refresh theme, I ordered up some clear turn lenses for up front. Should look good against the white.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XUX2Y94/?tag=wranglerorg-20
How do you like this? Does it make it harder to shut the door? I have a set my wife got me but haven’t decided if I want to install them yet.
Yup it’s sad, I am always keeping an eye out for nice used sets. I will likely have to start hoarding Them.
OP
They don't interfere with the door function at all. You can barely see them with the door shut. The hardest part was getting all the left over protective film off that the factory put on there. Mine was all beat up. I picked up a Dupli-Color scratch Fix paint pen today to clean up some chips. Haven't decided if I want to spend the effort doing some color correction or not. I've got a lot of pinstripes, many of which won't go away with compound alone. I want to get the hood repainted and my "knee" dent repaired, so we shall see. Eric at Premiere Auto Body said he'd fix the dent and paint the hood for $300. I couldn't even buy the materials for that!
OP
Time for some highlines. Because adding bump is for losers.
OP
Flares hide all that sin, so meh. On tap tomorrow, paint flares black again. Finished the rough work on the last flare today.
OP
Took a chance today and drove the jeep to work sans 3 flares to clean up a few things. I did some paint touch ups to a few areas while having the flares off. The frame needed some touching up in a few spots where the rear splash shields had rubbed thru the paint on the frame. I replaced the nutsert I ripped out on the left rear flare. Put it up on the rack and touched up a bunch of spots I've been lazy to touch up. Also, trying to pinpoint an oil leak possibly from the transmission. Looks to be coming from the input shaft seal possibly. Gonna keep an eye on it for now. Wonder how long a NV3550 will go before it needs rebuilt?
It seems like a lot of people swap out the nv3550 for an ax15 when it needs to be rebuilt. You can buy a new ax15 for around $1,500 from AA and people have reported the nv3550 is $400 in parts and around 1k in labor to rebuild.
Personally, I'd likely rebuild the nv3550 simply because I'd be too worried my crossmember wouldn't work if they weren't identical in size.
You reminded me though that I need to add a new clutch to my winter project list. As far as I know it's still on the original.
OP
My clutch lasted till 125K, but it probably would have gone further if it wasn't for the throwout bearing shitting the bed. It seized and started eating the pressure plate forks for lunch.
In that case, I still have 20k to go lol. Hopefully, your new one lasts just as long. Have you passed 200k yet?