"Pacing myself" build

[bobthetj03]

While we were waiting for @Thunderhead to show up since he was late getting his beauty sleep, @Indy and I swapped out bushings on my rear upper arms. I love how easy it is to service the Duroflex joints! I won't talk about the right frames side bolt. It tried to kill us. We got the right side done and Tom finally showed up, lol!

 

[Alex01]

While we were waiting for @Thunderhead to show up since he was late getting his beauty sleep, @Indy and I swapped out bushings on my rear upper arms. I love how easy it is to service the Duroflex joints! I won't talk about the right frames side bolt. It tried to kill us. We got the right side done and Tom finally showed up, lol!

I busted my hand tightening the upper rear bolt. At around 110lbs of tightening force the socket slipped off and my hand went straight into the edge of the fender.

How did the bushing look? New like the other one?

 

[Thunderhead]

While we were waiting for @Thunderhead to show up since he was late getting his beauty sleep, @Indy and I swapped out bushings on my rear upper arms. I love how easy it is to service the Duroflex joints! I won't talk about the right frames side bolt. It tried to kill us. We got the right side done and Tom finally showed up, lol!

I was getting your pork roast and sausage ready is why I was late

 

[bobthetj03]

I was getting your pork roast and sausage ready is why I was late

You were getting your sausage ready all right! Lol!

 

[bobthetj03]

I busted my hand tightening the upper rear bolt. At around 110lbs of tightening force the socket slipped off and my hand went straight into the edge of the fender.

How did the bushing look? New like the other one?

The old bushings looks like new. 40K on them.

 

[Thunderhead]

You were getting your sausage ready all right! Lol!

I just hope your thinking about that while your eating it

 

[bobthetj03]

I just hope your thinking about that while your eating it

That's fucked up man! Lol! Let's see, did I tighten that front brake hose good enough? Hmm?

 

[bobthetj03]

Finished off servicing the last 4 Duroflex bushings on my rear uppers, not that they needed replaced, but mostly curiosity to see how they are fairing. Other than needing some magic grease, they looked just fine. I replaced them anyway with their "upgraded" formula bushings and will keep the old ones for spares.
Still undecided about the gas tank skid and if I should even bother. The stocker is holding up ok. It has its share of dents and scars. I need to order some new side windows for the soft top, and work on the jeep trailer some more.

 

[DuncLJ]

Finished off servicing the last 4 Duroflex bushings on my rear uppers, not that they needed replaced, but mostly curiosity to see how they are fairing. Other than needing some magic grease, they looked just fine. I replaced them anyway with their "upgraded" formula bushings and will keep the old ones for spares.
Still undecided about the gas tank skid and if I should even bother. The stocker is holding up ok. It has its share of dents and scars. I need to order some new side windows for the soft top, and work on the jeep trailer some more.

What were you thinking in regards to the gas tank skid?
I'm in a similar boat. My tank skid has some small dents and scrapes on the corners but is holding up pretty good in general.
Trying to decide on a new lopro tucked skid or just modding my factory skid to bring it up another inch.

 

[rasband]

Trying to decide on a new lopro tucked skid or just modding my factory skid to bring it up another inch.

If I had the skills, I would probably do this first to prove out the idea that added clearance matters - then decide whether or not another skid adds anything. You'd be the lightest skid on the market I am aware of with a slimmed down stock (the savvy is around 5# heavier than stock if I remember my measurement, which is the other lightest weight option I know).

 

[DuncLJ]

If I had the skills, I would probably do this first to prove out the idea that added clearance matters - then decide whether or not another skid adds anything. You'd be the lightest skid on the market I am aware of with a slimmed down stock (the savvy is around 5# heavier than stock if I remember my measurement, which is the other lightest weight option I know).

That's a good point. Most of the skid mods I see involve welding. I don't have that skill, but I have seen some that bolt the overlaps together. I may go this route. Should only cost a few dollars in hardware. Worth a try before shelling out the big bucks.

 

[rasband]

That's a good point. Most of the skid mods I see involve welding. I don't have that skill, but I have seen some that bolt the overlaps together. I may go this route. Should only cost a few dollars in hardware. Worth a try before shelling out the big bucks.

I would expect there to be some strength compromise with bolts instead of welds (mostly due to surface area and weight vector), but I don't know the math to say if that's the case. Either route, I would probable inspect a few times during and after trips.

 

[DuncLJ]

I would expect there to be some strength compromise with bolts instead of welds (mostly due to surface area and weight vector), but I don't know the math to say if that's the case. Either route, I would probable inspect a few times during and after trips.

I only consider bolts a viable option because the Savvy skid uses them, but I agree, it would have to be done right.

 

[bobthetj03]

I'm not a fan of the nut/bolt config. I gravitate towards the Rokmen skid as it is a stamped piece, no nuts/bolts to piece it together. Sad part, I tried calling Rokmen and left a message with no response.

 

[rasband]

I'm not a fan of the nut/bolt config. I gravitate towards the Rokmen skid as it is a stamped piece, no nuts/bolts to piece it together. Sad part, I tried calling Rokmen and left a message with no response.

I live 15 mins from them, I can run over and ask Jeff if they are still producing it if you want.

 

[bobthetj03]

I live 15 mins from them, I can run over and ask Jeff if they are still producing it if you want.

That would be helpful, thanks. I really like their products. Got their steering skid and 1/2" BL.

 

[rasband]

I only consider bolts a viable option because the Savvy skid uses them, but I agree, it would have to be done right.
View attachment 176961

Good point! Probably just a matter of the right torque and right grade. I apparently forgot what my OEM looked like before I went savvy...

 

[rasband]

That would be helpful, thanks. I really like their products. Got their steering skid and 1/2" BL.

My LJ may stall on the way over, so I will let you know

 

[DuncLJ]

I'm not a fan of the nut/bolt config. I gravitate towards the Rokmen skid as it is a stamped piece, no nuts/bolts to piece it together. Sad part, I tried calling Rokmen and left a message with no response.

I like the Rokmen. I've looked into it and it seems solid as a rock.
The price is appealing as well.

 

[bobthetj03]

I have the BL, so the added inch in clearance, plus the TB clearance is appealing.