Id love to hear more about this story. Long distance for sure !
What did you do to your TJ today?
- Thread starter LJRubiconGuy
- Start date
Id love to hear more about this story. Long distance for sure !
Finally got around to finishing up a body repair this weekend that I started last November. My LJ had one rust issue when purchased in May '23, a nice blister formed over many years under the "Trail Rated" logo on the driver side.
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I cleaned out the rust and shot it with a couple coats of color followed up by a catalyzed 2k clear coat. Not too bad for rattle cans in my garage in winter but I had plans to do more with it when the weather improved.
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After letting things cure well and, quite honestly, forgetting about it for a few months, it was time to flat and polish the area. After 1500 and 2000 grit wet, hot enough to melt the balls off a brass monkey so the wet sanding was a welcome task.
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After a few passes each with compound, polish and wax. I'm old school and used to using corded cast metal buffing machines with wool bonnets, but I managed this with a Ryobi 18v cordless 5" DA polisher and a variety of foam pads. I snagged a red "Trail Rated" emblem from a Trailhawk (?) to replace the original gray one, thought the red might look sharper on the black.
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Pretty happy with the results, the only suck being that I now have abolutely no choice but to polish out the rest of the vehicle.I don't think that clear coat has seen love since it left the stealership back in '05.
Nice work !
Greased all points on the Jeep (drive shafts, TREs, Johnny Joints, Track Bar, etc.). Did that yesterday, today I head to Rausch Creek to wheel for a few days and work that grease in. 
I previously mounted a new Smittybilt X20 10,000lb to a Motobilt stubby I had powder coated. Today I got around to putting this fairlead on i got from Factor 55. Does this seem like enough clearance or would you be alarmed? I really don’t want to have to open it up if I can help it as, like I said, it’s already been powdered. Obviously that won’t make a damn if it’s dangerous and useless. I’m not a rock guy, as I know you guys live using these. The only use it will likely get is in a sand/mud situation locally, maybe rocks on Drummond, or to help a pal in distress.
Clearance looks fine to me. The bumper is below the opening on the fairlead.
I think honestly forgot all that I purchased on prime day- another package arrived today. Stuck on some Velcro that I had and Ta Da! Handy first aid kit.
MD.PipeGuy
New Member
Transfer case fluid change. The fill and drain plugs were a b^!ch but a little heat and a few hammer taps got them broke lose. I watched a few videos on YouTube and it looked like the skid plate would make things a mess. I threw a cheap foil pan under the drain hole and then poked a hole in it that lined up with a hole in the skid pan. Mess free. 
-Sutliff Taste of Summer in the MM. I don't usually smoke aromatics, but I wanted something light due to the heat/humidity and the peaches in this blend just called to me when I opened up the tin.
-Sutliff Taste of Summer in the MM. I don't usually smoke aromatics, but I wanted something light due to the heat/humidity and the peaches in this blend just called to me when I opened up the tin.
JohnF500
New Member
Taught 16 year old niece to drive a straight shift…now she wants a wrangler. Keep the sickness spreading 
Transfer case fluid change. The fill and drain plugs were a b^!ch but a little heat and a few hammer taps got them broke lose. I watched a few videos on YouTube and it looked like the skid plate would make things a mess. I threw a cheap foil pan under the drain hole and then poked a hole in it that lined up with a hole in the skid pan. Mess free.
-Sutliff Taste of Summer in the MM. I don't usually smoke aromatics, but I wanted something light due to the heat/humidity and the peaches in this blend just called to me when I opened up the tin.
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I used to fold up flat aluminum foil into a little 'boat' and punch a hole through the skid - much like your pan there. Your use of the pre-formed pan is a great (better) idea!
Transfer case fluid change. The fill and drain plugs were a b^!ch but a little heat and a few hammer taps got them broke lose. I watched a few videos on YouTube and it looked like the skid plate would make things a mess. I threw a cheap foil pan under the drain hole and then poked a hole in it that lined up with a hole in the skid pan. Mess free.
-Sutliff Taste of Summer in the MM. I don't usually smoke aromatics, but I wanted something light due to the heat/humidity and the peaches in this blend just called to me when I opened up the tin.
View attachment 545660View attachment 545661
Kudos, for the ingenuity wish I had thought of that more than a few times in my life
.Cheap and easy DIY stuff like this is always good to share!!
I happened to find a variety package of these at a yard sale a few moons ago and I FEAR NO SKID PLATE any more...
Finally got around to swapping my rear springs. Swapped the front some 6+ months ago and I have just not had time.
What brands? The new one looks like it has a longer free length and lower ride height.
Funny, I was about to reply saying his "bucket's got a hole in it", but then I realized what was going on there.
I agree, not a bad idea!
Transfer case fluid change. The fill and drain plugs were a b^!ch but a little heat and a few hammer taps got them broke lose. I watched a few videos on YouTube and it looked like the skid plate would make things a mess. I threw a cheap foil pan under the drain hole and then poked a hole in it that lined up with a hole in the skid pan. Mess free.
-Sutliff Taste of Summer in the MM. I don't usually smoke aromatics, but I wanted something light due to the heat/humidity and the peaches in this blend just called to me when I opened up the tin.
View attachment 545660View attachment 545661
Nice move on the foil pan. I have the same pipe! Mixture 965.