April Big Bear Run

[DB_1]

Stic-o,
I was gonna go with an autozone stock 95 amp alternator for $110, then I saw they had a 130 amp for $250. I got to thinking on the board here awhile back there was a group buy through mr. alternator so I checked out the website and I can get a 130 amp alt. for less than $200 shipped so I went that route.

Jaime,
suspension mods went so-so...I wasn't able to use the Cherokee coils with the stock Ranger buckets, they just wont stay seated in there so to use them i'll have to use EB buckets. So what I got accomplished was cut off the shock mount portion of the coil bucket, reinforced the side of it with 1/4" plate steel and for shock mounts I used super duty shock mounts. And for shocks I'm running Bilstein 12" travel 7100's w/ remote res. Also, I had to make a new lower shock mount so instead of the shock mounting on top of the radius arm,
it is now mounted to the side. My welds seem to be holding up after the Truckhaven run last weekend...so far so good.

Still no alternator...keep ya posted.

 

[410Fortune]

DAVE,

It is VERY important to change out the wiring pigtails when you install a new alternator as well! Most places that sell the alternator will also have the correct wiring pieces you need.

ESPECIALLY when you upgrade to this large of a unit.
ON my truck I am on my third complete alternator wiring harness, I buy the pigtails and solder up the harness myself, but my truck is a little different since it is a 4.0L in a BII, my alternator is actually from a 90 Aerostar 4.0L, plugs right into the 4.0L and into the truck...Ford is weird that way. With enough research you can usually find something that will make it work!

For you its just a matter of soldering on new connectors on the ends, possibly replace the + feed to the battery. Take a look at your current pigtails at the very least....

 

[colpepper]

Dave, hope that alternator gets installed. It would be a shame if you missed another snow run. Brian I am hoping to hook with you guys on Saturday morning, if you Ford guys don't mind a little Jeep competition. I am coming up with a buddy with a 69 Bronco sitting on 35's.

 

[Ken Cooke]

What time are you guys beginning your runs?

-Ken

 

[Stic-o]

I'm out! Just saw some bills I didn't plan for(big ones too), and with gas prices Im really sorry guys! I' not to happy about this, I guess I'll catch up with you guys next run!

 

[Jefe]

Stic-o You pulled this thing together man, and you're just going to drop out at the last minute!?

 

[Stic-o]

Let's just say There were some bills that I was .....Um..Unaware of, and well we're going to Hawaii in 2 weeks and we put some money aside for it. Well a large amount of that money is now spent. Wife's not to happy. I'd rather stay here and wheel instead of Hawaii. But sence I'm not payin for the Hawaii trip, I'm not gonna argue.

My other issue is I have a Bacholor party sat. night. Starts around 6-7 and lets just the "Entertainment" :smoke: shows up at 10. It's about 2hr to BB, which means I'd have to cut out on sat. by 4-5 Which sucks. Sorry you guys are gonna lose to the "Entertainment"

So I'll make you guys a deal I'll see if I can juggle some stuff around and make it work, then come sunday. That way you guys can do all the hard core stuff Sat. sence Bill,Jamie and David mite come then anyway. Then we don't have to play "drag steve through everything" (and I do mean drag) Sorry you can't even compare SA & 35's to IFS & 31's

I really wanna go! So maybe I'll see ya guys Sunday morning I'll know more later today.

Jefe....Did your brother ever get rid of those tires or does he still have them? Maybe I can do Laway with him on them!

 

[410Fortune]

and the saga continues! hahaha
Got Bills ranger fixed up with a new U joint.
I highway tested my new trans and found my speedo cable is toasted (again)
The computer acts all funny when the speed sensor jumps from 75 MPH to 5 to 15 to 65 to 75 and back to 0. So I am almost ready and still plan to meet up with Bill EARLY am Sat to head up there, but I will be in the garage tonight doing the finishing touches

Cutting it CLOSE! as usual.....

 

[jobunn]

I am planning to be there before 9:00 am Saturday. I may camp that night hopefully, or just make it a day trip.

 

[jobunn]

BTW, I will most likely be coming up with two guys in built FJ40's. They were going to run Big Bear anyway Saturday.

 

[410Fortune]

OH geeze here we go, Jeeps and Fj's! SWEET!!

A little friendly competition never hurts
As if my 33's didnt look small enough...keeping up with the jonses is proving to be very difficult

 

[Ken Cooke]

Joe,

I might see you on the drive up the hill tomorrow morning. If so, I'll have my CB radio on CH.4

-Ken

 

[jobunn]

Joe,

I might see you on the drive up the hill tomorrow morning. If so, I'll have my CB radio on CH.4

-Ken

I'll be sure to have my CB on Channel 4 on the way up too. Are you running with us or the Jeep guys?

 

[410Fortune]

Bill and I are headed up bright and early will be in camp before 9 am, barring any unforseen issues....

Channel 4 it is, if you see the red white and blue BII trying to keep up with RangerX's crazy driving, holler!! hahaha

 

[Ken Cooke]

Are you running with us or the Jeep guys?

I'll be leading a large run both on Saturday and Sunday, so I will not be able to join you guys during the day. If you see 20 or so Rubicon's, give me a holler - I'll be with the 'modified' group (lifted 2.5" and up)...

-Ken

 

[DB_1]

Thanks for the alternator tip Jaime...probably a good idea to change out the wires on the alt. since i'm pushin' 100k on my truck.

As for the alternator itself, it's still a no show :fire: If by chance it gets delivered within the next few hours i'll throw that sucker in there and head out
in the morning...otherwise i'm dead in the water.

 

[410Fortune]

You can catch a ride with somebody else, or go get yourself a autozone special and then return it later

Can you borrow an alt from a friend? hahaha
If you knew what I have gone through to try and make this run you wouldnt laugh at my last comments

(I will be in the garage tonight getting her up to par for this trip, 170 miles on the new trans, I am not worried about the trans anymore! Other problems have reared their ugly head)

 

[jobunn]

DAMN!! My ETA has been pushed forward at least until Saturday night. My fiance' is really sick so.....ya know.

I am shooting for Saturday night now or I'll drive up early Sunday.

 

[BKennedy]

new diretions

take 3n14 to 3n97 follow that all the way to where it splits. turn left follow down until you see me. i found out we can have a fire so bring some wood.

 

[Jefe]

I'm home. . . finally.

To recap today (Sunday): At the start of John Bull I broke the pass. side steering knuckle I knew that welding a cast piece back together wasn't going to work too well, but we had to at least get my truck off the obstacle so it wasn't blocking the trail. I threw a few beads on and we got it about 25' and halfway turned around before my welds broke in half, and you could see that it hadn't penatrated at all. I was off the obstacle enough that Brian could come back down, and we tuged it around with a strap till it was on flat ground, and by that time I had learned how to steer by putting it in 2wd-front and then 2wd-rear and back again. Once on flat ground I gave it one heck of a weld job, which got me all the way to town so I could wait for my parents to grab my brothers Expedition and a Uhaul trailer and get up to me.

Saturday on the other hand was an awesome day. It started snowing as we started John Bull, and by the time we got over to Holcome Creek the scenery was awesome. (pics to come)

Thanks a lot guys for hangin around till everything got sorted out. And thank you Brian for letting me sleep in your nice warm trailer. :smoke:

No pics yet, since I forgot the camera in the truck, and its now over at Johns.