New GG & Winch pic

[kilroy]

CALL US

I have a valley hitch that I got from Farm & Fleet. I also have their Weight distributing hitch that acts as a huge buffer zone to protect my rear end when I'm not towing. The hitch cost me around $90, and took 15 minutes to install. I didn't care whether it was hiddin or not, just as long as it was functional, plus it's easier to clean when it is in the open.

My bumper looks bent, but it's not. It's just the angle of the camera.

BTW My truck is dirty and needs a bath.

Any takers?

 

[2001ExpSport]

uh....ehem...I have cable...I AM special and don't you forget it.



Hey T-Bone, ordered some 31" BFG MT's and a set of 15" rims to go with them. Also bought Rancho GSX17000's to go around. can't wait to get them on. When I get everything cherry I will takes some pics and post them.

 

[2001ExpSport]

Hey Kilroy, how did you bend your bumper? You need to stop towing the heavy stuff...

 

[T-Bone]

Sport-

Don't you have 16" rims already? Why go down to 15"? Because the tires are more common, thus cheaper? Great choice with the BFG's! I'm still trying to find the best shocks for my needs, but I have heard lots of great things about the Ranchos. I'm going to check out the set you are talking about. I would love to do the air control set-up with the air tank in the back.
Let me take a bunch of pics of your ride when you get them on and I'll put them up on my page. Looks like Cameron is almost getting the NIEC thing together.

T-Bone

 

[2001ExpSport]

T-Bone, 15's are cheaper than 16's. Besides, with a 15 you get more rubber between you and the rim. A BFG KO 32x11.5R15 is $125.95 and the BFG KO 265/75R16 is $141.95. Same size tire, different rim size. I like the KO, but I wanted a mud tire. I found this awesome site and bought a wheel and tire package from them. THey mount and balance the tires and then send them out. All I have to do is bolt them on. Pretty cool huh? I bought 4 BFG MT's and 4 AR 767 wheels mounted and balanced(it was a package deal) for the price of 4 BGF KO tires only. The AR 767's are black powdercoat steel, they will bend instead of cracking if I get a hard hit. I think the black will go well with my black sport. Trying to get the tough look. I won't get my shackles and wheels for about a week. My Ranchos should be here Thurs. I am adding the shackles to my add-a-leaf to get my a$$ end higher. Still sags a bit lower than the front. The wheel wells look uneven.

As for the pics, I have a real crappy camera. If you have a digicam then I would be happy to meet up, you don't live that far from me. I can use my dads camera too, but if you are looking for an excuse to pal around then lets do it. Sundays are usually best for me.

Oh, BTW I got the wheel package so I would have a set of wheels for long road trips. I don't want to burn up my MT's too quickly.

 

[T-Bone]

Ok, I got it. Those MTs will look great! What is that web site with the tires,rims and pre-balanced tires? Give it up!
Heck ya, I want to come over with my camera, snap some pics of your truck and help you put on the shackles (or watch if its a one man job). Just about any day works for me. Just let me know when you plan on doing it and email me. What town do you live in? I'm in Addison and work in Streamwood. I know you told me before but I forgot.

That's a good idea about having a spare set of tires. I'd like to have some mudders handy when I want to get dirty.

T-Bone

 

[2001ExpSport]

Well, I am not sure when I will get my shackles. I ordered them from Desert Rat(today) and they said 7-10 working days. My wheels should be here by next friday. I am going to Attica, Ind. on Labor day for a run. You want to come, it is 2nd and 3rd.

Anyways, the shackle deal is sort of a one man thing, but I would be happy let you help so you get some experiance.


I live in Evanston, right on the lake. At most you would be a 45 minute drive, depending on traffic. Check the maps site on yahoo for directions and it'll tell you the est. trip time.

I posted some picks in Before & After, check 'em out.

 

[T-Bone]

Tire Site

Matt-
What about the tire site? Where it be?
T-Bone

 

[2001ExpSport]

Oh ya, sorry

http://www.natltire.com/pages/home.html

 

[kilroy]

Originally posted by 2001ExpSport
Hey Kilroy, how did you bend your bumper? You need to stop towing the heavy stuff...

It's NOT bent!:fire: I think my camera was though!

 

[2001ExpSport]

hehe.....

 

[98 Xplorer]

T-Bone,
Sorry about the late reply, I have the REP 9000 and I did get the remote cord for it.

Thanks,
Alan
98 Xplorer

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hey T-bone,
I liked your winch/winchmount so much that I bought the Serria Wraparound and the Ramsey Platinum 9500 winch. National Tire actually only charged me 685.00 delivered for the Serria Wraparound and the winch was $800.00, but there is $50.00 rebate for that model. It will take 2 weeks before I will get it.

 

[2001ExpSport]

Ray,

I don't know if they told you specifically that it would take 2 weeks. They told me the same thing(10-14 days), ordered tuesday and got it friday the same week. Needless to say I was surprised.

 

[T-Bone]

Cool, Ray! I wish I would have gotten the 9500, but I couldn't justify the extra $100.
They told me it would take about 4 days for the winch and up to 2 weeks for the GG. I got both items within 5 working days. I hope they are as expedient with your order.
One note, the remote for the winch that I received looked slip shod. It was dirty and the bonding between the rubber was starting to open. I called up Ramsey and demanded a new one. I got the new one last week and it looks good.
One more thing, Ray, on the Sierra mount: CHECK all the hardware first thing! They left out 1 of 2 angle brackets. They over-nighted the angle bracket. These two set backs didn't dampen my glee though Funny thing about the angle brackets, I didn't put them on. Tell me if I'm wrong, but the angle brackets mount onto the GG mount near the frame/bumper ends, however, they serve NO purpose. They do not enforce the frame/winch mount. They simply clamp on the winch mount. It made no sense. My biz partner is a mechanical engineer and we both looked at the setup for 15 min. and scratched our heads because it served no purpose. Let me know what you think.

T-Bone

 

[Ray Lobato]

T-Bone,
Thanks for the heads up on the parts thing and hopefully they will be as expedient on mine as they were on yours.
I'll check out the angle brackets. I will have to have some modifying done on the mounting brackets as I have a 2" body lift on as well as the 4" suspension lift. Also I have a 97 which the front bumper setup is different than yours. I'm pretty confident that my mechanic will be able to get it to work.
BTW the suspension and body lift are finished, now we're just waiting for the Atlas II transfercase to arrive so it can be put in and then she goes to the gear shop. I won't be able to see her until Friday. Pictures of the lift kit to come soon. Oh I'm still waiting for my American Eagle AE-117 15X8" wheels to arrive also.

 

[T-Bone]

Oh Man!

Oh man!
Ray, you just brought up a question I hadn't considered. I'm planning on getting that Trailmaster 4" suspension lift! How will that affect my gg mount?? Mayday Mayday! I'm going to have a 4x4 shop to do the lift, maybe they can figure it out. Now I understand about mods affecting mods.
T-Bone

 

[2001ExpSport]

T-Bone,

That trailmaster lift shouldn't affect your winch setup because it is a suspension lift. A body lift would be cause for some mods.

Hey, that trailmaster is a bolt on for the '00. I have air tools if you wanted to save the shop money. We could get some good experience from this. I have already torn apart my suspension 3 times already. I like to tinker..
I also have jacks and stands.

 

[T-Bone]

Matt-

Hell, I should just pay you the $400, er I mean $25 for the work! J/K. Wow, that's a gracious offer, I appreciate it! Its going to be a few months away, but I'll be in contact.
I wasn't able to help you with you last project, but keep in touch if you need an extra set of hands. Thanks man

T-Bone

 

[Ray Lobato]

T-Bone
Matt's right. A suspension lift won't be a problem for the winch mount, only a body lift will cause problems.
After looking at my suspension lift, I am convinced that this could be done at home for all you 98-01 owners. It's a pretty straight forward bolt on.