The War Wagon: Slowlyvverot's '93 X Eltee

[cmhaah06]

Yup. Same here.

 

[Slowlyvverot]

sheesh.

Long day, long week ahead (or weeks, probably). I'll probably purchase some hubs and front gears this weekend and see if I have some time to troubleshoot my 1354.

I feel like this is a puzzle, and with every new piece of information I get one more puzzle piece set in place. Ahahaha

 

[Foxracin]

Try to find a manual 1354 to go in it to get rid of all the electric crap. Definitely what I would do besides fixing the electric stuff. It will just fail again later down the road.

 

[Slowlyvverot]

I will keep my eyes out for a manual TC but in the meantime I'll fix this case and keep on keepin' on. I was gonna swap in a 1350 back in the spring but that ended up not working out and I sold it instead.

My turn signals are out again
what the HEXCKfhfghgfh

might be time for a new flasher

The deal with the person at my job who was gonna weld some stuff for me didn't work out, but I did find a trailer shop right down the street from work that also does custom truck work/fab! hallelujah. I'm checking that place out tomorrow after work.

 

[Foxracin]

Have you tested the 4x4 module to see if its good? Thats what was wrong with mine when I got it.

 

[Slowlyvverot]

Have you tested the 4x4 module to see if its good?

I think I did a while back back i don't remember for sure. I seem to remember that I determined the problem was in the TC. meh.

I'm itchin to get started on this thing. I think I've got a deal locked down for long arms and drop brackets so hopefully I'll have those on my doorstep sooner rather than later. November will be time to really start shopping for parts and I plan on having it in a garage by late November/December and can start overhauling the suspension. I'm working 70-80 hrs a week so I anticipate the cash flow will be good for this project. I will update as things happen but right now I need some sleepzzz. So many "I think"s for this project! I can't wait to turn those "I think"s into "I know"s!

Did that make sense? errrrr

Edit: and woot for 1000 views!

 

[Slowlyvverot]

Updaaaaate: Kinda.

Working has been turning my brain to mush. Things will probably be going slower than I initially wanted them too since the OT is becoming harder and harder to get a hold of, and less and less enjoyable to actually complete. Not to complain or anything, I'm very thankful I have a job because I know many folks who do not right now. I'm gonna set the due date for this project to anywhere from January to February.

Had some brakes/death wobble issues beginning of this week, turns out a bearing in my front end decided to abandon ship at some point and caused a whole mess of problems. This was, obviously, hell on my drivers side rotors, pads etc (read: I had about 10% stopping power with the pedal to the floor). My truck was also pulling to and from the left like an out of control stage coach. I checked what was up and my whole brake assembly was about ready to fall off the truck. Got a shop to replace the damaged parts and I'm all good again. Parts/labor set me back a bit, but some things you just gotta fix right away

Good news is I got a bangin deal on used axle drop brackets and long arms, all Skyjacker. They should be here sometime next week

I need new tires that troublesome bearing problem was causing my fronts to wear all kinds o' funny and the rears are already pretty worn down too. I think I will just buy another used set of cheap 33s since I will be going with 35s after I finish my suspension.

Next step is to get front gears and jeep hubs. I've also been thinking about saving up to get my a4ld rebuilt with HD parts (or maybe that chevy trans swap sooner than I thought?) It's running fine for 208k but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

[Slowlyvverot]

Brackets and longarms showed up with a guy in funny brown clothes today. This stuff is beef! at least compared to whats on my truck now haha. Everything is in good condition and the seller threw in a C clip elim spring and 2 coil spacers as well. sweeeet.

I've got a lead on front and rear bumpers and sliders that a guy will let go for $300, so we'll see if I can get my hands on those too. I also ordered 4.88 gears for the D35 and those should be here sometime soon. Things are coming along smoothly.

Edit: Whoa. JD sells bumpers. I swear, the internet is a magical and mysterious place ripe for discovery and adventure. Or I am just nearsighted as hell.

 

[hkyfinest]

are you getting anything off the one on nc4x4.com?

 

[Slowlyvverot]

Yeah, I may get the seller to modify the bumpers since they are built for a 3" BL but I am planning on going to check them out in the next few days to see if I like them.

 

[hkyfinest]

thats cool. i wish i time to mess with it.

 

[Slowlyvverot]

I need some input from you guys. So I have my extended RAs, but no aftermarket crossmember or RA brackets. The seller was still using them on his SAS.

What are my options? I don't think I can buy just those parts, from either JD or SJ.

Fullsize parts? Or keep my eyes open in the classifieds?

 

[Slowlyvverot]

Lately I've just been searching around for the best deals on parts and ordering a few things here, a few things there...

My front gears and install kit are here from TRS so I'll get around to having those installed the beginning of December. I've been mulling over the idea of an auto locker in the front, probably an Aussie...I'm guessing a shop would charge a good deal more to put one of those in right? I figure while I'm getting the gears done, I might as well throw a locker in there too. Still gotta come to a final decision on that.

 

[pwrranger88]

i have an aussie in the front of my 84 ranger and love it i installed it myself in under 2.5 hours and actually just ordered one for my ex last week.

 

[cmhaah06]

If you're going to install gears and a locker, do it at the same time. It will save you some dough. Did you ever figure out what you were going to do to install your rad arms? What brand lift did you end up buying?

 

[Slowlyvverot]

Thanks for the .5 pwrranger. I think I am going to save up a bit more cash and go with a front locker as well. I have a LS in the rear so it should be a capable setup with the gears I am running on 33s.

CM, I managed to score some used skyjacker arms and drop brackets for way cheaper than if I bought them used. I've been looking around on TRS at peoples' custom RA mounts and it seems like you can use fullsize (73-77) RA brackets.
Another thing that's been a bugger is the tranny xmember. I can't find a concrete answer on whether you can use the stock one or not. And JD and SJ only sell them as part of their longarm package, so those are out of the question.

Lastly, for right now, I'm gonna split this build into 2 stages. stage 1 will be SLAB (Slow Low And Bangin) and will consist of new (!) 33" MTZs, a 5" lift on fullsize coils, SOA rear, longarms, and probably a new front bumper and winch. And as much travel as I can squeeze outta this rig.

Stage 2 will incorporate everything else I had planned for this build ie; 6" lift, 35-36" tires. The holidays are closing in so money has to go to other priorities for the time being.

Comments and criticisms are always welcome!

 

[Slowlyvverot]

Well I had the day off today so I priced out the rest of the things I need to finish this all up...looks like I'll push the completion date back once again. I'm gonna say early April just to be safe. But hey. No rush really. I hinted to my parents for a few items for Christmas so hopefully Santa will help me cross a few things off my list...and then I have my 21st to look forward to in January...

Next purchase is likely to be a front Aussie locker so I can get my front axle knocked out soon. We got some snow a week ago and all told, DubDub did pretty well in 2wd on balding 33s. I made it up and over a few hills around here that I honestly didn't think I'd be able to. These 4.88s rule, although my wallet has a different opinion (gasolinaaaa )

The issue on my mind lately is to run front dual shocks or single shocks. I'm wondering if a single shock will be able to handle soft full size coils under my heavy Explorer, or if duals would handle better. Either way, I'm pretty set on using JD coil buckets.

Tomorrow I get to complete the fun tasks of oil and filter changes! Whooopeeee :roll:

 

[Slowlyvverot]

It's the first white Christmas I've seen since I was a little kid so I'm pretty stoked! I'm gonna go out and play in it later tonight.

I ordered a front Aussie Locker today and my parents bought me some manual hubs, although they won't be here till the new year. Once all that stuff gets here I'll finally get the D35 geared and locked. I'm going to buy my old Firebird from my dad so I can start working on the Explorer soon and not have to worry about finishing projects in a day. New tires will probably be next on the list, and I may get around to cracking open my 1354 this weekend since I don't go back to work till Tuesday. The parts box in my attic is growing...

Merry Christmas y'all

 

[Foxracin]

Cool deal man. We will have to get up and do some wheeling when you get it together.

 

[Slowlyvverot]

Locker is here, hubs are here, front gears are here, so the front axle is next on the list to get knocked out....illl get the hubs installed Sunday since I have the day off and make an appointment at the shop to get regeared and locked next week...we are supposed to get some good snow Monday and I am still lazily stuck in 2wd...I think mother nature is telling me something haha

I got some hardware from Ruffstuff for the SOA swap too. I don't have a whole lot of necessary parts left to get a hold of. Just front end parts like the coil setup, brake lines and pitman arm. after that i'll start doin the damn thing.

Does anyone have any links or experience with mounting a winch between the frame rails? I coulda sworn I've seen a build on EF where the guy did it but I can't find it for the life of me.