Nate's 2002 TJ, Not so simple anymore by gst95dsm

7 minute(s) of a 391 minute read

Well after looking at hotel prices for Moab, and factoring gas and emergency money, I'm going to hold off on the RCV purchase. I'll just pick up some stock spares to have on hand, and just do some general maintenance before the trip. It still could happen, I would love to be showing off those orange boots, while you guys shake your heads????  .... I wish I wasn't such an impossible ******* and could stand to sleep near anyone, because I'm sure it would be cheaper to go in on a double bed room..... oh well. The price I pay for being annoyed by everything!

Welded all the way around the inside of the ring, letting it cool, perfect chance to post some pics for no good reason, lol.  

Went side to side, section by section, letting cool a bit between. A little concerned about warping, but it doesn't look like it's an issue at all. I woulda took Mike's advice and bolted it to the axle but it looked like his axle was out of the Jeep, and it would have made the welding a zillion times harder with the axle in the jeep....



good time for a weld bead critique???



I just think HAZ looks cool....



I'm planning to take a photo of my stock d30 cover and this one side by side profile, this is NOT a deep cover, I doubt it's any deeper than stock, not much at least. I know the depth of aftermarket covers is a big issue and I don't see the BTF cover mentioned often as a go to cover.... so maybe this will help. The welded version is only $89, so I don't know why it wouldn't be more popular??

Inside welded completely, did one vertical up that was ugly, but the rest was good practice in several angles, positions... now just gotta cool again, and weld all around the outside, then probably grind a bit around a couple bolt holes for clearance, go buy some new allen head bolts, paint, gear oil, and maybe if I'm feeling froggy, put this thing on tonight.

haha, yeah I guess that was the wrong choice of words!

Well I'm happy to say all it took was a little work with a dremel grinding implement to get all the bolts to drop in and sit flush and was really no hassle at all. So i just sanded her up, cleaned her off with some lacquer thinner and shot a coat of self etching primer on it. It looked badass in all it's raw metal glory, but alas.... plain old black it will be.

well the primer is dry, wet sanded, wiped, and two coats of rustoleum semi-applied that laid out like glass I might add..... looks killer.



I'll let that settle over night and get it on in the morning, I don't work till 12, so plenty of time to fiddle around. Overall cool cheap way to spend some time in the garage!

3-8-2013

Getting ready to install diff. cover, waiting for RTV to set up, snapped a photo of the the stock cover next to the BTF one, and just as it seemed, the BTF is only slightly taller, 1/4in. or so.  

Thanks buddy!

And, Done, I was being a geek and actually torqued the allen bolts to 25ft. lbs. haha. They will be BLINGING until the the first touch up.... lol. Now I have the rear one to do if it comes in today and I promise not to document it like I did this one......

3-9-2013

Beasley was holding out on the Canyon Land Cabin details though (they probably upgraded since he's last been).... on their website it says, actual A/C, TV, Fridge, WiFi, There's a pool.... $65 a night, cabin's sleep 6! Not bad at all and a GREAT deal for you social types. Can I get over a communal shower system / restroom though?? WOW, sometimes it's so hard to be me. It's still appealing at the price point and the good reviews on the cleanliness and location. Final decision to be made by tonight.

So today was pretty relaxing. My other diff cover didn't come in so I decided to do a maintenance job I've been putting off for no good reason. Front brakes on the Jeep. No I didn't get Black Magic with Centric rotors, and not because I don't think they are worth it or better than standard replacement parts, it's just because I didn't want to. Never during any of the tire sizes I've had from 31 to 35 have I felt my brakes were inadequate, so for a $100, NAPA replacement pads and rotors are going to be just fine for me. The brake job was about as easy as could be.... had to look up the torque spec on the caliper pins bolts, 11ft. lbs or 132in. lbs. I can onlyimagine how many of these are rolling around severely over torqued. I had my son help me today, let him use the impact to remove the front wheels today, he enjoyed that.... then let him get me tools and stare at me and annoy me, and mess around.... good times with my boy.

Right after I took that I told him to switch his hands....

And haha.... still my little boy for a couple years. (video, click it)

http://s13.photobucket.com/user/gst95dsm/media/2013-03-09_14-50-16_804_zps9c5ec712.mp4.html

BOOKED, Moab Valley Inn. $105 a night for reference. You other ****ers better show up, well actually I don't care, I know Beasley's gonna show.... and me and him'll Moab it up no matter what! But I would love it if we get a good group of JF build thread posters. I want to actually see these Jeeps! Glad that dilemma is over.... stressing me out.  

3-10-2013

Gantt chart it up Kate.... using Beasley's intenerary, and whomever has said they think they are gonna try and go. Should be a fun excel project! You could by PM get the required information. Meh, on the email group thing.... I already got too many emails I don't remember to look at, but am always on JF.