“Terminator” Gen 2.5 Build

[maximluchnik]

Got my Aisin manual hubs installed in preparation for the 4.9 gear swap. It's a very simple job, but here's a video by a fellow gen 2 owner explaining how to do it:

IF you mess it up, or take the hubs apart more than you need to, you may run into an issue where they will engage but then not disengage (ask me how I know). Here's a video showing how to fix the issue:

 

[maximluchnik]

Got my CB radio installed as well. If you remove the reading lights, there's a very nifty metal bracket already in place, with 2 "pre-drilled" holes. Very straightforward install, and no need for for drilling into your roof. For the antenna, I used a firestik, mounted on the rear door hinge as such (not my truck, but this is what I used as an example).

 

[maximluchnik]

Next, I got on to installing my onboard TRE air compressor. The gen 2.5's engine bay is super cramped, one of the only spots is in the back right portion of the bay. Chad Lampson offers a gen 2 bracket, which is a near-direct fit for gen 2.5, with just some minor modifications. Here's the link to it.





I did have some trouble with something seamingly quite easy. The hex bolt screwed into the air output hole on my compressor was stuck beyond my abilities to remove it. I bent 2 hex keys in the process, and finally stripped it with an extended socket wrench. I then used drill bit remover as a last resort option, and it broke the bit!


I don't understand for the life of me why they had to screw in a bolt and that tightly. The ARB compressor (which this is basically a copy of), just has a plastic cap in its place. Simpler and cheaper. Thankfully, the TRE distributor was quite understanding and exchanged me for a new one. Turns out this is an ongoing issue, but it's never been this bad. Just something to consider for future buyers.

 

[maximluchnik]

Next up was the winch. I highly recommend the ADD winch plate. It's a direct fit and piece of cake to install, provided you can weld. For winch, I decided to go with the Badlands Apex 12k w/synthetic. I've had Warns in the past, but didn't see too many bad reviews online for this one, so thought I'd give it a try.




The solenoid box will 100% need to be relocated, unless you have a body lift (just a guess, but I'm thinking you need 2" at least, to clear the box. I couldn't find a good spot for the entire solenoid box to fit, so I just removed all the essentials and mounted them up top. Here is how I did it, high up out of the way. and easy to access:

 

[maximluchnik]

Some Nilight Reverse Lights for the rear bumper: