Wow...this thread is a blast from the past. hahaha...sorry for the long delay in updates.
After returning from Iraq I took the Jeep up to Tellico for a week of serious off-roading so that it could be taken through its paces. First thing to break was the steering stabilizer and front track bar...a result of running Lower 2 at night and not waiting for a spotter. The track bar was trail fixed at 2am by using the dual battery set-up to weld it back in place. It was enough to get it off the trail. The next day it was fixed good enough to run a mess of other trails (Helicopter Pad, Guardrail, School Bus, etc) without any problems. Once back in Florida, we fixed it REAL nice...thing is now a beast!
That was the only carnage, which ain't bad for a whole week at Tellico, one of the toughest public off-road areas on the east coast.
The Jeep will be going back into the shop in Thursday or Friday of this week for the finishing touches. The lights all have to be wired up (8 off-road lights and 6 rock lights), the skid plates have to be put on, the 4 bucket seats have to be installed as well as the 4-point seat belts, exchange the 37" tires for 40" tires, and a few other things here and there.
Installing the two rear bucket seats are going to be iffy. Normally they would fit in the back without any problems, however we want to get the Engel refrigerator between the rear seats, so that's going to be a challenge. If that doesn't work, the we'll have to put the refrigerator on the trailer (which I really don't want to have to do).
After driving the Jeep from Florida to N.C. and back, it was decided that it wasn't as underpowered as I thought it would be. In fact, it handled quite well. Because of that, and because of some time constraints, I will not be putting in the 5.7L V8 Hemi that I had purchased. If anyone wants a Hemi and tranny for $2500, just let me know.
With just under 3 months before the start of the WFTW program, we're on schedule and the Jeep will be completed within plenty of time.
As for the trailer, Outlander Trailers has begun work on that and is looking to have that completed in time as well. Since they are located in Arkansas, I will be picking up the trailer after the Florida WFTW event (to keep me from driving from FL to AR to FL and then right back to AR for the event there). So, I'll be sleeping in my Jeep for the first week...which I'm not all that concerned about. Heck, after 12 years in the military and spending 14 months in Iraq, I've slept in worse places. I'll just throw a sleeping back on top of that huge Tuffy trunk and sleep there in the back of the Jeep.
I'm in Alaska for the winter (apparently I enjoy going from one extreme to the next), but will return to Florida around February 25th. I'll then get the Jeep all shiny and clean and take some pictures.
Fain's Ford in Tellico...