MOPWR Build

[Mitch502]

Interested to see how the dual battery tray works out. I'll be doing that at some point.


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Yea, I'd like to get it done before Thurs, but it might not happen. For now I'll be putting a cheap battery in it. Probably something from the junkyard. Not sure yet how I'll be able to isolate the battery from the other for the short term, as I might not have time to follow the Expo-Dual Battery write up before we leave.

I'll be sure to keep this updated.

 

[Mitch502]

Trip was a success! Didn't take many pictures. We were having too much fun. Here are a couple. When I get a chance (possibly later this week) I'll edit the videos that we took.

Casualties include a sway bar bushing, starter, and the virginity of my Jeep in off-road history. Duratracs were super quiet on the highway, and never once let us down. I didn't get to use the winch, and never had to make a recovery. I was kinda hoping to get to use my winch, lol.

All in all, very pleased with the Jeep. Everything went about as good as it could with the exception of the starter. Going to get it cleaned up tomorrow, luckily it rained for awhile on the 3 hour ride home, and that helped clean it a lot. Couple quick pictures that I grabbed...





View from the tent...(without the jeep of course)




Drug this bush for around 300 miles. It's still partially attached...


Hit 146K on the way home also...

 

[Little Foot]

Awesome! What happened with the starter? I spent a couple good hours today cleaning the inside of mine from the last trip 2 weeks ago, that dusty speedo looks very familiar haha


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[Mitch502]

Awesome! What happened with the starter? I spent a couple good hours today cleaning the inside of mine from the last trip 2 weeks ago, that dusty speedo looks very familiar haha


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It was the original starter, so I'm sure that had something to do with it. But overall the combination of putting it in water and the vibrations of the trial, in combination with the age of it probably caused it. We were able to beat it with a hammer and get it started and drove it to the nearest store to buy a starter. Changed it in a parking lot down the street and in a half hour we were all wrapped up.

Friend who went had his alternator begin to fail on the way home. He made it probably 150 miles, all the way home, before it failed completely. Such luck!

 

[ibanezer]

Couple pics I took from the trip:
The camp site

Your Jeep out by the power lines

Another one of both

 

[K2ZJ]

Where does the stuff on the roof keep going?

 

[ibanezer]

Where does the stuff on the roof keep going?

You mean the tires? The picture I posted was at our camp site before we decided having mine on the roof of the xj would be no bueno. I'll let Mitch explain his spare tire situation...

 

[Mitch502]

Lol. Yea. We left as much as possible at camp, considering there were 2 of us, and we were never more than a half hour or so away from camp.

My spare tire carrier may or may not have broke while going up an especially rough hill...

 

[Mitch502]

Mid March I posted the following:

Short term goals/projects (2-3 weeks, or already completed):
3.5" springs
2" spacers
Bilstien shocks
Adjustable track bar
rear drop bracket
1" t-case drop
285/75/16 Goodyear Duratracs on stock 60th anniversary rims
Custom dash bar to mount CB/etc
Cowl CAI/Snorkle/Just freeing space up in the engine bay
NP249-->NP242 Swap
All 8 adjustable control arms
Duranago Steering Box
PS cooler


Medium (2 months or so, hopefully)
Some sort of switch plate for lights/accessories
2nd battery
Flatlands 4x4 Winch bumper
Winch (Badlands 12K)
Most likely a custom RTT from a Kamp-Rite double cot tent (plus basket to put it in on roof)
Various lights
On board air
Rear drawer set-up + full size spare
Grab handles to help get in and out


Long term (year+)
Ford 8.8
Who knows

I'm pretty close to being "on track" which really doesn't happen much for me. Anything completed has been omitted from the updated plans:

Short/medium term (~6 months, no particular order for the most part)
Second battery (already begun working on the tray. Should be done very soon.)
Various lights
RTT (No longer planning a Kamp-Rite, but a true "DIY" RTT)
Rear Cargo organizer (drawers, ETC)
trans cooler (have one, just need to install)
Grab handles so I can get in and out easier!
More trips!

Long term (Who knows when...)
May not do a 8.8, may just make skids for the D44a for now
even more trips!



I'm taking a break right now, as I burned myself out working so hard since Feb. Right now I just want to get in the Jeep and drive it! I won't be working at the same pace I have been the past couple months. I will always be working on it in some way though!

 

[lumpskie]

Good idea on taking a short break. Aside from keeping you from burning out, it will give you time to see how all your mods work together.

 

[K2ZJ]

Mountain Vista just released this skid plate for the 44a. I am considering one for mine.

 

[Mitch502]

Mountain Vista just released this skid plate for the 44a. I am considering one for mine.

I really like that. I saw it on Instagram not too long ago from someone...might have been ProjectZJ.com...I may look into making my own, and see if I can do it cheap enough to be worth it. $130 is def. worth the piece of mind you'd get with it though.

 

[Mitch502]

Mounted some fog lights today. Bought them awhile ago and had them sitting around, so I put them on. I'll see how bright they are tonight!

 

[Little Foot]

Love the yellow d rings where'd you get them? I want orange ones haha I know mile marker makes them powder coated orange but they're pricey and I already have zinc coated one so its not a justifiable buy.

The fogs look like eyes and the winch plate looks like a mouth with its tongue sticking out haha


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[Mitch502]

Love the yellow d rings where'd you get them? I want orange ones haha I know mile marker makes them powder coated orange but they're pricey and I already have zinc coated one so its not a justifiable buy.

The fogs look like eyes and the winch plate looks like a mouth with its tongue sticking out haha


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Lol @ the face. Didnt see that before.

D-Rings are from QuadraTrac...Only $10/ea. They have yellow, red, black, and silver. Killer deal it seems like.