Refreshing the TJ - Build Thread

[GP'd]

Quick update :

Still having issues with transmission cooling. Problem solving that over the next few weeks.

A few positive updates:

Wheel Bearings, U-Joints, Ball Joints and steering stabilizer installed. Man, were my old ball joints in bad condition. All of my steering responsiveness is back, and the small vibration on the freeway was due to the U-joint going out. Jeep feels smooth again.

Sold my old Sahara Front and Rear Seat Set and bought some PRP Daily Driver Buckets...

...and a new project entered the garage. My fiance's 1973 Volvo 1800 ES. Her mother purchased this in 81 with 30k on it, only 80k on it now. Been sitting in her parents garage for the past 10 years, time for a rebuild to restore this classic cruiser...

 

[thejafe]

Quick update :

Sold my old Sahara Front and Rear Seat Set and bought some PRP Daily Driver Buckets...

Seats look great! How are they on extended trips? I know zilch about Volvos but that looks to be an interesting change of pace from the TJ - have fun with her :smiley_drive: .

 

[GP'd]

Thanks AA!

Not sure on extended trips yet, just installed them on Friday night. I'll check back with a report once I do a longer trip. Volvo will be the better half's new cruiser!

 

[GP'd]

Well, put 10 hours in the seats over the weekend, and they felt spectacular. I felt very supported and did not get restless or need to shift during either of the drives. I will say I am still getting used to climbing up and over the edge of the seat, even though these are technically low bolsters. I am incredibly glad I didn't get full race bolsters! One thing I tend to do is slouch while driving, and I actually think that putting harnesses in may help with that on longer trips. Who knows, may be worth it.

Going to have an even longer trip in the jeep this weekend so I'll check back with current project lists and updates.

 

[GP'd]

Put a few more miles on the Jeep from SF to Big Bear for the So Cal Mountain Rendezvous. Jeep is still running hot, solving the transmission cooling is my big headache for the moment. The PRP Daily Driver seats could be the most comfortable I have ever been on a road trip. Worth every penny.

A few photos from the phone:

Checking transfer case fluid at the gas station. Forgot to before the trip...

Dave and I checking out the water crossing.

I had forgotten to put my TC breather tube back on after the last round of mods so I was forced to take the route around the water.

On the way back did some detouring through the desert hitting a portion of Route 66.

Current list of projects in no particular order:

Cup holders
Transmission cooler upgrade. PSC not cutting it on grades.
Axle sleeve and knuckle gussets
Tub grommets at firewall and floorboards
Carpet
Cargo netting for above head storage
Counter sink Max tie downs and paint
Fridge slide - Ordered from Adventure Trailers
Replace radiator relay setup (currently constant on)
Switch custer for accessories
Dennis Stern lighting upgrade
Pre filter
Cabin filter
Under hood heat exhaust
Cross member and skid plate*

​

Reroute and solve leaky exhaust
Awning
Camelbaks behind driving seats
Solve GPS Mapping hardware
Aux connector
Charging station
Call beams about seatbelt length
New Coils
Rear hard top vent
Vacuum canister replacement
Put carpet in
Harnesses

 

[RugerTrailer]

Awesome to see that thing on the trail.

I'd call PSC about trouble shooting, that cooler should be doing the job.

 

[thejafe]

Put a few more miles on the Jeep from SF to Big Bear for the So Cal Mountain Rendezvous. Jeep is still running hot, solving the transmission cooling is my big headache for the moment. The PRP Daily Driver seats could be the most comfortable I have ever been on a road trip. Worth every penny.

G, glad those seats worked out . Saw "Carpet" on your list - bet there are some nice carpet choices out there with incorporated sound-dampening material. Ha, Camelbaks behind the front seats are something I wanted to do forever but never took the time to come up with a good, streamlined solution for setting them up. Curious to see how you tackle it, especially with the new seats in there. Any plans for a center console?

 

[nwoods]

I had camelbak's in my Jeep. I had stock seats, with the shoulder contours. I used a 100oz bladder in a streamlined insulated bag, and then some long snap buckle nylon straps. One across the top of the seat, at the "shoulder line", and one around the base of the seat.

Bladder: http://www.rei.com/product/811766/camelbak-unbottle-insulated-reservoir-100-fl-oz

Nylon straps. Something like this, but REI branded, and longer. Got them near the tent section: http://www.rei.com/product/848429/redpoint-34-webbing-straps-with-side-release-buckles-package-of-2

I don't seem to have any photos of them installed, but you should get the picture now

 

[GP'd]

Awesome to see that thing on the trail.

I'd call PSC about trouble shooting, that cooler should be doing the job.

Thanks Ruger. It was a great shake down trip. I will call them. The AW4 that I swapped in is notoriously hot, so I may need to run a secondary cooler to solve it.

G, glad those seats worked out . Saw "Carpet" on your list - bet there are some nice carpet choices out there with incorporated sound-dampening material. Ha, Camelbaks behind the front seats are something I wanted to do forever but never took the time to come up with a good, streamlined solution for setting them up. Curious to see how you tackle it, especially with the new seats in there. Any plans for a center console?

There are. I have my old carpet in storage that I'm going to pull out and use temporarily. When I do the tubular skid plates and exhaust I'm going to put some better insulation under the tub as well to isolate the heat.

Camelback may have been too branded of a term. I found these for sale : http://source-military.com/product.php?id_product=51. Color match and 25 bucks a pop. I plan on hanging them off the harness bar like Nate suggested!

I had camelbak's in my Jeep. I had stock seats, with the shoulder contours. I used a 100oz bladder in a streamlined insulated bag, and then some long snap buckle nylon straps. One across the top of the seat, at the "shoulder line", and one around the base of the seat.

I don't seem to have any photos of them installed, but you should get the picture now

http://source-military.com/product.php?id_product=51

Thats what I picked up and planned to do the same thing. I was too cheap to spend $75 a seat for a pouch added when I had them made.

Nate, by the way, at Mountain Rendezvous 2012 you had suggested a very low profile muffler you used on your LJ. What was it? I am going to re-do the exhaust and remember that being a great option.

 

[nwoods]

Nice find on those military bags!

The muffler is by Spintech. Throaty, but not too loud, almost like a V8 burble, and VERY compact:
http://www.spintechmufflers.com

I had my entire exhaust system replaced with custom bent stainless tubing for about $300 including the muffler. Had too, wrapped the exhaust around my rear axle on Motino Wash a few years ago.

 

[GP'd]

Thanks Nate! Do you know which model you went with on the muffler?

 

[nwoods]

Sorry, no clue. Not the kind of place real heavy on paperwork either. And of course I no longer own the Jeep.

 

[GP'd]

Sorry, no clue. Not the kind of place real heavy on paperwork either. And of course I no longer own the Jeep.

Hah No problem.

Was more curious trying to decide on the size vs loudness :

Really considering how I can do the oval tubes to clear the skid better. How sweet! I might just do this all myself if they sell the sections bent like that already.

 

[nwoods]

I probably had the Sport truck/SUV unit

 

[GP'd]

I probably had the Sport truck/SUV unit

Gotcha! Thank you. Time to find some time to work on the skid plate.

I chased down the no start issue on the Volvo last weekend and discovered the fuel pump was dead. Fortunately you can still find this kind of documentation for those old volvos : http://volvo1800pictures.com/document/fuel_injection_fault_tracer/fuel_injection_fault_tracing.pdf

They made 40 year old fuel injection systems idiot proof.

Once that comes in tomorrow, hopefully I can move it in and out of the garage and get back to finishing the Jeep.