The Frankenstein Build: 1996 Tacoma Long Travel/Expo/Trail Rig

[Blackdawg]

We got a bit of rain that night but only lasted about 30 mins and a few big lighting strikes. After steak and potatoes for dinner we went to bed.

The next morning i got up and my dad was out trying to fish the stream and my brother decided to go for a swim.

Family 4th Camping-45.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

and i mean trying to fish because these two yahoos weren't helping..haha

Family 4th Camping-46.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-48.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Was a nice morning though. Save for the extremely thick bugs.

Family 4th Camping-47.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We retreated to camp for bug dope and started breakfast. I ended up cooking most of it. But damn it was good. Bacon and left over potatoes and steak with eggs all cooked in the bacon grease. Yum.

Family 4th Camping-49.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

After eating we went for a hike. Was probably about 5-6 miles of walking round trip. The destination was Shell Lake that feed the large creek we were camping at that fed the reservoir.

Family 4th Camping-50.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

It was a beautiful day. A bit hot for the mountains though.

Family 4th Camping-51.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-52.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-53.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We reached our destination after about an hour and a half of walking.

Family 4th Camping-54.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Was beautiful

Family 4th Camping.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

And we started our decent.

Family 4th Camping-55.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Grant once again jumped right in the water.

Family 4th Camping-56.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-57.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Dad whipped out the fly rod again and caught a fish very quickly. The dogs took notice to this and really really wanted the fish..haha

Family 4th Camping-58.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-59.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Satchamo actually ended up getting a hold of it. Twice. While still on the hook. Luckily he didn't swallow it whole and we got the fish and more importantly the fly out of his mouth.

Family 4th Camping-60.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We hung around the lake for about an hour or more and then ate a small lunch and headed back to camp.

Family 4th Camping-61.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We then just sat around and enjoyed the evening and each others company. Ate some chilly dogs and went to bed early as we were all tired from the hike. Especially the dogs.

The next morning we had pancakes and bacon before hitting the road home.

Family 4th Camping-62.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-63.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-64.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-65.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-66.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-67.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

Again, was super stoked with the truck. Drove amazing with the lower bed rack and the LT front was sooooo awesome to have. Made hauling *** down the road way more fun. Super stoked! MCM FAB ******!

Also like the new bumper setup and rack as well.

Family 4th Camping-68.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-69.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-70.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-71.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-72.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-73.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-74.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-75.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-76.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-77.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then we continued out the main road. Super cloudy and mysterious

Family 4th Camping-78.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

At the top of the mountain we did a check out just to make sure nothing had broke. And nothing had! :woot:

Family 4th Camping-79.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-80.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-81.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Mountain dog..He loves digging for ground squirrels.

Family 4th Camping-82.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-83.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-84.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-85.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Was the first overnight camping trip my Mom had been on in a VERY long time. She loved it.

Family 4th Camping-86.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-87.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

We aired back up down at ranger creek and used the bathroom before driving off the mountain.

Family 4th Camping-88.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

On the way home though we stopped at Red Gulch Road to go see the dinosaur tracks. Something none of us had done even though we lived right by it.

Family 4th Camping-89.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

was actually really cool!

Family 4th Camping-90.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-91.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-92.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-93.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

These dino tracks where only just discovered in 1997. Although there are claims many people knew about them before, it had never been brought to the attention of the BLM until 97. They still don't know what kind of dinosaurs they were but do know how they were formed and that they are about 167 million years old. Pretty cool to see. You can literally walk down and touch them.

Family 4th Camping-94.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Kind of hard to see, but you can..

Family 4th Camping-95.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-96.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Family 4th Camping-98.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

And with that the rain picked back up and we returned home.

Was a super fun weekend though!

 

[Blackdawg]

So after that i tore into installing the ARB diff in the rear axle. Which once again, exploded in my face. I missed going to Lander to meet marc for a trip. But i wasn't oging to back out of Goose lake and borrowed my Dads rig.

I did this with Tom a well known member on here as well.

July 10-12 2015

5x5 Goose Lake run.


THis was a small trip up to the Goose lake area above Cooke City with my good buddy Marc @SconnieHailer and a new guy named Tom whom i met through Instagram and ExpeditionPortal.

While we had all originally hoped to leave earlyish Friday afternoon..totally didn't happen. Marc met up with me in Cody around 6pm and we headed for our meeting spot with Tom who wouldn't be there until after midnight due to his wife having to work late.

Of course, sadly, I was not in Frankenstein for this trip. Installing the ARB air locker had really thrown me some fighting punches but lucky for me, i had the coolest Dad in the world. He let me take The FRV. The supercharged 4 door long bed beast of a 2nd gen tacoma. Needless to say, i was a bit out of my element. Driving the trail limo was easy but having 320+hp at my disposal to move the 6000lb beast up and down the mountain was...well...different. But mostly fun. Aside from the horrible gas mileage and paying for premium gas. I'll tell you want, no sure i ever want a scan gauge in my truck. If the FRV get 5.5mpgs going up the mountain...i don't even want to know what Frankenstein is getting..

The lighting was awesome as we drove up over Dead Indian Pass. The ribbon of perfect road going down the hill was awesome. Just repaved it too @m3bassman. Better get the car out here..

Goose Lake 2015.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Our destination was the Fantan/Sawtooth lake road we had camped on before. However...When we got to the pull out off the Beartooth highway, the gate on it was closed. A sign said that it was not open until July 15th.

This raised two issues:

1) Now we had to find a new place to camp plus some how be able to tell Tom where we where.

2) What if Goose Lake was closed too?

We scrounged up some paper, a sharpie and ductape and wrote Tom a not on the sign hoping he would see it. I then tried to write another note in the dirt with my shovel but failed haha

We then went off and found ourselves a spot, thank goodness for ORV maps!

I then ran back down and updated out note to tell tom where we were and then proceeded to try and get some cell service since The FRV had a cell boost and i could get 4 bars of service. However, nothing would go through...not sure about that @woodnick.

Marc and i stayed up late but having both worked over a full day and all the driving. We hit the sack at around 1 am.


I awoke to the sounds of Marc and Tom chatting while prepping breakfast. They where chatting about tires and i quickly gave my opinion from inside my sleeping bag still

I crawled out and got to see out camp and meet tom.

And yes, he drives a Nissan.

1 (3) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Not a bad place to wake up too considering we where in the pitch black and had no idea what it looked like. I love doing that. Always a pleasant surprise in the mornings.

After a nice greeting with Tom and his wife plus two dogs, we ate and then headed for Cooke City.

1 (54) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr

We stopped once again at the cool cute style waterfall as the rainfall this summer has been insane in the area so it was on full roar mode.

Goose Lake 2015-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
1 (6) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
1 (51) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr

We headed to Cooke City where i choked down the fuel price and headed up Darby pass

Goose Lake 2015-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then headed up to summit Fisher Peak, but The FRV threw a hissy fit. Problem with high performance i guess..threw about 10 codes. So i had to stay behind but Marc and Tom went up. They ended up not driving up there but hiking the wusses though

Goose Lake 2015-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
DSC_3339-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr
DSC_3343-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr
DSC_3344-Edit-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr
DSC_3345-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

But eventually FRV got over it and was driving fine and Marc and Tom came back to join me.

Goose Lake 2015-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

I love this place

Goose Lake 2015-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We then headed off on my favorite offshoot to summit part of Sheep mountain that overlooks down into Goose Lake Trail. We stopped for lunch on this road.

Goose Lake 2015-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

33s-32s-34s haha

1 (1) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Its worth noting that yes this nissan is low. But it does have a 2'' lift and 32s. Just a lower designed truck i guess. Luckily was never a major issue on this trip. He just got to use his sliders

Goose Lake 2015-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

After lunch we continued to the summit.

Goose Lake 2015-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-20.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
DSC_3363-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
1 (52) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr

This road is kinda cool because there are no switchbacks. Just goes straight up and up and up.

DSC_3369-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr

Still a cool grave site. RIP whoever you are

1 (49) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr

and then a quick run on my mountain..and BAM

1 (48) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-23.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-24.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Lovin it!

Goose Lake 2015-25.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
DSC_3372-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

After spending 10 minutes up here we headed back down to go get on Goose.

Goose Lake 2015-26.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-27.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-29.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-30.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
1 (43) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-33.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
DSC_3395-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr

Its worth noting that the weather was very odd on this trip. The storm cells were everywhere, but very localized. We got rained on probably 3 times but only once badly. Still, the amount of water on the trail was amazing. Was super cool.

Big rock in the way left a nice ding in Toms sliders.

Goose Lake 2015-34.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

By now the two ladies wanted to walk so they got out along with the 5 dogs and walked in front of us.

Goose Lake 2015-35.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

This place is always so magical for me. Never had a bad day up here.

Goose Lake 2015-36.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-37.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The rocks where also very fun. Tom did great too, he needed spotted a lot more then we did, but i didn't mind. We were in no rush and i don't ever give up the opportunity to spot a friend around something they aren't comfortable with.

1 (28) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-38.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

eventually we made it to...idk i guess the Gatekeeper. Thats what im gonna call it now The biggest obstacle like thing on Goose and its only 1/2 mile from the camp spot. Man, the UTVs and ATVs have really dont a number on this thing.

Goose Lake 2015-39.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

I went first in the FRV

DSC_3406-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr
DSC_3409-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr
DSC_3414-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr

0 problems. Big tires and long wheel base paid off!

But then it rained a bit again and Tom decided he didn't want to risk his truck down it. We had no problems with this since he had a cool ground tent so we got Marcs rig down next.

1 (24) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
1 (38) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
1 (22) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr

Dad? ****** was that??

1 (18) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr

:laugh:

 

[Blackdawg]

Tacomas down! We set off to the camp spot to unload the trucks and come back to get Toms stuff.

But Marc found some snow..

Goose Lake 2015-40.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

After ferrying Toms stuff down, we setup camp and enjoyed one HELL of a sunset.

Goose Lake 2015-41.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-42.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-43.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Seriously...love this place

Goose Lake 2015-44.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-46.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
DSC_3434-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr
1 (36) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-47.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

It was a great evening with good food and company. The best part was we realized we had 5 people there, and 5 dogs. the dogs made for a VERY entertaining night. Was quiet the wolf pack we had going on as Marc put it :laugh:

I was hoping the clouds would clear for star photos but alas, it didn't happen. It cooled off immensely though down below 40º and we eventually all crawled in our cozy tents for an excellent rest.

The next morning we slowly packed up and said out good byes to the gorgeous place.

1 (13) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
1 (12) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr

This time i alone ferried Tom and his wife and stuff to his truck then came back to get my stuff while Marc and Jen baby sat the dogs.

When i returned i packed up my stuff and this time tail gunned while Marc lead.

While we were climbing a hill that goes along the boulder/scree field i noticed they had left one of the straps loose on their RTT so i raidioed Marc to let him know.

He replied promptly and thanked me. But he must have been doing something else at the same time as he got a tad distracted...and got the passenger side tires off the trail.

"WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA!!!" i yelled over the CB and thankfully Marc stopped instantly as i know he felt the truck start to slide.

Well.....this isn't familiar to me at all...

Goose Lake 2015-48.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-49.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

It wasn't a horrible situation, but wasn't great. Truck could easily slide down and roll with the loose scree rock. The biggest issue was we had nothing in front to winch off of. Luckily Marc spyed a large boulder to use and he wrapped a strap around it. THen ran another strap to get closer to the truck. I got the snatch block out and we ran his winch line back to his slider to keep the *** end of the truck from slipping.

Sadly, i have no photos of any of this. We needed Ben there

All in all, it all worked out and the truck was fine as was Marc, Jen and the puppy Jax.

We packed up the gear and moved up to the big obstacle again. Marc and I had no issues getting up it again.

1 (34) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
1 (33) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com
[url=https://flic.kr/p/v5nj9k]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/525/19083770643_050fd18519_h.jpgDSC_3441-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr[/URL]
[URL='https://flic.kr/p/vWF3Vw'][IMG]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/337/19516679250_57f9c168b5_h.jpgDSC_3446-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr
[/535/19653056256_cc4bd6c637_h.jpg[/img]1 (10) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
1 (31) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
1 (9) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
DSC_3472-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr

And we headed down the trail.

Goose Lake 2015-50.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
1 (30) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-51.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
1 (29) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
DSC_3479-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr
DSC_3480-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

Group photo

Goose Lake 2015-53.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

At this spot Marc and Tom went right on the easier side. I, having had to take the easier side on the way up due to UTVs, took the hard side. Because....well..duh.

1 (27) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
DSC_3488-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr
DSC_3492-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr
DSC_3501-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr

Stuffin 34s!

DSC_3508-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr
DSC_3512-Edit-Edit (Custom) by Tommy Newpower, on Flickr

Then we just putted along, enjoying the view and ride.

1 (25) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
1 (21) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
1 (53) by Marc Mayer, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-54.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Goose Lake 2015-55.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

And we had to let the wolf pack out for a bit to play in the water...well..my labs anyways. Marcs still hasn't really learned to swim

Goose Lake 2015-56.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

We then got out of the trail, headed down Lulu Pass road and aired up just before the highway. We said our goodbyes and headed home, well at least Marc and I did. Tom headed into the park i believe as he had more days off then we did.

Hope you all enjoyed that!

Next write up will be on the ARB install.[/URL]..

 

[Blackdawg]

Whew. Still going! Almost caught up!

UPDATE: Arb Locker install

Difficulty: Advanced/Hard

Time for an update! So after years of wanting one but never seeming to get the timing down or funds, I scored a rear RD 129 locker for Frankenstein! I got it used off of here from @CWMcTaco for an amazing price. He was trying to sell his tacoma and nobody want to pay extra for the locker so he went back to stock.

This meant he needed a stock ring gear carrier assembly and that meant he needed someone that could swap stuff over and then send back their stock carrier. I was totally down to do that. So he shipped me his entire carrier with bearings and shims and all accessories to the locker. And it was my job to swap over his ring gear onto my carrier and send it back to him.

Major props to him for doing this with me. Was an awesome TW experience especially considered all the **** that went wrong and how I was almost late with it he was always cool with it. And i have to say, this was the BEST packed item i have ever received. Ever. From anyone. Mad props for that.

Anyways onto the write up.



For those that don't know a locker is very important when offroading. It makes both rear wheels turn no matter what. Vs my open diff that sends power to the path of least resistance, not where you want it. Ive never had a locker, which seems to shock some people. So this was a big upgrade for me!

Id put this as an advanced mod for a DIY person. Again, not impossible, but you need specialized tools and a lot of space. Plus the option of leaving your truck on jack stands for 3 weeks...No impossible though!

I started with the removal of my stock diff and inspected the gears which i set myself last year so i was curious to see how they where holding up.

ARBinstall.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
ARBinstall-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
ARBinstall-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Wear patterns looked good and tolerances where still tight.

Measure you back lash! Very important. You'll try and match it again later. Mine was about .008. Which makes sense since they are still pretty new and i set them at .007 last time.

Simply pull the carrier assembly after that. You don't have to pull the pinion...thank god.
Remove the ring gear as well.

Mine came off with no issues, the ring gear on the ARB i got...no so much. According to Craig he had had a shop install it for him and it was the only thing he'd ever had a shop do to his rig. Well. IDK ****** they did, but they definitely did NOT torque down the ring gear right. They where all over the map. Some pretty loose and a couple insanely to tight.

One was so tight i stripped the head of the bold :frusty: So I ordered Craig a new bold and had it shipped to his house. Then i welded a nut to the bolt to get it off. Not something i wanted to do to an new to me ARB locker...but it worked.

ARBinstall-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


The two carriers! Left is ARB right is stock open. In case you wanted to see i guess

ARBinstall-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Since Craig was selling his truck, he told me to just keep all the good stuff and send him whatever. Cool guy I really liked this as i had brand new bearings in mine not even a year old. Well...moral of this story. Get the right tools.

I tried using a normal bearing puller on one of my bearings and this happened.

ARBinstall-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
ARBinstall-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

****.

I was furious when this happen with myself.

not really that surprising though. So i ordered a new bearing and when to Zuk's website for some more research and found he used a different bearing puller called a Side Bearing puller made by OTC.

PN 4520

Link: http://www.amazon.com/OTC-4520-Differential-Bearing-Puller/dp/B0015PMZN4

So worth the money if you're planning on setting your own gears of diffs. After a few days i got it and instantly i was glad i did.

You can see the differences here:

ARBinstall-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

There are 3 big differences that make a large difference.

1: This puller has a piece that holds the arms from pushing out. VERY nice so that the hooks stay on the bearing instead of slipping off it and catching the rollers retainer which is very thin. Like what happened to me.

2: the hooks are longer and thinner while the arms are solid straight.

ARBinstall-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

vs

ARBinstall-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

3: This puller comes with three inserts that you set on the diff for it to press off of. And the tip of the press rotates freely for when you are wrenching it down.

Awesome.

ARBinstall-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
ARBinstall-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
ARBinstall-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
ARBinstall-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


After i messed around with it and got it dialed in i torqued down the side arm bolts to make certain it will not slip off again.

After you have it ready to go it'll look like this

ARBinstall-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

I will say it barely is wide enough with the bar that holds the hook sides in. Took some practice to get it right.

Then i took another note from the great Zuk and put the press in a vice and wrenched it down.

ARBinstall-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Pops it all off with ease

ARBinstall-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

So that puller is totally worth the money. Seriously.

I then repeated this happy that my 80 bucks was well spent and everything seemed to be going smooth finally after two big hiccups. Until i got to the other side of the ARB.

For whatever reason, the puller wouldn't fit. There are two quarter coin sized indentations on the locker to allow a puller to get under the bearing, but mine would not fit. Well, the hooks fit but you couldn't get them into the main puller piece since they where angled too far inwards.


****.


So.....i did this.

ARBinstall-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Using one hook under the one side. Then a long drift through the eyelet and a second bigger drift through a ring gear bolt. I leveraged against the bearing.....


By hand.



And pulled it up until the pullers hooks could go vertical enough to fit the puller support. About 1/8'' or so.

ARBinstall-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

That was my HeMan moment for the project...good lord..idk how else you would do it other then with one of those super duper fancy *** bearing pullers that cost 500 bucks.


But i got it.


ARBinstall-20.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then i took all the ring gear bolts and cleaned them up on the mounted wire wheel grinder

ARBinstall-22.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Some red Loctite

ARBinstall-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

And swapped the ring gears over.

ARBinstall-23.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

Then i used the 20 ton press to press on the bearings

ARBinstall-24.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

I took this moment since it was under so much pressure to torque the ring gear bolts to 85 ft/lbs

ARBinstall-25.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

For the ARB you have to run air to it to work, obviously. It does this with a solid copper tube on the inside of the diff but you have to drill two holes in the diff. The first is on the bearing cap.

ARBinstall-26.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The tube comes up through that and of course when i tapped the bearing cap down it snapped off the thin copper tube from the seal housing that Craig had sent me...

ARBinstall-27.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Great..

This was a problem because i had tried to order a spare from ECGS when i bought other spare parts. They had called me and said it had been on back order for weeks. Not good considering i had less then 20 days till my big trip.

Somehow i found one at some other gear shop and got it sent over a few days later.

ARBinstall-28.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

I ground the hole a tad bigger using the die grinder and never had an issue again and i removed and installed the bearing cap many many times. Just have to line everything up right.

The second hole is much larger and on the actual housing. Be sure to stuff the pinion with a rag when doing this hole to avoid metal shavings getting into your pinion bearings.

ARBinstall-34.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


You have to tap this hole as well.

ARBinstall-35.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

This is the bulkhead that goes in the hole and makes the seal around the copper tube and plastic air line. The left hand side goes in the diff and plastic line on the right. Gasket goes with the copper line not the plastic.

ARBinstall-36.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

I used some FIPG on the threads and outside of the base of the bulkhead just to be safe.

ARBinstall-37.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Using just your fingers you bend the line down and out the bulk head like so

ARBinstall-38.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
ARBinstall-39.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then trim the copper line and put in the gasket and middle piece of the bulkhead.

ARBinstall-44.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

I did leave just a little extra copper line. Which is fine as long as it clears everything you won't have any issues. ARB i believe recommends about 3/8''

ARBinstall-45.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Add some zip ties to the top. Ive seen guys put some rubber fuel line around the copper line here too. I just couldn't find any and stores where closed when i was finishing. So whatever.

ARBinstall-43.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
ARBinstall-46.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Then you test the locker for air leaks. Thankfully mine didn't have any. Was cool to hear it locking though Instant lock ******!

ARBinstall-40.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


At this point you have to check you backlash again. ARBs carriers are never 100% like your stock one so you usually have to adjust the shims. Mine was a total nightmare to do this time and i had to order a whole bunch of new washer plates. But i got it to .009 average which was close enough for me and a slapped the ***** in!

Now it is worth mentioning that i am not using an air compressor. Instead i am using CO2. But i am no using my big 20lb bottle of CO2. Instead i am using 20oz paintball canisters. I bought an 85psi regulator that attaches right to a bottle. All i did was plumb the ARB solenoid into it and mount the bottle.

a 12oz bottle is good for 1200+ locker articulations. So...a 20oz should be well over 2000. I still carry a second bottle just to be safe and they are easy to carry anyways. I'll probably get some sort of connection so i can run it off my 20lb bottle too if needed.


Anyways i bought the power tank paintball canister bracket. Was super impressed with this thing. All aluminum and very nicely put together. Comes with 3 hose clamps, one for the bottle and two for mounting. Or you can use bolts.

ARBinstall-29.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
ARBinstall-30.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
ARBinstall-31.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
ARBinstall-32.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
ARBinstall-33.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

This is all thats needed to run air lockers!

ARBinstall-41.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

This is the 85 psi regulator. Power tank makes one too but this one is more affordable by Ox Lockers and is US made and what not. Plus i have a buddy that runs it already so i knew it worked!

ARBinstall-42.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then i just mounted it to my rear bumper up out of the way. Even reused the blue line Craig gave me.

ARBinstall-47.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
ARBinstall-48.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
ARBinstall-49.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
ARBinstall-50.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
ARBinstall-51.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then i just ran a single double pair wire down for the solenoid and slapped in the ARB switch and was done!


I HAVE A LOCKER!! :woot: :goingcrazy:

Pretty cool. I got to use it 3 times on Whipsaw. Was hard to tell if i really needed it or not but i never had a single issue. Also put on damn near 2000-2500 miles on the rear diff and it didn't explode so...musta set it up okay for now! (knock on wood)

Also, shout out to Jerry, i use and abuse the **** out of this thing...love it @JLee BAMF ******!

ARBinstall-52.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr



Cheers folks!

 

[Blackdawg]

UPDATE: Wheelers Super Bumps rear Kit

Difficulty: Easy

Two in one day???!?!

yea.

This one is small but kinda cool. Ive know my shocks where too long for a while but just let it go. But now with the front LT i wanted to change that. So i purchased the Wheelers Super bump kit. It comes with mounting plates and the famous Wheelers super bumps. I also picked up two 3/8'' and two 1/4'' UHMW Spacers they make for the kit.

They look nice!

WheelersSuperbumps.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
WheelersSuperbumps-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


The attach just like stock getting sandwiched under the U bolts.

WheelersSuperbumps-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

They are much taller even without the spacers.

WheelersSuperbumps-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

However, they compress a lot more.

WheelersSuperbumps-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
WheelersSuperbumps-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


That was with as much pressure as i could pump down with just my finger, not using the actual bar on the 20 ton press.

So with that in mind i kinda eye balled it due to shortness of time i didn't have time to cycle anything.

No spacers.

WheelersSuperbumps-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

1/4'' spacer

WheelersSuperbumps-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

3/8'' spacer

WheelersSuperbumps-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Both spacers

WheelersSuperbumps-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

I settled on the 3/8'' for now. Which lead to my only complaint about this kit.

The bolt that holds the super bumps down is perfect for no spacers but much too short for the spacers and they don't even mention it or offer to sell you a longer bolt.

WheelersSuperbumps-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

So i went to the parts store and bought two more a 1.5'' and 2''

WheelersSuperbumps-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

I believe i used the 1.5'' for the 3/8'' spacer.

WheelersSuperbumps-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Then you just undo your U bolts and remove and replace!

WheelersSuperbumps-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

I did notice wear marks on the bump plates of the frame my last trip. I still think id like to add the 1/4'' spacer to it this winter. But over all i am very happy. Makes the hard hits not seem so hard now.

 

[Blackdawg]

HAM Radio Setup:

And this seems like a good time to do this, meant to do it months ago..

Anyways, this is my HAM setup at the moment.

-Icom 5100
-Motorola GM300 for APRS
-Pi2 and DVAP
-Old Droid X for APRS
-Samsung S3 for Wifi
-TNC


So, old news i know, but since i got rid of the old rack, i needed a spot for my antennas. And well since i was short on time, i threw this mini rack together in a day and called it good. My dad is by FAR the dude who helps me with this radio stuff. I am NO expert and won't claim to be, but happy to help if i can. If anything we will both learn something so ask questions!

The GM300 is NOT an APRS raido. Technically, its not even able to broadcast or monitor on the APRS bands. But, will a nice hack, you can make them go there. Which we did since the radios where basically free and we figured we may as well try them. I have it mount in the back on the sub box. I also have the 5100 mounted to a board and i just strap it to the back of the passenger side seat. Why? Because i have both rigs wired for it and can easily swap the radio between my two rigs. The face plate is bolted to the center dash, since i use it as my speedo haha

The TNC gets power from a USB port off my power inverted. The TNC is linked to the Droid X via Bluetooth. The Droid sends the TNC GPS data and the TNC sends the data to my GM300 which transmits it to any APRS gate that is in range.

That is my dedicated APRS setup as APRS is very widely supported unlike DPRS which is all my Icom 5100 can do.

The Icom is very handy though as i can use it as a crossband repeater, especially now that pretty much all my main wheeling buddies have hams and they themselves can crossband. This will make our range HUGE across our caravans of rigs. Be very handy to do. It is also the radio I just flat out use to talk on for HAM stuff. With the use of my Pi and S3, i can also use DPRS and be able to link into the DSTAR network anywhere. So it has it use's even if there isn't a Dstar repeater near.


This is the GM300

HamStuff-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The 5100

HamStuff-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The TNC

HamStuff-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

How it all lives...well..before we tucked all the wiring.

HamStuff.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


This is my rack. Pretty simple setup, terrible welds, but sorta works. Holds 3 antennas.

I angled it forward to get it close to the cab and away from my hydraulic bed rack.

HamStuff-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
HamStuff-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
HamStuff-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The antenna order from left to right:

-CB antenna
-Icom 5100
-Gm300 for APRS

HamStuff-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
HamStuff-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


It all turned out okay. However, i would like to raise it a bit. I orignally had it so that it wouldn't block the top rear brake light to remain DOT okay. But now, i want it even with the roof after the advice of my buddy Timmy. I will also get a new rear LED bar that will have tail lights in it and mount it under the cross bar.

I will also probably setup a ground wire for the rack, I don't think it gets a good enough ground so my CB doesn't work as well and the Ham doesn't either. Farrite isolators all need to be put in too. The GM300 works okay too, but not great. I think i will buy an actual single band APRS radio and a better antenna so that it will work better.

the 5100 is great though still, though id like a better antenna for it as well that fits 2m better instead of 70cm as i use 2m mostly.




Truck build goals for this summer are:

Redo some lighting and electrical stuff. Need new Fog lights and need to wire in the Hellas still. Adding some more lights as well.
New roof rack setup, minimalist approach, super stoked on this.
redo the mini rack for the antennas and LED bar
MAYBE redo the bed rack main legs. MAYBE. Kinda doubt it, be a ton of work.
Maybe get the T100 axle under Frank and some ADS shocks. But that one is the Expensive *** one and not sure i can afford it this summer with life being as it is..so we will see.

Otherwise i just want to drive him.

 

[Blackdawg]

Well. Time to catch up on some photos.

Lets do the Roof Rack and SC first.

Jon @45acp offered to build a Roof rack for me. Well i wanted something super simple and slim. Ended up just bending some aluminum cargo rails from US cargo. He followed the roof line.

Frankenstein Build-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Frankenstein Build-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Got some super cheap little LED bars for side lights too. Mounting took some doing.

Frankenstein Build.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Took Carraige bolts and flattened them and they needed trimmed around the edges too. Once done, they fit perfect.

Frankenstein Build-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Frankenstein Build-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Frankenstein Build-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Of course the bolts didn't fit the LED bars.

Frankenstein Build-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


But.. WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY!

Frankenstein Build-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Fit great right by the extended cab

Frankenstein Build-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

So, then i mocked up the rails and prepped for drilling..

Frankenstein Build-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

annnnd then drilled the first hole.....of...18..

Frankenstein Build-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Frankenstein Build-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Ouch.

Anyways. the way i did it was started in the center. The rails Jon bent where great. but not quiet perfect, however they where aluminum. So i knew that the bolts would suck it down flush or close. By starting with the middleish bolt on the hump of the extended cab I knew it would work out fine.

I used stainless hardware of course. 1/4'' bolts with nylock nuts and large fenderwashers.

Frankenstein Build-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

This is the hole i started on

Frankenstein Build-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

As you can see, not 100% perfect, but damn good.

Frankenstein Build-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Sucking the bolt down worked great.

Frankenstein Build-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Just move outwards from there to finish up.

Heres a inside look

Frankenstein Build-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Frankenstein Build-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Frankenstein Build-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Got a little lucky on my placement of the rails. Too far to the outside and id have been screwed. The two end bolts are a MAJOR PITA to get sucked down.

Once i had it roughed up. I undid all the bolts and used Silicon on them to seal it. Plan on also running a bead all up and down both sides of the rails just in case.

Look good though i think. Do what i want and are a lot stronger then i thought they would be. Can support me leaning on them all the way. More then i'll ever use them for.

Frankenstein Build-20.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Frankenstein Build-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
Frankenstein Build-22.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

Just how i had envisioned it. Huge thanks to Jon for the help!

Now just need to paint them.