Triple-purpose JK Build
- Thread starter jsmoriss
- Start date
jsmoriss
Explorer
It's not a desk, and my wife is driving.
The laptop is connected to a docking, which is held by a RAM laptop mount. Here's the info I posted on it a little while back:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=447321&postcount=276
And here are a few pictures...
Planning the location for the RAM base-plate:
Touching up with paint after gluing the base-plate:
The vehicle mount:
And the removable laptop mount:
js.
jsmoriss
Explorer
Working on the trailer...
After our last trip, the trailer was caked in a really fine dust, which got everywhere and was difficult to clean off. I decided the water tank breather caps needed somekind of filter to keep the tanks clean. I drilled a hole through the caps and cut out some some open-cell foam filters for them. I used some cheap cleaning sponges, and my father-in-law had a nice punch to make 'em nice and round.
js.
After our last trip, the trailer was caked in a really fine dust, which got everywhere and was difficult to clean off. I decided the water tank breather caps needed somekind of filter to keep the tanks clean. I drilled a hole through the caps and cut out some some open-cell foam filters for them. I used some cheap cleaning sponges, and my father-in-law had a nice punch to make 'em nice and round.
js.
jeepmedic46
Expedition Leader
That is one awesome build. :sombrero: Great job
jsmoriss
Explorer
Last week I drilled the bumper and installed a new CB coax. The old one ran between the body and bumper, and wore through the the coax's outer sleeve. I think this new setup, with the fuel line to protect and relieve bending stresses, should last a long, long time. I hope.
js.
js.
jsmoriss
Explorer
On this past trip, Melanie mentioned the cup holder shelf was difficult to snap back in. And I'd noticed a few mis-matched screws, and two areas where a grinder was used, leaving patches of bare wood:
So I took the three folding shelves out to re-varnish the whole thing. I'm glad I did. Aside from the above issues, I also found some bare plywood that looked like it had gotten wet at some point:
Looks a lot better now:
I also siliconed all the gaps and filled-in some screw holes located too close to each other -- one hole had merged with another and the screw couldn't get a solid purchase. Aside from addressing the tolerances on the clasps, I also added some thin rubber seal behind the shelves, so a little push clicks the shelf in place, and the seal pushes back enough to remove any rattling. It also makes for a nice soft feel when stowing the shelves. I added the same seal on the bottom of the lower shelf too, so when it falls forward, it doesn't clunk. I'm just waiting for the glue to set in those screw holes now.
js.
So I took the three folding shelves out to re-varnish the whole thing. I'm glad I did. Aside from the above issues, I also found some bare plywood that looked like it had gotten wet at some point:
Looks a lot better now:
I also siliconed all the gaps and filled-in some screw holes located too close to each other -- one hole had merged with another and the screw couldn't get a solid purchase. Aside from addressing the tolerances on the clasps, I also added some thin rubber seal behind the shelves, so a little push clicks the shelf in place, and the seal pushes back enough to remove any rattling. It also makes for a nice soft feel when stowing the shelves. I added the same seal on the bottom of the lower shelf too, so when it falls forward, it doesn't clunk. I'm just waiting for the glue to set in those screw holes now.
js.
jsmoriss
Explorer
Thanks. And thanks everyone for your kind words!
Well, not everyone does -- for example, my concerns over the trailer's kitchen were not shared by the manufacturer.
I get satisfaction from doing things 'right' (my 'right', not someone else's 'right'). Sometimes I have to go back and spend quite a bit of time to fix something most people wouldn't even think twice about. I probably have some OCD tendencies or something. Thanks, but I've had a garage for a few weeks now. Good thing too, 'cause all those mods to the trailer would not have been possible without one. The Jeep doesn't fit in the garage, but at least I can work on it in the driveway instead of on the sidewalk. :-D
js.
Yep....time to order the retro-rockets!
:coffeedrink:
jsmoriss
Explorer
Beadlocks + Interco LTBs = Huge PITA
For the past few days, I've been trying to mount some Interco 'Bigger LTB's onto some Champion beadlocks. The first one didn't go so bad, but the second was a real PITA. The bolts that came with the beadlocks are 1 1/4", but I had to start the tire with 2" bolts (the tire's bead is 1" thick!), then switch to 1 1/2" bolts, but couldn't get down to the original 1 1/4" bolts. Checking the space available on the first tire, I figured a 1 1/2" bolt would fit anyway, so I double-checked with the manufacturer, and bought a box of 1 1/2" bolts. At the same time, I popped over to the local market and bought some Crisco. What a difference a little lube and proper length bolts make!
I'm too tired to take a picture, but trust me, they look insane. I'll try and get some pics this week-end -- who knows, I may have time to put them on the truck too! :-D
js.
For the past few days, I've been trying to mount some Interco 'Bigger LTB's onto some Champion beadlocks. The first one didn't go so bad, but the second was a real PITA. The bolts that came with the beadlocks are 1 1/4", but I had to start the tire with 2" bolts (the tire's bead is 1" thick!), then switch to 1 1/2" bolts, but couldn't get down to the original 1 1/4" bolts. Checking the space available on the first tire, I figured a 1 1/2" bolt would fit anyway, so I double-checked with the manufacturer, and bought a box of 1 1/2" bolts. At the same time, I popped over to the local market and bought some Crisco. What a difference a little lube and proper length bolts make!
I'm too tired to take a picture, but trust me, they look insane. I'll try and get some pics this week-end -- who knows, I may have time to put them on the truck too! :-D
js.
jsmoriss
Explorer
I just broke 3 bolts while trying to mount the third tire. You can kinda see why in this picture:
The bolt holes are machined with a 10 degree outward slant, but I don't think that's enough for these tires... The natural path of the bolt doesn't leave any room for the socket, so the socket ends up pushing the bolt towards the inside, probably adding an incredible amount of stress on the bolt...
js.
The bolt holes are machined with a 10 degree outward slant, but I don't think that's enough for these tires... The natural path of the bolt doesn't leave any room for the socket, so the socket ends up pushing the bolt towards the inside, probably adding an incredible amount of stress on the bolt...
js.
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