Took the latest project truck (#17) out for a test drive -

 

Got to take Frankie Jr. out for his first off road run a couple days ago. Another buddy and his disco came along as well. It did pretty good! I did damage something though. Check out the first video in particular, wait for the pop about 28 seconds in.

Everything is still functioning just fine, but we do.have a shimmy on the highway now. I'll have to do some more digging on what I broke.

Overall it was a great time, other than the trail being blocked by a tree. I did attempt to move it by putting my new bumper to the test, but it wasn't happening. Of course, the one time I don't bring my chainsaw...

I put all the videos in an album this time to prevent the sound from driving folks nuts.

https://imgur.com/a/2DhR4IP

 

This was the day after the trail run. I got the hitch receiver added to the front bumper and got my winch mounted up. Also tested out the articulation without my rear shock tabs being extended. Not bad! I went ahead and extended them after this about 3" to match up with the lift.

Got more changes coming to the bumper in the coming days.









And also swapped over to the '03 tail lights. For one, I like the look better (I know they're much lower quality... Ok by me, beater rig), and for another I busted one of my turn signals out of the bumper on the trail. Won't have a place for them once I build the rear bumper anyway.

For anyone curious, it's as simple as matching the wire colors. Thankfully they didn't change the wires when they changed the tail lights.

 

Flex looks good

 

Thanks! With the extended shock tabs there's a minimum 3" more in the rear now (combined, between sides). Might be as many as 5", I doubt 6" but theoretically possible. That is, unless the stock watts link is binding. I should've checked that. I've got to get the rear sway out and do the panhard conversion to see how far we can take it.

My goal is to get a wheel up on that bigger stump in the picture.

 

Spring maintenance time,

Oil change done but as usual bought a quart less than I needed
Went to do the diffs, plugs came out fine from the front but the magnet let go
Tossed the old one in, less the magnet, and some 85/140 gear oil to carry me over until the new one arrives. Seeing as the rear one needs a bit of dremel work to get the wrench in it can stay as is until then. Oil was pretty good for 3 years old, still mostly clear with just sludge on the magnet.
Rotoflex needs replacing
Driveshafts were both in the wrong position to grease later this week for them
Damm city used massive amounts of brine a some point now I have clean and treat my undercarriage in spots hard black rust in places - freaking morons.

Ah well everything else is happy

 

Alex, your PM box is full,text me.

 

Rotella oil change and other fluid top offs for the '03. Remembered to write the date and mileage in paint marker on the oil filter this time.

 

I shot you an email, I've lost my phone.

 

changed out some burnt out bulbs on the '01.

i really like the headlight access on the that body style. and the tail light lenses and body seem much heftier than my '04's.

kinda thinking that my next daily driver may need to be a '99-'02 Discovery.