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The last item on the list for the rear work was the shocks. I wanted to run the Rancho MT7000 but they do not make them with the proper ends to fit this rig in stock form. So.... Luckily for me, a fabricator buddy made me a set of Pin Bar eliminators that fit the EX. (All the ones made for Jeeps, do not fit.)
These worked nicely on all the trails in Moab.
Last edited by Gmanpaint; Sep 7, 2016 at 04:41 PM.
With the rear work done, it was time to start on the front. I had some tweaks to get done for Moab. The new wheels required a bit more lift to clear at full stuff. I contemplated on larger bump stops, but the travel is already minimal on these IFS setups. Decided to get the extra 1/2" lift using the coil over springs.
This threw the camber out of whack, and maxed out the adjustments. Still had negative camber to deal with. The stock UCA's are shorter then the lower's, and it is physically impossible to get good camber set, once you reach a certain height, using coil springs for lift.
The answer was longer UCA's made by BTF. These DOM tube Uniball arms are as strong as they get. I had them make mine 1/2" longer then they normally do. This allowed my upper 4* cams to rest in the middle for maximum adjustment both directions. Using a dead blow to get them installed was simple. The 1.25" Uniball is replaceable, and is grease-less. It has an inner Teflon seal.
They come in rattle can gun metal gray from BTF. I had to change that. Stripped with thinner, and POR15 was applied. I added a little bit of custom flare to the BTF logo, to make them pop more then they already did.
Last edited by Gmanpaint; Sep 7, 2016 at 04:29 PM.
I wanted a better way to store parts & tools for the trails. I built a storage box, and wanted it removable.
Out came the stock tie downs, and in went a set of E-tracks. The box uses HD sliders for the drawer, for a smooth operation, and easy access.
Once the box was made, it was secured by a nice set of straps to the tracks.
The backside of the box holds both spare drive shafts using the large quick fist clamps. The top of the box holds the full size spare tire, using a loop bolt, and my custom wheel tie down kit I made.
I had to replace the subwoofer box, and install a new sub using a stock enclosure.
I got tired of the wheels I was running, and found a newer set I liked. I had these wheels before on a different vehicle years ago, and really liked them. They are old school, but I am old. Perfect match!
Used balancing beads (Dynabeads) for the tires, for a smooth ride.
I installed the center caps I custom painted, and some black lugs (after Moab) to give some contrast. Simple, but effective.
Last edited by Gmanpaint; Sep 9, 2016 at 09:22 PM.
Spent a week wheeling great trails and no breakdowns or stucks. I helped others with straps & this thing went over and thru everything flawlessly. I couldn't be happier with how well it did for an IFS rig, that kept up with the big dawg SAS rigs.
Can't wait to get back out there next year. More mods to come over this winter. Stay tuned!!!
Last edited by Gmanpaint; Sep 7, 2016 at 10:19 AM.
If anybody wants to join me for a weekend of wheeling, I will be at SMORR the weekend of Oct 14-16-'16 for their annual Fall event. Top notch establishment, voted in the top 3 destinations in the country for ORV parks.
Check them out below.
Been a couple days since I updated this thread. Lots has been done since. It never ends so just to keep up with the times for anybody that stumbles across this mixed thread, here is the latest round of mods....
A.R.E. Spidersilk rope for the hidden winch
Replaced the BTF uniballs with Stainless units
Installed a brand new Atlas II 4.3
And then had to install a new set of custom thick wall drivelines to handle the new crawl ratio. 1350 rear & 1330 front
Added some creature comfort with a new set of Corbeau seats. (Covered but not shown here)
Got tired of the spare tire in the back, so I built a new swingout bumper for the 35" MTR
After a 10 day camping trip to the CO Mountains, I decided I needed to change a few more things up. First was the shocks & coils. 4 new Fox 2.0 W/Resi's and custom coated blood cherry Eibach 750# coils. Built my own resi mounts to bolt over the front upper tower, and keep them out of harms way. Also added roller bearing coil shims for ease of adjustment.
All of that was removed, cleaned and re-painted after I was done with everything else.
Rear Fox shocks
New Camburg TRE's and HD outers
Next up... Custom 4" lift leaf packs, made 2" longer than stock, to move the axle back 1" for more tire clearance at the rear doors. To compensate the longer packs 6"L x 3/8" lasercut boomerang shackles was used. They are clearcoated, just to be different.
So, after all that, I decided to change up how I travel in this thing, and how I camp. Time for an off road trailer build. Sent this rig to a shop to do a 5.0L swap for more HP pulling the trailer. Wasn't a smooth transition to say the least, and I am still working out some bugs from it after 11 months, but I will get it ironed out. With the 5.0 swap, the Atlas case had to be changed up inside with a bigger splined shaft, and new 6 bolt ring. Ditched the M5OD, and running the 5.0 auto trans now. Rebuilt completely with trans-go shift kit, 2000 stall. Brand new engine back Magnaflow exhaust. Used set of Ford Racing manifolds.
Since the manual was gone, and I had freed up the cubby hole in the console, I made an Acrylic control panel for all the light switches, lockers, Scangauge 2, and winch controls. Changed up to a Cobra 75 CB, and installed the power box behind the glovebox, and Mic to the console.
Added an ARB Rear locker & pump. Pump will also feed a tank for tire fills. Made a metal box to mount the pump on top of the stock spare mount. Vented and drain holes added.
Bought a new FoMo hood, and had it painted, and custom airbrushed.
Lastly, a new full set of five 15x10 MT wheels and new 35"x12.5" MTR's.
I have a major build going on for this rig right now, and will update it here very soon, as it is 80% done. :)
Until next time..... Peace!
Last edited by Gmanpaint; Dec 4, 2018 at 08:24 PM.
Some pictures of that CO trip on top of Tin Cup pass, and top of Mt Ranier, before a few of the mentioned mods done.
Tin cup summit crossing the continental divide at 12k ft Poser!!! Top of Mt Rainier Storm coming in while on top of Tin Cup pass Summit of Mt Rainier Mt Rainier trail Mirror lake towards the top of Tin Cup Pass
Last edited by Gmanpaint; Dec 5, 2018 at 10:42 AM.
With the new Adventure trailer, the rig is now being used more for Overland style use. Trailer is a base camp while we go exploring and trail riding. To get to far away places, and be as self sustainable as possible off grid, a few more things was done to the rig. This being the first mod added.
Off came the old roof basket, and a new Adventure style rack was built, and installed. This allows me to carry larger bulky items. If I am bringing family along, I can stow tents & tables up there. Propane for cooking and heat source (5 lb tank), an Axe, High Lift, Shovel, and a 270* awning. Rear has a swing out gate for easing the load/unload process. Lights was installed to the front, sides, and rear. An HD camera in the back helps view the trailer in tow. It has it's own 12v junction box, and conduit for wires underneath. 2 rear Acc 12v ports using SAE plugs in the back under the flush mount lights in the water resistant boxes. It was self etched primed, painted underneath, and Raptor lined everywhere else. Total weight is 90 lbs, sitting on 6 bolt brackets, that use the factory rails with T Bolts.
Next up was the rear cargo storage area. This is a dual purpose build.
1- For use without the trailer. Has one drawer used for either storage, or a camp stove.
2- For use with the base camp trailer, and more storage, w/o the camp stove.
95 lb Box is Baltic Birch, sealed, & painted inside. Exterior of the box, slider, and drawers are Laminated with countertop material. Drawer pulls are bottle openers, and all 3 slides are HD locking styles.
Left is a Fridge/Freezer slide. Right has 2 drawers. Top has dual Milwaukee Packout bases, with 3 sizes of tool boxes for gear, recovery, tools, and spare parts/fluids. Also on top is a Dewalt 60v- 16" Chainsaw. Left side has a saddle box containing both front spare half shafts. Right side has a basket to hold misc stuff, and a hatchet. Front of box holds both spare drivelines, tucked between it and the rear seats.
Grill box has a slide out cutting board top. Had a local guy that makes these as a side bizz, make it to spec for me. Hickory, & walnut, with a finger handle. Food grade sealer. This drawer also has a smaller interior storage with a laminated lid.
Entire box is removable. It's mounted using new anchors in the floor, and HD straps on all four corners. It just fits between the wheel wells, with side fitting stuff over them.
30 amp 12v power was added to the face of the left saddle box. This powers both the air compressor, and the fridge.
T-case skid plate was doubled up using 2 stock plates, welded together, and dropped 5/8" for clearing the bigger Atlas case.
Both Bumpers got Kickouts added to them on both sides. 3/16"x1.5" DOM tubes welded on, then fresh paint for both bumpers. Rear bumper got tow chain loops inside, chain pass threw's so they don't get pinched underneath while on trails climbing ledges, and 7 pin trailer connector. Tire mount got the angle changed from straight up/down, to a slight angle, for better approach/departure. Redesigned front camera swivel mount that allows it to tilt in diff positions.
New leaf packs for higher weight load was installed for the trailer tongue weight, and additional gear.
Upgraded to a dual purpose Group 65 Northstar AGM battery to help handle all the electrical demands. Pictures o this will be added later.
New clear lens headlights with 65k LED lights installed.
Console was worked on to add the additional switches for the ARB locker, 12v meter / USB charge ports, and 1 rocker for a future mod. Scan ga relocated to the top.
All new brake system was added. Every single item is new, except the hard line in the frame rail. Power stop calipers, and ceramic pads. Coated rotors. Prograde soft lines, and new E-brake cables. 10" rear soft extension line was added for the lift.
Went on a group meet in SW CO last August. We base camped in Ouray, and hit the surrounding Mountain passes for a week.
Had a Brake issue on the trailer, and the power steering rack blow out on the way there. Trapped in KS for 2.5 days trying to source parts. You can prepare for most things, but never for something like this! lol
It was still a great trip regardless of the issues getting there. Can't wait to go back again. 2 trips out in this area, is no where enough, as there is just so much to see.
Rig is currently on jack stands with the front diff out, getting some routine love, before the next adventure. Trying to get it ready for an overland meet in MO next month. Next big trip is MOAB, next May!
