'04 RME TJ Build Thread - Page 7

imbezol · 08-22-2008, 02:27 PM

So on the weekend I did a little bit of a river crossing with the Jeep and at one point got it stuck in some soft silt. The first guy that decided to try and help me was driving a raptor and he was really eager to pull my winch out to his machine. I was thinking it was a waste of time but I ran the winch out to him anyways. Once you're anchored in the silt under water it takes quite a bit to pull you out. So of course, even after he spun his own tires down into the muck I just pulled him into the river, not me out of it. He then went and found a truck for me to anchor to. I winched out without too much problem after that. Wheeling the winch back in he just dropped it on the ground though and it ended up being a bit of a mess on the spool so when I caught up to Raskull again I got him to help me pull it out to respool it. Well, we got down to the last wrap and everything went loose and the line came off the spool. The anchor that holds the line at the start had broke. I ended up having to just stuff the mess of line into the back of the Jeep because I couldn't (standing in the water and being impatient) get the thing started on the drum.

Then on the way home I noticed I had a terrible squealing from the driver's side and scraping on the passenger side. I got the Jeep home and then the next day I took off the front driver's side tire and then the caliper and a die sized rock fell out onto the floor that was nicely polished on one side. I was thinking that should fix that side and moved to the passenger side. Same thing, took the tire off and the brake caliper off, and nothing. I blew it off and put everything back together thinking maybe there was just some sand in there. So I took it for a spin around the block but the scraping was still there. As I went by a vehicle I could hear the noise really loud when I passed a parked car on that side of the road, and then only once the rear tire got beside it. So I brought it back to the garage and pulled the rear passenger side apart. What I found was that there was absolutely no pad left and the metal was grinding on the inside of the rotor.

I picked up new pads and rotors at NAPA later that day and installed them the next morning.

Here's what the pads and rotors off the one side looked like:

And here's the new gear:

Today DeeperTJ stopped by and we got the winch cable spooled back on neatly with the help of the new end I picked up.

Then we finished by inspecting some damage to his rig and spent a half hour of quality time with the grinder.

I miss spending time in the garage and can't wait to have some more stuff to improve the Jeep.

JAW_WRANGLER · 08-22-2008, 02:30 PM

you can spend time in my garage.. im sure we could find something to fix on the jeep! haha

imbezol · 08-24-2008, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAW_WRANGLER

you can spend time in my garage.. im sure we could find something to fix on the jeep! haha

Heh.. if it wouldn't cost me thousands in gas to get there I'd take you up on that offer!

JAW_WRANGLER · 08-25-2008, 10:54 AM

ill fly you in lol!

**03_X** · 08-25-2008, 12:12 PM

can you PM me a picture of your passenger door?? I am looking to get a snorkel and really want to be able to take the doors off... Thanks!

imbezol · 08-26-2008, 09:47 AM

JAW_WRANGLER: When's my flight take off?

03_X: Yeah I'll snap a couple pics when I get a few moments here.

**03_X** · 08-26-2008, 10:13 AM

one of your action shots is my laptop background... love the jeep! wish we had that kind of terrain here in ohio to wheel...

imbezol · 08-28-2008, 10:38 AM

03_X: Thanks dude. When I get my Jeep to a "finished" state within the next year or two I plan to take some longer trips and see the terrain in other areas. I think my first trip destination will be BC or Washington.

Here are some pics of the snorkle details. You can see that it doesn't stick forward of the window much at all and you don't have to cut the door pin too much. You probably don't have to cut the bottom one at all.

imbezol · 09-21-2008, 06:01 PM

It took way too long but I finally did it! Can't wait to try this thing out next weekend.

TOLjeep · 09-23-2008, 07:03 AM

That looks great!

Congrats on an a sick Jeep.

imbezol · 09-23-2008, 11:05 AM

Thanks TOLjeep.

I picked up a few other goodies yesterday.

Front pinion seal, new light guard for the KC guard I lost, sealed beam long range bulbs for the KCs, a set of Hella 500FF lights and guards, KC windshield light mount brackets, mud flaps, and a set of grab handles.

My buds Calvin and Bill came over we got the pinion seal installed last night but I need a new yoke as well because it was pretty grooved. Calvin and I got the Hella's installed too and the new KC bulbs in. I need to pick up some self tapping bolts for the mud flaps yet.

jcssurf · 09-23-2008, 11:16 AM

How hard is it to start (and start) those 37's?

They look awesome.

JEEP97TJ · 09-23-2008, 11:26 AM

JAW_WRANGLER · 09-23-2008, 11:46 AM

well i would fly you in, but no jeep left to work on.. i totaled it

ill find me another though

imbezol · 09-23-2008, 11:52 AM

Thanks guys.

Driving around town the gearing isn't too bad at all actually. We'll see how 1st gear 4LO is this weekend.

I tried an emergency stop and I was surprised that I can lock up all 4 tires too.

JAW_WRANGLER:
Totaled it? That sucks dude. I'd be a pretty sad dude if I got in an accident with mine.