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2M views 8K replies 424 participants last post by  ravenworks 
#1 ·
Latest Updates: Well, I didn't ENTIRELY f*** it up...

Pictured: In fact, I only partially f***** it up.



The Wasteland Survival Guide: Engineering Greta

Prologue: The idea behind my thread is simply this: to provide an entertainingly-documented accounting of all the work that I'm doing...major, minor, repair, diagnostic, etc, etc. The title of the thread was chosen deliberately...it's not a "let me hold your hand" write-up; it's more of, well, a guide. I want it to be interesting, informative, funny, and useful. I want it to spark ideas and imagination in the minds of other Jeep drivers. I want people to read, to see, to learn, and - most importantly - to be inspired. I want these things because - to me - the Jeep is the four-wheeled backpack of my life. She's the keystone that makes Bilbo Baggins' famous tale - "There, and Back Again" - actually possible...and if getting there and coming back again isn't what a trip into the backcountry is all about, then I surely do not know what is. To those ends, I want people to learn from me and with me. Knowledge - more than any other tool - is the most crucial part of not only surviving the wasteland, but thriving in it.

With that said...

The Objective: Build a Jeep that will faultlessly handle whatever I feel like doing at the time.

The Difficulty: Are you kidding? This is me we're talking about. There's literally no telling what I'll be interested in doing from one moment to the next...so heaven forbid I make it easy on myself. If I had to predict a "mission requirement" for this Jeep, it would read something like this: "Be capable of crossing 2,000 miles of asphalt in relative comfort while carrying anything that the driver could possibly need should he or she A) decide to negotiate a rather technical trail at the end of the road, B) go on a zombie-killing rampage, or C) turn in an unanticipated direction simply to see what lies over the next hill...and, consequently, to return home again with little-to-no damage." Kind of makes "daily driver" seem a bit harder to do than normal, doesn't it?

The Limitations: Time and money, as always. Any problem can be solved with outright simplicity, provided that one applies both time and cash in liberal, slathering amounts. Well, I don't always have either of those...much less both at once. I won't say that I'm going to try to do this on a shoestring budget, but I certainly can't throw cash at problems.

The Expected End Result: Rather, where I think this is going to end up...

- Well-controlled 35's, which means upgraded steering, control links and brakes.
- Armored sections...wherever they're needed. Engine, t-case, rockers, approach and departure, a cage of some sort.
- Clearance...read "tummy tuck" when you see that word.
- Cool-running reliability...look for oil and power-steering coolers, louvers, and the like.
- Communication from the backcountry...a UHF/VHF setup.
- Survival/Recovery...anything that's needed to dig oneself out of trouble, should the Mission Requirement get compromised.
- Pointlessly Fun Extras: Hey, if you've got an M1919, why not strap it to the roll bar? :D

Be sure to look for the the following special comments and sections:

Valuable Information. These are bits and pieces of relevant knowledge that I've picked up during the build, and they contain a great variety of informative randomness on the topic at hand. These sections contain tips on installations or techniques, ideas on what I might have done differently had I known at the time, and thoughts relevant to the posts in that section. They're not full tech write-ups, and they aren't intended to be...they're simply helpful hints that will better enable you to survive the wasteland of Jeep ownership, modification and operation.

Summaries. These are exactly what they seem: summaries of my thoughts and opinions. They're written to be simple, short, to-the-point "final thoughts and afterthoughts" statements. Think of them as the bullet points that always seem to end each chapter in class textbooks, or the "if you don't remember anything else that I've said, then remember this" portion of the thread.

And last, but certainly not least...

Some Final Thoughts Before You Wander In: I encourage you to ask questions, make suggestions, insult me, and to critique my spelling and grammar...but above all, I encourage you to enjoy the thread. I encourage you to enjoy wrenching on your Jeep as much as I enjoy wrenching on mine, and I encourage you to have fun while you can...because life is short, and it's a wasteland out there.

:thumbsup:
 
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#4,574 ·
Question: Should this go on the front or the back of the shirt?

I was just thinking about this. What if you put a small monkey head on the front, off center, to the left and a large full image on the back?
or
Small full image off center to the left and only the large monkey head on the back.
or
Large full image on the front with a small monkey head on the back lower left part of the t-shirt.

Thanks again for the great build thread. I should get in gear and start my own.

Sorry if I'm rambling I just had a little brainstorm.
 
#4,579 ·
Ok I have a question seeing as the brightest lot are checking in here, does anybody know what this plug is for on my 04 TJ it has a straight 3 pin black plug with a (green, bk/yl, blk wire), there is one on each side next to the headlights. Its a very short tail that would probably only just reach the headlight itself.
Only thing I can think of or have seen in the manual was headlight adjusters, but I have never seen those in a Wrangler.


Thanks,
Nick.
 
#4,583 ·
Ok I have a question seeing as the brightest lot are checking in here, does anybody know what this plug is for on my 04 TJ it has a straight 3 pin black plug with a (green, bk/yl, blk wire), there is one on each side next to the headlights. Its a very short tail that would probably only just reach the headlight itself.
Only thing I can think of or have seen in the manual was headlight adjusters, but I have never seen those in a Wrangler.

Thanks,
Nick.
Pictures Help
 
#4,584 ·
Today's Jeeping: Catching up on my own thread. To address a few things in no particular order...

- The engine really doesn't have much to do with the transfer case skid. Yes, it can have an impact but as others have said; the solution lies in designing and building a skid with my particular circumstances in mind. The fact that the engine is being swapped is one of the reasons I decided against the otherwise-very-smart Savvy MUA; once I get the swap taken care of I can re-engineer or rebuild whatever skid I've already fabricated. No problem.

- The shirt design seems to be either: large graphic front/small graphic upper back or small graphic front/large graphic back. I like them both. I'm also looking for women's shirts, and yes: Imped noticed that this is the highest-viewed active build thread. I think we all deserve a beer and a sammich. :thumbsup:

- Yeah, this thread needs some more metal-cutting and boobs; I've been working and out of town so I haven't even had time to mow my foot-tall grass, yet. However, you can rest assured that if nothing else, there is imminent boobage inbound. :D
 
#4,609 ·
Today's Jeeping: Catching up on my own thread. To address a few things in no particular order...

- Yeah, this thread needs some more metal-cutting and boobs; I've been working and out of town so I haven't even had time to mow my foot-tall grass, yet. However, you can rest assured that if nothing else, there is imminent boobage inbound. :D
So I guess that the next mod should be a bush-hog on the TJ so you can mow the grass:2thumbsup:
 
#4,589 ·
You and me both. :D

I Say Small Design On Front, Larger On Rear
That's kind of where I'm at with it, right now.

Hey Sundowner, is your name in reference to Sundowners Syndrome?

Also, I seen to be at a stalling point with my tj. I have 3.5 inch suspension lift with 33" tires and 3.07 d30 and d35, so clearly I need to either regear/axle upgrade along with steering and brake upgrades. So my question is this, if you were to do it all again would you do it in the same order?

And any advice on my predicament? Currently I have a budget of $1800
First of all: no, that's not the name reference. :shhh:

Regarding your predicament: if I had it all to do over again, I'd chase gears, joints and clearance, all other things being equal. Those three things will help you IMMENSELY because they will let you comfortably drive at the speed the terrain requires; that measure of control is the majority part of preventing breakage. Basic upgrades to brakes and steering aren't expensive, so those need to happen; the gears can be done at home, too... just take your time. My advice is to upgrade your brakes with some good pads and rotors and to beef your tie rod, and then look at a regear; use what's left for tummy tuck parts or decent joints... and if you've already got any of that covered, please accept my apologies: I can't read profiles when posting from my phone.
 
#4,588 ·
Hey Sundowner, is your name in reference to Sundowners Syndrome?

Also, I seen to be at a stalling point with my tj. I have 3.5 inch suspension lift with 33" tires and 3.07 d30 and d35, so clearly I need to either regear/axle upgrade along with steering and brake upgrades. So my question is this, if you were to do it all again would you do it in the same order?

And any advice on my predicament? Currently I have a budget of $1800
 
#4,601 ·
ALCON,
A hair off topic or should i say it is a topic referenced very early in this thread. VANCO 16" Big Brake Kit w/ Black Magic Pads I am being told by the good folks at Savy are out of production indefinetly. BUMMER!!!

That sigh of disapointment out, and moving forward. Anyone have any ideas on a comparable audible option?

I am looking at upgrading the stock shafts and breaks on my 06 LJ Rubi, and being as I like to do it right the first time leaving future options available without having to re-work a previous project. I intend to keep the factory 16" MOABs. No further lifting is in my futurebeyond My current set up. Maybe some 35's though.

Obviously I am stuck back at square 1 in the planning of this little project with the VANCO Kit's being no longer available.
 
#4,602 ·
ALCON,
A hair off topic or should i say it is a topic referenced very early in this thread. VANCO 16" Big Brake Kit w/ Black Magic Pads I am being told by the good folks at Savy are out of production indefinetly. BUMMER!!!

That sigh of disapointment out, and moving forward. Anyone have any ideas on a comparable audible option?

I am looking at upgrading the stock shafts and breaks on my 06 LJ Rubi, and being as I like to do it right the first time leaving future options available without having to re-work a previous project. I intend to keep the factory 16" MOABs. No further lifting is in my futurebeyond My current set up. Maybe some 35's though.

Obviously I am stuck back at square 1 in the planning of this little project with the VANCO Kit's being no longer available.
If this is true I'm sad and pissed at the same time.
 
#4,605 ·
But how am I gonna stop with the new banks turbo kit!! Well thinking about it after it gets to users hands. I still need to stop!!
Throw an anchor out the side and hope it catches something:brickwall
 
#4,612 ·
Not two big ones?:mad:
 
#4,619 ·
Now being the Internet, without proof it is you Anne Bell or a pimple faced fat kid. Welcome onboard
Nice! A welcome surprise to be sure!
Yep, that's her...our very own resident sweetheart. :)

Hmm , I am thinking theres a 15 and a temperature moderating unit announcement coming up .
I did make a reservation on a radiator and the transmission is proving hard to pass up, but since you knew about them beforehand I can't award any points for correct prognostication. :D

Whew! After three days of getting f***all done for work, I'm done reading this whole thread. And to think, I was just looking for some information while replacing the front calipers on my WJ when I stumbled upon this fount of useful knowledge, entertainment, and pics of a gorgeous woman using an air ratchet. Good show, Sundowner!

P.S. - If you search "Seriously. I wouldn't lie to you about this." (in quotes) on either Bing or Google, this thread comes up in the top 10. Seriously... ;)
Thank you for the compliments...and now that Annabelle has her own account I don't have to pass them along! I'm glad that you got some use out of this long and rambling story. Also, remember that today is Go Topless Day...and didn't someone say something about this thread needing more pictures, recently? :thumbsup:
 
#4,618 ·
Whew! After three days of getting f***all done for work, I'm done reading this whole thread. And to think, I was just looking for some information while replacing the front calipers on my WJ when I stumbled upon this fount of useful knowledge, entertainment, and pics of a gorgeous woman using an air ratchet. Good show, Sundowner!

P.S. - If you search "Seriously. I wouldn't lie to you about this." (in quotes) on either Bing or Google, this thread comes up in the top 10. Seriously... ;)
 
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