Cptpackrat's 01 build "EMMA"

Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
With GoneMOAB 2016 just around the corner I needed to get a different trans/t-case skidplate going. I had the sheet cut now for about 2 months or so now but never really had the weather or location to do the work. Today was a better day than never to get it going again. I got it "mounted" up currently handing by the front bolts and 1 u-bolt in the rear which is where I found a flaw in my design. I need to groove the holes to allow for the curved section of the bolts to sit against the plate. As of current the one bolt I have in doesn't sit flush against the plate. I will address this issue tomorrow at work.

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Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
Today I stayed at work over my lunch and fixed the holes in the plate to allow the U-bolts to fit fully against the plate bottom. I still need to notch around the exhaust flex pipe, however it isnt a big issue of mine right now. I will be dropping both the front and mid plate tomorrow night to do the final oil change before Gone2016 and to get the new plate painted up. Still no ship info from rugged rocks on my new compressor, hoping I get it by next week.

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Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
Well today I got the trans/tcase skid painted up, I just need to change my oil and put them back on the rig. Then my rig is for the better part... Moab ready, should have my new ARB next week per the tracking number info so I will have it wired up asap.

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Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
With the compressor being my final mod before GoneMOAB, I was in a rush to get it in. Last night I lengthened the wiring harness to reach my battery from the back of the rig. Today after my finals I ran home and laid the wiring under the carpet and tested the compressor to make sure I had everything wired up properly. After I got home from work I got the switch in place and got to run the compressor with a high-output die grinder. The grinder ran pretty well, but not at full speed under continuous use. I used the grinder to shape my switch plate which is made from plastic.

Ran the wiring to the pocket below the radio and cig lighter
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Here is the 75% finished switch plate that I shaped using a buffing wheel on the die grinder
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Waiting for paint to dry was annoying
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Here is the final product of the switch plate. Im not 100% happy with it and will probably make a new one from aluminum after Gone
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Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
Well today I got the mounting bracket in place and the compressor on the plate. Its very sturdy and has enough room to stuff the hose and tire inflator and deflator behind.

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After the install I stuffed all my tools and ice chest back in the rig and managed to get everything to fit no problems.
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I AM READY FOR MOAB!!
 

dixie1865

Bought an X
Location
Lockport, IL
Looks good. You have gotten a lot done since this time last year. I have a few things left to go through this week to get ready. I'll load up Friday and see you out there on Sunday.
 

Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
Looks good. You have gotten a lot done since this time last year. I have a few things left to go through this week to get ready. I'll load up Friday and see you out there on Sunday.

Yup, I just got done doing my pre-final load checks and fluid/tire checks. Tomorrow when I get home I will do another final, fill the tank and my gas can and start my migration to Denver. Saturday I should be in Moab about 330-4
 

caseycamby

Suspension Lift
Location
Marion, NC
Looking good man! I'm digging that switch panel. That's exactly what I've been wanting to do for my compressor and locker(s). Did you use screws or rivets? I haven't decided how I wanna affix it.
 

Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
Looking good man! I'm digging that switch panel. That's exactly what I've been wanting to do for my compressor and locker(s). Did you use screws or rivets? I haven't decided how I wanna affix it.

I used short (1/2") length screws to hold it in, that way I can get to the pocket and run wires for my locker switch when the time comes.



On another note, GoneMOAB2016 is a blast so far. I got to Moab Saturday and was on the trail within hours of arrival.

First up was Fins-N-Things, quick easy and a great warm up.
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Yesterday we also ran Seven Mile Rim. Was a great with lots of challenging spots.
We picked up the owner of Moab Powersports and her side-by-side to hit the trails with us. Emma pulled that trailer like a gas guzzling champ!
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yes I did go through this! pics when I get them
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I also tackeled Wipeout Hill. I was quite apprehensive, but I managed to get through no problems barely slipped a tire.
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And ALWAYS remember, Who the F#CK is Blueberry? and Safety Third!
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Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
You guys need to make a run out this way next year! We had a few rigs from the east coast on the trail today.

We did Top of The World today, a bit rough and a VERY long day due to a second gen losing 4wd and me cutting a tire... Plus the fact we had about 26 rigs on the trail made things slow moving. I did have a blast and got to do the obligatory TOTW photo.

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Is there a way to post FB video on here, Ive posted alot of my short clips from the event on FB.
 

Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
Well today I ran Jax Trax, all in all a snoozer of a trail and really easy and laid back. Kinda a good change from yesterdays TOTW fiasco. Never had to get spotters out for anyone and never had any issues. Those two alone made for a quick trail day.
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Once I got off the trail I had seen that the expedition overland rig is in Moab, so I quickly jumped in my truck and hunted it down. idk why the pic is so grainy
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dixie1865

Bought an X
Location
Lockport, IL
I saw the Exp. Overland rig downtown too. It was out at a campsite off Sandhill Rd qhen we went out for the night run.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk
 

Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
Well GoneMOAB 2016 is done and finished and Im back in Wyoming and VERY tired, however I am ready to start building for next year!

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And my Friday didnt end after the Hell's Revenge run, I decided I wanted to try to finish Britney Spears in areaBFE in the dark, went out there at about 930pm didnt leave until about 11pm
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Slasa

Lockers Installed
Location
Denver
Well today I ran Jax Trax, all in all a snoozer of a trail and really easy and laid back. Kinda a good change from yesterdays TOTW fiasco. Never had to get spotters out for anyone and never had any issues. Those two alone made for a quick trail day.
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Once I got off the trail I had seen that the expedition overland rig is in Moab, so I quickly jumped in my truck and hunted it down. idk why the pic is so grainy
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Good stuff! It was fun seeing you out there and having you on Jax Trax.

For you other XN'ers, I am the sexy one laying down in the front.
 

Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
Good stuff! It was fun seeing you out there and having you on Jax Trax.

For you other XN'ers, I am the sexy one laying down in the front.

I know man, I was a little bummed you couldn't run Hell's on Friday after you had the axle issues. Maybe next year!
 

Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
A few more pictures that I was tagged in over in bookfaceland. Thanks to Dan Taber of NORAC for the pictures out on Hells's Revenge

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Minor build update today. I picked up a 1.5gen center console/armrest from a fellow xterra owner after Gone, I didnt know they werent a direct swap. Me in my infinite master fabricator mode went to work and figured out a way to make the 1.5 armrest fit in my rig.

As you can see, my old latch basically ate away at the facotry latching location, and the 1.5 didnt come down far enough to latch into that hole.
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My solution was to take a small piece of aluminum scrap, bend it 90* and smooth out the edges to make a new latch...ARB compressor ran that die grinder flawlessly
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I then figured out where I needed the height of the latch to be and mounted it with 2 small screws directly into the plastic inside the box
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And the finished product, Im actually quite happy with it so far and really like the added compartment on the top!
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Also, Here is a picture of my Gonemoab fender trimming and clearancing for my 33-12.5s... YAY NO MORE RUB!
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Also almost forgot this! Thanks Luke @ LifestyleOffroad! Jaime Lynn Spears FTW!
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Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
After Gone2016 was over I noticed my Firestik CB antenna mount was really loose, I tried to tighten the screws I had used but couldnt get them tight enough. I pulled the mount off and noticed that the screws had enlarged the holes from constant moving. I decide my next option was to either weld the mount onto the body of the truck, or make a new antenna mount on the tire carrier. 20 minutes later I had this. Very solid, and I dont think I will have any issues with it

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Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
And so it begins.... The Hunt for the Mystery Squeak!

Basically I just started getting a rotational squeak that goes away close to highway speed (or at least I dont hear it) I thought it might be the U-joints, however I replaced mine today with Spicers and its still there. Next Im thinking it COULD be wheel bearings, but the fronts are fairly recently done (last year) and the rears havent been done yet. Maybe brakes rubbing, but it isnt really a squeal so not sure
 

Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
You've ruled out the shafts, so brakes or the rear covers would be my guess. Any difference in 4wd vs 2?

Well, I haven't tried 4wd yet, only just to and from work about 3 miles in 2wd. I have manual hubs up front so the front shaft shouldn't be spinning at all. And what rear covers are you speaking of?
 

Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
Went out to the Blackhills National Forest yesterday to do some exploring. Didn't hit any hard challenges, but mostly just dirt road and fire access roads. Then we went out to Devils Tower. I did have a minor issue with my U-bolts coming loose and the whole rear axle moved backward and the tires were rubbing on the rear corners, I eneded up having to lift the truck, pull it forward, I then cranked the U-bolts as tight as I could with a wrench and removed the rear corner on pass side for good measure. Later this week I will loosen everything back up and re-align the rear axle properly.

This was at Cement Ridge Lookout
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Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
Well, its been a while since my last update. Nothing huge recently as I am in the planning stages of putting an all aluminum R34 3 row radiator in as well as a larger trans cooler. All with temp gauges to replace the factory dummy gauge that doesn't give a whole lot of warning as to being overheated. My goal is to get this truck running as cool as I reasonably can. I know these aren't a needed upgrade alot of times, but after seeing a few bookface posts about cracked radiators and such, I think I want to be safe and go to the aluminum option. After these upgrades are finished I may go ahead and pick up a JK hood louver panel for added airflow through the engine bay.

After these cooling upgrades I will get back into the driveline and get my 5:13s ordered and start saving for the ARB rear locker. After the driveline is "finished" I will look into a winch setup and front bumper. Hopefully get alot of this done before winter hits my area hard.
 

Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
Well I recieved my Temp gauge today from GlowShift today. They ended up shipping me the wrong gauge, but whatever so I ended up just using it. The install was a little tricky to get everything lined up right and then to get the wiring figured out (still not 100% happy) but it works.

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Cptpackrat

Bumpers Installed
Location
Gillette WY
Things are happening. I finally received the R34 Radiator today. Once I got home I pulled some quick measurements to see where things needed to be modified. What I had found was that the lower radiator pins were the same distance apart which was 14.25" center to center as the factory radiator, however the upper pins were 2" more narrow than the factory. My current solution is to bend a piece of 16g aluminum into a radiator plate with the radiator pin holes drilled out with a grommet to keep things from rattling around. I will also have to make the plate lower than the upper radiator support crossmember as the R34 is also about 2" shorter than the OEM. It shouldn't be to hard a job to do this and fairly simple stuff.

I also am well aware of the SC radiator and the fact that it is a 2-row. However despite being smaller overall dimensions (not by much), the extra row will alow me to have more cooling surface as well as a slightly larger coolant capacity. Hopefully that equals out to a cooler running rig.

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