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Mods: Basics

The basics

Rear ladder - removed - Jun '03

Removed the rear ladder, front rack hoops and the supporting bars in between. These needed to be removed in order for the rig to fit into our garage. I had planned to remove the hardtop and switch tops depending on the season, so this makes that easier.

Rockware Front Bumper - Jul '03/Aug '03

Found someone selling a Rockware front bumper for a Land Rover Defender. Picked up July '03, installed in August. This gives me front tow points and a winch mount for my Warn winch.

 

Dual Optima Batteries - Aug '03

Found and picked up a couple Optima yellow top (refurbs) cheap. To get them installed I needed to add some wood underneath as the two batteries did not fit into the tray as one.

 

Winch Hookup - Nov '03

I had saved my winch (Warn XD9000i) from the Jeep. But I needed longer cables to hook it up to the batteries under the seat. Finally got some #1 gauge cables (14') from a welding store and installed and hooked up the winch.

 

Rock Sliders - Feb '04

Quinn made me some rock sliders. They are 3" square tubing, so I have a fair amount of side protection. They have worked well so far.

 

Lift - OME Springs - Apr '04

Installed some OME springs (751HD/764MD) and kept the old shocks for now (rancho9000). This was a pretty easy job, no spring compressor needed. Issue/question remaining, do I want to change my rear shocks due to current limitation in droop (limited by the shock).

 

Skid Plate - Southdown - Apr '04

I found a southdown skid plate for the front diff. This was a bugger to install. I finished up unhooking the tierod, removing the front swaybar and flipping the radius arm bolts around in order to get the brackets installed. Once the brackets were on the rest was easy. People dont like this skid due to loss of clearance, but the way I look at it the tierod is hanging down already - so its not much clearance lost and I've got protection now. Others like it.

 

Swaybars - removed - Apr '04

In the process of installing the OME springs and front diff skid plate, I finished up removing both swaybars. Rear mounting strap got whacked by a rock so it was toasted (need a new one if I intend to put it back). The front swaybar may get put back, but for now I'll leave it off and see how things go.

Front Blinkers - Apr '04

When I put the rockware bumper up front there was nowhere for the stock '94 blinkers to go. I just wired them to the bumper - very redneck. I finally did the rewiring - making the lower bezel the blinker instead. Problem was finding the correct bulb. All accounts called for either a 1156 or 7506 sylvania bulb - but these are too big to fit into the bezel. I finally found out that a 105 bulb works and fits.

 

Tires - Jul '04?

Finally went down to Discount Tire and picked up some bigger meats. I had some 285/75R16 BFG Mud Terrains mounted on the stock alloys in place of the 265/75 All Terrains. Looks a bit better and I think the speedo now actually reads the correct speed.

 

Lockers and Gears - Mar '05

I won a coupon for ARB, worked with Bill at GBR to get a set of his diffs with 4.11 R&P and ARB lockers, front and rear. Purchased over a year ago, shipped in late '04 just before I moved. I just now found the time (and place) to put them in. Procedure is not too bad - for each axle remove the wheels, axle shafts, prop shaft, then remove diff (3rd member). Install the new one, and reinstall/hookup all pieces and refill diff and swivels with oil. Front diff is a bit tricky as the hubs have to come off in order to remove the axles. Rear took 1/2 day (with help), front took a day and a half on my own, foundering around (first timer). I mounted the ARB compressor under the passenger seat. Cut a hole in the dash/tray next to the steering column and mounted the switches there.

 

 

Crankcase Vent - Jun '05

In the quest to get more umph, I read that the CCV system needs to be maintained. The intake filter was toasted (bought a new sponge) and the oil separator was full of gunk (easier to buy a replacement). Amazing what you find when you read manuals.

On the 'want' list:

• Flex-a-lite electric fans - clutch on my fan is going or gone.
• Hinged arm - Quinn
• HD axles - (RoverTracks? GBR?)

Height measurements - tracking changes to mods.

¼ = 1/4  ½ = 1/2  ¾ = 3/4
Yes, my truck w/ stock suspension seems to be leaning to the left!